Neartic Stakes 2012

 8.04 Woodbine

Neartic Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner $286,049

Advice: 1 pt win Night Carnation (5/1 general)

Bear Tough Tiger: Clear cut winning of allowance contest (as he was entitled to do) latest at Presque Isle Downs but complete blowout the only time he went onto turf in C&D Grade 2; Behind Big Band Sound on only meeting and passed over despite plum draw.

As De Trebol: Front runner who hasn’t won for nearly a year although did post a couple of decent efforts in Dubai at the beginning of the year; Off since July and hard to fancy.

Stormy Rush: Well behind Big Band Sound on the two occasions that they’ve met and only won claimer over 6.5f here latest; Needs massive improvement.

Night Carnation: Only small contest that she won at Bath latest but that marked return to form from Sandown and Chester defeats and has the form to make her mark at high level, as she showed when sixth in King’s Stand; First time Lasix and top jockey booking both very encouraging, while she’s also been given plum draw, so has to be respected here.

Grand Adventure: Second and fourth in this the last two years (mostly disappointing otherwise) band good return considering it was his first run of the year when fifth behind Big Bad Sound last time; Should go well.

Hammers Terror: First run over this trip since debut, having turned into useful, if not low level, miler over the past year; This graded stakes debut though and passed over despite booking of Garett Gomez.

Next Question: Turned around wayward streak to win 7f Optional Belmont claimer, although he needs to improve rapidly to stake a claim here; Possible that he will be the pace in the race, but others preferred.

Big Band Sound: Probably best form of home challenge when winning Grade 2 over 7f here on penultimate start and lost no caste when sixth in Woodbine Mile, outclassed and outstayed; Should go well here.

Artic Fern: Far too keen when tailed off in Woodbine Mile, the second time that he’s been beaten by Big Band Sound in last two starts; Doesn’t look capable of reversing that form.

 

Super Chunky: Not good enough.

Fire Lily: Arguably had the best form out of any here, having found her niche at sprint trips after trying mile very early in season; Won two Group 3 races on her favoured soft ground this year and those efforts right up with the best of this field, although this going to be much faster than she’s been best on and drawn 11 of 11; Chance, although slight worry that she doesn’t use Lasix.

VERDICT: A weak race for the level and one which doesn't seem to have much pace, On their best form, both European raiders have an excellent chance and NIGHT CARNATION, with the better draw compared to Fire Lily, gets the vote with the amount of rain having fallen not enough to soften the ground significantly. Best of the home team on form is Big Band Sound although Grand Adventure should run a lot better than he did first time out this season.