Most associate the description of the “mighty mare” with Black Caviar or Makybe Diva but there’s now another who can be described in such a way – Atlantic Jewel. She headlines this race and possibly the Moonee Valley card after her scintillating return to racing in the G1 Memsie Stakes a fortnight ago. Here, against her own sex and at WFA, how do they beat here? They don’t.
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1. ATLANTIC JEWEL – M Rodd (2)
Had won seven from seven before injury forced her to the sidelines for sixteen months but it didn’t dampen any of her class. She was breath-taking in her return to racing, claiming the G1 Memsie Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths in nothing more than what looked like to be track work. Rodd placed her where she needed to be throughout the race and she demolished them. She Lines up against seven competitors who will be vying for second.
2. FIBRILLATION – G Boss (8)
Handy mare who stepped out for the first time as a representative of the Mick Price stables two weeks ago in a mare’s race at Caulfield and, would’ve pleased her new trainer by finishing second to Bec Said No Credit. The new surrounding might’ve breathed some new life into the 6yo mare whose form, after being solid earlier the year, started to wane over the Brisbane Carnival. Will strip fitter for the first up run and does appreciate the cut out of the track so would expect Moonee Valley to suit.
3. OASIS BLOOM – S Arnold (3)
Winner of this race last year when, like she is here for this race, third up from a spell. She needed the run first up behind Octavia in the Cockram Stakes and then had every opportunity from a good draw in the Let’s Elope Stakes last week. Expected her to finish off better than she did last week but with her trainer electing for a quick back-up here, inclined to forgive her last start – her second run back of a long spell.
4. ORIENTAL RUBY – N Hall (1)
She produced an outstanding effort first up (at 25/1) from the tail of the field to get within ¾ of the in-form Octavia and claim second in the Cockram Stakes. Got back again in an Open mare’s race at her next start a fortnight ago at Caulfield but the zip wasn’t there this time and she finished fifth (beaten 3.1 lengths) behind Bec Said No Credit. Likes this track and trip but tackles this level for the first time and comes up against some smart ones.
5. BONNIE NUIT – K Mally (6)
She won a couple of race at Moonee Valley (BM 90) and Flemington (RST 84) in successive starts back in early August, taking her career wins to four, before attempting a better grade of race, the Listed Slickpix (1700m). She was found out in the better company and last weekend was home fairly in an Open handicap to finish fifth of ten (beaten 2 ¼ lengths). Drops back to a mile here but will find too many too quick.
6. AVA’S DELIGHT – L Nolen (4)
Darren Weir trained mare who, although a model of consistency, does find it hard to win and she certainly will not find this any easier than some of the races she’s contested recently. Off a let-up of seven weeks, she was sent out the 4/1 favourite in a Open mare’s race at Caulfield a fortnight ago and closed well from the tail of the field to claim third, 2 ¼ lengths behind Bec Said No Credit. She’ll be better for that run but is at her best when allowed come from off the speed and it’s hard to see her running some of these mares down.
7. BEC SAID NO CREDIT – M Payne (7)
She earned her shot at this class of race with a strong ¾ length win over Fibrillation and Ava’s Delight at Caulfield a fortnight ago. That was her third successive win and once her trainer Darren Weir has them in form, they generally hold it well.
8. KEYARNA BLUE – M Walker (5)
Lightly raced mare from Pat Hyland stables who, after claiming her maiden at Kilmore last prep, immediately took at the Listed Laelia Stakes at Morphettville in good style. She’s had one start back from a spell and got a long way back before doing her best work last to finish ninth of fourteen behind the smart Desert Wizard at Cranbourne just over a week ago. Obviously has her share of ability but a race like this may be aiming too high too soon.
OVERVIEW
Atlantic Jewel will win by, I’ll say 3-4 lengths in a hand canter. Think Fibrillation will claim second off her good first up run and the fact that she meets the winner from that race much better at the weights and this surface will be to her liking and for thid, Oasis Bloom. She gets the run and has the runs on the board to be a bit forgiving of last week’s effort.
- ATLANTIC JEWEL
- FIBRILLATION
- OASIS JEWEL
