Long-absent Lord Rosberg returns in CTHS Sales Stakes
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Lord Rosberg makes his belated return in the $60,000 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Sales Stakes at Hastings on Monday. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds is one of four stakes on an eight-race card that are restricted to Canadian-breds who went through a CTHS (British Columbia division) sale. The stakes-rich card serves as an advertisement for the CTHS yearling and mixed sale that will be held at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley on Wednesday.
Lord Rosberg, trained by Pat Jarvis, is making his first start since he lost by a nose to Blue Dancer in the $75,000 Ascot Graduation last October. He went into the 1 1/16-mile Ascot undefeated in three starts and was coming off a three-length win over Merlot in the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity.
“He just didn’t seem right when he resumed training this spring, and we found a small chip in one of his back ankles,” said Jarvis. “I like the way he is coming up to the race, and he worked a really strong seven furlongs. Hopefully, he’s fit enough.”
Jarvis was referring to Lord Rosberg’s sharp move in 1:27.00 on Thursday.
Lord Rosberg will be ridden by Richard Hamel, who was aboard for his three wins. Frank Fuentes rode him in the Ascot.
Trainer Brian O’Connell is looking for a big effort form Burrard Breeze, who could end up being the favorite in the wide-open race that drew eight horses.
“He’s still a bit green, but he is training very well,” said O’Connell
◗ Quatre Cat will be heavily favored to win the 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3-year-old fillies with leading rider Hamel retaining the mount.
Trained by Sylvea Gregory, Quatre Cat is coming off a two-length win in the B.C. Cup Dogwood on Aug. 3. She would have been either the favorite or the second choice in the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks on Sept. 13.
“I would have loved to run Quatre Cat in both races, but they are just too close together,” said Gregory. “She has been great to us, so we’re opting for the easier spot.”
CTHS Sales, 3-year-olds, Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Lord Rosberg (Last 3 Beyers: 63-61-61)
◗ The only stakes winner in the field looked great when he was tag-teamed by a couple of his stablemates in his seven-furlong work.
Burrard Breeze (Last 3 Beyers: 77-72-70)
◗ He owns the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure and gets some class relief after finishing fifth in the Richmond Derby Trial.
CTHS SALES, 3-YEAR-OLD FILLIES, RACE 7
Key Contenders
Quatre Cat (Last 3 Beyers: 82-64-67)
◗ Her only loss in four starts at the meet came when she was the runner-up in the $50,000 Supernaturel in her first route attempt this year.
◗ She rebounded in a big way, easily handling Sailingforthesun while earning her career-best Beyer in the Dogwood. She also figures to get a nice trip stalking what figures to be an honest and contested pace.
Sailingforthesun (Last 3 Beyers: 72-79-0)
◗ Trained by Robbie Anderson, she showed a lot of promise when she romped in her first start this year and is starting to live up to it with back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Dogwood and the $50,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club.
◗ She does want to be involved early though, and she will have to deal with the speedy Finality’s Charmer, who figures to be gunned to the lead after breaking from the inside post.