Race Car looks good for ‘Billy’ Williams Memorial

RACE CAR made up significant ground in the last furlong of the Mouttet Mile, after straightening last, which should prove lethal against slower rivals in Saturday's Allan E 'Billy' Williams Memorial at seven furlongs.

BILLY WHIZZ showed good speed on December 27, the second time out, off a five-month break, but hasn't looked as sharp as RACE CAR at exercise.

RACE CAR warmed up with a sharp 35.4 for three furlongs on the round last Tuesday morning whereas BILLY WHIZZ hasn't had a speed work since galloping five and a half furlongs two Saturdays ago, suggesting the five-year-old gelding is being handled gingerly by his connections after being brushed aside in the stretch run by PERFECT BREW at six and a half furlongs on the last outing.

RACE CAR is slipping down in class after three stakes races at the back end of last season, suggesting he could spring to life against non-restricted overnight allowance runners after his seventh-place finish in the Mouttet Mile, beaten five and a half lengths by EXCESSIVE FORCE.

The six-year-old grey wasn't all that far behind EXCESSIVE FORCE in his previous race either, seven and a half lengths, when his fellow American ran down MADELYN'S SUNSHINE at six furlongs.

RACE CAR has kept rich company since easily beating EAGLE ONE in an overnight allowance on August 22 at six furlongs, clocking 1:13.3. In his next outing, he ran smack into MAHOGANY, who was caught at the last hop by I AM FRED at six furlongs in 1:11.3.

After stumbling at the start and run off his legs by I AM FRED and MAHOGANY, RACE CAR landed in more hot water at six furlongs, ATOMICA reeling off 1:10.4 on a fast track. RACE CAR faced another speed blitz in the Gold Cup won by MAHOGANY before finishing seventh behind EXCESSIVE FORCE in back-to-back races.

A strong stalker with a good turn of foot, RACE CAR should outrun POSITIVE ID, who has proven most consistent of the lot but could find the speed unrelenting at seven furlongs.