Start key to success for speedy Classa For Ever
It has been a while between drinks for Classa For Ever but, with one correct step at the gates, the Peter Ho-trained sprinter will find the right race and the right draw in tonight's Manawatu Racing Club Challenge Trophy (1,000 metres) at Happy Valley.
A smart griffin, Classa For Ever (Alex Lai Hoi-wing) has won only once since his Juvenile Sprint upset win two years ago, but that came over this course, where the gelding has always run well.
His form reads eight starts over the Valley 1,000m for a win and three placings, but he's had legitimate excuses for a number of the unplaced runs, including his latest effort.
Drawn wide on April 26 over this trip, the five-year-old had a tough job trying to get around the leaders and understandably dropped right out of the race.
But he boxed on well to finish 31/2 lengths from Glory Years, and that effort was enough to suggest Classa For Ever is in good enough form to win tonight from gate one.
The most crucial point of the race could be the start, as Classa For Ever has plenty of speed but he has often hesitated briefly as the barriers open before getting into his stride. If he does that this time, there is a slim chance he could be closed off from the lead by faster beginners which would make it a different task altogether.
Classa For Ever has led throughout in all three of his victories and is not noted for his chasing abilities.
But if he is able to begin well and lead this field, he shouldn't have to even see another horse until they are back in the yard for the trophy presentation.
Most of those drawn around Classa For Ever lack the speed to match him early but, in gate four, lightly raced General Speedee (Dwayne Dunn) is not one of them. He won his race in Brisbane with sheer speed before his export to Hong Kong and again showed good pace in his dirt debut here before dropping out.
In two runs since, General Speedee has gone better each time ridden behind. He will wear blinkers tonight, as he did in Australia, so he may be more prominently ridden.
His run last week behind Bulldozer was without excuse but was the effort of a horse ready to do something better now he is close to peak fitness. After a nice trail, he loomed briefly on the inside in the final 150m before just plodding in the final part.
Though seventh, General Speedee was just over two lengths from the winner and the blinkers could add that much over the shorter trip.
The John Size-trained Sand Dance had little luck for most of the season but broke through over this course in Class Four two starts ago before all but winning up the straight last time after a rise in grade.
He has always shown a liking for soft ground and should be very competitive again.
