Hamish McGonagall’s connections expecting a change of fate in the John Smith’s City Walls Stakes (Listed Race)
The Class 1 John Smith’s City Walls Stakes (Listed Race) has attracted a line-up of fifteen three-year and above runners. The race will be hosted by York over five furlongs on Saturday, 14th July.
It will not be entirely wrong to say that the seven-year-old, Hamish McGonagall, is the highly likely entry for taking the £19,536 prize money back to the connections by defending the title that he missed by a highly negligible margin last season. His 5 to 1 odds are backed by his performance in the 2011 edition of the race.
The winner of the race last year was, Masamah, while finishing it the closest to him was, Amour Propre.
Hamish McGonagall ended third just by a mere nose’s margin. The Tim Easterby trained was among the leading trio and got driven over after entering the final furlong. Even after the winner and the runner-up had crossed the wire, the seven-year-old did not let that break his enthusiasm to conclude the race.
Anatase foaled in 2005 rolled into the new season on 7th April, 2012 in the Betfred The Bonus King Whistlejacket Conditions Stakes at Musselburgh over five furlongs.
Entered as the collective favourite, he finished second but was placed first because of the disqualification of Bear Behind. The seven-year-old had David Allan riding him and the two broke out strongly from the first stall not taking very long to reach and tackle the challenges of the final furlong.
Concluding the race third behind the winner was, Excel Bolt.
The next three races of the Reality Partnerships I owned were a disaster, all of them were group races, and none of them could culminate into a success.
The bay gelding did end up rather decently in the Group 2 Prix Du Gros-Chene on 3rd June, 2012 at Chantilly over five furlongs.
The race was won by the favourite contender, Wizz Kid while Hamish McGonagall finished third after battling for lead in the final furlong. Yet again it was by a very narrow margin that the gelding compromised with on the victory.
Besides riding with the familiar jockey, David Allan and being allotted the third gate, the step down to the listed race has enhanced his chances of winning the race this year for sure.
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