Over the next few weeks Just Horse Racing is going to phase in a once-a-week full comments and tips coverage of the Woodbine racing out of Canada.
No website in Australia currently offers expert tips and comments on runners at what has always been the easiest track in North America to having a winning wager at.
We are looking to start that service next week, before that, however, here is a teaser.
What the Melbourne Cup is to Australia, and the Japan Cup is to Japan, or an even better example, what the Kentucky Derby is to American racing, so is the Gr 1 Queen’s Plate to Canadian racing.
It’s the one race each year that attracts all sorts of media attention and packs out the Woodbine racetrack.
It’s a 2000m race for Canadian-bred 3YOs and is worth $1million.
The TAB in Australia will operate on the race as will most corporate bookies including Sportsbet and BetEasy.
So here is THE most comprehensive coverage of the Queen’s Plate you will find – every runner scrutinised.
Good luck. The race will be run NSW time at around 7.40am on Sunday morning and will be shown on Sky Channel.
Gr 1 Queen’s Plate 2000m 7:40am (Sunday morning)
1121 DESERT RIDE T. Neil Howard. J. Steve Bahen
This is a potential superstar of Canadian racing. She’s only lightly raced yet has already won at Keeneland, Gulfstream Park and last start came to Woodbine and won the Gr 3 Woodbine Oaks over 1800m in a manner befitting a queen. Sat back off the pace, rolled to the centre of Woodbine’s long home straight then came with a paralyzing burst of speed. The extra 200m here is only going to advantage her more. Will flop out from her rails draw, park up in about 6th throughout then peel out as the swing. Carries red colours with gold stars so watch for her charge late.
4334 MOON SWINGS T. Mike DePaulo J. Jesse Campbell
Has yet to win a race but has talent. One of the bigger lead up races to this Gr 1 is the Plate Trial and he ran in that finishing 4th, beaten 2.5 lengths. He camped just off the pace all the way and tried hard to accelerate when the whips were cracking. Has done all his racing at Woodbine and in the better company. He can hold his own but after 9 starts is still yet to win and this may prove a tad too tough.
4535 KRATCHENWAGEN T. Angus Buntain. J. Jeff Alderson
Another who has raced all his life at Woodbine so knows the course well and has won here. That hardly counts though as it was in a 1000m maiden back in Oct last year. Since then has placed in easier grade although does boast a Black Type placing over 1400m here coming from near rear on the bend. Sat well back in the Plate Trial won handsomely by Pay For Peace last start and made some ground late but not enough to suggest he can knock these over.
4861 PAY FOR PEACE T. Rachel Halden j. Raphael Hernandez
Has won twice this track already from 8 starts. Last start was the best effort when he took charge of the race coming to the bend, opened up and held sway down the running to win the big lead-up race the Plate Trial over 1800m by nearly 2 lengths. He was big odds that day as his prior 3 runs had been average in weaker races. Still, he may have turned the corner as his work since has been special. Does have one of the better riders to steer also.
3212 ONE BAD BOY T. Richard Baltas. J. Flavien Plat
Very interesting galloper who has been backed on the corporates over the past 2 days. Only had 4 starts to date, none at Woodbine or over this trip. Is a speed horse. Led most of the way over 1600m at Santa Anita recently to win his maiden in fast 1.34 by nearly 5 lengths. Since tried that same tactic over a mile at stakes level and was beaten into 2nd spot, but again they went lickety split, he was taken on early and his effort was top class. Has worked briskly over 800m at Woodbine this week but the question is the long trip.
2106 LUCAS N’ LORI T. Kevin Attard. J. Kaz Kimura
Winner just once from only 6 starts and that was a maiden here last November. Two runs since have been poor. Beaten many lengths in restricted class races and looks the easiest horse to beat here. No.
9312 FEDERAL LAW T. Mark Casse. J. Jamie Spencer
One of the world’s great jockey’s in Jamie Spencer to ride this one, who at 3rd run back from a spell led and led and ran them along only to be run down in gutsy 2nd to Pay For Peace in the Plate Trial. He’s by the world star stallion at present Scat Daddy and he has a ton of talent winning 3 and placing 5 times from 11 starts most of all have been at stakes level. He too will find the last 100m tough here as we have some solid closers.
191 HE’S A MACHO MAN T. Josie Carroll. J. Pat Husbands
Rider has won this race twice previously and this is the horse many locals feel holds the key. He’s won 2 of his 3 life time starts and both those wins were comfortable successes at this track. Only loss was at Gulfstream when he hit the gate while leaving, panicked raced 5-wide for about 500m then dropped out and was tailed off at the end. Only start since was his win in useful time over 1700m when making ground late in a restricted grade race, here. Not sure he’s mature enough but he has finishing power.
8187 SUITEDCONNECTED T. Robert Barnett. J. Gary Boulanger
Shouldn’t get sighted in this. Was a winner back in November this track in his maiden when coming from a mile back to win by a head over 1400m. Two starts in prep for this, this year have been poor. Gets back and just hasn’t run on in either race at restricted class level.
1812 SKYWIRE T. Mark Casse. J. Eurico De Silva
Here’s the one many good judges are tipping. Lightly raced son of Afleet Alex, he’s 3 wins from 5 starts including the 1700m Wando Stakes here when on speed all the way and racing away. Federal Law was a distant 3rd that race. Since was odds on fav and beaten into 2nd in the Gr 3 Marine Stakes over 1700m here in very similar time to his win. Didn’t lead that day as he was trapped 4-wide early. Has worked very fast here during the week and his trainer is a recent Triple Crown winner of the Preakness!
4602 TONE BROKE T. Steve Asmussen. J. Luis Contreras
Fascinating visitor. Yet to race here but has won in the States twice and last start was stakes placed at Pimlico when sitting just off the speed all the way over 1700m. Is this any harder? We’ll see but he did go to Dubai and race twice in big stakes races there and both times was well thrashed. There has been money for him because he did win his maiden back in September over a mile coming from near last at the bend….by 15 lengths!
6527 JAMMIN STILL T. Kevin Attard. J. Alan Garcia
Won once in 5 starts and last start was well supported but never a threat when fading 7th beaten 10 lengths by Pay For Peace in the Plate Trial. Had chased He’s A Macho Man home into 2nd spot at start prior but last start was just too far off what’s needed.
5343 RISING STAR T. Mike DePaulo. J. Justin Stein
What a story this would be if he won. Was claimed in the States for just $40,000 back in April. That day he was 3rd over 1700m in a maiden when favourite. Shipped to Woodbine and was beaten in a strong maiden over 1700m making ground late before a slashing Trial run when fast finishing into 3rd spot in the Plate Trial behind Pay For Peace. Still a maiden but he came from last in the Trial and the extra trip suits. His rider is coming back after many years away too.
1116 AVIE’S FLATTER T. Josie Carroll. J. Javier Castellano
This is the horse many people in Canada are backing. He’s a star and has been the pre-race favourite for this since markets went up in January. Back in September he was beaten 2 lengths by subsequent Gr 1 Preakness winner War Of Will in the Gr 1 Summer Stakes here over 1600m then went on a 3-race winning spree – all 3 stakes wins when coming from midfield. One of them was the Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland over 1700m. Got back at Churchill Downs in the Gr 2 American Turf last start and only plodded home for 6th. That was 1700m too. This is many lengths easier than his recent outings but he has the worst draw and may be pratted 4-wide from the get go.
TIPS: 1. DESERT RIDE, 2. Avie’s Flatter, 3. One Bad Boy, 4. Skywire
