Hat Trick For Jones Boy
Story By by Gary Crispe
Monday, 13 October 2008:  | | Gai Waterhouse |
The highly promising Catbird four-year-old contests the Lansvale Handicap (1600m) at Warwick Farm and chases his third straight win on the trot.
Armstrong Jones has started four times this campaign and after an unlucky first up run at Newcastle, he has done nothing but improve his ratings ever since, especially as his distances have increased.
His winning run began two starts back at Hawkesbury over 1500m in RB65 class with an explosive victory by over five lengths with Peter Robl in the saddle.
Last start he was just as impressive tacking City class at Randwick on the Kensington track over 1550m this time winning by three lengths.
This afternoon he rises in grade again but is down slightly in weight.
Nash Rawiller will be the gelding's third rider in as many starts when he takes over the pilot duties.
Armstrong Jones is an exciting prospect who looks too good for this line up.
The main opposition should come from the Chris Waller gelding Future's Dream to be ridden by Corey Brown.
The five-year-old has been racing well without luck but should appreciate the step back up in distance.
Two back he was four lengths behind Lorne Dancer over 2000m at Rosehill but last time our dropped back to 1550m at Canterbury which he handled much better running second to Kirra Sand.
Brown and Waller have a strong strike rate and although yet to break through in five runs, Future Dream looks set to race well again.
The Bart Cummings pair of Fianchetto and O Danny Boy loom as other dangers.
Fianchetto has always shown ability but has yet to live up to the promise he showed as a three-year-old.
He is second up today, but before he resumed the gelding had two barrier trials fit him for this preparation.
First up he was just over six lengths from One Way Ticket on the Randwick Kensington but interestingly his record second up is good.
Last preparation he rated well in that state behind Hells Bells over 1550m at Canterbury.
A repeat of that run here would see him race very well.
Stablemate O Danny Boy disappointed last start at Kembla Grange over 1400m after a very good run at Newcastle during the Cup Carnival when runner up to Cullen Castle.
It is that run I am assessing him on here.
That said, it is going to take a very good performance for any of these runners to stop Armstrong Jones registering his third straight win.
Ends…
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