Nine horses will contest today’s main event at the Garrison Savannah – the Grade I Coolmore Home Of Champions Stakes And Trophy over 1 800 metres for horses rated 120 to 140 and 119 and below.
At best this field can be categorized as interesting, with the likelihood of them finishing in accordance with their rating. Five horses have won at least one race in their last three starts – Aristodemus and Discreetwon have won two each, while Little Man Arran, Meterorite and Charge It have one win apiece.
Fans will hope to see two possible future champions – Aristodemus and Discreetwon – eye-balling each other as well as two former champion jockeys in Anderson Trotman and Jalon Samuel in a duelling battle.
Based on his last two successes, the Sir David Seale-owned Aristodemus (Rated 120) will most likely start firm favourite. His four lifetime wins have come at the 1 570 metres trip where he has cleverly displayed his dominance by racking up a combined 11 lengths on the opposition in the last two efforts.
His lone 1 800 metres attempt resulted in a fifth place finish behind Discreetwon in the 46th Anniversary Of Independence Handicap.
Discreetwon (R-105) has four wins under his belt.
He was upstaged by Aristodemus when they met in the Victor Chandler Stakes and Trophy, but has remained unbeaten at today’s trip having scored twice, with Meteorite being on the receiving end of that encounter in the Emancipation Day Handicap for horses rated 68-90.
Then on November 17, for horses rated 100-120, Daga, Fusaichi Ridge, Charge It, Little Man Arran all had no reply.
Discreetwon is proven at the distance and I give him the edge, but Aristodemus will be no walkover.
Daga (R-109) is yet to win at this trip. While also without a win in 2012, she has been very consistent at the trip with her last three attempts yielding a fourth in last year’s Gold Cup and two second place finishes after.
Today she receives one pound from Discreetwon having spotted him 17 pounds last time the two met. Should she fail to reverse places with him based on those terms, one can truly question her stamina in good company.
Giovedi (R-105) has failed miserably in his last three attempts at 1 800 metres or more although he ran an encouraging race in a sprint finishing third behind Shared Adventure before showing nothing on Boxing Day. It’s best to look elsewhere.
Little Man Arran (R-103) should get the better of the lesser lights entered so place possibilities are realistic for this entrant. Meteorite (R-92) won easily against subpar opponents, but is hard to recommend. Duc D Fer (R-89) ran aggressively last start, finishing second in a sprint and while he will welcome the trip he’ll regret the company.
Charge It (R-78) defeated unplaced horses of 2012, including Duc D Fer, and a repeat win here would shock all while Fusaichi Ridge (R-77) was defeated by Meteorite. Expect nothing here.
My Picks
Race 1: Furious
Race 2: Stratfords Lad
Race 3: Atomic Bomb
Race 4: Janaki
Race 5: Uncle Jerry
Race 6: Late Bid
Race 7: Discreetwon
Race 8: Danny Crane
