A good day’s racing will be round out with the running of the Cockram Stakes for mares. Mare’s races are tough at the best of times but with nine of the sixteen runners commencing their spring campaigns here, the degree of difficulty goes up a notch or two again. Early favourite is in-form front-running mare Octavia ($3.20) from Lady Melksham ($4.80) who won this race last year.
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1. OASIS BLOOM – S Arnold (5) 58kgs
She put together a very solid campaign together this time last year which was highlighted by her win the G2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley. The daughter of Al Maher hasn’t raced since then, over nine months ago but did have a barrier trial at Cranbourne earlier this week, finishing mid-field. Expect she may need this run after the lengthy lay-off.
2. BONARIA – M Rodd (6) 57kgs
Handy mare that, with the right run and tempo in the race, is capable of producing a strong finish. That was the case when she claimed the G3 Schweppes Trophy of Spirit Song in March. She too is first up here and likely to need the hit-out if her previous fresh runs are to go by. Wait for her over a longer trip.
3. LADY MELKSHAM – G Boss (1) 57kgs
She won this race last year on a heavy track with 55kgs as 5/2 favourite, sitting on the pace and winning by a long neck from Le Societe. She had two starts in the autumn, a win over 955m at Moonee Valley before failing in Open company at Flemington and being spelled. She’s unbeaten in two fresh runs and capable on all surfaces.
4. CATSKINS – SCRATCHED
5. YOU’RE SO GOOD – M Walker (10) 56kgs
Very promising mare who has won two from five, including the Listed Alexandra Stakes at Moonee Valley, but it’s her placings in races the calibre of The Vanity and Australian Guineas that has really stamped her as having above average ability. She lines up for her first start since the G1 Vinery Stakes at Rosehill where she found the soft track and clockwise direction not to her liking. Look for her to be finishing hard and she’s firmed form $10 – $8 in early betting.
6. OCTAVIA – K McEvoy (8) 56kgs
Mike Moroney mare that has been a model of consistency this preparation and her entire career for that matter, who won a Fillies and Mare’s race over this track/trip by 3 ½ lengths last start. That was her third start in this prep and she’s rock-hard fit and will give them something to catch.
7. KNEELING – (12) 56kgs
Former Patinack Farm galloper now under the guidance of Peter Moody who, has won two from three for her new trainer. Both victories came in QLD however, her last start second to Henwood (good again last week) at Moonee Valley, where he closed well from the tail of the field, puts her right in the mix here.
8. JOLIE BLONDE – D Stackhouse (16) 56kgs
The winner of the Listed Hareeba Stakes last preparation (defeating Launay) she returns to racing after a nineteen week spell. Excuses in her first up run last prep (a RST 72 F&M’s race) but for a mare who likes to race on the speed, she’ll have plenty of work to do from the wide gate.
9. ORIENTAL RUBY – D Lane (9) 55kgs
A 6yo Street Cry mare who returns to racing after a spell of sixteen weeks. She’s picked a tough race to resume in, given that she has never competed at his level previously and that from four fresh runs, she’s won one – her debut effort. She likes to get back in her races but too hard to see her running some of these down.
10. CAPTIVATING LADY – A Mallyon (7) 55kgs
Elvstroem mare who has won four of her seventeen starts including a length win in Open company over 1100m here at Caulfield, defeating Serene Star. Since then she settled mid-field but could make no impression on leader and eventual winner Octavia three weeks ago. She started 7/2 in her most recent race and with a bigger field and solid tempo, she may get her chance to finish stronger than she did last start.
11. A TIME FOR JULIA – (13) 55kgs
Impeccably bred mare who commenced her career last spring and recorded a win on debut at Kilmore and backed that up two starts later with a win in Open company at Caulfield (1400m) defeating Ciao. That was the last time we’ve seen this Peter Moody trained galloper and with a break of ten months and a wide draw, would be happy to see what she can offer her first up.
12. BARBIE’S BOMBSHELL – D Dunn (3)
Returned to racing after an eight month spell and needed the run when finishing midfield behind Queen Delight in a BM 89 race at Moonee Valley ten weeks ago. Hasn’t raced or trialled since and would be hard to include on that effort. She did run some handy races behind good mares last prep and four of her five wins have been on heavy ground.
13. IT’S POETS DAY – J Duffy (2) 55kgs
Trainer Emma Steel has this daughter of Dylan Thomas ticking over nicely, as evident by her win in 3yo company two starts back at Flemington over Legcut. Since then she closed well to ran second to Day Procedure and Broken (won the come out and won the Aurie’s Star last week) at Moonee Valley. Whilst this is a step up on class for here, there is good form around here and one for the multiples at big odds.
14. EASY TO LOOK AT – C Robertson (11) 55kgs
She’s started big prices in her recent races, all in Open class, and ran according to the quoted price. Daughter of Danbird, she’s won two of her nineteen starts but will not be adding to that tally in a race such as this.
15. PETITE DIABLESE – C Symons (4) 55kgs
Lightly raced mare from Greg Eurell’s yard kicked off her last campaign with consecutive wins in a Kilmore Maiden and Ballarat RST 72 before jumping to Group company and acquitting herself very well. She flashed home for third in the G3 The Vanity, beaten a head by Alzora, and followed that up with an unlucky fifth behind Flying Snitzel and Norzita in the Kewney Stakes (1400m). No trials but has the ability to figure prominently here first up. Not to be overlooked at $21.00
16. SINHALA – SCRATCHED
OVERVIEW
Octavia leads and, like she did last start, is capable of running them off their feet here – especially with most returning to racing and possible soft on fitness. She has exceptional stats around this track and trip and although she rises 5kgs on last start, she’ll be in this for a very long way. However it’s the combination of that weight rise and rise in class, that might make the last 100m of the race, her toughest obstacle. Lady Melksham, from the pole draw, will follow her through and get last crack. Couple at odds here that could be steaming home are and have competed very well in the top grade previously are Bonaria (might not have to get as far back from six gate) and Petite Diablese (could get her chance from four). Whilst both mares would appreciate a bit more ground, neither have had a trial and might be fresh enough here.
- LADY MELKSHAM
- OCTAVIA
- BONARIA
- PETITE DIABLESE
