As it always is, this Group 1 race for fillies and mares is a cracking event! It’s $5.00 the field, with Norzita holding favouritism despite letting punters down last start as a 4/6 on favourite in the G2 Kewney Stakes. Impressive last start winner and bold front-running mare Steps In Time is back for another tilt after finishing eighth as race favourite last year. Her task as been made harder by drawing the outside gate and is currently quoted at $6.50.
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1. STREAMA – J Bowman (14)
She ran fifth in this race last year where, as she is again today, third up from a spell. Pleasing effort first-up behind the in-form Skytrain on a heavy track in the G3 Southern Cross before doing all the chasing after tear-away leader and impressive winner, Steps In Time last start in the Listed Wiggle Stakes. Class mare but generally likes to race handy and drawn second to widest here.
Odds: $15.00
2. RED TRACER – C Brown (1)
Ninth in this race last year. This Dane Shadow mare failed to run down Steps In Time by a head when first up in the Breeders Classic here at Rosehill mid-February. She then got her favoured wet track and narrowly accounted for Risk Aversion and Lady’s Angel in the G3 Millie Fox. Gets her chance from barrier 1 but, from five starts over distances further than 1400m, has only registered the one place.
Odds: $13.00
3. STEP IN TIME – N Rawiller (15)
John O’Shea has this daughter of Danehill Dancer primed for this race judging by her dominant 3 ¼ win over Streama, Pear Tart and Appearance last start in the Listed Wiggle Stakes. That followed a strong win over Red Tracer in the G2 Breeders Classic at her previous start. The only thing O’Shea can’t control is the barrier draw and it might be her un-doing.
Odds: $6.50
4. PEAR TART – C Reith (3)
Resumed in the G2 Breeders Classic with a fifth behind Steps In Time before chasing home Steps In Time again in the Wiggle Stakes, where she finished third. She’s draw perfectly in gate three and her best performances have been when she has been leading or camped on the speed.
Odds: $26.00
5. APPEARANCE – B Shinn (2)
Surprise winner of the G1 Myer Classic over the Spring Carnival last year and returned to racing with a nose second to She’s Clean in the Listed Triscay Stakes (1200m) on a heavy track at Warwick Farm, late February. Got too far back at her next and most recent start and could only hold her spot behind Steps In Time in the Wiggle Stakes, running fourth. The step up again in distance and the likelihood of a genuine speed up front, don’t be surprised if she is a significant improver at double figure odds.
Odds: $13.00
6. DEAR DEMI – J Cassidy (9)
Dehere filly that won last year’s VRC Oaks and just doesn’t seem to run bad races, as clearly evident but her two performances this time in. Firstly, she finished well behind the impressive Bennetta in the G2 Light Fingers before claiming the Surround Stakes at her last start, accounting for Driefontein. Takes on the older mares for the first time but her credentials are first rate.
Odds: $6.50
7. NORZITA – J McDonald (7)
A daughter of Thorn Park who rounded out her last and only campaign with a stunning victory in the G1 Flight Stakes over 1600m. She returned with a soft victory in the Listed Typhoon Tracy (1200m) at Moonee Valley and at her next start, looked set to score just as easily but was blown out of the water late but Flying Snitzel. Every possible chance last start and I can forgive her a little being second up but not enough to take the $5.00 on offer in this race.
Odds: $5.00
8. ZURELLA – J Collett (6)
Winner of the G2 Let’s Elope (1400m) first up last prep and kicked this campaign off with a fast finishing third (beaten 1 ½ lengths) in the G1 Waikato Sprint behind Final Touch in New Zealand. That was a big run and drops down from 57.5 to 53.5 here but just need to see her win against the top grade in Australia before backing her to do so.
Odds: $26.00
9. STAR OF GISELLE – (5)
She’s won four of her last six including two G3 events, the most recent of them being the Mannerism Stakes when first up two starts back. She followed that up with her customary honest performance when second to Centennial Park in the Listed Super Saturday (1400m). It’s been a while since she’s been this far down in the weights and is capable of sticking on from a good draw.
Odds: $17.00
10. DRIEFONTEIN – T Berry (12)
Gai Waterhouse’s representative who has only finished outside of the top four, once in her twelve start career. Drew well in the Surround Stakes and sat on the speed and held all bar Dear Demi at bay. She’ll go forward again but may have to do a bit of work early from gate 12.
Odds: $14.00
11. FLYING SNITZEL – C Williams (10)
Showed promise early in her career by winning the G3 The Schweppes (1400m) in April last year but her Spring campaign, failed to produce a placing from five starts. She returned to racing in the G2 Light Fingers and raced handy to the speed before finishing fifth behind Bennetta. Trainer Gerald Ryan took her south for the Kewney Stakes at Flemington where, ridden back in the field, she stormed home to claim the race by a head from Norzita. Unbelievable effort to win last time – can she back it up?
Odds: $9.00
12. LONGPORT – (11)
Winner of the G2 Tea Rose last Spring who has had two runs back for trainer John Thompson. First up was a weakening eighth in the G2 Light Fingers before an improved effort in the Surround Stakes, saw her hold on for third behind Dear Demi and Driefontein. Will go forward again but doubt she’ll be able to hold the challenges off late.
Odds: $51.00
13. BENNETTA – G Boss (8)
Progressive daughter of General Nediym who was an impressive winner of the G2 Light Fingers Stakes two starts back and off of that effort, was installed an even money favourite for the Surround Stakes. Draw wide and could only bat away late for fifth (beaten 4.4 lenghts) at her first attempt at 1400m. Steps up again to 1500m but the tempo of this race should suit and expect her to produce her best and figure late. Bossy takes the ride.
Odds: $8.00
14. RISK AVERSION – R McMahon (13)
Queensland galloper who enjoyed the wet conditions and hit the line late to give favourite backers a real scare, when nose second to Red Tracer in the G3 Millie Fox Stakes last start. That was her best run this time in and does have a close up and unlucky sixth placing in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara behind Pear Tart and Skyerush.
Odds: $31.00
15. IRISH DREAM – S Clipperton (4)
Honest mare who had to commence her run sooner than she would have liked last start in the Listed Wiggle behind Steps In Time where she finished fifth (beaten 5.1 lengths). Pluses for her here are that she drops 4.5kgs on that run and has drawn well in four but in this, the top grade, she might find a few too good.
Odds: $81.00
OVERVIEW
A number of natural front-runners, Steps In Time, Driefontein and Longport, are all drawn wide and will want to take up a position as soon as possible. Drawn closer to the fence and also looking to take up a forward spot will be Pear Tart, Red Tracer and Irish Dream so expect the pace to be very good. Hard to know where to start here – there are a host of chance but going with Dear Demi at each-way odds. She should be able to hold her position mid-field, enjoy the pace of the race and you know she’ll be winding into her work late. Happy to give Appearance another go at $13.00, this will be a different race altogether in terms of tempo when compared to The Wiggle and given her opportunity from Shinn, she will be finishing hard. Great race. Good luck. Go wide.
