The final Group One race of the season is for the fillies and mares at WFA with a field of sixteen (3 fillies) taking part. Only two, Streama and Yosei have won at this level previously. Streama is the early favourite at $4.20 and rightly so after an impressive effort last start in the Stradbroke handicap.
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1. STREAMA – H Bowman (1)
Smart mare who ran third in the G1 Queen of the Turf, fourth in the G1 Doncaster Handicap and, after a six week break, a third in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap (beaten a length) at her last three starts. That is sensational form for here where she returns to her own sex at set weights. Sure to be in the finish.
2. YOSEI – M Payne (5)
5yo mare who commenced this campaign four runs back with a great effort in the G1 Robert Sangster followed by an unlucky tenth (beaten 3 lengths) behind Platelet in the G1 Goodwood Hcp (Conservatorium 2nd). She came to Brisbane and was outclassed in the G1 Doomben 10,000 before a better effort under handicap conditions in the Stradbroke, where she finished eighth (beaten 3.1 lengths). Condition of this race suit further still and on her form this time in, is capable of winning here.
3. RED TRACER – N Rawiller (16)
She won her third G2 race last start with a head victory over Floria in the Dane Ripper Stakes. That continued her good recent form that saw her ran close seconds in both the G1 Queen of the Turf and Coolmore Classic, both behind Appearance. She’s been placed at G1 level three times previously and certainly will be competitive again, especially if the track is rain-affected.
4. SKYERUSH – B Shinn (12)
Ultra consistent mare who has only finished outside of the top four, once in her past ten starts. Her most recent efforts where strong wins in the G3 Doncaster Prelude and G2 Emancipation Stakes, defeating Floria (who has been good in two runs since). Hasn’t raced since the 27th April but no doubting her trainer Guy Walter, will have her ready to produce.
5. SPIRIT SONG – B Rawiller (2)
Smart mare who has had two runs for her new Trainer Kelso Wood since transferring from Victoria and the stables of Aaron Purcell. Her first start for Wood was a forgivable run in the Chief de Beers where nothing went right before a fair effort in the Stradbroke, running ninth (beaten 3.4 lengths) behind Linton. Does have a win over Lights Of Heaven and a second in G1 company to Solzhenitsyn to her record and from a good draw, her first for a while, is capable of filling a place.
6. STEPS IN TIME – L Cassidy (10)
She was in very good form during the Sydney Autumn Carnival, winning the Listed Wiggle Stakes and running a fourth in the G1 Coolmore Classic. She drew poorly when resuming from an eight week break, led and knocked up late when eleventh in the G1 Doomben 10,000 before a better effort back to her own sex in the Dane Ripper stakes, finishing two lengths from the winner, Red Tracer. Will no doubt lead and roll them along but will be kept honest in a race of this depth.
7. SHANNARA – (8)
Darley mare who hasn’t won a race since claiming the Skinfitness Cup at Hawkesbury back in November 2011 – 12 races ago now. She’s had four runs back since resuming from a spell and had little luck in the G2 Emancipation Stakes behind Skyerush before no hope on a leader’s bias track at Scone when eleventh behind Arctic Flight. Will get back, need a dry track and luck in running but can produce a big finish on her day.
8. SHE’S CLEAN – J Collett (4)
Winner of eight of her sixteen starts, this daughter of Redoute’s Choice is having her first crack at the elite level after having won both of her starts since resuming from a ten week break The first was head win on Slow condition over News Alert before a smart ride and strong finish saw her claim the June Stakes last start from Neeson. Harder again here but deserves her shot.
9. SKATING ON ICE – J Bowditch (6)
Backing of from last weekend where she chased home the impressive Peron by two lengths when finishing second in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Stakes. As she did last week, she has drawn to get a favourable run but the step up in class again will see her struggle.
10. ARCTIC FLIGHT – P Robl (15)
Flying Spur mare trained by Anthony Cummings that has been right in the thick of things at her past three starts. She ran a head second in the Listed Darley Crown before claiming the Listed Dark Jewel at Scone by a similar margin and last start, again settled handy to the speed and finished within a long neck of Red Tracer in the Listed Dane Ripper Stakes. Can’t knock her form and a wide barrier last start didn’t damper her chances. Should get a nice enough trail across behind Steps In Time and run another good race.
11. WHATEVERWHENEVER – G Colless (3)
She was in fine form last spring, winning three of her five starts including the G3 Moonga Stakes at Caulfield. Since returning from a spell however, the Liam Birchley trained mare has struggled to recapture that form and would need to lift on last week’s fifth (beaten 4.2 lengths) behind Peron.
12. RISK AVERSION – C Munce (7)
Returned to racing from a nine week break in the G3 Glenlogan Park Stakes but in a race dominated by those up front, she had little chance from the tail of the field and finished well down the track. Again settled a long way back in the Dane Ripper but was doing her best work late to finish eighth (beaten 2.2 lengths) behind Red Tracer. Possess a very big finish this race should be run to suit. Provided Munce get obtain a trouble free run home, she can figure.
13. FLORIA – L Nolen (11)
She hasn’t put a foot wrong in three runs for Trainer Peter Moody since coming across from New Zealand. Second to Skyerush in the Emancipation Stakes, a close up fourth in the Scone Cup (good form) and a head second to Red Tracer in the Dane Ripper means serious consideration has to be given to her. Just a slight question mark over her draw.
14. DIAMOND EARTH – T Bell (9)
First of three fillies, this daughter of Choisir has been in conistent form with the highlight this prep coming two starts back in the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes at Scone where she recorded a strong length. Since then, she’s ran seventh behind Howmuchdoyouloveme in the Listed Lightning Stakes. Jumps up from 1000 to 1400m and in class today.
15. DOUBTFILLY – R McMahon (14)
No luck from the widest draw when twelfth (beaten 5 lengths) behind Sizzling in the QLD Guineas before making good ground late last week in the Gai Waterhouse Classic to finish third behind Peron. Drawn poorly again here and will be giving several smart performers a good start as they turn for home.
16. PERON – M Cahill (13)
She won her third race in succession last week and her sixth from seven starts with an impressive two length win in the Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich last week. As she had done previously, displayed a very neat turn of foot in the Gai Waterhouse and quickly put the result beyond doubt. Keeps taking the step up in class and in good style, this is her biggest test to date and the draw will make it awkward but may very well still be on the way up.
OVERVIEW
This is a great race and way to round at the Group 1 racing for this season. Several with legitimate chance in the race but I’m going with Streama on top. She was great during the Sydney Carnival in the top fillies and mares races and excellent when first up off a few weeks break in the Straddie. Drawn perfectly here and back to her own sex under set weights, she’ll look the winner at some stage. Take your pick for those who could fill a place but for mine, I’ll be putting in Skyerush – ultra consistent, Spirit Song – no luck last couple and can bounce back from a good draw and Arctic Flight with Floria. Nothing has separated the last two horses of late and despite drawing wide, if they can find a spot on the speed early, will kick on.