No surprise to see that champion filly Guelph returns as the odd-on favourite for the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick this weekend. She’s won five of her last six starts, four of them at Group 1 level and up against her own age and sex, looks set to continue her domination. Sweet Idea and Real Surreal according to the betting markets, are the only hopes of causing an upset and bettering Guelph. Sweet Idea is $5.00 with Real Surreal, who will be returning to racing for the first time in over a year, is $8.50.
Light Fingers Stakes Form Guide
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1. GUELPH – H Bowman (9)
She started 4/6 on favourite when resuming last prep in the G2 Furious Stakes (1200m) and finished hard form the tail of the field only to be out-bobbed on the line by Bound For Earth. She’ll be giving them a start again after having drawn gate nine and from three starts over 1200m, is yet to record a win but she’s too good to dismiss on that factor only.
Odds: $1.90
2. SWEET IDEA – T Berry (10)
Needed the run first up but had the class to hang on for a long neck win over Weinholt and Estonian Princess first up at Wyong (1200m) in December. Three weeks later she travelled north to contest the Magic Millions Guineas on the Gold Coast and despite drawing thirteen of sixteen over the 1400m trip, jumped straight to the front and recorded a strong length win, with Estonian Princess again filling a place running second. She will have to produce a similarly strong effort here as she’s drawn wide but is a smart filly and from nine starts, all in quality events, is yet to miss a place.
Odds: $5.00
3. REAL SURREAL – C Brown (1)
Made it three wins from four starts with victory in the 2013 Magic Millions 2yo Classic where the daughter of Real Saga finished over the top of Sweet Idea to win by a head. That was the last time we’ve seen this filly race, well over 12 months ago now. Her new trainers, John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes, have given her two solid trials, of which she has won both, the latest only last week. Can take up a forward position from one and showed an abundance of ability as a 2yo but after such long break, happy to see how she’s come back first up.
Odds: $8.00
4. THUMP – J Cassidy (3)
She won the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes first up last prep, defeating Sweet Idea (who bled during the run) by a head. The daughter of Red Ransom took that form to Melbourne and two starts later, recorded a comprehensive all-the-way win in the G3 Champagne Stakes (1200m), defeating Miracles Of Life by 2 ¼ lengths. Should be ready given she’s had two good hit-outs at the trials and drawn ideally in three for a filly who races in a forward position. Will be in it for a long way but some quality challengers will be charging at her late.
Odds: $15.00
5. ARABIAN GOLD – J Adams (11)
Dubawi filly who, after winning the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) last spring, went on to finish fourth in the G2 Wakeful (2000m) and sixth (4.4 lengths) in the VRC Oaks. Resumes here off a fourteen week spell with the one trial under her belt. The David Vandyke trained galloper will get a long way back having drawn the widest gate and hard to see her, over this trip, running her opposition down.
Odds: $12.00
6. GYPSY DIAMOND – N Rawiller (8)
Recorded her second career win at start number seven when afforded a lovely run behind the leader, Gregers, who set a moderate pace, in the G2 Fillies Classic (1600m) She went on to run a respectable fifth and fourth in the G2 Wakeful Stakes and G1 VRC Oaks respectively. She’s had two trials in readiness for her return, the latest of which was just over a week ago where she ran second to Liberty’s Choice. The Not A Single Doubt filly will be better for this outing and more competitive over a longer trip.
Odds: $26.00
7. ESTONIAN PRINCESS – C Reith (4)
Only has the one win from eight starts, a Randwick Maiden (1400m) which come two starts ago, but either side of that victory were placings behind Sweet Idea. The Snitzel filly trained by Scott Asprey goes better than her record suggest and from gate four, she’ll get her chance to put her best foot forward again. That may not be good enough to see her winning here, but it could see her run a place.
Odds: $17.00
8. EVERAGE – N Berry (6)
Zizou filly whose three wins from her nine starts, have all come on heavy tracks. She hasn’t raced since finishing fourth to Northern Glory as the 7/4 favourite back in July of last year. Trainer Craig Carmody has given his charge two trials in the past three weeks week but this is her hardest test to date for her and first up off a spell, would prefer to go with others.
Odds: $34.00
9. ZANBAGH – B Shinn (5)
A promising Bernardini filly from Guy Walter’s yard who recorded a Ballarat Maiden (1600m) only two starts before running a head second to Kirramosa in the VRC Oaks. This obviously well short of her best and with the ATC Oaks her goal, she’ll be one to watch for working home and to follow moving forward.
Odds: $61.00
10. CHAMPAGNE CATCH – J Ford (7)
Nice effort first up off fifteen break when leading the field in a BM 80 (1200m) and finding plenty when challenged in the straight to record a length win over Caprossa. Steps up in class her but will have taken good benefit from her first up win and won the Listed Reginald Allen last preparation. Will have a bit of work to do from her wide gate to take up a forward position and will be kept honest in front which might just make her vulnerable late.
Odds: $11.00
11. ANOTHER PRAYER – J Collett (2)
Broke her maiden status three starts back last November, with a neck victory in a Newcastle Maiden and backed that up at her next start, a Restricted race on the Kensington track, with a nose win. The Encosta De Lago’s next and most recent start, which came in mid-December, saw her finish mid-field of eight runners in a BM 75 (1800m). This distance and class should see her well tested.
Odds: $151.00
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RACE OVERVIEW
Speed here should be solid with Champagne Cath, Thump and Sweet Idea all pushing forward. That should play into the hands of Guelph who will be charging home late. She just missed first up last prep over this track and distance but should be able to go one better this time. Sweet Idea hasn’t run a bad race yet and despite the poor draw, wouldn’t expect she’ll start to on Saturday. A bit of rain around during the week should be of a bonus to her – her Silver Slipper win came on a heavy track. Thump goes well fresh and from gate three, compared to the other who will be looking for a forward spot, she may get the chance to sit in behind them – definite place chance. Champagne Cath and Estonian Princess next best.
- GUELPH
- SWEET IDEA
- THUMP
- ESTONIAN PRINCESS
