Yesterday evening’s Hedge Hunters’ Hurdles Challenge Classic Qualifiers at Newturf virtual horse racing track produced the strongest fields to date, both in terms of numbers and also in quality. The one year old division featured Breeders’ Cup winner, Kotkita jet as well as several other likely types, from a broad range of owners in a race strong enough to rival a Golden Race, including in terms of the prize money on offer.
The two year old division also featured a former Breeders’ Cup winner in the shape of Westfield Gardens’ Ubi de Ceheme but he was to make little impact. The first round event was won by the Barnes Stable owned Empress Wei and it would be the same owner who would scoop the spoils this time too. The Zalazl filly, Nanaaz may not possess as much natural speed as some of the other runners in the field but she demonstrated bags of stamina and guts to out-battle another Barnes Stable owned runner , Hattori Hanzo all the way to the line for the win. The Fevam3 colt, El Campéon, did best of the rest to take third spot.
We are now half way through the qualifying rounds for these events with the third round taking place next week. Competition for the Finals berths is hotting up and is bound to get tougher still over the coming weeks. Likely candidates are starting to emerge in each of the divisions but it is possible that the eventual winner is yet to take to the field. All to play for.