An outstanding collection of mares gather for this Group 2 race. Leading the betting are Peron and Red Tracer – $4.20 and $4.40 respectively as at Thursday morning. Red Tracer ran third in this race last year behind Streama when, like she will be on Saturday, second up from a spell. Peron has been great at her two runs this time in, finishing close seconds at G3 and last start, G2 level.
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1. RED TRACER – N Rawiller (9)
Fantastically honest mare who won the G2 Dane Ripper and G1 Tatt’s Tiara during the Brisbane winter carnival before being spelled. She returned with a typically strong effort when a head second to Sharnee’s Rose (won a G3 race last Saturday) three weeks ago. Can never be left out in these set weight mare’s races.
2. XANADU – M Coleman (14)
New Zealand 5yo whose only previous start in Australia was an encouraging fifth (beaten 1.7 lengths) behind Skyerush in the G2 Emancipation Stakes (1600m). She looks set to produce another competitive effort here judging by her three runs back from a spell this time in, the most recent of which was a strong 1 ¾ length win over King Mufhasa in the WFA G1 Windsor Park Stakes (1600m) just on four weeks ago. Will get back from her wide gate but be charging home.
3. STEPS IN TIME – G Schofield (15)
Had her first look up the Flemington straight when resuming in the G2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) and leading from the jump, did well to run third to Platelet (beaten 0.9 lengths). She’ll be better for having had that run and supports a good second up record and is a multiple winner at this level previously however, the draw is a poor one for a horse that likes to roll along in front and she may be vulnerable over the final stages.
4. FIRE UP FIFI – D Browne (10)
She stormed home down the centre of the Flemington track to claim the G2 Blazer Stakes, defeating the short priced favourite Peron and Catskins in the process at her most recent start. That made it three wins from her last five starts for this 6yo mare from the in-form Rob Heathcote stables. Her jockey has ridden her three times, including last start, for three wins.
5. FLYING SNITZEL – D Oliver (5)
The Gerald Ryan mare camped on a hot speed first up in the G3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill and felt the pinch late running fifth, two lengths behind Driefontein. She then appeared to have every chance at her next and most recent start, the G2 Blazer Stakes and finished eighth, 3 ¼ lengths from Fire Up Fifi. Drawn to get a lovely run again but needs to improve off of her latest effort.
6. BENETTA – J McDonald (6)
Finished off her first up run in good style when fourth (1.4 lengths) behind Driefontein in the G3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m). She then drew barrier one in the G2 Golden Pendant (1400m) and had to settle a little closer than she normally does to the pace. She dug deep late and was only collared on the line by Sharnee Rose and Red Tracer. From gate six today, she’ll camp off what should be a genuine speed and on her two runs back, be a genuine threat.
7. MELIORA – L Nolen (13)
She led by several lengths mid-race two starts back before capitulating in the straight and running second to last in an Open class race at Caulfield before, in the G3 Series Final (1200m) last week, were ridden a little more conservatively on the pace, was still found to be wanting in the run home and finished seventh (beaten 5.4 lengths) behind Aerobatics. Will shoot across from her wide gate but again, likely to be found the last furlong and quality of this race too great of a challenge.
8. HI BELLE – C Williams (12)
Returned with a great effort finishing strongly and running a nose second to Catkins in the G3 Sportingbet Stakes (1200m) before getting back and copping a check at the top of the straight in the G3 Blazer Stakes a fortnight ago at Flemington. Can forgive her last start but she doesn’t win out of turn (last win was twelve starts ago now) and she’ll have to be at the top of her game to figure in the finish here.
9. CATKINS – C Newitt (16)
Has been a model of consistency of late and after a good second to Commanding Jewel in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes, she claimed victory by producing a tough effort to nose out Hi Belle in the G3 Sportingbet Stakes. From a good draw she camped on the leader’s back and was afforded every chance last start in the G2 Blazer Stakes but found Fire Up Fifi and Peron too good late, finishing third (beaten 1.1 lengths). Has had the benefit of good runs in transit her last couple of starts but will find it much tougher from out where she’s drawn today.
10. AEROBATICS – K McEvoy (17)
She got too far back when resuming from a spell in the G3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill and finished midfield behind Drieftontein and Peron. She then ventured south and lined up in last week’s G3 Series Final (1200m) here at Caulfield. Under 58kgs, she camped just off the pace rounding the turn before producing a good turn of foot at the top of the straight which was enough to see her win by a neck over Assertive Eagle. Comes down in weight after that impressive win but drawn wide and she’s yet to run a place from three attempts at this distance.
11. KOONOOMOO – S Arnold (7)
Needed the run and had to carry 60kgs first up in Open company when seventh behind Vibrant Rouge at Moonee Valley before, in last week’s Series Final (1200m) she finished well behind Aerobatics to claim fourth beaten 1.9 lengths. She carried 58kgs last week and drops a further 2kgs here, combined with being third up and her previous record in similar races to this, she’s capable of being involved in the finish.
12. MOLTE BENE – D Tourneur (19)
Showed enough promise as a 3yo that she started favourite in the G1 1000 Guineas last year. After only an average autumn campaign earlier this year that saw her try her hand over some staying races, the Royal Academy mare has returned to racing with two victories, the most recent of which had to been seen to be believed. Settling at the tail of the field in the Listed Tavern Stakes (1410m) at Flemington last fortnight, she copped a bad check in the straight before getting to the outside, balancing up and hitting the line in great style to record a length win over British General (who came out last Saturday and won a Listed race). Freakish effort last start and she’ll have to produce another here after drawing a horror gate.
13. YOU’RE SO GOOD – J Bowman (18)
Showed plenty of promise last season and ran second to Ferlax in the G1 Australian Guineas. Since resuming from a spell though, four starts ago now, the Nigel Blackiston trained mare hasn’t quite lived up to that early promise. Admittedly, she had no luck last week when held up for a run for the majority of the straight in the G3 Series Final when finishing last however, her starts prior would suggest that she still needs to make considerable improvement.
14. PERON – J Cassidy (2)
Lightly raced and promising mare trained by John Thompson whose two runs back this preparation have both been full of merit. She closed from worse than midfield to run a length second to Drieftontein in the G3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) first up and than had to sit three wide from her poor draw in the G2 Blazer Stakes and was only caught in the final stages by Fire Up Fifi. Will get a much better run from this draw and is the leading contender.
15. ROSE PATTERN – C Schofield (3)
Just finding herself a few lengths off the pace in four starts this preparation, with each of those runs coming in races of lesser quality than this. She had every chance when second to Mybenz two starts back in a Handicap race over 1400m before sitting on the pace and holding on well for sixth (beaten 1.6 lengths) to Notice Received (who was unplaced at G3 level on Wednesday). Sure to take up a forward position but cannot see her holding off the challengers in the straight.
16. AVA’S DELIGHT – D Lane (8)
Resumed from an eleven week let-up with a big finishing third to Bec Said No Credit in a Open Fillies and Mares handicap at this track and trip. She then found the class of competitor way too strong when finishing second to last in the field of five (beaten 8.6 lengths) in the G2 Top Cut Stakes (1600m) behind Atlantic Jewel. She’s another who will struggle at this grade.
17. LADY ANTEBELLUM – (1st EM) D Dunn (20)
Registered her sixth win from her nineteenth start just over a week ago when claiming a length win in a RST 78 race at Mornington (1210m). It was a very meritorious win given that she was allocated 60kgs and had to come from last on the tight circuit. That was her third run back from a spell and would’ve prepped her nicely for here. She has recorded good efforts behind Shamal Wind to her name but she’ll need everything to go her way to be competitive at this level and from the widest draw, that’s unlikely to happen.
18. PICKABEE – (2nd EM) G Boss (1)
Queensland visitor from the stables of young Caitlin Lavin, this daughter of Jet Spur has won five of her ten starts including her two most recent outings. She had a lovely run when winning by a head in a Fillies and Mare’s Quality before at her most recent start, comfortably defeating Leviosa at Doomben over 1350m. As she has done recently, she again has drawn well but this is a long way from Queensland both in geography and class.
19. MYBENZ – (3rd EM) B Melham (4)
Enjoyed the cut out of the track two starts back when winning a race over this course and trip before, at her most recent start, getting home only fairly when seventh of sixteen behind Fire Up Fifi in the Blazer Stakes (1400m). Not hopeless on a firm track but yet to fill a place from five attempts when racing on that conditions and for her to have any chance here, would need the track to be graded dead at best.
20. BALACLAVA LADY – M Walker (11)
Her only win from eleven starts was over this track and trip (as a 40/1 shot) nine starts and over 12 months ago now. Whilst she has performed in races since, her last three runs would suggest that, should she somehow manage to secure a run in this race, she will be likely to struggle.
RACE OVERVIEW
Great race and in these mare’s races at set weights, it generally pays dividend to shop at the top end of the field. With that in mind, I’m going with Benetta here. She should get a nice run off the pace that, via Steps In Time, Meliora and Catkins who’ll cross from out wide, should be a solid one. She’s previously displayed a neat turn of foot but hasn’t been afforded the chance to use it recently given the way her races have developed. This race should suit. Peron has been very good at her two runs back and also appears to get her chance to atone for last start’s narrow defeat. Red Tracer always gives a good account of herself and this will be no different. Cannot afford to leave her out. New Zealander Xanadu rounds out selections. She’ll get back but can produce a big finish.
- BENNETTA
- RED TRACER
- PERON
- XANADU