3 minute read

Racing and Sports provides a horse to watch coming out of midweek racing on November 17.

Rosehill

Race 1: Calgary Stampede

Sent out a short favourite ($2.20) in the first event at Rosehill on Wednesday, the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained colt Calgary Stampede supported favourite punters by gaining the winning-hand late to score.

By Snitzel and out of multiple stakes winning stable-trained dam Nayeli, the breeding suggested the colt may be destined for greater things than midweek metropolitan level - Wednesday's debut victory further reinforced those thoughts.

Although a touch slow to leave the gates, the colt was able to slide forward from his low draw and land midfield, one off the fence.

Jockey Tommy Berry was able to get his mount to settle kindly in the run and didn't ask him to do much until rounding the final bend.

Upon straightening, Berry popped Calgary Stampede off heels and waited until the 300m before asking the colt for his full effort.

Although taking most of the straight to reach the leaders, the two-year-old worked through his gears nicely, hitting the front when passing the 50m before going to the line under hands and heels.

Having been purchased through the Inglis Sales, it is expected the $500,000 2YO Inglis Nursery (1000m - December 11) is the likely steppingstone for Calgary Stampede. Worth following.

Rosehill

Race 2: Lekvarte

Another one that is worth keeping an eye on is Joseph Pride-trained filly Lekvarte.

Second-up over the 1400m journey, this daughter of Reliable Man was one of the slowest away when jumping from her low draw.

Jockey Josh Parr was able to steadily improve his mount in the early going as he hugged the inside fence, before eventually settling just worse than midfield.

Holding a similar spot throughout, the three-year-old was desperate for running room when straightening.

It was passing the 300m that Parr finally got off the fence and angled the filly toward the centre of the track in the hopes of finding a gap.

Clear running was maintained for the pair when approaching the 100m, allowing Lekvarte to finally get stuck into her work.

The filly quickly accelerated and took good ground off her rivals, hitting the line hard for fourth.

Although the three-year-old posed no threat to the top pair, had she been able to attain clear running from the top of the straight, there is little doubt that she would have been fighting out the finish.

While Lakvarte still remains a maiden, she won't do for long. Expect her to be shedding that tag in her next start.