A smart field of thirteen fillies’ line up for this Group 3 race with multiple G1 winner Appearance, heading the weights. Leading the markets however is last start winner Driefontein ($3.60) narrowly from Red Tracer ($4.20), who returns from a spell and Bennetta ($4.40) who caught the eye finishing hard first up behind Driefontein.
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1. APPEARANCE – K McEvoy (5)
The winner of the G1 Coolmore Classic and Queen of the Turf Stakes last prep, she returned to racing with a ninth (beaten 4.9 lengths) behind Driefontein in the G3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m). Found the speed too hot in the Sheraco and will be better for the run but surprisingly, has only one second placing to her credit from four second up runs.
Odds: $7.50
2. RED TRACER – N Rawiller (10)
She was rewarded for her consistency last time in with a maiden victory at Group 1 level in the Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) in June. Spelled after that win and has had two recent barrier trials in readiness for her return. Hasn’t missed a place in six previous fresh runs (she’s won three) and despite the outside draw here, cannot be overlooked as she always gives her best.
Odds: $4.20
3. BENNETTA – J McDonald (1)
Showed here ability last prep by winning the G2 Light Fingers Stakes (Dear Demi third, Driefontein fourth) in convincing style. She returned to racing a fortnight ago in the Sheraco Stakes and was doing her best work late, running fourth (beaten 1.4 lengths) behind Driefontein. Another solid tempo here should play into her hands and would expect to see her finishing hard again after securing a nice run throughout from an inside draw.
Odds: $4.40
4. DRIEFONTEIN – T Berry (2)
Camped just off a hot speed first up in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m) and was able to hold off all challenges late to win by a length over Peron. The daughter of Fastnet Rock has drawn to get a similar run here again and can see no reason why she will not be in the thick of the finish again.
Odds: $3.60
5. CAMEO – (6)
Winner of the G3 Keith Nolan Stakes (1600m) last prep, the Clarry Connors trained galloper returned to racing off a sixteen week break with a fair effort over 1200m in a BM 85 race at Randwick. She clearly took benefit out of that run and at her next and most recent start, in last week’s Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle, she claimed third (beaten a neck) by Vaquera in a blanket finish. Fitter again and the Keith Nolen win came third up last prep but she may need a touch longer now than 1400m.
Odds: $18.00
6. ARTIC FLIGHT – P Robl (3)
Flying Spur mare that after claiming the Listed Dark Jewel at Scone last prep, ran Red Tracer to a long neck in the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) in Brisbane. She too returned in the Sheraco Stakes and as she often does, toughed it out well after settling on the hot speed, finishing third behind Driefontein. Drawn to be handy again and the temp of 1400m, will suit.
Odds: $10.00
7. EXPRESS POWER – J Cassidy (8)
Progressive Snitzel mare who ran second to Royal Descent in the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) before taking out the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) last prep. She returns to racing here off a sixteen week break with a relative quiet Wyong barrier trial under her belt. Will settle at the tail of the field and need to run some smart performers down to be winning here. Will be better again for this run and prefer in something longer.
Odds: $15.00
8. SHARNEE ROSE – (7)
A former Victorian mare who has resided at Kris Lees’ Broadmeadow stables for the past five months and she produced a neat effort first up finishing well behind That’s A Good Idea in a BM 85 (1200m), before competing in the Tibbie stakes last week at her home track. From the inside gate, she had her chance and finished tenth, only 2 ¾ length of winner Vaquera in a blanket finish. She’ll get back from her gate too but hard to see matching with some of these late over the final furlong.
Odds: $21.00
9. SOAPY STAR – J Bowman (9)
The third of Kris Lees representatives (Express Power the other), this 4yo mare lines up for start number three this time in. Got a long way back in a race dominated by the leader when ninth behind That’s A Good Idea in a BM 85 before, at 25/1, claiming fourth, beaten a ½ length, to Vaquera in the Tibbie Stakes. Third up last prep she ran second to stable-mate Express Power in the Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) and may be looking for longer now.
Odds: $21.00
10. GRAND DAUGHTER – C Reith (4)
Well bred daughter of Redoute’s Choice who rounded out her last campaign with a second to Maybe Discreet in the G1 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) in Adelaide. She’s picked a slick race to make her return to racing in here and would wait for her to get to races over a longer trip than this.
Odds: $51.00
OVERVIEW
Driefontein found herself in the right spot last start and again, will be in the box seat for most of the way here. Her record on Good tracks is outstanding and off her first up win, she’s the deserved favourite but going with Bennetta to turn the tables on her here. She was outstanding winning the Light Fingers Stakes last time in and from barrier one over 1400m, will be able to keep the leader in her sights today. Red Tracer is and has been a fantastic mare. No matter which angle you view this race from, her stats our impeccable. Arctic Flight to hold onto fourth. She’ll go forward, possible lead here and, unlike last start when Ichihara ran them along at a solid speed making her chase, she’ll get to the set tempo today.
- BENNETTA
- RED TRACER
- DRIEFONTEIN
- ARCTIC FLIGHT
