Vision And Power | Sportsbet Blog

Posts Tagged ‘ Vision and Power ’

Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes Preview and Tips

By David on September 4, 2009

Randwick’s Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes is a big name puller this week, with several big names. The $150,000 race has a reasonably small field, with only 10 runners after Dreamscape was scratched.

Several big names have won the Chelmsford Stakes, including Lonhro, Pasta Express and last year’s winner, Gallant Tess. The Chelmsford is traditionally a good lead up race to the Group 1 George Main Stakes at Randwick in three weeks time.

O’Lonhro ($2.80 with Betfair) will start as the favourite, and looking at his recent form it is easy to see why. He impressed in his first taste of group racing two weeks ago, where he narrowly lost to Trusting in the Warwick Stakes. His sire, the great Lonhro, won this race twice, so the race may become a bit of a family favourite.

Not too far behind him is Court Command with odds of $4.50. He finished 5^th in the Warwick Stakes, but won before that. He will be looking to win his first group race since May this year, where he beat a field of 17 to win the Group 3 Darley BTC Sprint.

Despite the small field, there has been no love for Moody Avenue, who is at $251. The 4 year old made his debut late compared to the others, and won his first race three weeks ago, albeit a maiden. He has not had experience racing against horses of the calibre of this field, and I feel like entering in the Chelmsford Stakes in like jumping in at the deep end before you’ve learnt to swim.

Another one at short odds is Triple Honour ($6). Despite not winning since last year’s Premiere Stakes, he is considered a good chance. He is at short odds considering his trainer is not anticipated a win. Triple Honour could definitely finish in the top three, but those odds are not looking juicy enough for me yet.

Trainer Joseph Pride has two horses in this race, Vision and Power ($7) and Miss Marielle ($10). They are both good chances, although Miss Marielle has not run in a group race for some time. Vision and Power disappointed in the Warwick Stakes but has an excellent record before then.

I think that although O’Lonhro is still inexperienced, he has shown that he can fight out the group races and I think the Chelmsford will become his first group win. I think Vision and Power and Court Command are the next two in the race, and my other tip will go to the Anthony Cummings trained Miss Darcey ($21).

My tips:

1st. O’Lonhro

2nd. Vision and Power

3rd. Court Command

4th. Miss Darcey

The Group 2 Warwick Stakes Preview and Tips

By David on August 19, 2009

All the classy races and horses this weekend can be found at Randwick, with three Group races on the card. The 2009 Group 2 Warwick Stakes is probably the best example, with big name horses, trainers and jockeys to fight out the $150,000 race, run over 1400m.

16 horses have been nominated, the field limit, but there are sure to be scratchings leading up to the day. Horses nominated include one Gai Waterhouse’s five runners for the day, Dreamscape; veteran gelding Vision and Power; and last year’s winner, Racing to Win.

There will be a nostalgic feeling about the race if the relatively untried O’Lonhro races. The Hawkes trained stallion is the son of Lonhro, a former winner of this race, and of course, a champion racehorse.

Court Command, the experienced stallion, has not really impressed at Group level recently and hasn’t won a race above Group 3. However, after a much-needed spell and an impressive win first-up, this might be the time for Court Command to step it up a level.

Unlike Court Command, New Zealand gelding Metal Bender has impressed at a Group level, and has won two Group ones and placed in another. However, he will be racing first-up after a three month break so it will be interesting to see how he copes.

More Than Great, who was ran second in last week’s Run to The Rose is another one to watch. However, if his owners and trainer still plan on running him in next week’s Golden Rose at Rosehill, it will be unlikely that he will race on Saturday. If he does race, though, he will definitely be one to look out for.

This race will be a milestone for 8 year old Mr. Baritone. The Warwick Stakes will be the gelding’s 50th race. However, he has not won for over a year and although I hope he can get over the top here, I think it might be past him.

This race could be won by any of five or six horses. I like Metal Bender, but if you take a bet on him, remember the first-up factor. I think that Court Commander should take his racing to another level here, and Racing to Win, who hasn’t raced a lot since winning this race, should perform. I also like the thought of an each-way bet on More Than Great, if he races.

My Tips: