The 3yo fillies step out in the Wakeful Stakes, the final hit-out before Thursday’s G1 VRC Oaks. With May’s Dream heading the betting in the VRC Oaks markets, and this race being such a good form reference for Thursday’s Group 1, it’s no surprise to see May’s Dream the short priced favourite here. At $2.25 she leads the way from Sydney visitor Arabian Gold at $7.00. Both runners have solid form around Guelph and with the star filly not entered here, they get their chance to grab some of the limelight.
[include file=”inpost_adrotator.php”]
1. GYPSY DIAMOND – J McDonald (10)
After finishing seventh behind Champagne Cath in the Listed Reginald Allen Stakes and, a plain effort behind Guelph in the 1000 Caulfield Guineas, she rightly started double figures when lining up in last Friday night’s Fillies Classic at Moonee valley. From an inside gate, she got a lovely trail on the back of leader and favourite Gregers. Upon straightening she peeled out and finished too well for Gregers, recording a long neck win. That win will give her some much needed confidence but is taking on a tougher field again here, giving them weight and jumping from the outside gate.
2. ARABIAN GOLD – P Robl (7)
Dubawi filly who has had three runs back this time in. After running second and then fourth to Guelph in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and G1 Flight Stakes (1600m) respectively, she rightly started favourite in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) last fortnight at Caulfield. She was afforded a lovely run from a good draw and whilst the margin was only half a length, her rider post race admitted he did got to the front much sooner than anticipated. Will be better for having had that run, her first, over 2000m and will prove hard to beat.
3. MAY’S DREAM – N Hall (9)
There has been a lot to like about this filly’s recent efforts. She was impressive winning an Open Fillies race (1400m) at Caulfield by 1 ¼ lengths two starts ago before valiantly chasing home star filly Guelph in the 1000 Guineas, running second (beaten 1 ¾ lengths). No Guelph here today and given that her dam She’s Archie ran second to Makybe Diva in the 2003 Melbourne Cup, wouldn’t think the 2000m should worry her. Has to be rated the best chance.
4. SOLICIT – G Boss (3)
From the Ellerton/Zahra stables, this Street Cry filly has been very consistent in four runs for the stable. She won the first two races, a Ballarat Maiden and Moonee Valley Open filly’s race, before stepping up in grade and running third in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m), making good ground late and finishing just over a length from Se Seaver. Form a wide gate, she jumped to the front to lead and dictated the pace in the Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago. She beat all bar favourite Arabian Gold, who was afforded a lovely run in transit, and finished half a length second. Has put herself in the finish at each start and could think of no reason why she won’t again in this race.
5. WORDPLAY – D Oliver (4)
Half sister to last year’s VRC Derby winner Fiveandahalfstar, this filly by Fastnet Rock ran second to Savvy Nature three starts back in the G3 Spring Stakes (1600m), a very good effort again the males. She then got back to near last and had to fight for her runs closer to the fence in the straight when fifth behind Sa Sauver in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m). The Anthony Cummings trained filly then only batted away in the run home at her most recent start when finishing fourth behind Guelph and May’s Dream in the 1000 Guineas a little over two weeks ago. That run and her breeding, suggest the longer trip will suit and the draw is ideal and she’s already had specking in early betting $15.00 into $13.00. Could be one to keep an eye on.
6. STAR FASION – C Williams (1)
After flashing home to run second in the Listed Morphettville Guineas (1600m), trainer David Hayes brought the well bred daughter of Street Cry across to Victoria for a tilt at the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes. After racing tight in the straight, she fired in a protest after being beaten a nose by Se Sauver but the objection was dismissed. Off of those two efforts, more was expected from her as a 5/1 chance than her sixth (beaten 3 ½ lengths) behind Arabian Gold in the Ethereal Stakes (2000m). That race was dominated by those up front and the tempo didn’t suit, at $15.00 and on previous runs, could entertain her as a place chance.
7. KIRRAMOSA – T Berry (12)
She closed well from the tail of the field two starts ago in the Listed Reginald Allen (1400m) to finish within a length and a half of Champagne Cath who dictated the speed of the race from in front.
Three weeks later at her most recent start, she was caught a little flat-footed as the pace of the race increased around the turn but wound up nicely late, taking a run along the fence to run second by a whisker to Best Case in a BM 74 (1600m). Gives the impression that she’ll enjoy the 2000m and despite the step up in grade to Group 2 company here, would rate her a legitimate chance.
8. EVERY FAITH – M Zahra (6)
Not A Single Doubt filly that has shown steady improvement at each of her four runs this campaign. After closing steadily to run sixth (beaten 2.6 lengths) in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) behind Se Sauver, she again closed well to run fifth (beaten 2 lengths) in the Ethereal Stakes (2000m) to Arabian Gold. By a Zabeel mare, it appears she appreciates the longer trips and could try and settle a little closer to the speed than what she has been recently from a handy draw. Not without a place chance.
9. REFER – J Bowman (2)
Has only two third placings from her six career starts, one of them coming at her most recent outing in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield. From barrier two, she got a lovely run on the leader’s back throughout and with the race being run at only a moderate tempo, she was able to stick on for third, 1 ¾ lengths behind Arabian Gold. Drawn to get a similar run from gate two.
10. MELALEUCA – B Prebble (11)
She relished the heavy conditions two starts back when breaking her maiden status (at her fourth race start) with a six length victory in a Ballarat BM 64 (1600m) filly’s race. The daughter of Stratum then stepped up in both distance and grade again at her next and most recent start when taking part in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago. She closed well from the tail of the field to run fourth, less than two lengths from Arabian Gold. The first three around the turn were the first three across line in the Ethereal Stakes, adding further credit to her performance. She doesn’t have to improve much off her last start to be competitive here.
11. TEAR GAS – M Walker (8)
Found her first two starts over 1100m and 1400m at Geelong and Bendigo, both Maiden company, too short and trainer Danny O’Brien immediately stepped up here to 1850m of a Kyneton Maiden. The daughter of High Chaparral appreciated the trip, sat on the speed and was strong through the line recorded a comfortable 2 ¾ length win. Further they go the more she’ll like it but at this stage of her career, a race of this calibre might be upon her too soon.
12. SAVANNAH MOON – C Symons (5)
The well bred Savabeel filly has shown some improvement in her most recent outings but in racing well below the standard of this one. She made steady ground when third in a Bendigo Maiden (1600m) before, at her most recent start at the same track, distance and class, producing a similar effort to finish third again. Further will appear to suit but the class here will find her out.
RACE OVERVIEW
Not much pace here on paper and it could be Tear Gas and Gypsy Diamond who have both drawn wide, chancing their arm from the jump and come across to find an early spot. May’s Dream, for the reasons stated in the opening paragraphs is the one to beat. A couple of promising staying types that, if an upset were to occur, could be the cause, are Kirramosa and Melaleuca. The former took a long time to wind up last start over 1600m and was good against the males whilst there’s a good sense of timing regarding Melaleuca who finished well last start over 2000m – her fourth run back from a spell. In an even race outside of the favourite, will go with Wordplay to round out selections who has drawn nicely in four and she should be in a good position throughout.
- MAY’S DREAM
- KIRRAMOSA
- MELALEUCA
- WORDPLAY