The final race on a big day’s racing is the Birthday Card Stakes for fillies and mares and if you thought the previous two races where tough for punters, the possibly saved the best for last. Melbourne visitor Soft Sand is the early favourite @ $5.00
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Birthday Card Stakes Form Guide
1. LADY’S ANGEL – M Rodd (11)
She’s been right in the mix in each of her three starts this time in, with her most recent effort being a third behind Arinosa in the Listed Wenona Girl Stakes. That followed a close up third in the Millie Fox. Had her chance in the last couple and from a wide gate here, would have to put a few in front of her.
Odds: $17.00
2. MISS STELLABELLE – J Cassidy (8)
Drew an inside gate when resuming in the Wenona Girl Stakes a fortnight ago and found herself, three back on the fence. She was unable to get into clear room as those in front struggled and went to the line under a tight hold. A very comfortable winner when second up last prep of the Listed Mona Lisa (1350m) and she’ll make her presence felt.
Odds: $9.00
3. SOFT SAND – C Williams (10)
Formerly with Victorian trainer Colin Little, this daughter of Dansili is now under the guidance of Paul Messara. We haven’t seen her since she finished a long neck second to Appearance in the G1 Myer Classic last November. Typically gets back and under a new trainer, first up in a race of this depth, think I’ll shop around the $5.00.
Odds: $4.80
4. GYBE – Scratched
5. ALTAR – (9)
Darley representative that returns to racing after a sixteen week spell but has been prepared for her comeback with two barrier trials since late February. First up last prep, she ran fourth (beaten 2 ½ lengths) in the G2 Caulfield Sprint before running ¾ of length second to the smart Unpretentious in the Listed MSS Security. Not to be underestimated and the $11.00 attracts plenty of attention.
Odds: $10.00
6. ARINOSA – B Avdulla (14)
Chris Waller has this daughter of Dash For Cash flying and she has won five or her last eight races including her last start in the Listed Wenona Girl Stakes. Camped off the speed then and rounded them up quickly with her customary finish to win by a length. Just wonder how far back she’ll get today from the widest gate?
Odds: $8.00
7. CATSKINS – (2)
Another Waller mare who is building up a substantial strike rate, having also won five from eight. She returned form a spell a fortnight ago in the Listed Fireball (1100m) and tracked the leaders turning before proving too strong for Golden Sunshine, winning by length. Steps up in class again but improves every time she steps out and from a good draw, have to pay her serious consideration.
Odds: $6.50
8. EMOTIONAL CIRCUS – C Brown (7)
Returned to racing in a BM 95 event at Warwick Farm three weeks back and settled, as she always does, at the tail of the field. The race was dominated by those up front and she was only starting to warm up when the finish line loomed. Stronger pace here and the extra 100m are both positives and she’ll be finishing hard late.
Odds: $8.50
9. AEROBATICS – (4)
Have been waiting for this daughter of Exceed and Excel to be competitive in a good race but in recent outings, she’s been a few lengths off the mark. She got back in a race that was controlled by those on the speed last start but still wanted to see a little bit more from her over the concluding stages.
Odds: $51.00
10. EVER THE SAME – P Robl (13)
Impressive winner of the Listed P J Bell Stakes this time last year as a 3yo filly and showed enough in a short Spring campaign, to be worthy of consideration here first up. The daughter of Canny Lad has had two barrier trails with the most recent a fortnight ago, where she wasn’t out to run any time. Generally likes to go forward so from thirteen, will need to quick off the mark.
Odds: $17.00
11. CHOICE WORDS – M K O’Hara (6)
Started a short-priced favourite at each of her first three starts this campaign but unfortunately for punters, wasn’t able to get the chocolates at any of those starts. She was given a brief let-up by trainer David van Dyke and it seems to have done the trick judging by her third behind Steps in Time in the Breeders Classic (G2) and more recently, second to Arinosa in the Wenona Girl. Drawn perfectly in six and will get her chance to go one better here.
Odds: $81.00
12. BRIGHTEST – R Quinn (1)
She put together a very solid campaign last time in work for trainer Guy Walter that rounded out with a ¾ length second to Le Roi in the G3 Summer Cup (2400m). Returned here and never really got warmed up in a recent barrier trial and would expect that she’ll need this run and possible a few more, before we see the best of here.
Odds: $8.50
13. SHAMAL WIND – G Boss (12)
Created a big impression by winning the Listed Gucci Icons Stakes at her second start during the Spring Carnival and returned with a head win at Moonee Valley in February. Was the centre of pre-race drama at the barriers prior to the running of the Oakleigh Plate where, as an 11/2 favourite she ran second to last before being taken to Adelaide for the G2 Centrebet Classic. Had her chance there and finished second Lonhspresso. Hasn’t lived up to the hype of the Spring win.
Odds: 8.50
14. NEW BEGINNING – C Reith (5)
Honest mare that has had a tilt at a few black type fillies and mares races with limited luck. She was good behind Didntcostalot first up at Warwick Farm, finishing well from the tail of the field and does have a head second to Nocturnelle in the Listed Tibbie Stakes to her name. Capable of a cheeky effort form a good draw.
Odds: $26.00
OVERVIEW
If you’re alive in the quaddie heading into this race, good luck and well done! There’s a number of legitimate chances here and would recommend you go as wide as your bank allows you to. I’m going with Miss Stellabelle here who had no luck last start and will be kept away from danger by Cassidy from barrier eight. Last prep she placed second behind Mosheen and was a close up fourth behind Streama and at $9.00 is a good each-way price, likewise Choice Words at $10.00. I can picture getting a lovely run in transit from gate six. She’s only missed a place once in six starts at Rosehill and once from four starts this track and trip.
