The Global Mail

Well named Smart Money - Diplomatic colt Tony Montana, managed by Golden Acres took his first steps to stardom with a nice debut victory over the weekend. The 15.2hh wonder took just 2 calls to put the race beyond all doubt running away down the stretch by 2 and a half lengths from the fast finishing Danewar. Lithium, who made up a massive deficit although well beaten could be the one to follow in future races although take nothing away from the winnerwho hails from the very exciting first crop of champion racehorse Smart Money. The former winner of 18 million in prizemoney has had 8 runners to race for 6 in the money and the other two a competitive 5th and 6th. Tony Montana didn't inherit all his talent from his dad though becuase his mother, the multi - surface sprint miler Diplomatic won 4 consecutive races at 2 and last year produced placed 2yo Electric Barbarella. 

Dvo's rock bottom $10,000 purchase from the recent yearly auction has already reaped some handsome dividends for the stable after he turned the opening race into a one act affair. Early in the race, the front was certainly no place for the faint of heart as Hoosier Daddy Farms rep Mister Ken and Whisperwood's Strauss fought each other for control. Both youngsters sensibily called it a day as early as the 3rd call as Flatline claimed the lead from the very brief Silver Point with Tree Top Farm's Quagmire in close attendance. It wasn't long though before Flatline shook them loose and the only answer came from a lightning fast close from the very unlucky Watch this Space colt who's name is the significantly ironic - Lucky Champ who was lost in transit behind tiring 2yos. Freethinker and Dreamscape who also made ground without looking likely can also be followed with confidence this season especially in similar feilds.

The Global Series ground to a halt for this season with the final leg going to the almost immortal Rocket, who won his 6th G1 of the season in the QTC Classic. It wasn't enough to bridge the gap however on Regal Lad who was a steady leader on the table pretty much the entire season. An admirable effort also goes out to the 2nd placed Bold Bard who made a final bid to catch the ladder leader when he backed up just a couple of days after his last run. He wasn't able to earn any late points however.

Rocket is washed down after winning the final leg of the classic challenge.

With just one race to go of the Global Classic Challenge the contenders are still neck and neck though only 2 horses are vying for the champions trophy. FDL Lodge who's smart sprinting miler colt Deux Francais claimed runner up in the sprint division is represented by Regal Lad a small colt who has good staying blood through his brother the WA Derby and Brisbane Cup winner Dalal. He currently sits atop the leaderboard on 19 points and will win the tittle unless Bold Bard enters and wins the QTC Classic the final leg. Even a second place for Bold Bard would see him tie. The only problem is that both horses ran just two days previous to the QTC and a back up by either horse is highly unlikely.

Regal Lad (l) and Bold Bard (r).

In an effort that probably baffled his owners, gun 2yo Regal Lad's first attempt at graded racing had resulted in a career worst 37 length loss. An uncomprehensible effort for a horse previously 4 starts for 3 wins. However it's now clear after his most recent win in the 9.5f ALW that it may have been the bottomless Woodbine track that was responsible and not his lack of class.

It was a strong effort to hold back the lighter weighted Grimau who has been displaying a marked improvement on form off late. Regal Lad was stalking the leader Lazy Day throughout and if anything was made to go for the wire a little early when that horse punctured in the back straight leaving Regal Lad infront. The margin was a 1/2 length at the wire with Bando Alle Ciance who didn't enjoy the best of travels back 5L in 3rd.

With a 6 run winning streak, 5 of which are at G1 level - It's hard to imagine that Rocket could have ever been beaten and more importantly will he ever taste defeat again. This 2 weeks ago we reveleld in the marvelous fact he took out 2 races over 1 weekend; a feat we speculated seldom happened and could never be repeated.

Low and behold it WAS done again by Rocket himself thus earning a place in the top 4 horses aiming for Global Classic Glory.

The only leg this week was the G2 Breeder's Futurity and Rocket's first feel of the dirt since his 3 Length defeat when 3rd in the Dubai Juvi. The fact that Rocket was still a dust maiden after 3 tries was completely lost amost the thousands of punters who dared accept the frightening odds of 4/5, "it's better than bank intrest" one jolly punter remarked as he handed the bookmaker a heafty roll of c notes. Despite the awkwardly biased betting market there was some intrest in the race mostly coming from the unbeaten Colombian bred colt Tundra Sky his two wins coming under trying conditions against massive 20 horse feilds in 2000m Allowances.

Although it took Rocket the whole straight to put away the strong Colombian as always he did it comfortably on the wire. In typical Rocket style he simply wears down his rivals - he holds eye contact from the bend, matching identical strides before breaking their hearts in the final furlong. His jockey, who would once panic at the sight of another horse by their side at the quarter pole and begin pushing and urging now just sits quietly atop the great Mars colt and awaits that final burst he knows will take them to glory. Rocket has become the epiphany of a racehorse with the level of track sense and erudition that would see jockeys become extinct. One wonders wether Rocket is a champion in spite of his pilot and if he could have been unbeaten to date without one.

Regal Lad, a horse who early in the year had had just a couple of starts was sold by established 2yo makers Rainbow and the price was 1.5 million dollars. If the price wasn't already justified it certainly is now after a 4 1/2 towling of a good field including regular rival Bando Alle Ciance. He simply flies over dust surfaces and there is signs of much more to come after he recorded his highest ever PSR in the most recent race.

Awesome grey Regal Lad clears out at the top of the lane.

At the 400m mark all the cards were laid down on the table and the players were looking out for usual "tell". Not a clear margin separated Rocket and Garson De Garcia, infact as the 16hh colts rumbled down the stretch it was difficult to see 2 horses - their strides completely unison. One of only 2 horses the punters believed could challenge the pair was Da Vinci Code usually consistant but this time was one of the first horses under pressure. The other Bonai Farm's 2.2m dollar colt Daredevil was knee deep in trouble behind a wall of floundering hooves. Rocket had the form on his side, a multi-millionaire winner of 3 straight G1's. Garson De Garcia only had ungraded, G3 and G2 wins to his name but he is the son of a stallion and mare that between them won 23 G1 races 24million in prizemoney and he knows it too. Both are still locked together as they leave the 200m marker behind them the only difference is the jockeys are now giving it their all, it's then that Rocket seems to hang in the air midstride, and comes down at a different interval, his head turns in and he lowers like a ferrari. He had the aces all along.  

Horse of the moment Rocket, looks set to run his 4th race in under 5 weeks this weekend. The boom 2yo has amassed just $5,000 short of 2 million in his past 3 starts spanned over 23 days. After taking the Golden Slipper and  AJC Sires Produce Stakes the G1 Champagne Stakes is the obvious next step, which would stamp him as the 2010 2yo Triple Crown owner and if there was any doubt a win would certainly parcel up 2yo Horse of the Year honours.

As an added bonus a top 5 placing will also see him register his first points on the Global Classic table. While not impossible he would have his work cut out to add the Classic sphere to his bulging trophy cabnet but with 3 Dirt placings previously including in the G2 Dubai Juvenile, I wouldn't doubt him.

At the end of last week gun colt Rocket had all but put his name on the Global Sprint Challenge Trophy so it was a suprise (although a pleasant one) to see his name down in not only one of the final legs, but both! Some people believed it couldn't be done and others believed it shouldn't be done but the brains behind leading barn Thunder Lodge had other ideas. On almost any other occasion racing a horse twice over one week would result in a poor second performance but oblivious to everyone else the layout of this weeks Golden Slipper and AJC Sires was more than accomodating. A full 9 days off which is more than some horses get when raced from week to week. Regardless though of the loophole it is simply not done, not on purpose anyway.

Rocket's first assignment was in the G1 Golden Slipper - the dash for cash. Here is a race so furious at times that most trainers put a line through it in their programs. Where the cream innevitably will rise to the top and the not so speedy are soon caught out. Kostya, the Blue Diamond winner had won 5 races from 7 and had only ever been passed under race conditions by Rocket. Rocket who was backing up after winning the VRC Sires had been beaten 4 times by a fellow 2yo, most recently by Kostya. It was no suprise at all to see the two young talented colts fight it out in the betting ring and then on the racetrack. Rocket with more breaking speed was the first out of the machine but it wasn't long before Kostya who was suprising slow out, had his back. On the second call it was close as Kostya applied more pressure on the outside and the two were locked together as they rounded the bend. The inside colt just stared down the grey in the final strides to pull away a length victor.

When I sent my photographer round the back to see him an hour before the AJC Sires he probably wasn't expecting to take this photo,  of Rocket 9 days after his Golden Slipper win.

He was proving the almighty handfull for his groom, Al from Thunder Lodge.

When the saddle went on though a different horse emerged from the stalls, professional, regal and head and shoulders above the rest. If the weight of money behind him was any guide, this was going to be a procession.

A few coat-tuggers grabbed me and tried to pull me aside saying "The golden horse will outrun him" and "Watch the big horse from 4, he'll just lead and win" they were of course fans of the giant frontrunner Hepatic Flap who was an eager 2nd favorite and snapping at his heels.

A massive crowd had gathered at Randwick to see it for themselves, and a hush covered the gatherers as the gates opened. Hepatic Flap did fly the gates and led the feild at a good pace but Rocket was never far from the rabbit, stalking it's every move. At the 400m when Hepatic Flap excellerated, the leader's jockey chanced a quick peep over his left shoulder and was horrified when the only sight he saw was the dual G1 winner cruising, his jockey swinging from his mouth and yet he was gaining.

Soon after, Hepatic Flap breathing heavily and under hard persuasion from his jock was eyed by the smaller colt and in a stride it was over, Rocket opened the throttle and gave it his all. In much the same fashion as he'd taken the Global Sprint series. He didn't even ask for the race....................He just took it.

Undeafeted colt Anotherdropoflava almost lost his unblemished record during a duel that lasted from gate to wire. Arab Chief who boasts a 2nd behind leading dirt 2yo Argument put on his boxing gloves this weekend and even had Anotherdropoflava on the ropes by the end. The judge needed 2 developed prints and almost an hour to decide the winner of the G2 Del Mar Futurity and was almost about to declare a dead heat when a reversed developed print revealed Anotherdropoflava's flared nostril touching the line.

Girl Crazy, a higher class of colt was clearly too good for his rivals in the stayers maiden over the weekend. A relatively new player in the Global Classic Challenge series he had signaled his intentions with a narrow second to Vivaldi in the G1 Ranvet recently. This weekend he was never passed and ran out a strong 1 1/2 L winner from the rank outsider Upwards who was held up before flying home late. In a race that featured many horses trying the staying trip for the first time there were alot of tired horses causing interferance to those coming from behind; including 3rd placed New Moon on Monday & 5th home Rich 'N Famous. The 2nd favorite Duo Power had a forgettable run and is a much better horse than that luckless run suggests.

Gun 2yo performer Rocket took another step up this weekend when he took out his first G1 victory in the 1400m Sires Produce Stakes at Flemington. Ideally suited to the 7f the triple G1 placed Mars colt took charge early before shaking off the only challenger Ketonuria. Well backed Da Vinci Code was 3rd. Previously placed in open G1's The Railway and The Lightning, Rocket's most recent effort was a 3rd in the G1 Blue Diamond.

Champion 2yo Rocket looked a picture of health when he paraded at the annual Thunder Lodge open day last week.

HEAR THE CLOSING STAGES HERE! 

Striking chestnut Deux Francais silenced all doubters yesterday with a smart victory in the G3 Sapling. Having not been able to claim a major scalp he'd been put in a hat with several other babies hoping for top billing but with placings behind the likes of Argument, Anotherdropoflava, Kostya and Rocket it was never going to be far away. 

He finally let loose with a revenge victory on Argument who beat him by a length in the G2 Dubai Juvi. Splitting the pair was the much improved Pharlane but it was Argument was the talk of the town. 

Argument was unlucky but more to point was sensationally displaced as favorite in the dying minutes of betting under the weight of money for the eventual winner. For such an outstanding youngster who had previously put away Deux Francais and the likes it certainly raised eyebrows.

Regardless of any shifty going's on one group of people lined along the outside rail who certainly left happy were those sporting the bright Red and Black "Deux Francais" badges. After the running of the race when asked about the badges the ringleader proclaimed "We just love him!, Everytime he runs we come and cheer him on" and added "He's stunning". They were certainly vocal enough when the little chestnut turned infront.

Handsome colt Deux Francais poses for the camera.

HEAR THE CLOSING STAGES HERE! 

Rainbow and 2yo racing is what Foxie's Lodge is in G1 racing - Dominant.

Granted their barns are buldging to hold some 56 horses that they have on their books but their record in 2yo racing from just 10 reps this year is beyond reproach.

Despite not winning over the weekend, their colt Girl Crazy did match his motors against the best in the Open G1 Ranvet Stakes, finishing an admirable 2nd behind 5yo Vivaldi who notched his 3rd Group 1 victory. Girl Crazy was having just his 2nd race start and amazingly he was looking at turf for his first time and dropping 1200m in distance from his debut which in itself was a more than decent 4th of 20 behind Bando Alle Ciance  although he was beaten by 32+L.

Yesterday he led being stalked by classy Vivaldi before outsider Tsunami made a pest of himself and took them on. That move was short lived and when he began to fade Girl Crazy again attacked Vivaldi and momentarily looked safe before the older horse again surged and cleared away for a handy win.

Fellow 2yo Duo Power should have finished closer but looked to be held back by the tiring Tsunami and Whiplash was not disgraced.

Rainbow can look foreward to the future with Girl Crazy as well as Tundra Sky, Cool Talk, White War and Free Demon to name a few.

Vivaldi (outside) tackles 2yo Girl Crazy for the Ranvet.

 HEAR THE CONCLUDING STAGES HERE!

Kostya, an 11th hour inclusion into the race was a somewhat shock winner of the G1 Blue Diamond this weekend after being ruled out of the race after pulling up lame in one of the race's previews. But the colt lead the field and despite a late rally was able to hold on. However his owners not having nominated him to take part in the series have forfeited their points onto Rivendell's clasy colt Arctic Silver who was gallant in defeat. The letdown of the race was in no doubt the interference suffered by third placed Rocket coming off a photo finish with Run Missy Run in the G1 Lightning. Rocket was severely checked when making a run by the tiring Deux Francais and had to be hooked around the feild from 6th at the quarter pole. He managed to close to within 1 and a half but it was too late for a winning bid.

Star 2yo Regal Lad was sold recently in a private deal brokered by leading barn FDL Lodge. The amount has been reported at no less than 1.5 million dollars. Regal Lad a son of Winning Lad debuted over the gruelling Shenendoah Downs 2 miles on dirt and narrowly wore down Bando Alle Ciance and Bold Bard who have both gone on to win. He then dropped to 2000m but couldn't catch front runner Tundra Sky however finished again ahead of Bold Bard and Bando Alle Ciance. He has been in the paddock for approx 5 months due to the lack of 2yo staying races and is likely to resume shortly for his new owners. He is also currently 2nd placed on the Global Classic table behind Bold Bard.

Gun 2yo Kostya has been sidelined for up to 3 weeks and could miss a chance of G1 glory in the $1million Blue Diamond Stakes the race he emphatically dominated the preview for over the weekend. While it has not be confirmed exactly how bad the injury is, a vet was reportedly called for out to the barn of Beaver Stables late on Saturday evening following the colt's impressive all the way win in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview and a 17 day ban on the horse was recommended. With the usual grace period of 14 days bringing it right up to 31 days the G1 final of the Blue Diamond in 32 days is still a possibilty.

A furlong is not a great distance but alot can happen in those final 40 or so strides, just ask the connections of flying filly Borgata Romana and her stalker the ultra promising colt Deux Francais who looked to have had the 1 Million Dollar Magic Millions Classic between them. But as they came upon the final furlong a figure appeared between them, Blue Hawaii and they left Borgata Romana slightly behind the two fought it right out to the wire. The filly Blue Hawaii emerging victorious. Blue Hawaii is a half sister to recent G1 winning 3yo Filly Charming Lil and after just 4 starts looks most promising.

Passing the final furlong eventual winner Blue Hawaii pushes between Borgata Romana on the inside and Deux Francais on the outer.

There is another Thunder Lodge galloper stepping into the spotlight and it comes in the way of the aptly named colt Rocket. Fresh from an open class G1 3rd the versitile son of Mars and Sing a Song is well on his way to stardom after his win against the unbeaten Kostya in the 3rd leg of the global sprint series. Both colts put in exemplary performances but it was Rocket who overhauled long time leader Kostya on the wire. Just 1/4 of a length separted the two betting standouts with almost 6 lengths back to Life on Mars. Their next battle is eagerly awaited particularily if they cross surfaces with Argument or vise versa. One can only hope ;P

With the scratching of his only possible challenger Immortal, Argument was left to do it all alone in the 2nd leg of the Global Sprint series. The Establos del castillo owned youngster treated the race like trackwork, rolling through a leisurely early quarter infront before being allowed to roll and eventually break decisively from the pack. The only chaser was the muchly improved Arab Chief followed nearly 10L back to Fetor who suffered an injury during the race.

Saturday's G3 Kentucky Breeder's Cup for the youngsters has drawn a less than remarkable feild but two of the most exciting 2yo's in the country have put their reputations on the line and made the journey to Churchill Downs this week. Adding fuel to the fire the raceclub's questionable tactic of housing them not just in the same barn but in stalls opposite has only gone towards making things more interesting as a media scrum gathers outside the Barn B doors. In stall number 98 Argument is finishing breakfast after a scintilating final peice of fast work. The colt is possibly forgettable though tidy on looks but lacks size and power, in fact on Tuesday as reporters and photographers scurried around for a vantage point as "Argument" was worked then walked and hosed they had to be told by a stable lad that they were infact stalking Chautebriand, a stablemate who'd accompanied Argument for experience, Chautebriand an unplaced son of Champ is a superior looking animal who stands over 16.1 hh and nothing but a pure ball of muscle. Some "journos" actually laughed when the real Argument stepped out onto the track, at just 15.2hh the colt is dwarfed by the stable pony but no-one doubts his ability or his hunger for the post. He is exactly the sort of horse do not want stalking you, but that's how he likes his pray. Just within striking distance until he's ready. He never asks - he just takes.

Looking out over her stall 3 is Immortal a massive filly with huge bone and massive muscle definition, the sort of woman you'd not want to cross in a dark alley. She's that pretty light chestnut colour with a full white face that has young girls all over the country drawing pictures and writing poems about her. But she's not a horse for the faint hearted, 2 hulk-like handlers hold tight to 2 re-enforced leather straps and stallion chains hang off her like a soldier in full military garb. She is not un-happy though, make no mistakes - it's through sheer focus and determination she is this way and her relentless front-running style is her greatest asset.

The aftermath of the 3rd leg of this years Classic Challenge sees top barn Rainbow in a formidable position. This weekend they saddled 5 babies, 4 of which fought on and earned themselves cheques but it was the last start winners Regal Lad and Tundra Sky who had everyone talking after finishing 1, 2 in the 2000m Dirt Allowance.  Tundra Sky who was a short priced favorite broke fast and led at every pole to draw out an impressive 4 1/4 length win while Regal Lad tussled most of the way with top rival Bold Bard before shaking him off in the straight. The top 4 rounded out by gun colt Bande Alle Ciance really spread-eagled the rest of the pack and look to have the Classic Challenge between them.

Rainbow's 2yos work midweek; Tundra Sky (inside) leads fellow Thunder Arctic colt Freezing (middle) and the son of War Machine, White War.

His rivals were left with no retort after brilliant sprinting 2yo Argument crushed the G1 Dubai Juvenile feild to dust over the weekend. After settling in 2nd with leader Camera Shy in his sights the Establos Del castillo raced youngster looked in command as far out as 2nd call and won easing down by 1 legth from the favorites Deux Francis and Rocket the latter, is morphing more and more into a top class juvenile and Deux Francis continues his consistant form. It goes without saying that those top 3 can continue to be followed with confidence this season. Reward who was the first filly home i'm sure did her connections at KRF Stables proud, as did 5th placed Whiplash who drew very wide and rushed home very late. For an unknown reason the speedball Camera Shy lacked her usual grit after showing more toe than a roman sandal. Blueblood Road to Zion put in an eyecatching debut in the best possible company. Further down the finishing order was the pony sized State Tower who remarkably improved 60 lengths on his illustrious debut, he was cutting back 2000m in distance though which looked to suit alot better.

No disputes; Class colt Argument packing too many guns clears away atop the stretch.

BARD PROVES TOO BOLD

It was an exciting end to the 2nd leg of the Classic this weekend, albeit one-sided with the Watch This Space trained Bold Bard turning the 2 mile Allowance into a one act affair.

The hot early pace set by the debutants Catchman and Sinking Fear was bound to make the event a genuine staying test, but it was clear as far out as the 5th call when Bold Bard was seen stalking them that they had better have something left in the tank. Turns out they didn't and Bold Bard moved swiftly into the lead position. Late runs by Belvedere, High Heat and Imperial Champ caught the eye but over 16 lengths ahead of them Bold Bard was under a vice like hold and in a world of his own.  

In another twist one of the only 2 horses to have defeated Bold Bard thus far Bando Alle Ciance also threw down his rivals in the Shenandoah Marathon in winning by 10 3/4L, should make for a great rematch when they eventually dual again and it really has us eagerly awaiting the next appearance of their successor Regal Lad.  

BALLY DOYLE WITH A VIEW TO A KILL

The driving force behind powerhouse stable "Bally Doyle" could be forgiven for thinking that their giant War Machine colt had leprosy given the way he has sent the classic challenge ladder leaders running for the hills.

The striking bay currently lies 5th on the leader board after his steady fifth over the Shenandoah Dirt 2 miles almost 4 weeks ago. In that event he was very popular in the betting starting at 5/1 and he was arguably the most talked about proposition before post time. He followed home 2nd placed Bando Alle Ciance and Duo Power both of which have opted to take on the shenandoah marathon again. For whichever reason they have for avoiding the 2nd leg of the classic one things for sure that there is one War Machine colt who will undoubtedly relish the drop back to 1900m. Already though there are some interesting debutants lining up to challenge including the Revenge filly Revelation, Buffone di Corte and Grisu and also the breathtaking blueblood High Heart who heralds from the flying Foxie Lodge. All in all it will be another exiting leg in the quest for the Global Classic trophy win.