Although coming off two impressive wins, Fontein Ruby’s price for Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes is a generous $3.90 in early markets as punters have rushed to support to promising fillies in Abduction and Fenway.Both fillies were luckless in their respective last starts with Godolphin’s Abduction opening price of $4.50 being tightened into $3.70 and favourite, whilst Fenway was $4.20 into $3.90 early before easing back out to her original opening price. The trio appear to have the race between them and the Wakeful has been traditionally a favourite’s race with
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1. FONTEIN RUBY – M Zahra (12)
Really tough front-running effort against the males last start in the G3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) saw her register her fourth win from her past five starts. Improving with every run this time in and appears displays all the right attributes you’d want to see from a leading Oaks contender. The draw may not be ideal and she’s giving the rest of the field at least 1.5kgs, but she’s going well enough to overcome both of those obstacles.
Odds: $3.90
2. VEUVELICIOUS – C Brown (6)
After a promising 2yo campaign, expected to see a lot more from this Northern Meteor filly than what she has produced in four starts this time in. She only held her ground from a good position when fifth (3.1 lengths) in the G2 Edward Manifold behind Fontein Ruby and after leading, weakened badly to run sixth (8.5 lengths) to Set Square in the Ethereal Stakes (2000m) last start. Needs to show a big improvement.
Odds: $41.00
3. ABDUCTION – K McEvoy (7)
Finished well to claim the Listed Reginald Allen Stakes (1400m), her second career win from only four starts before being luckless in a BM 73 (1600m) behind Muscovado when not being able to find a clear run in the straight. Had plenty to offer last start and breeding suggest the trip won’t bother her. Improving type who rates a good chance.
Odds: $3.70
4. GOLCONDA – V Duric (11)
She has had three runs back from a six month spell, the latest saw jump from 1400m to 2000m of the Ethereal Stakes where she ran fifth (6.7 lengths) behind Set Square. Will only be better for that run which was also off a four week break but her only win from eight starts was in the Listed Desiree Gill Stakes over 1000m and would what to see her prove herself at this distance.
Odds: $51.00
5. MUSCOVADO – J McDonald (9)
Recorded her third win from the past four starts with an all the way win in BM 73 (1600m) at Randwick a fortnight ago. She took advantage of the claim for Winona Costin which saw her weight carried come to 52kgs, and ran the field along before hanging on to win by a nose over the fast finishing Kermedec. Goes up 3kgs and an extra 400m here and that may be telling the last furlong.
Odds: $7.00
6. CANDELARA – J Moreira (2)
Still only the one win from nine starts but the Bjorn Baker filly is never too far away from the money, having filled a place four times including each of her three runs this time in. A neck second to Abduction was followed up by a third (1.6 lengths) to Muscovado where the Real Saga filly was given every chance in the run. Finding a few better than her in her races and would think that’ll be the case here as well.
Odds: $8.50
7. LADY MACAN – G Boss (6)
Got back in the small field of seven and was ok late in a race dominated by those closer to the speed, when fourth (3.5 lengths) to Hampton Court and Duccio in the Dulcify Quality (1600m) before coming to Melbourne for the Ethereal Stakes (2000m). The David Payne trained galloper settled closer to the speed last start but found little in the run to the line, falling back through the field to run seventh (8.8 lengths). Better ridden quieter and isn’t the first to fail at Caulfield when having a first look at the track.
Odds: $19.00
8. SAVAGE COUP – D Dunn (3)
Broke her maiden status two runs back with a 1.5 length win as the 6/4 favourite in Sale Maiden (1740m) but failed to make the considerable step up in class at her following start, the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m). She settled worse than midfield and never improved her position in the run home, running second to last and over ten lengths from the winner. Needs it easier than this.
Odds: $41.00
9. FENWAY – D Oliver (1)
The High Chaparral filly was an impressive winner on debut at Bendigo, finishing strongly from well back in the field to claim the 1400m maiden by two lengths. She then went straight to town for a BM 78 and was unlucky not to keep her perfect record intact when running fourth (1.2 lengths) behind Bondeiger. Missed a run at a crucial stage last start and was then squeezed out over the final stages. Bondeiger has since run well and is a leading chance in the Victorian Derby to be run later on the card. Would’ve preferred a gate away from the fence but there’s been a lot to like about each of her two runs and it should pay to stick with her here.
Odds: $4.20
10. YESTERJOY – J Cassidy (10)
Had every chance when defeating seven rivals in recording her maiden victory at Hawkesbury two runs back, winning the 2000m maiden by two lengths. The Clarry Connors trained filly then lined up in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) but made no impression from the back of the field, running eleventh and finishing nine lengths from the winner Nozomi. Plenty of easier races than this available for her.
Odds: $67.00
11. HIPSTER GIRL – B Melham (13)
Wasn’t bad late from well back in the field when sixth (3.2 lengths) in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes two starts back, a race won by Fontein Ruby who led throughout. She was then closing steadily again in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) when fourth (5.7 lengths), again behind Fontein Ruby. Outside draw will see her settle back again and hard to see her running a few of the more fancied runners down from there.
Odds: $21.00
12. THUNDER LADY – B Shinn (8)
Did ok for a horse straight who is still a maiden when fifth (3.6 lengths) behind Hampton Court in the Listed Dulcify Quality (1600m). The John Sargant filly was expected to break her maiden status at her next and most recent start when contesting a Newcastle Maiden (1850m) last start, but let punters down as a 7/4 chance despite having every chance in the run. Aiming too high here.
Odds: $51.00
13. VIA CAVOUR – M Walker (4)
Closed well on debut in a Benalla Maiden (1406m) and finished third (0.9 lengths) and again, doing her best work last when sixth (3.2 lengths) in a Ballarat Maiden at her following start which was just over a week ago. Step up to 2000m probably suits the Reset filly but the class of the race will not.
Odds: $201.00
RACE OVERVIEW –
Fontein Ruby crosses from the outside gate and it’ll be a game filly to take her on given the way she’s toughed out her last two victories. The big dangers are Abduction and Fenway – both unlucky last start and still yet to reach their best. Would be surprised to see the winner come from outside of the abovementioned trio.
- FENWAY
- RUBY FONTEIN
- ABDUCTION
- LADA MACAN
