Prior to the three G1 races, we have an exceptional edition of the Dane Ripper Stakes for the fillies and mares. As always is the case in these races, there are chances galore but surprisingly, excluding the emergencies, only two runners comes into this race with a wins to their names – Fire Up Fifi and Arctic Flight. It makes for a great race!
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1. RED TRACER – N Rawiller (18)
She went agonisingly close to winning both the G1 Coolmore Classic and Queen Of The Turf Stakes before failing in the G1 Doncaster Handicap. She’s been given a freshen up since that win and a winning barrier trial on the 27thMay for this but, with a big weight and a horror draw, despite her good form she’ll find it tough.
2. PUNCH ON – P Hammersley (6)
Flashed home second up from a spell to finish ½ length behind Detours (since won again) in the Listed Silk Stocking but was out of her depth when finishing down the track in the G1 Doomben 10,000 at her last start.
Better suited back her to her own sex, needs it dry and if she gets back as is often the case, her fair share of luck.
3. PANE IN THE GLASS – J Byrne (12)
Her last win was back in August of 2011 when claiming the G3 Silver Shadow Stakes and since then, has struggled to recapture that form. She ran third in a blanket finish behind Black Magic in the Listed Juanmo Stakes but was safely held in both the Silk Stocking and G1 Doomben 10,000 since.
4. STEPS IN TIME – J Cassidy (21)
Smart mare form John O’Shea’s yard who has won eight of her eighteen starts. After finishing within a length of Appearance in the G1 Coolmore Classic, she was given a seven week freshen up and returned in the G1 Doomben 10,000 where she finished well down the track. Better suited back to this grade but for a free wheeling galloper, she’ll have to do a lot of work from the second to widest gate.
5. GAI’S CHOICE – J Bowman (5)
She was in exceptional form this time last year but since, hasn’t struggled to return to that form. In three runs back this time in, she’s been well handled in the Sapphire Stakes, Silk Stocking and last start, in the G3 Glenlogan Stakes where she finished over five lengths from winner, Sookie.
6. MISS STELLABELLE – (22)
She continues to produce very good efforts, despite not being able to crack it for a win. She flew home in the Listed Dark Jewel behind Arctic Flight at Scone and again, was hitting the line well when fifth (beaten ¾ lengths) in the QTC Cup behind Galah. Always competitive in these races but from 22?!
7. ARTIC FLIGHT – P Robl (16)
Well bred daughter of Flying Spur who went within a head of winning the Darley Crown two starts back but at her next start, in the Listed Dark Jewel at Scone, was able to go one better and led all the way to record a head win over Pipette. She’ll go forward from her gate and the pace critical to her chances. If given half a chance, she’ll fight on tenaciously.
8. EMMALENE – (17)
Jet Spur mare from local trainer Liam Birchley’s yard who has raced with little luck this prep. After finding the class and conditions of the BTC Cup too much for here, she got back in the G3 Glenlogan Stakes and, in a race dominated by those up front, was only getting into her work late. Capable on her day but given her racing pattern, will need luck.
9. SOFT SAND – B Avdulla (2)
Ran second to Appearance in the G1 Myer Classic last Spring but in four runs back this preparation, hasn’t lived up to that form. Home fairly in the Listed Hall Mark Stakes behind Rarefied before, due to track bias, having little chance in the Listed Dark Jewel at Scone. Would like to see her return to form before back including her among the chances.
10. QUIDNUNC – (9)
Darley runner who doesn’t win out of turn however is never from the money in these races. She hasn’t been suited by the pace in either run back from a spell and last start, was doing her best work late when fifth behind Sookie (beaten 4 ¾ length) in the G3 Glenlogan Park. A solid tempo over 1400m and a big track are in her favour and capable of a cheeky effort.
11. RISK AVERSION – C Munce (16)
Went within a nose of beaten Red Tracer in G3 Millie Fox three starts back and resumed from a nine week break with a fourteenth of sixteen in the G3 Glenlogan. That race didn’t suit her style of racing and has displayed in the Mille Fox, if the race pans out to her liking, she’s can produce the goods.
12. FIRE UP FIFI – G Colless (8)
Very consistent mare who was rewarded for her efforts with a solid 1 ¾ win in the Listed Speak Chief Handicap last week. Sure to give a solid account of herself from a good draw and supports the record of six wins from eleven starts at this track.
13. SHARNEE ROSE – G Boss (23)
Only won the two races but has been placed on ten occasions. Was off a month’s break when sixth in the Listed Ortensia Stakes behind Satin Shoes and took benefit of that run and enjoyed the softer track conditions, to finish second at her last start to Detours in the Listed Bright Shadow. Pity about the draw.
14. BABEL – (11)
Finished well to run a nose second to Agister in BM 85 race at Hawkesbury and then travelled to Brisbane and had the run to produce more than she did in the G3 Glenlogan Park Stakes when sixth (beaten 5 lengths) behind Sookie. Needs to lift off that run.
15. POSTE RESTANTE – (15)
She was in fine form over the summer and won four of her six starts last preparations. The 4yo mare has had two runs back and in both, hasn’t appeared to enjoy the soft conditions and finished well down the track in both the Listed Members’s Quality and G3 Chairman’s Handicap (2100m). Freshened up since then but aiming too high here.
16. FLORIA – L Nolen (1)
Off a ten week break, the Peter Moody trained mare ran second to the in-from Skyerush in the G2 Emancipation Stakes and backed that up with an equally good performance when fourth (beaten 1.6 lengths) behind Speediness in the Scone Cup. Better suited back to her own sex and drawn well. One of the better chances.
17. PERFECTLY STUNNING – C Newitt (3)
From the in-form stable of Pat Carey, this 4yo mare won two on end in Victoria before finishing well in both the Listed G3 Schweppes and Listed Straight Six to run seventh (beaten 2 ½ lengths) and fourth (beaten 3.1 lengths) respectively. Being a back marker, the inside draw can easily as much a disadvantage as an advantage either way, she’ll need from it and in this class.
18. DISCREET – (7)
Show A Heart filly who, since racing from back in the field, has produced some good wins and overall efforts including her last start second in the behind My Shabella a fortnight ago. No doubting she’s in form and deserves her shot at a good race but this one may be just a little too rich.
19. ELFINA – D Dunn (4)
Surprisingly given her general racing pattern, she jumped and led at her most recent race in BM 80 at Randwick where she was able to dictate the pace and hold on to win, beating Gullible by a nose. That was her fourth win from seventeen starts and, from a good draw here, would imagine that they go forward again but the rise in class should find her out.
20. DIADEME – C Reith (19)
A New Zealand galloper who had her first Australian start and first for seven weeks, in the G3 Glenlogan Park Stakes, where she finished third (beaten 3 ¾ lengths) behind Sookie. She was afforded a good run in the race but didn’t have the ping needed to go with the leaders on the turn. Will be better for that run and the extra trip also suits but faces a task from nineteen.
21. PERON – M Cahill (20)
A smart filly who has won five from six starts including her two most recent races in good style. On both occasions, she has settled midfield before unleashing a neat turn of foot to defeat Whitesales in BM 85 and last start, Tax Evader by a long neck. Improving type and has the attributes required to perform well at this level but would prefer to see her do so first, especially from this draw.
22. AMETSIS – (14)
Redoute’s Choice mare from the Victorian stable of Russell Cameron who has had to runs in this prep including a two length win last start in a Class 4 at Doomben. Easier races than this available for her.
23. SHOW AFFECTION – (10)
She’s had three runs back from a seven week spell fro Trainer Rob Heathcote but well accounted for in each of them, which have been in Classes well below this.
OVERVIEW
By sheer size of the field, the pace should be genuine with Arctic Flight, Steps In Time, and Floria all looking to take up forward positions. There’s a lot to like about each of them, especially Arctic Flight and Floria. Arctic Flight has been in the thick of thing each start this prep and despite the draw here, would be inclined to include here given the consistency of her form. Likewise, Floria has been very good at her two starts and off those efforts, finds a very winnable race here. Fire Up Fifi doesn’t know how to run a bad race and would include Quidnunc at her price. Any luck in running should see her finishing hard.
