Darley’s Babel, one of three runners for the global operation, returns to contest the G3 Belle of the Turf Stakes at Gosford this Friday after finishing a narrow second in last year’s event. Her conqueror from last year, Cathay Lady is also back to defend her title but both are faced with hefty weights and wide draws. Chris Waller has two in the race, Madam Nash and Acapela with the latter, who is coming of a good last start win, the pick of the two. As always, it is a competitive field with plenty of speed on paper.
[include file=”inpost_adrotator.php”]
Belle of the Turf Stakes Form Guide
1, BABEL – (11) 59kgs
She looked all over the winner in this race last year before the leader of the race, Cathay Lady, fought back and won by a head. A year and eights runs on, she is still searching for a win but it is not for the lack of trying. She ran second to inform stable-mate Limes two stats ago before finishing third to the smart Mecir in a BM 95 (1400m) last weekend at Rosehill. Can’t knock her form but did draw gate three and had 54kgs last year compared to 59kgs and gate eleven for this year’s edition.
2. CATAHY LADY – B Shinn (12) 58.5kgs
Tough on-pace mare who after winning this race last year, went on to place in the Listed Wenona Girl and G2 Emancipation Stakes behind Skyerush in the Autumn. She returned this spring with a fifth in a blanket finish in the Listed Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle before travelling to Melbourne and producing two plain efforts. The daughter of Exceed and Excel then Led to the shadows of the post in the Listed Goulburn Cup (1600m) upon her return to NSW with her most recent effort – her first run for over a month, resulting in a eighth of ten (five lengths) behind Messene in Open company. Will appreciate being back to her own sex and can improve off that run but has a big weight and a poor draw to contend with here.
3. MADAM NASH – G Schofield (2) 58.5kgs
As always this Flying Spur mare who is trained by Chris Waller, led by a big margin during her last start which was in an Open class race (1550m) at Canterbury a fortnight ago. She was collared at the furlong pole but stuck on well in a good grade of race to run fourth (3.6 lengths) to Messene. Only had 52kgs to carry last start and jumps significantly in weight here but, will run them along and the Gosford circuit should suit her racing style.
4. ACAPELA – B Avdulla (3) 56.5kgs
Resumed off a seven week spell and settled at the tail of the field in a BM 80 (1300m). Under 57kgs and in a race favouring those up on the speed, her effort to run 2 ½ lengths sixth behind the winner Miniature, was ok. Her next and only start since, saw her appreciate the step up to the mile and in the small field of six, she tracked the speed before being produced inside the last furlong and winning by a long neck over Myamira. Good win last start and will only be better for it. Gets some weight relief (carried 58kgs last start) and drawn to be in a good position throughout.
5. ZOOMANIA – J Parr (9)
After leading all the way to win a BM 84 (2040m) at Moonee Valley two starts ago, the Peter Moody trained Zabeel mare ventured to Sydney where on Boxing Day, she contested the G3 Summer Cup (2000m). She again led but against a better grade of competitor, was easily accounted for and ran seventh (7 lengths) behind I’m Imposing. Her last three wins have been each been in races at 2000m and will have a battle on her hands to take up the lead position in this race.
6. TWO BLUE – P Robl (7) 55kgs
Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan has this 5yo mare flying at present. After running three close seconds in town, the daughter of Dubleo was justly rewarded last week when, leading from the front in a BM 80 at Rosehill, she held off all challengers to register a neck win, her fifth victory from twenty-one starts. Back to fillies and mare here, drops a kilo in weight and definitely deserves her shot at a Stakes race on recent form. The query on her is that, for a horse that race in the lead, she’s up against several mares in this race who will be looking for the same spot. May need a little luck early to find a comfortably position.
7. SULTRY ASSASSIN – J Collett (13) 54kgs
New Zealand 4yo mare who won two races when resuming from a seven month spell in her native land before running third in the Listed Breeders Stakes (1400m). She then crossed the Tasman and has had two Australian starts for her trainer John Sargent with neither to the standard her New Zealand form suggested to expect. Had her chance to finish closer than her fifth placing behind Black Jag last start in a Canterbury BM 75 race (1550m) and from the widest gate, will find this race no easier.
8. LA PIETA – (10) 54kgs
As 3/1 favourite, the well bred Redoute’s Choice mare had every chance in the run when securing a head victory in a BM 80 race (1400m) second up from a spell. Conversely, she then had no luck at her following start when caught wide throughout and finishing midfield behind King Cobia and Reflectance. A better gate at her most recent start resulted in a better performance and she ran third to Acapela, beaten a neck. Had every chance when twice competing at this distance in the past and come up a fraction short.
9. PLEIADES – (4) 54kgs
Got a long way back when resuming from a spell two starts ago in a BM 78 (1150m) and was only starting to warm up when the race was over. Stepped up to 1400m at her next start and was ridden in a more aggressive manner, taking up the lead position. She was clearly headed by the second horse in the straight but fought back tenaciously in the last 100m to win by short half head. Never been to a mile previously and faces a much tougher opposition than she did last start.
10. MYAMIRA – R Thompson (8) 54kgs
She failed on a heavy track at Newcastle before an impressive win at Warwick Farm on a drier surface. Sitting in the second half the field, the 5yo Beautiful Crown mare circled the field before letting down well at the furlong and winning the BM 75 (1600m) by a comfortable two lengths. Her next and most recent start saw her finish second (beaten a neck) to Acapela in a BM 83 (1600m) a fortnight ago. Last on the turn in the field of six, she had to cross heels of the eventual winner at a crucial stage in the stage and given the margin, it may have proved costly. Plenty of pace in this race and hope she doesn’t get to far back in the run. If she can be within striking distance of the leading group rounding the turn, she will finish strongly.
11. DANESIRI – (6) 54kgs
Port Macquarie galloper who has had two starts on Country tracks since resuming from a sixteen week spell, finishing third at Coffs Harbour and second at Tamworth. Last two wins have come at Grafton in races of much lesser quality than this and would expect here to struggle.
12. KUKLA – T Berry (5) 54kgs
Ran a great race three starts back, in early November, when third to Fulminate and She’s A Girl in a BM 80 (1500m) but her two subsequent runs, which have been well spaced, have been plain at best. She capitulated from on pace to run last to La Pieta before finishing mid-field to Two Blue when unable to improve her mid-field position from on the home-turn. Can’t see her winning on those efforts.
13. DARCI DRAMA – A Hyeronimus (1) 54kgs
The Gai Waterhouse trained runner scored her second win at start number thirteen by running them along in a BM 75 (1550m) at Canterbury in the middle of last month, defeating Fulminate by 1 ¾ lengths. Three weeks later, she lined up in a BM 72 (1800m) at Rosehill and took a sit just off the speed. Under 57kgs, she could only hold her position in the run home and finished fourth to Reply Churlish (2 ¾ lengths). She’ll look to utilise her inside gate and take up a prominent position. She’ll also enjoy the weight relief and whilst this is a step up in class, shouldn’t be taken lightly.
RACE OVERVIEW
Plenty of speed in this race with Cathay Lady, Madam Nash, Two Blue, Zoomania and Darci Drama, all at their best when out in front rolling. It will be interesting to see who wins the battle but it should mean that those who like to run home from back in the field will get there chance to do just that here. Acapela and Myamira are two horses that will. Little separated the pair when they both finished well last start, running the quinella at Randwick. Two Blue and Cathay Lady the best of the on-pacers.
[include file=”inpost_adrotator.php”]
- ACAPELA
- MYAMIRA
- TWO BLUE
- CATHAY LADY
