View From The Booth by @WoodbineGeller

In a full 14 horse field over 7f on the grass, the third placed finish by newcomer Strike Revenge was full of merit. It was no surprise to see him bet down to favourite given the success of the team of Sam-Son Farm, Malcolm Pierce and Eurico da Silva but the fact he did not win should not detract from his effort. Winner, Hold’emforransom occupied a forward position throughout and kicked away to beat the closing Vaughan by 2 lengths with Strike Revenge, having raced the widest, tracking him home a further 1-3/4L back. Despite lugging a little down the stretch, Strike Revenge was seen doing his best work at the finish. By Broken Vow from a Smart Strike dam, Strike Revenge should be suited to both the turf and main tracks at a mile and more. Chances are he will live up to his name sooner than later.

The wire came up in the nick of time in the nightcap for game winner Bid’s Kid as second favourite Holdonweregoinhome rallied late from mid-pack to miss by a diminishing half length. The 3YO filly had tackled tougher in the past and has come down the class ladder after six tries and now looks set to break through. The pace of the race and the distance appear to be more crucial factors than the level she faces given that Holdonweregoinhome finished stoutly for third when in for a $20,000 tag three starts back but then ran flat on the stretch out in a slowly run route for the same claiming price next out, well behind a common foe she had almost previously beaten. Anything similar to her latest runner-up effort at the sprint distance of six furlongs and Holdonweregoinhome may bring trainer Ian Black to the winner’s circle with this striking looking grey daughter of Milwaukee Brew.