A nice field of eleven fillies are entered for the time-honoured Light Fingers Stakes. With seven of the entrants returning from a spell, it will be a tricky affair for punters and that’s reflected in the early markets with six of the eleven runners, single figure odds, headed by the smart Bennetta at $3.80.
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Light Fingers Stakes Form Guide
1. DRIEFONTEIN – (1) T Berry
Started at 10-1 on when resuming in the Wyong Magic Millions but a self proclaimed poor ride by Tommy Berry, saw her caught in traffic and finish second to She’s A Stalker. Much better at her next start when leading until the shadows of the post in the Magic Millions Guineas and finishing third (beaten a neck) behind the in-form pairing of Saluter and Sizzling. Will lead again from one and a repeat performance of last start will see her go very close.
Odds: $6.00
2. DEAR DEMI – (7) J Cassidy
VRC Oaks winner in the Spring who returns to racing after a thirteen week spell. She finished very well first up last prep to run third behind G1 winner Nechita in the G3 Silver Shadow Stakes at Warwick Farm. She will get back from her draw but will be finishing hard.
Odds: $7.00
3. LONGPORT – (6) C Reith
She won the G2 Tea Rose Stakes on protest over Norzita back in the Spring before chasing that horse home in the G1 Flight Stakes (Dear Demi third) and rounding out her prep with a fourth in the 1000 Guineas behind Commanding Jewel. Seemed to improved with every start last prep and will look to lead from barrier six.
Odds: $8.00
4. ICHIHARA – (9) H Bowman
Speedy General Nediym filly resumed on a Heavy track at Rosehill a fortnight ago and weakened after sitting second to sixth behind the in-form Whitlam. Will not doubt go forward again, despite drawing wide but will find it hard to hold of some of these class fillies over the last 100m of this race
Odds: $8.00
5. JADE MARAUDER – (10) C Brown
A daughter of Fastnet Rock who was never that far away in some of the premier fillies’ races during the Sydney Spring carnival. First up here today and when resuming last prep, didn’t have a great deal of luck behind Nechita in the Silver Shadow Stakes. Pace will be good here and as a back-maker, that should play into her hands. Not to overlooked at double-figure odds.
Odds: $13.00
6. BENNETTA – (8) J McDonald
From the Begg stables, this daughter of General Nediym has been very impressive in winning her last two starts, including the Fillies and Mares race on Magic Millions day last month, where she finished strongly to record a 2 ¼ length win over Playtime and Capital Commander (who runs in the Thoroughbred Classic earlier on the program). She’s untapped and does display above average ability – at $3.80, would be happy to include her in anything.
Odds: $3.80
7. FLYING SNITZEL – (4) G Schofield
From the Gerald Ryan yard, this filly beat Dear Demi when winning the G3 The Schweppes back as a 2yo. Since then though, she’s hasn’t been able to fill a place in six starts including five starts during the Spring – albeit in the best of company. She’s had two barrier trial in readiness for her return to racing here and from four, expecting her to be in a prominent position throughout.
Odds: $21.00
8. SHEROCKSMYWORLD – (5) P Robl
She looks to be well and truly outclassed judging by her two most recent starts which were a last of eight in a Rosehill BM 75 when first up from a spell and only slightly better at her next start, when beaten by close to eight lengths behind Diamond Drille on a Heavy track.
Odds: $67.00
9. BRAVE SOUL – (11) R Quinn
More Than Ready filly from Joseph Pride’s yard who faces the starter for the first time since finishing from well back in the field to run second to the ultra impressive Shamal Wind in the Listed Gucci Icons Stakes at Flemington on Oaks Day. That followed close seconds in both the Listed Reginald Allen and Brian Cowley behind Urban Groove and Better Than Ready respectively. Showed enough last time in to be considered here and has been kept safe at $6.00
Odds: $6.00
10. SECRET DELIGHT – (2) J Parr
Ran third to the smart She’s A Fox in the Listed The Rosebud back in August of last year and hasn’t been seen at the races since. She’s had two barrier trials for her trainer David Payne, winning the most recent of them on the 22 January. Starting this campaign in a smart race and would prefer her in something a little easier.
Odds: $16.00
11. ROLL THE BONES – (3) B Avdulla
A Red Ransom filly who resumes from a fourteen week spell, after finishing 3 ¼ lengths behind Angelic Light in the Listed Crockett Stakes at Moonee Valley last October. Led on that occasion, as she did when finishing third in the Reginald Allen Stakes two starts prior but still think she’ll find too many her competitors here, too good.
Odds: $26.00
OVERVIEW
Pace should be very genuine with Driefontein, Ichihara, Flying Snitzel, Sherocksmyworld and Roll The Bones all going forward. That’ll play into the hands of current favourite Bennetta who has been very impressive in her last two outings. Despite the significant rise in class, I’m going to stick with her and put her on top. Would like to see Driefontein take a sit if possible from one and she never runs a bad race. Back to her own sex here and the 1200m are both positives and represents good value at $6.00. I think Jade Marauder ($13.00) and Brave Soul ($6.00) are best of the rest.
