Two of the leading fillies from last season return to racing as 3yo and not surprisingly, both head the market for this Saturday’s Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick. Earthquake ($2.00 into $1.90) dominated not only her sex, but also her age last season with the highlight being an impressive 1.5 length win in the Blue Diamond Stakes. Bring Me The Maid ($4.40 into $4.20) met and exceeded each challenge put before her last campaign and if her two barrier trials are any indication, she has thoroughly enjoyed her Queensland winter spell. Only Alpha Miss and Earthquake’s stable-mate Memorial, are given a chance of causing an upset according to the market with Alpa Miss $11 (out from $9) and Memorial $7.00 (out from $6.00).

SILVER SHADOW STAKES OFFER: get a $700 FREE BET on any runner!

Silver Shadow Stakes 2014 Field:

1. EARTHQUAKE – K McEvoy (2)

Went within 3/4 of a length of remaining undefeated as a 2yo when second to Mossfun in the Golden Slipper Stakes. The Exceed And Exceed filly had won each of her previous first four starts, including the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes, in exciting fashion. Exceptional filly who handles all conditions and can race on speed or with a sit. Will be the one they have to beat here.

2. BRING ME THE MAID – L Nolen (3)

Kicked off her career with a determined win in the Listed Sports 1000 (1000m) up the Flemington straight and continued to improve with each of her three subsequent runs which included victory in the G2 Magic Night Stakes, and a huge run to claim third int the Golden Slipper Stakes. Trainer Peter Moody has prepped the daughter of Sebring for her return with two barrier trials where she looked smart in both. Mixed it with the best fillies in the land during the autumn and can only imagine that during her break, she’s continued to improve.

3. NAYELI – T Berry (1)

Returned to racing for Trainer Gai Waterhouse in The Rosebud as a solid 9/2 chance. From an inside gate and as expected, the daughter of More Than Ready, who claimed the G3 Chairman’s Stakes last season in impressive fashion, took up the running but with 58kgs and against the boys, was unable to improve her position when asked. She battled away in the straight to run seventh (4 lengths) behind Scissor Kick. She’ll take up a forward position again and return to her own sex here should see a marked improvement.

4. ALPHA MISS – J Collett (4)

Winner of three of her first four starts, including the Listed Lonhro Plate (1100m), the Lucky Owners filly rounded out her 2yo season with a strong third to Earthquake in the G2 Riesling Stakes before weakening on the heavy track in the Golden Slipper and finishing with the tail-enders. She trialled just over a fortnight ago in strong fashion, winning over 1030m. Honest filly who’ll put herself in the race from gate four but hard to see her holding off a few of her competitors out late.

5. MEMORIAL – J McDonald (5)

Won her first two starts in impressive fashion and off of those performances, her return to racing in the autumn was highly anticipated. She ran second to Alpha Miss first up in the Listed Lonhro Plate before finding herself too far back in her three subsequent runs which included a fifth placing, after being last on the turn, in the Golden Slipper. Her form reads better than what it appears on paper and expect her to be finishing well.

6. PRESS REPORT – G Schofield (9)

Registered her first win for trainer Lee Curtis after successfully lodging a protest against Liberation three weeks ago at Rosehill. The daughter or Written Tycoon hasn’t finished far behind some of the best fillies in the country in her previous five starts and can boast a second to Mossfun and also Memorial. Drawing wide here will see her get back and from that position, find it hard to see her running some of these horses down.

7. TWIRL – T Clark (7)

After finishing second twice, including to Believe Yourself in the G2 Sweet Embrace, from four starts in her first prep, trainer Gai Waterhouse looked to have her daughter of Lonhro break her maiden status first up from a spell two weeks ago in a Canterbury Maiden. She had every chance in the small field but ran into the promising galloper Lady Sharapova and added another second to her record. Will strip fitter for that run but would’ve liked to have seen her winning that race before including her among the better hopes in a tougher race here.

8. CLOVER LANE – (6)

Peter Moody took his filly by O’Reilly to Bendigo at the end of last month for her debut where on a heavy track, she prevailed by a length in the 1000m maiden. She returned to that track a week and a half ago lining up in BM 64 (1100m) as the 13/4 when but after jumping from the widest gate in the field of eight and leading, was unable to hold off the late challengers and finished third (0.6 lengths) to handy performer Top Sight. Faces a tougher challenge again here but would trust the Trainer’s judgement to travel her up for this race and keep her safe.

9. HIGH ABOVE – B Avdulla (8)

High Chaparral filly who made her debut for trainer Anthony Cummings at Kensington just over a week ago, finishing third (0.6 lengths) in the 1100m maiden. From an inside gate, she settled just behind the speed and railed up inside the leader as it rolled off. She competed very well for a debutante over the final furlong, forcing favourite and well regarded First Seal to produce her best. Plenty to like about that effort but might find this a little too rich second up.

RACE OVERVIEW

Nayeli, who has drawn the rails and inside of Earthquake, should provide the perfect lead out for the short-priced favourite. Earthquake has a tonne of class and despite giving her rivals weight and on what is likely to be a wet track, it’s impossible to go past her. Alpha Miss will be able to take up a good spot from four and is a tenacious competitor whilst both Bring Me The Maid and Memorial will get back in the run and be working home well.

1. EARTHQUAKE
2. BRING ME THE MAID
3. ALPHA MISS
4. MEMORIAL

Odds Comparison: