The final race for mares of the carnival is a 2000m test with the dominant favourite is smart New Zealand mare and last start winner, Silent Achiever ($1.70) She’ll have to get the better of nine other competitors headed up by Cranbourne Cup winner, Midnight Martini
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1. SILENT ACHIEVER – J McDonald (4)
She has built an imposing record of six wins from eleven starts and registered her first win in Australia at her most recent start with an impressive display in the G2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley. She sat of the pace that day and rounded up the smart Rangirangdoo and Solzhenitsyn to record a three quarter of a length win. The 2000m should suit her down to the ground third up from a spell and from a good draw McDonald will be able to position her to advantage.
Odds: $1.70
2. INVEST – P Mertens (8)
She’s won two from two over this trip – the G1 Schweppes Oaks and the G3 The Roses in Adelaide. The daughter of Dehere went around last Saturday in the Myer Classic, finishing seventh (beaten 2 ¼ ) behind Appearance. Looked then, that she was ready for this trip and sure to give a good account of herself at a big price.
Odds: $51.00
3. MIDNIGHT MARTINI – M Rodd (7)
She has been very consistent in each of her five starts this preparation including a good effort in the Stock Stakes behind Oasis Bloom and third to unbeaten Callanish before a fantastic win in the Cranbourne Cup two starts back. She had her chance as 6/4 favourite when second to Mourinho at her most recent start at Moonee Valley. Has won two and placed twice from four starts this trip.
Odds: $8.00
4. CRAFTY IRNA – D Oliver (2)
An honest mare form the yard of Ron Quinton who deserved her hard fought victory last start in the Listed Tatt’s Club Cup (2400m) defeating The Verminator with Fiumicino, the latter subsequently finishing third in the Bendigo Cup. She demonstrated last start how fit she is and in these races against her own sex, is always competitive. She’ll get every chance from her good draw.
Odds: $8.50
5. KASANE – (10)
She won on Cup Day for her trainer Pat Carey over 1700m, courtesy of a tremendous Brett Prebble ride, after having little luck in the Listed Race-Tech Stakes at Caulfield her start prior. Well accounted for at her only previous attempt at his trip in a RST 89 event and this looks a little rich for her compared to Tuesday.
Odds: $31.00
6. FULL OF SPIRIT – S Arnold (5)
NZ mare who won the G3 Adrian Knox stakes (2000m) last prep before running fourth in the AJC Oaks behind Streama. She ran a cracking race three starts back in the G2 Blazer (1400m) behind Mosheen before an average effort at Caulfield in the Moonga Stakes behind Whatevewhenever. She ran last Saturday in the Myer (1600m) and was doing her best work late. Step up to this trip looks to be to her advantage.
Odds: $12.00
7. LAKE SENTENTIA – G Boss (1)
She kicked off her career in an Echuca Maiden (running fifth) back in July and since, as her races have increased over distance, she has continued to improve at each start and has registered four wins from her last five starts the latest of which was a very impressive five length win last start at Moonee Valley. She has improved rapidly in the past five months and whilst today is clearly her biggest test, who is to say that the improvement has stopped?
Odds: $8.50
8. MANILA JEWEL – C Schofield (3)
7yo mare from David Hayes stable who was an impressive winner of a RST 89 event at Mornington four starts back and followed that up with a close second to the inform Chateaux Margaux, also in a RST 89 race. Her two subsequent runs have been in Open class and she’s find the step up a little tough and was accounted for quite easily by Lake Sententia last start. She’ll have to improve.
Odds: $21.00
9. KHANDALLAH – K McEvoy (6)
She’s won two from fourteen starts but ran second on eight occasions including at her two most recent starts. She put in a tough front running display when finishing behind Chateaux Margaux at Cranbourne and again sat up on the speed but was no match for Lake Sententia at Moonee Valley. Expect that she’ll roll forward again but will find it hard to hold them off late.
Odds: $31.00
10. ROCK HIT – L Nolen (9)
She’ll be nearer to last than first for most of this race but can produce a finish like she did when winning a RST 82 race at Moonee Valley two starts back. She was installed a 5/2 favourite at her latest start but never got warm and finished a long way off Lake Sententia. She’s at best on a dry surface but will need to improve some dozen odd lengths on her last start to be competitive.
Odds: $31.00
SUMMARY
Can’t really go past the Silent Achiever here given the way she rounded up two very smart horses last starts. Back to her own sex here with favourable weight conditions, she’s the logical choice. Should there be an upset, it could come from the every improving Lake Sententia who’ll get every chance from her inside draw. Invest – ready for the trip, Midnight Martini – solid form and Crafty Irna – fit and honest to fill the place for third.
