Fri | Mar 29, 2024

Expect strong finish from Chace The Great

Published:Sunday | February 28, 2021 | 12:24 AMAinsley Walters - Sunday Gleaner Writer

FORMER sprint champion, CHACE THE GREAT, might have lost his early speed but closes strongly in his races, which will serve him well from his stands’ side draw in this afternoon’s five-furlong straight overnight-allowance sprint, the Sydney Watson Memorial.

Though stacked with speedsters such as DEEP BLUE SEA, VICTORY TURN, CAPTUREMYSHIP, TRULY AMAZING and SEA SWAN, the sprint could result in one of the rare occasions that a closer wins at five furlongs straight.

CAPTUREMYSHIP and SEA SWAN could end up cancelling not only each other, but forcing most off their bridles too early.

CAPTUREMYSHIP gave speedy ENGLAND’S ROSE hell on the lead at five furlongs straight on December 23, bad news for DEEP BLUE SEA, TRULY AMAZING and SEA SWAN.

On paper, TRULY AMAZING is the horse to beat, a course specialist who has a great draw and bustling rider. He has consistently clocked fast times at the distance, dramatically recovering to win in 58.2 after stumbling on October 17.

However, TRULY AMAZING is known to be a tardy starter at times and could be taken out of his comfort zone, throwing the event open to a strong finisher such as CHACE THE GREAT

Yesterday, WILSON, a 15-1 long shot, outbattled second-favourite EXTRUDER to land the Fitzgerald Crawford Memorial by a neck.

Running with the handicaps in his favour at 109lb due to Jordan Barrett’s weight allowance, WILSON straightened third in the seven-furlong event, chasing leader EXTRUDER and ENUFFISENUFF.

Taking aim at the leaders in the stretch run, WILSON went past ENUFFISENUFF a furlong out before fighting out the finish with a determined EXTRUDER, partnered by Tevin Foster.

WILSON clocked 1:27.0 in the overnight allowance event for horses who have never won at the level, a victory for trainer Donovan Plummer in his first run with the six-year-old he had claimed for $850,000 three weeks ago.