When you run some four lengths quicker than older sprinters on the same day it’s confirmation there’s a pretty decent engine providing the power and that’s what boom colt Plague Stone put on display.
It was a mini D-Day for the talented colt at Randwick on Saturday and the youngster must have known it because he did everything right and has the sizzling sectionals to back up what the eye saw.
Punters Intel data revealed Plague Stone ran the fastest last 600m of the day in 32.66 after conceding the leader Witherspoon just on 12m at the 600m mark.
With the pace on from the start and drifting back a bit early, Plague Stone had to produce some very quick splits to reel in the filly and he ran 10.61 from the 600m-400m, 10.75 from the 400m-200m then 11.30 to the line and he looked strong.
Comparing the overall time to the other 1000m race on the day, won by stablemate Bandipur, Plague Stone ran 56.84 while his year older compatriot clocked in at 57.53.
A lot of thanks for that time difference goes to Witherspoon and the filly was far from disgraced in being run down after scooting early on.
She ran 13.03 for her first 200m from the standing start then 10.41 from the 800m-600m. To have gas left and give Plague Stone a bit of a scare speaks volumes for how she’s come back and if her speed can be harnessed she’ll be winning in town.
Tactical Advantage served some notice that he could be a sleeper for some of the feature sprints coming up in the next couple of months with a superb win in the July Sprint (1100m).
The four-year-old has always displayed plenty of talent but it’s doubtful he’s ever been as devastating as he was last Saturday, running 33.38 for his last 600m and easing up near the line.
Once let down early in the straight he exploded and ran 10.91 from the 400m-200m, the only horse in the race to break 11 seconds, then 11.45 for the final 200m.
It’ll be interesting to see how he performs if thrown into the deep end in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) on August 4.
Worth noting out of the same race the run of Sir Plush who finished fifth after having to change course midway down the straight.
His last 600m of 33.71 was the second fastest of the race and his final 200m of 11.72 would probably have been a bit quicker had he not found a bit of trouble when trying to get to the outside.
The Chris Waller-trained Bella Success has her hoof firmly on the till and the way she’s putting them down at the moment she’d only need to draw a barrier to be winning a race soon.
She conceded some 24m at the 700m of her 1200m event and that proved just beyond her but she ran 34.19 for her last 600m and the equal fastest final 200m of 11.91.
If she steps out over 1400m it’ll take a good one to stop her, if she emerges at 1200m again keep an eye out for where she draws.
Surely there’s a Highway win in Nicconita in the near future.
The filly made it three straight second placings in the 1400m Highway and she went down narrowly after being 29m astern of the leader going past the 700m.
She ran 34.48 for her last 600, the best of the race, including an 11.26 from the 400m-200m.
Fastest last 600m: Plague Stone 32.66
Most ground covered (to place, non-2400m races): Cliff +7.2m
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