Coral Charge 2012

2.05 Sandown

Coral Charge (Registered As The Sprint Stakes) (Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)
Winner £31,190

Advice: 1 pt win Spirit Quartz (5/1 general)

Confessional: Had an excellent time of things this seasn, winning Chester handicap from generous draw and then running fifth in Temple Stakes and then the Epsom Dash(unlucky in running there); Too heavy for most horses at Newcastle just a week ago but classier horses here.

Dinkum Diamond: Nearly last of 22 in the King’s Stand afer disappointing comeback; Useful form in 2011 with likes of Tangerine Trees and Deacon Blues but not at same level here and really wide draw doesn’t help him at al.

 

Elnawin: Winner of 6f listed event by eight lengths in soft ground around 11 month ago but then injury intervened, which meant that first time we’ve seen him since has been in Duke Of York Stakes; Listed second at Windsor offers great encouragement for a return to form and he needs serious respecting with ground easing all the time at Sandown.

Elusivity: Been fairly progressive since early season, improving upon seasonal reappearance to come third in Palace House; Beaten fair and square in Temple Stakes however and while this will be easier than Wokingham (where it’s a stiff 6f, nearer 7f) others preferred despite plum draw in 1 and blinkers to help.

Humidor: Far worse off in draw stakes here than when third from 1 in this last year, and not held up the best of his form from last summer which included fifth in Temple Stakes of 2011 and Listed win at Doncaster; Best watched.

Judge ‘N’ Jury: Loveable veteran who’s been as good as ever this season, winning two York handicaps on good and soft ground respectively before excellent second in Curragh Group 3 which he lost really through drifting right late on; Deserves a good prize and will take some catching here.

Medican Man: Fourth in King’s Stand at Ascot makes him the best of these but things are very different from stall 14 of 14 and does seem to save his best form exclusively for that venue, while the faster the better for him; Others preferred today.

Spirit Quartz: Ex Italian sprinter who has improved with racing this season, coming fourth in Place House, third in Temple and then fifth in King’s Stand (unlucky defeat in Listed company inbetween); Great draw today and threatened to land a big sprint prize long before today, so has to take the beating.

Triple Aspect: Won this 2 years ago and consistent form in sprint since, but not quite the same horse and fifth in this last year; Beaten both starts this season but looked shadow of last season’s horse.

Duchess Dora: Looked like a sprinter with plenty to offer when coming hard and fast late to nail Borderlescott (likes it around Chester so decent run despite being past it) but since beaten fair and square behind Spirit Quartz and something to find with the best of these.

Night Carnation: Won this last year In good style and since went onto run creditable races in pair of strong races behind Deacon Blues at 5 and 6 furlongs; Disappointing on seasonal debut but better efforts the last twice and should put up a strong show in defence of her title.

Free Zone: Ran Pearl Secret close on easy ground in Listed Scurry Stakes over C&D latest, the latest in a series of good efforts; Got as close to that horse as any rival has in 4 starts but more went wrong than right for that favourite and now in stall 6 in a race with more quality to it.

Caledonia Lady: Established herself as a high class horse last year after running on second in Queen Mary; Listed win her only in 12 starts but several excellent efforts in sprints of late, including a seventh in the King’s Stand; That makes her current price big and temptation to get involved but might want a really stiff finish and worry that she might not get the best run through when needed from wide draw.

VERDICT: A competitive contest which usually is heavily influenced by the draw given Sandown’s unique sprint course. Last year’s winner Night Carnation is sure to be popular from stall 4 but she was beaten fair and square by SPIRIT QUARTZ in the King’s Stand at Ascot and if Robert Cowell’s runner can get a good run through then he’ll take the beating today. Judge N’ Jury and Elusivity also deserve respect, although Caledonia Lady is the most tempting if able to overcome a wide draw and slow start – she may well be one for the in running punters given that she drops back early and come hard and late.