GLOBAL CHALLENGE UP FOR GRABS AGAIN!

This years annual Global Challenge is up for grabs with a prize pool of over $1 million expected again. Last season there was an amazing overall prize pool of $6.6 million which was split between the star filly Lighter Fluid and the recent G2 Stan Fox winner Fields Of Marscay. There is also stud deals available for the participating stables.

The global challenge requires a remarkably versatile and early peaking 2yo, and is ran over turf and dirt, and the distances range from 5 furlong (1000metres) to 9 furlongs (1800metres). Last year the result was fought right down to the wire with Lighter Fluid assuring herself of victory with a close fought West Oregon Futurity win but a draw was still a possibility for Donny's Fields Of Marscay with a busy late schedule. Fields Of Marscay just got there, winning the Dermody Stakes then 4 days later sneaking into fourth in an allowance to keep scores level.

This year should be prove to be a cracking renewal, with 22 races on the list. The star 2yo so far has been Royal Money, with horses like Duncan, Gold Card and Skyline also being unbeaten. The Dubai Juvenile is being ran this week. Here's is how I rate there chances.

BLOODSHED- Disappointed in first start on turf and may be better suited on the dirt. Was reasonably well fancied so he should run an improved run today.

CONSTITUTION- Hot favourite at his first start and ran disappointingly. Will be better for the experience and generally the shorter odds in 2yo races indicate a good horse. Go well.


DECAMERON- Close up in the Laddie Stakes getting beaten by half a length. By a great sire of dirt horses. Will be very surprised if hes not prominent.


DUNCAN- Two very impressive wins at short odds. Had lengths on them each time. One of the leading prospects.


EXOTIC LASS- Very close run first up for a nice second behind a nice prospect. Sure to run an honest race.


ISLANDER- Very good run for 3rd in a G2 on turf in the first week. Wasn't beaten far. Could be better on dirt. Tries hard.


LIVEWIRE- Honest filly who has ran 2 nice races behind handy horses. Should appreciate the extra distance. Won't be far away.


ROYAL MONEY- The leading 2yo so far on earnings. Two crushing wins on the turf. Depends how he handles dirt but he deserves favouritism.


SMASHED- Unraced well bred filly from a stable renowned for winning this race with unraced horses. She could be the knockout chance.


UNDAUNTED- Very nice run first up for 2nd behind Duncan. Dunno if he'll beat him but he'll be thereabouts.

Other top 2yo races this week are the G2 Maribyrnong Plate and the G3 Mary Mary Stakes...

UNDERWOOD STAKES ACTION

6 Unique Innovations Underwood Stakes 3.00
1800m $300,000 3yo & up Group 1. WFA. Apprentices cannot claim.
TAB Sportsbet Fixed Odds/ PF Handicap Rating far right-
1 294s8 CAMENA’S THUNDER, 1 FDL Lodge 59 6.00 119
2 102s1 RAZER BROOMSLANG, 6 Pointgiven Stables 59 3.50f 113
3 213s3 TRIGUN, 9 JD Kayll Race Club 59 21.00 115
4 37s56 MISSING HOUR, 3 Watch This Space 59 10.00 108
5 222s1 ELEGANT TOWER, 2 Goforwand Stables 59 7.00 108
6 7318s TRAIL FINDER, 8 Rainbow 59 14.00 111
7 51s72 OCTET, 4 Olmo Dorato 59 26.00 99
8 1410s REVELATION, 7 Spartan Racing Stables 56.5 10.00 112
9 267s4 RASTA BATTLEFIELD, 5 Godolphin17 56.5 21.00 106
Razer Broomslang 1, Camena’s Thunder 2, Trail Finder 3, Missing Hour 4

1- CAMENA’S THUNDER (38:10-6-6 $4,483,750) 5c (FDL Lodge)
Champion stayer who won this last year. Form is better on reflexion as his Hong Kong Cup fourth was top class and found the speed above him last week. Expect him to bounce back here.

2- RAZER BROOMSLANG (32:9-7-3 $3,482,500) 5c (Pointgiven Stables)
Champion dirt horse who’s rating would be even higher had he ran more on turf. Turf record is impeccable though, with a win and a second from two starts. Seems to have found a new lease of life on the turf and is in stellar form. Hard to see him losing here.

3- TRIGUN (19:5-6-2 $1,385,750) 5c (JD Kayll Race Club)
(Late entry) High class stayer on his day who was disappointing on face value when third in the D’urban Stakes. 1800m will suit more though and he’s one of the best in the world on his day. Needs more ground and look for him late.

4- MISSING HOUR (12:4-4-1 $1,487,500) 4c (Watch This Space)
Top middle distance horse who never runs a bad race. Has been well placed throughout his career and that hasn’t changed today. Will be very, very hard to hold out.

5- ELEGANT TOWER (30:4-11-4 $910,000) 5c (Goforwand Stables)
Perennial placegetter who put all together last start to beat an average field last start. Puts himself into his races and looks well suited today. Will be around the mark.

6- TRAIL FINDER (23:5-0-4 $706,500) 5c (Rainbow)
Third in this last year. Can tend to be inconsistent at times but he ran a top race for 3rd in last year’s Australian Cup beating Trigun among others. Also ran fourth in a Hong Kong Cup. If he puts it all together here I can see him running a very forward race.

7- OCTET (17:3-7-1 $339,250) 5c (Olmo Dorato)
Promising performer who was pretty good last start. In good form but can’t see him beating Camena’s Thunder and co at this stage. Trainer won’t be entering him for an honourable fifth though. Watch.

8- REVELATION (18:4-4-2 $1,552,000) 4f (Spartan Racing Stables)
Star filly who has a Group 1 against the boys. Disappointing last start but I think she is probably better on turf. Won her last 3 starts in Group 1 level on turf and this is around her distance range. Has to step up against the boys here but don’t leave her out.

9- RASTA BATTLEFIELD (25:8-2-4) 4f (Godolphin17)
Another top filly. Group 1 winner at this distance range. Not bad against the boys at her last two starts. Will probably go forward and run a cheeky race.

Summary-

This is a good field. Camena's Thunder is clearly the best horse in the field but isn't 100% at the moment, but Fin is expecting a good run. Razer Broomslang has appreciated turf so far but this is his biggest test on the turf. If you take out Trigun's last run he'd be favourite in this. Group 1 winner 2 starts back then an excellent run for third in the HK Vase behind two of the best racehorses on PF in Heat Seeker and Color Of Fame barring Regal Son. I have put Trail Finder in for third for his performances in the Australian Cup and the Hong Kong Cup, and for his run last year in this. The fillies will run cheeky races and could find a few of these off guard. But my tips are 2-Razer Broomslang over 1-Camena's Thunder and 6-Trail Finder.

Pictured: Trigun (chestnut) struggles home into third behind promising 3yo For You To Envy.