Following in the pawprints of champion stayer Tornado Tears was never going to be easy for the fourth Fernando Bale x Tears Siam litter.
Tornado Tears needs absolutely no introduction, winning six times at Group 1 level and banking over $1 million in prizemoney, while the ‘perfect match’ also produced G1 winners Rippin’ Sam and Here’s Tears.
The bar was set extremely high for the July ’20 litter, trained by young Lara mentor Tim Britton, and raced by his father Robert, but the early signs are promising, with Play Nice, winner of five of his last six starts, leading the way.
“They’re no Tornado Tears or Rippin’ Sams – they’re clearly not in that league – but at the same time they can genuinely stay.”
Play Nice is set to continue his impressive form in Saturday night’s Premier Racing meeting at The Meadows, when he makes his first appearance over the 730m course in Race 7 at 8.45pm.
“They’ve been going good in the lower grades,” said Robert Britton.
“They’re no Tornado Tears or Rippin’ Sams – they’re clearly not in that league – but at the same time most of them can genuinely stay.
“That’s the key to them, especially, Play Nice. He seems to be a real one-paced dog that really gets home hard over the last 30m.
WATCH: Promising young stayer PLAY NICE (B4) continued his excellent recent form with a strong-finishing 715m victory at Sandown Park last Thursday (June 23), the blueblood’s fifth win from his past six starts.
“The moment we stepped them up they started improving.
“There are no stars at this stage, but I’ve seen improvement over the last six weeks, and you don’t know where that’s going to stop.
“Whether they measure up at the next level, I don’t know. They haven’t run the times yet to say they will but we’re in the middle of winter.”
Winner of six from 14, Play Nice (Box 2), has won two from two over 600m at The Meadows and three from four over 715m at Sandown Park, and is rated a $2.80 chance by The Watchdog for Saturday’s assignment.
In what shapes as a family feud, his opposition includes two litter sisters in Wipe The Tears (Box 5) and Ryebuck Tears (Box 6).
“I think Play Nice is the one to beat but I’m hoping that’s not the case because I’d like to see the other two run well,” Britton said.
“It’s Wipe The Tears’ first ‘700’ but she’s given every indication she’ll get it, hitting the line hard in her last couple of 600s.”
The Brittons also have another litter member, On The Off, chasing his third straight win on Saturday, in Race 5 at 7.57pm over 600m, rated at $3 by The Watchdog.
“On The Off does have a little bit of box speed, so hopefully he can use it. If he jumped to the front, he’d be a genuine chance.”
On The Off (B8), pictured defeating litter sister Ryebuck Tears, is chasing his third straight win at The Meadows on Saturday night.
