TJ Smith Stakes 2017 – A look at the International horses

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Let’s Go Donki

Breeding: King Kamehameha x Marutoku
Trainer: Tomoyuki Umeda
Nationality: Japanese
Career Stats: 18: 2-4-4
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1600m/1800m
Career Best Win: Group l Japanese 1000 Guineas (1600m), April 12 2015, Hanshin, Good Surface
Dry Track Stats: 16: 2-3-3
Wet Track Stats: 2: 0-1-1
Championships Target Race: TJ Smith Stakes
Short Summary: Capable and classy mare on her day, but perhaps a miler? Coolmore Legacy would be more suitable?

 

Second Last Start (2nd)- Listed Ladies Classic (1600m), November 3 2016, Kawasaki, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface

Came across from a wide gate under Iwata and seemingly got into a nice spot. Looked to travel well but she just couldn’t quite finish it off and had to settle for second to a classy mare in White Fugue.

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Last Start (2nd)- Turquoise Stakes (1600m), December 17 2016, Nakayama, Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface.Much similar to the previous start. Looked to get into a nice spot and again looked to be going well in the run but again she just lacked that killer punch and had to settle for second, but the key here is that they ran slashing time, which is a tick.
(Replay Unavailable)Final Summary: Interesting they have nommed for this race. Are they hoping a brutal 1200m will suit this mare and her racing pattern? Not sure, but she certainly has the class and ability to run a bold race at odds.

Peniaphobia

Breeding: Dandy Man x Umlani
Trainer: Tony Cruz
Nationality: Hong Kong
Career Stats: 33: 12-6-8
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1000m/1200m
Career Best Win: Group l Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m), December 13 2015, Sha Tin, Good Surface
Dry Track Stats: 31: 11-5-8
Wet Track Stats: 2: 1-1-0
Championships Target Race: TJ Smith Stakes
Short Summary: One of the best Hong Kong sprinters in recent years and has bounced back to recent winning form.

 

Second Last Start (2nd)- Group lll Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m), January 8 2017, Sha Tin, Clockwise Direction, Good Surface

Jumped brilliantly to sit up on speed before taking the sit. From there it was a bit nightmare-ish as he struggled to clear and by the time he did, Amazing KIds had built up the momentum and dashed away. His effort was sound in defeat back to 1000m.

Last Start (1st)- Group ll Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), January 30 2017, Sha Tin, Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface.Bounced back into the winners list and he didn’t beat scrubbers. He beat most of the runners from the International Sprint and did it in style. Led all the way under Neil Callan and when strongly challenged by Lucky Bubbles, he found and on the line he was holding them at bay for a super win.

Final Summary: He’s not the horse he was in 2015, but last start did show that there is springs in those older legs of his. The big key is the lead. If he can lead without copping too much pressure, he will definitely give a sight. The negative is that last time he faced Chautauqua, he was beaten many lengths.