The first of three black type races at Hawkesbury on Saturday is the running of the Darley Crown for the fillies and mares. Darley are keen to win their own race (as they have done so two of the past three years) and have entered three smart mares in Quidnunc, Aerobatics and Forfeiture. This trio will face still opposition from the likes of Miss Stellabelle and the return of smart mare Bound Blush.
Luxbet Free BetSportsbet Free BetBookmaker Free Bet
1. MISS STELLABELLE – B Shinn (2)
The Dehere mare hasn’t enjoyed the greatest deal of luck in any of her three runs back this time in, yet has placed in her latest two starts – G3 Birthday Card and G2 Sapphire Stakes, both behind Arinosa. She got a long way back in the Sapphire from barrier four and was close to last turning but wouldn’t expect her, from another good draw today, to follow a similar pattern here. Will settle closer to the speed and be right in the mix.
2. DYSTOPIA – J Bowman (7)
Resumed in top company behind Bel Sprinter in the G1 The Galaxy and caught the eye finishing well for fourth. Lined up then in the G2 Sapphire Stakes where she had a nice run in transit and looked set to launch her claim as they topped the rise but her run seem to peak at the 100m and she held on for fourth (beaten 4.6 lengths). Has won two from four this trip but had every opportunity on both occasions. Her draw here may prove tricky
3. QUIDNUNC – (11)
Tackles this race first up and she supports a very good fresh record of three wins from six starts, including the Listed The Nivison (1200m) last preparation where she beat Capital Commander and Alberton Park. Darley trainer Pete Snowden has ensured the 5yo Lonhro mare is ready for this race with two barrier trails (she generally only has the one). Gets back so the draw is not of major concern but she will be giving some smart mares a start as they turn.
4. IRISH DREAM – J Parr (4)
Ron Quinton trained galloper who, whilst never far away in these Listed mare’s races, is finding it hard to break through for a win since she claimed the Listed Winter Stakes in July last year. She’s had three runs back from a let-up with little luck first up in the Listed Wiggle Stakes and finding the class of the G1 Coolmore too strong. Her latest effort was on a heavy track in a BM 95 behind Keith’s Legacy where she also drew wide. Better draw, better surface, think she’s capable of running a race.
5. HOLY MOLY – J Riddell (10)
A former NZ galloper who crossed the Tasman Sea with her trainer John Sargent when he established his Warwick Farm stables. She’s paid for her trip already having won two of her four Australian starts at the end of last year and has been prepped for her return here with two good barrier trails this month. Generally likes to race forward so expect her to cut across from the outside gate but in a race of this quality, first up, she’ll have to be close to the top of her game.
6. BOUND TO BLUSH – Scratched
7. AEROBATIC – (6)
4yo mare by Exceed and Excel who showed plenty of ability as a 2yo but hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations those performances created. She’s finished without threatening the winners in her three backs from a spell this time in with her latest effort, a fifth (beaten 4.4 lengths) behind Keith’s Legacy in a BM 95. Find it hard to include her on recent form.
8. PIPETTE – G Schofield (1)
Found a home at Chris Waller’s Stables after leaving Europe with a brief stint in NZ and she must like her surrounding now given her record in Australia of two wins and three placings from six starts. Lines up here for the first time since finishing sixth behind Cathay Lady in the Listed Belle of the Turf (1600m) in January but appears to be in forward condition judging by her two barrier trails. Gate one might see her in an awkward sport in the run and needing luck.
9. FORFEITURE – (9)
Resumed for Darley in the G2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) three weeks back and was slowly away from the inside draw and never really improved her position, finishing second to last and eight lengths from winner, Arinosa. Second up last prep she had every chance when 1.9 length fifth behind Irish Jig at Warwick Farm. Off Darley’s three, she’ll be the one to surprise were she to win.
10. NEW BEGINNING – A Gibbons (5)
She was warming up nicely when second up in the G3 Birthday Card Stakes before copping at check late and finishing fifth behind Arinosa. She then got back to last in a field of sixteen and again was finishing her race off well after having to circumnavigate the field on the turn. Should get a good run from five and her form is better than it reads and did run second to Nocturnelle (Miss Stellabelle third) in the Listed Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle last prep.
11. ARTIC FLIGHT – A Hyeronimus (8)
She needed the run when first up at Randwick in a BM 75 on Easter Monday, where she finished fourth behind Eminent Domain (since won again) before her trainer Anthony Cummings, took her to Qld for the Listed Juanmo Stakes (1200m). From her inside draw, she lead from the jump and continued to lead until the shadows of the post when swamped right on the line by Black Magic in a blanket finish and running fifth, beaten ¾ length. Another drawn wide her likes to lead but will be kept honest here and find the class a touch too rich.
12. POTIONS – (3)
She ran third in this race last year as a 20/1 shot behind More Strawberries and comes back this year with one run under her belt since finishing down the track in the G3 Sandown Guineas back in November. The return effort was a pleasing one, where she closed well to finish 1.2 lengths behind in-form Eminent Domain in a BM 85 at Randwick. She is won that will enjoy, what should be a solid tempo and be doing her best work late but with only 1 win from twenty starts, can’t rate her in the top selections.
OVERVIEW
Arctic Flight, Bound to Blush and Holy Moly all like to race handy and all have draw wide, so expecting the pace of the race to be fairly genuine from the outset, especially if more than one of them have it mind they mush lead. This should set things up nicely for Miss Stellabelle who has drawn two and can take the sit. She is going well and racing without much luck but can see that changing here. New Beginning is a similar case. She didn’t need to get as far back as she did last time out in the Sapphire and with a genuine speed, from gate five, should be able to position up nicely in the run. She represents good value. Darley are always keen to win this race and this year they’ve pinned there hopes on Quindnunc. She’s had two trails, a good fresh record and be finishing hard form the tail of the field.
