Pago Pago Stakes 2012 - Betting and jockey review
The horse’s name is All Too Hard but he made it look all too easy when maintaining his unbeaten streak in the Group II Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The half-brother to Australian racing superstar Black Caviar has always carried the burden of expectation, not only due to his illustrious sibling but also his $1.025 million price tag at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
All Too Hard though has taken the limelight in his stride and the manner with which he disposed of his rivals on Saturday confirms he’s a potential superstar in his own right with the colt being considered a serious Golden Slipper contender.
All Too Hard wins the Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday - Photo: Steve Hart.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said no decision will be made on a Golden Slipper start until final acceptances are taken next Tuesday.
"We’ve got another 48 hours to make that decision,” Hawkes said. "What do you say, he’s just a lovely horse.
"That’s what you get up out of bed for early every morning.”
All Too Hard began okay according to jockey Dwayne Dunn but "the Darley horse [Narcissus] wanted to smash across and get in behind them and I didn’t want to go anywhere near them” because he "was on the best horse in the race”.
All To Hard settled back at the tail of the field then at the top of the home straight Dunn eased the juvenile out five-wide. The colt exploded under hands and heels riding to charge to the front near the 250-metre mark before cruising to a soft win.
"He’s just got that nice killer punch when you want to put them away,” Dunn said. "He felt very comfortable in that right leg.
"Obviously they were probably second raters again today but he’s the real deal.
"We think as a three-year-old he’ll be a superstar so to do this today is just excellent.”
All Too Hard defeated the Darley duo of Narcissus and Limes while the Kevin Moses-trained Collect was a major disappointment finishing last. Collect’s jockey Damien Oliver suggested the juvenile felt "shin sore”.
TAB Sportsbet reacted strongly to the victory by posting All Too Hard as the $3 equal favourite with Samaready for the Golden Slipper following the Hawkes Racing-trained colt’s Pago Pago Stakes win.
Story: RaceNet
Photo: www.sportpix.com.au