The feature for the 3yo fillies is the G3 Champagne Stakes which last year, was taken out by Snitzerland. This year, another impressive line-up of eleven fillies will take part with Blue Diamond winner Miracles of Life dominating the early better at $2.70, in advance of Thump, who is coming off two good performances this prep and is quoted at $5.00.
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1. MIRACLE OF LIFE – L Stojakovic (4)
Finished her 2yo season undefeated from five starts when claiming the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) in February. She returned as a 3yo to take on a small but select field in the G3 McNeil Stakes where she had to give some smart colts and geldings weight. After sitting second in the run, she suffered interference inside the last 100m and ran fourth behind Fast’n’Rocking. Has been given plenty of time to recover from that run and the return to her own sex, a good draw and a Moonee Valley track that should compliment her style of racing, she should be able to return to the winner’s stall here.
2. RUUD AWAKENING – J McDonald (2)
Kiwi filly who has the impressive record of five wins, including the G1 Diamond Stakes (1200m), in her home-land but in two starts in Australia, hasn’t been able to live up to that reputation. She finished second to last in this year’s Golden Slipper before being spelled and returned with a fifth of thirteen to Miracle To Me in a 3yo Plate up the Flemington straight three weeks ago. The likelihood of being improved for that hit-out and dropping 2kgs are in her favour but would still like to see her produce something in Australia first before tipping her to do so.
3. METASTASIO – K McEvoy (10)
Consistent filly from the Darley operation who has been in the thick of it in three runs back from a spell. She resumed with a second (beaten 4 ¼ lengths, carried 60kgs) to Gregers before being out-bobbed by Kiss A Rose in the G3 Quezette Stakes. At her next and most recent start, the daughter of Street Cry hung on well for fourth (beaten 1 ¾) behind Miracles To Me at Flemington. Drew is a poor one for a filly who likes to race handy but at $9.00, still has to be given a good each-way chance.
4. THUMP – C Williams (1)
Returned from an eighteen week spell with a tough all the way win in the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes at Warwick Farm, defeating Sweet Idea by a nose, before making Bound For Earth and Guelph chase her all the way in the G2 Furious Stake when third, beaten a neck. Guelph is the leading filly of her season and franked that form last week with an impressive win in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes. From barrier one, she’ll be in the box seat throughout.
5. FARE WELL – L Nolen (6)
Well bred Exceed and Excel filly out of Oakleigh Plate winner River Dove from Clarry Conners’ Warwick Farm stables. Despite running a well beaten third in a Class 1 at Gosford first up, she was entered for the G2 Silver Shadow where, despite finishing second to last in the field of seven, was only 3 ½ lengths off winner Thump. She was than taken back to the mid-weeks for her maiden victory, scoring narrowly in a BM 70 race at her home track of Warwick Farm. Respect the stable’s decision to bring her to Melbourne this time of year but still have several in front of her here.
6. TANGO’S DAUGHTER – C Newitt (8)
Ran an inauspicious last when making her debut for trainer Mick Price in the Blue Diamond Preview earlier this year and was immediately spelled. The Redoute’s Choice filly obviously appreciated the break as she returned to effortlessly claim a Geelong Synthetic Maiden (1000m) by 4 ¼ and a Sandown Hillside Restricted race by 3 ¾ (Miracles To Me third) back July. Returns to racing here with no trials but the stable must have an opinion of her to pick a race of this quality out first up.
7. GO AGAIN – B Melham (11)
Narrow winner of restricted race at Sandown Hillside on debut for Robert Smerdon before, somewhat ambitiously, making the trek to Sydney for the G2 Moet and Chandon Stakes. She finished over a dozen lengths behind winner Overreach and was immediately spelled. The daughter of Husson returned to racing three weeks ago with a sixth of thirteen (beaten 4.7 lengths) behind Miracles To Me in the Open fillies race. Better for that run, where she closed from the tail of the field but from her wide draw, cannot see her running some of these fillies down.
8. LONGCHAMP BELLE – M Rodd (5)
Jason Warren trained filly who gave plenty of cheek in front last start, over this track/trip, being caught only right on the line by Solicit in an Open fillies race. That followed another strong on pace effort at Sale in a RST 64 race won by Pro Tour who has won both of his subsequent starts in impressive fashion. This is a jump in class but will get her chance to fill a place from barrier five.
9. COSMIC ENDEAVOUR – N Rawiller (7)
A Northern Meteor filly who could not have been more impressive in scoring by 3 ¼ lengths on debut at Canterbury in May and in good time. It was enough to see her start even money favourite at her next start, when taken to Qld by trainer Gai Waterhouse to contest the Listed Hamden Stakes (1200m). Again she led but weakened late to run fourth behind Missy Longstocking. She looked good in winning a barrier trial when ridden by Rawiller at Randwick almost seven weeks ago now and will be ready to produce.
10. KISS ME KETUT – B Prebble (9)
Scored a three length win in an Echuca maiden at her second race start and was then taken to Adelaide for a RST 68 race by trainer Stephen Theodore. Despite running odds on favourite in the race, she finished a disappointing sixth of ten (beaten 10 lengths) and was spelled. Hasn’t been seen at any trials but would think there are easier races for her to commence her campaign in than this one.
11. I LOVE IT – D Oliver (3)
Made her debut for Caulfield trainer John Salanitri three weeks back in a Warracknabeal maiden and belied her quote of 11/1 to win by an impressive 4 ¾ lengths. She opened at $14.00 when markets were first published on Wednesday afternoon for this race and was immediately wound in to $10.00. She creates plenty of interest off of that debut win combined with a good draw, early support and Oliver in the saddle.
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OVERVIEW
Pace here should be solid from the outset with Thump making use of her good draw and being joined by Metastasio from wider out. Miracles Of Life, Longchamp Belle and Tango’s Daughter all handy. Hoping that this pace gives Cosmic Endevour, who has drawn wider out in gate seven, the opportunity to sit off the speed. She obviously has a tonne of ability and her trial was over a month ago, suggesting she’s been in work for a while now and will be wound up enough for this. Miracles of Life should get the run of the race and coming back to her own sex will be a big bonus. Thump was great last start against the benchmark filly in Guelph and would expect that Tango’s Daughter, impressive in her two wins over the winter, is going well given that Mick Price is kicking her campaign off her.
- COSMIC ENDEVOUR
- MIRACLES OF LIFE
- THUMP
- TANGO’S DAUGHTER
