DaCosta duo hold key to Hoshay Trophy

Champion trainer Jason DaCosta has a formidable one-two punch lined up for Saturday’s Kaz Hoshay Trophy over five and a half furlongs, with I DREAM AGAIN and STARRAURA looking set to decide the outcome, depending on how the race unfolds.

For I DREAM AGAIN to win, he may need STARRAURA to run the field off its legs, a scenario that is quite possible. However, he, too, could become a victim of the filly’s speed should she prove too difficult to reel in.

STARRAURA blazed five and a half furlongs in 1:06.1 at exercise last Saturday morning, a time that would test horses still seeking their first overnight allowance victory. However, she will likely need an uncontested lead if she is to beat her stablemate, last year’s Jamaica Derby winner.

Both DaCosta runners have worked impressively ahead of the sprint. I DREAM AGAIN was his usual conservative self in exercise, clocking 1:07.4 for five and a half furlongs. While a far cry from STARRAURA’s 1:06.1, the traditional rule of thumb suggested the filly was eight lengths superior on the morning.

More accomplished stablemates

Since graduating to overnight allowance company in April, STARRAURA has contested three races, all in May, and was beaten by her more accomplished stablemates CALIFORNIA CROWN, IS THAT A FACT and RICORICORICO.

Returning from a break of almost three months, STARRAURA should be fresh enough to catch the field napping. Her preparation for the Kaz Hoshay suggests DaCosta has primed her for an aggressive front-running effort, highlighted by a final five furlongs in 1:00.0 on the round course last Saturday morning.

However, if the speedy filly comes up short, I DREAM AGAIN, who finished second to stablemate MISS MONEYPENNY over five furlongs straight on July 11, should have the finishing kick to cut her down in the stretch run.

One horse worth noting is Adrian Prince’s BOB THE BUILDER, who finished on I DREAM AGAIN’s heels in the race won by MISS MONEYPENNY. Though not renowned for early speed, BOB THE BUILDER won over five and a half furlongs in May, suggesting he could emerge as a dangerous upsetter should things go awry for DaCosta’s pair.