Kulgrinda is expected to show further improvement on her first up outing when the Peter Moody-trained mare contests the $100,000 Apache Cat Classic at Cranbourne today.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The reliable mare resumed well at Caulfield where she was accounted for by stablemate Dream Face over 1000m.
Kulgrinda found the line as well if not better than Dream Face despite the former NT mare carrying 6.5kg less and having race fitness on her side.
The five-year-old today again carries 58.5kg however with the benefit of race fitness and previously undefeated from three prior second up runs, Kulgrinda should prove hard to beat in the $100,000 Apache Cat Classic (1000m).
On resuming, Kulgrinda ran to a Timeform rating of 111, two pounds higher than her previous master figure (109) which she has run to on multiple occasions.
A figure of 111 is the equal highest 50 day weight adjusted figure possessed by any runner in this affair.
As well as being unbeaten second up, also enhancing her claims is the fact Kulgrinda has improved by two pounds or greater in each of her prior second up outings.
From barrier 13, Kulgrinda and Luke Nolen will roll forward and should have enough dash to land the prize.
Another reliable type in General Truce looms as one of the main dangers.
The Ricky Maund-trained gelding also ran second on resuming with an effort assessed at 108.
Meeting Kulgrinda with a 1.5kg weight advantage would see the pair matching strides with similar ratings to what they produced last start.
The main factor which has to be taken into account is just how much General Truce can improve second up.
While Kulgrinda is unbeaten second run back from a spell and always improves on what she did upon resuming, General Truce doesn’t possess quite as strong second up credentials.
Regardless, General Truce should also take up a forward position and won’t be away away in the run from the anticipated favourite.
Not far behind General Truce on resuming was Obsidian Dragon who unsuccessfully tried to make all before finishing third.
The honest speed machine should get to the front with minimal fuss from barrier 5 and give them all something to chase.
Obsidian Dragon will more than likely have to post a new peak figure if she is to win this however still possesses each way claims with superb distance and second up credentials.
Broken is another who comes out of the Essendon Mazda 55 Second Heat (955m) at Moonee Valley on September 28.
The Darren Weir-trained sprinter threw his chances away at the start when jumping away slowly, a suicidal mistake in a race where as the name suggests, a runner only has 55 seconds to recover.
Punters might pay to forgive that outing and take the each way odds on offer here based on his Carlyon Stakes victory the run prior assessed at 104.
Rounding out the five sprinters the Apache Cat Classic winner should come from is Lone Star.
Lone Star is a lightly raced type with upside who dead heated for the win on resuming at Morphettville.
This is much tougher however down on the limit weight could be capable of a cheeky run against more proven horses and looms as the value hope of the field.
