The Sporting Day: The King Stand Stakes

Australian horses have taken the world by storm in recent years. While once upon a time Australia’s isolation meant it was rare for Australia’s champions to test themselves on the world stage, recent times have seen Australia’s best take on and often defeat the best the world over. Sunline dominated in Hong Kong and lost no admirers in Dubai. Choisir went to England and opened the door for Australian sprinters by dominating the European short course specialists. Takeover Target has taken on and beat the world. Karasi has gone to Japan and taken down some of the best jumpers in training. Australia has taken on the world and quite often come up trumps.

This week Australia’s best sprinters have a chance to further the cause of Australian racing by returning to the mother country in pursuit of the loot. The cream of the crop have a big week ahead with the riches of the King’s Stand and the Golden Jubilee on offer and in all markets, Australian’s dominate the top end of betting.

Australia has sent a formidable team to represent the game in this part of the world.

Takeover Target returns to the scene of past glories, to the course that saw him mark the names Takeover Target and Joe Janiak and Jay Ford on the world stage. The most electrifying sprinter and the greatest racing fairytale this country has produced seeks to repeat the feats of last year. Having taken out some of Australia’s best sprints including the Newmarket Handicap and the Salinger, Takeover Target won not only the hearts of the Australian racegoer but plenty of cash as well. He has a timeform rating of 125 and is rated $6 second favourite.

Miss Andretti, the queen of Australian sprinters goes to meet the Queen of England. She has shown remarkable ability and consistency and brilliance since joining the Lee Freedman stable, driving to the top of Australian sprinters. Her biggest asset is her heart though her long striding pins are of some assistance. Miss Andretti has a timeform rating of 123 and is rated as the $4 favourite for the race.

Bentley Biscuit, prepared by the incomparable Gai Waterhouse, has really come of age over the last few seasons, proving he can mix it with the best. His last start defeat of Takeover Target was simply magnificent and his efforts in recent runs have been outstanding. And there are few that could be more ready to take on the world than Gai. Bentley Biscuit has a timeform rating of 122 and is rated $7.50 third favourite.

Galaxy winner Magnus, the underrated of the quartet, is also not without chance. Peter Moody has turned this galloper into a top notch sprinter, no better exemplified than in Magnus’s brilliant last stride victory in this year’s Galaxy. Magnus has a timeform rating of 116 and is considered a $12 shot with bookmakers.

These four horses will do Australia proud. They all ooze class and professionalism and will be at their best when the starter’s gun goes off. Finding the winner is no easy task but the one thing for sure is that the Aussies will be in the finish. The experience Takeover Target has may just be the factor that gets him over the line.

© 2007 Jack Stockton