A cracking edition of the Dark Jewel this year, with yet another capacity field assembled. Early favourite in a typical wide open Fillies and Mares race is Miss Stellabelle ($5.50) in advance of Plucky Belle ($6.50) and Pipette ($7.00)
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1. MISS STELLABELLE – N Rawiller (5)
Good mare that has been racing with little or no luck in recent times.She got too far back last start in the Listed Darley Crown and was again good late when finishing fourth behind Aerobatics at Hawkesbury a fortnight ago. Surely from gate five, she takes a more prominent position and if she does, will be a definite threat.
2. SHANNARA – (2)
Third run back this prep was in the G2 Emancipation Stakes where she got into an awkward spot as they turned for home and didn’t enjoy much luck in the straight. Finished eighth (beaten 3.7 lengths) behind Skyerush but that margin could’ve been closer. She flashed home to win this race two years ago.
3. SOFT SAND – B Shinn (6)
She’s been entered in and given a good chance in some smart races since winning a Caulfield Open class race back in May of last year but, since then, has only placed once in her last eight starts. Admittedly, that was in the G1 Myer Classic behind Appearance but her style of racing will always require that some luck go her way. Back to Listed company is a good move and were she to get the luck in running, is capable of a big finish.
4. ANGEL OF MERCY – T Clark (15)
First up from a fifteen week spell for this Gerald Ryan trained mare. First up last prep she was sixth (beaten 2.4 lengths) in the Listed Nivison behind Quidnunc and think she’d find it harder to do better here, given that she’s drawn wide.
5. ARTIC FLIGHT – P Robl (13)
Her last two starts have been very tough on-pace efforts. Firstly in the Listed Juanmo Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm where she fifth, beaten less than a lengths and at her latest start, she led bar the last 10 metres when claimed by Aerobatics in the Listed Darley Crown. Going well but in this race and field, might not get the leads she has at her most recent starts.
6. CITY OF SONG – B Avdulla (12)
She’s won two of three this prep and is going well. Easy winner of a BM 78 at Moonee Valley two starts back and equally as comfortably in claiming an Open race again at Moonee Valley. Won a Randwick barrier trail (Avdulla rode) by 4 ½ two weeks back and the stable’s decision to have a dip at this race would indicate the mare is going as well as ever.
7. PIPETTE – G Schofield (10)
Former European mare who improved with each run for Chris Waller last prep and judging by her first up effort in the Listed Darley Crown (third beaten ¾), she’s continued to improve over the break. Camped on the speed from the inside gate in the Darley Crown and ran ¾ third. Will have benefited from that run and the step up to 1400m, also a plus.
8. HOSS AMOR – J McDonald (19)
Signalled his ability last Winter with good wins in Listed races and backed that up with a second in the G3 Champagne Stakes at Moonee Valley during the Spring. Returned to racing in the Listed Gosford Guineas and was quoted a 5/1 chance but never appeared happy on the Slow surface and finished second to last. Ran second to Your Song in a barrier trial since (good form reference!) but from nineteen will find it hard.
9. FORFETURE – (11)
Second of Darley’s runners who has had two runs back this time in for a poor performance first up in the G2 Sapphire Stakes and not much better in the Darley Crown at Hawkesbury a fortnight ago when ninth. Got back and wide in the Darley Crown in a race dominated by those up front but she’ll have to win one before we tip her to.
10. NEW BEGINNING – A Gibbons (9)
After pleasing efforts in both the G3 Birthday Card Stakes and G2 Sapphire Stakes, she was considered one of the better chances when lining up in the Darley Crown a fortnight ago. She got back in a race and on a day that didn’t lend itself to that pattern of racing however, still wanted to see a little bit more than we did over the final stages. Forgive her that run and go on the events prior.
11. HOLY MOLY – N Berry (4)
Won two of her first four races after coming across from New Zealand and returned from a sixteen week spell in the Darley Crown. From a wide gate she was posted deep and working on the speed and was a spent force turning, running last. Better than that and drawn well here but eligible for easier races.
12 PLUCKY BELLE – J Parr (7)
Peter Moody brought this Mossman mare up from Melbourne for a crack at the G2 Emancipation Stakes last start. Settling three back on the fence, she got an uninterrupted run home to finish 1 ½ lengths behind Skyerush and Floria. Skyerush is in very good form and any rain (she’s two for two on Slow) would be a bonus.
13. CRADLE ME – (3)
Honest mare who stepped up to the 1400m for the first time last start and had a beautiful run in transit behind the leading group in a BM 70 before taking the gap and racing away to win by 3 ½ Drawn to get a similar run and whilst she is in form, think this race will have too much depth.
14. WHITESAILS – M Bennett (16)
A mare by Fastnet Rock who won two on the trot in Queensland before being given a two month spell and retuning in a BM 85 on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago. Had every chance in the run but had no answer to the smart Peron who finished over the top of her. Still, a very smart effort but will not get the same kind of run from gate 16.
15. POTIONS – (18)
You probably do have to look any further than her career record to know you can put a pen through her chances. She’s won one for twenty-one and that came in a Warwick Farm Maiden in March 2011.
16. ANETO – (17)
Team Hawkes look after this Encosta De Lago mare who was able to win first up at Sandown on a Heavy and then chased home Minnie Downs and Plucky Belle at her next two starts. Her last start was a plain effort behind Elite Elle where, as a 50/1 chance, she finished sixth of nine and would find it hard to include her amongst the chances here.
17. WHO’S READY – (1)
More Than Ready mare who has been well accounted for at each of her last three starts, all at BM 75 level and would be surprised, despite her good draw, to see her fill a place in the first half dozen here.
18. ELFINA – (8)
Well bred mare who recent efforts since returning from a spell three starts back, haven’t reflected her parentage. She never threatened winner Khalifa at Sandown last start, where she finished seventh of thirteen (beaten 4 lengths) in a RST 78 event.
19. MYAMIRA – (14)
Locally trained horse that is first up for some eleven weeks and whilst her fresh runs in the past have been some of her best, they’ve been in races of a standard well below this one.
OVERVIEW
Where do you start? So many with a chance here. I’m going with Pipette. Thought the first up run was a beauty and she won’t have had to come on much from that run, to be right in the thick of things at the finish. Would love to see Miss Stellabelle ridden closer to the speed than what she has been lately. From gate five, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t and she deserves a chance of luck. Soft Sand and New Beginning – both only fair last start but on their best form, could easily see both charging late and at $15.00 and $11.00 respectively, represent good each-way value.
