We’ve had the boys’ event, now it is time for the 2yo fillies to strut their stuff in the Sweet Embrace Stakes. Here, we see the return of the unbeaten Assail who was a hot favourite for the Magic Millions earlier this year before being sensationally scratched the morning of the race with a foot abscess. Punters believe she’ll pick up where she left off and have installed her a $2.70 favourite.
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Sweet Embrace Stakes Form Guide
1. ASSAIL – P Robl (1)
A Charge Forward filly who won here at Warwick Farm on debut back in November of last year before winning the Wyong Magic Millions by an impressive three lengths at the end of December. Was scratched the morning of the Gold Coast Magic Millions so all we’ve seen of the Clarry Conners trained filly is a very slick 2 ¼ barrier trial win at Rosehill earlier this month. Will be hard to beat.
Odds: $2.50
2. CALMING INFLUENCE – J Cassidy (2)
She led all the way on debut back in January to score at Rosehill by a length over Dream Forward and Miniature. The Commands filly then stepped out at Warwick Farm as 3/1 favourite but could only chase the impressive Good Job Bro home, finishing second 2 ¾ lengths in arrears. Will be handy again and back to her own sex an advantage.
Odds: $4.00
3. GREYTFILLY – T Berry (10)
Formerly with Qld trainer Rob Heathcote, the Ferocity filly now is under the guidance of Gai Waterhouse and won a barrier trial on the 18th Feb. Prior to that her record read five starts for the one win, an impressive win at Doomben over Octane Flyer as her second career start. Gets back so gate of little concern and can produce a big finish.
Odds: $11.00
4. ROMANTIC MOON – J McDonald (8)
John O’Shea took this well bred daughter of More Than Ready to Gosford for her debut where, as 4/9 on favourite, she duly saluted by three lengths. She was then given a freshen up before finishing eighth of twelve on a heavy track in the Silver Slipper behind Sweet Idea. Can improve on that with better going but has an awkward draw to contend with.
Odds: $7.50
5. VOCALISE – C Brown (9)
Drew well on debut in a Canterbury Maiden plate almost three weeks back and used it to her advantage, securing a beautiful run behind the leader’s back before knuckling down to the task last to score a ¾ length win over Serizta. Can’t do more than win on debut but she did have every chance there and here, jumps significantly in grade and drawn wide.
Odds: $17.00
6. THUMP – C Reith (6)
She made her debut with a fast finishing third in the Listed 7News Plate behind Villa Verde. Patinack Farm Trainer John Thompson, then tipped the daughter of Red Ransom out for a spell in her two runs back, she’s been well accounted for finishing seventh in the Listed Widden Stakes and seventh again in the Silver Shadow. Did make some ground last start from the tail of the field but not enough to include as a chance here.
Odds: $17.00
7. TROPICAL FORCE – B Avdulla (4)
Stratum filly who has only had the one run to date and that was back in early December where she ran a head second to Madame Fly in a Maiden Plate. Ran third to Assail in a recent barrier trial and drawn well, best to keep her under close notice.
Odds: $17.00
8. MOST JOYFUL – H Bowman (7)
Full sister to Champion mare More Joyous who only held her ground on debut in the Listed Widden Stakes, finishing fifth (beaten near on ten lengths) behind the impressive Overreach. Can only be better for the experience but on that effort, can’t have her listed among the better chances here.
Odds: $11.00
9. SERIOUS FUN – J Ford (3)
Choisir filly trained by local conditioner, Matthew Smith who made good ground late on debut behind Vocalise and Seritza at Canterbury a little over three weeks ago. Didn’t mind the finishing effort late on debut in a race dominated by those up front, that being said, this is a long way from a Canterbury Maiden.
Odds: $51.00
10. BLITZEM BELLE – (11)
First to two debutants both from the Rosehill stables of Tim Martin. This filly being by Danehill Dancer out of Tale of the Cat mare, Belle Feline and making her a half sister to Zikmann who ran third in the Black Opal Stakes behind Delago Bolt. It’s hard to win a race of this calibre on debut and harder again from the outside draw.
Odds: $51.00
11. MISS ATOM BOMB – (5)
By Encosta De Lago out of Al Akbar mare, Vegas Showgirl who was a well performed New Zealand mare with the highlight of her Australian starts, being a second to Mimi Lebrock in the Sheraco Stakes.
Odds: $67.00
OVERVIEW.
Expect the top two Assail and Calming Influence from their good gates, to jump well and be prominent throughout. They dominate the better at $2.70 and $3.80 respectively. They should be able to set their own terms and be hard to run past. Assail Couldn’t do more in her barrier trial than what she did and happy to be on her at this price. Of the remaining nine runners, thought Serious Fun might be one worth throwing in at big odds for value in the multiples. Should be better for last start and will appreciate a more genuine tempo and bigger track.
