After a Blue Diamond win at this track by two year-old Filly Earthquake, and a dominant Fillies Autumn in the rich two-year-olds events in Sydney, this season’s three-year-old Fillies start off their spring campaigns.
Though nothing in this field ventured north to Sydney in April for the Golden Slipper, Seven other two-year-old filles did, and amazingly finished in the first seven placings in that race. It is doubtful that will ever happen again but it emphasised just how dominant the Fillies were in the Autumn, with the icing on the cake, being the wins of Peggy Jean in the Sires Produce, and Go Indy Go in the Champagne Stakes.
London Lolly
Would have had definite claims of being a legitimate contender for the Slipper had she been entered. In her second last run before a spell at Moonee Valley she had Bring Me The Maid 2L astern of her, and that filly won the Magic Night Stakes, and was only 1.8L behind the winner in the Golden Slipper.
Prior to her spell she ventured to South Australia for the Sires Produce at Morphettville and comfortably accounted for Go Indy Go. As mentioned that filly went on to win the Champagne in Sydney in very impressive style. Also behind her at Moonee Valley was a colt named Orujo.
She recently won very well first up at Sandown and defeated some very handy older horses in the process. The filly is a daughter of Magic Millions two year-old winner Lovely Jubbly and who’s to say she can’t better her mothers’ racetrack performances? She has certainly inherited her ability.
Sunset Rock
Has a very similar form line as London Lolly having beaten Go Indy Go at her last run before a spell. Prior to that, and on debut, she had finished second to Burgundy Blast who made it 2/2 to finish off his two year-old season. How good might that colt be?
This filly was recently beaten quite comfortably by her stalemate Get the Nod (runs in Vain Stakes) in a barrier trial, so not sure whether she will be quite at her best for this.
Royal Snitzel
Could be something special if we take into account the time she ran last start, and the form out of that race. She ran identical time to the flying older horse Lord Of The Sky that day but actually easily bettered the figures of four year-oldmare Thiamandi who then went on to win a G3 race against the males.
That is a colossal form line now and it is franked even further by the realisation that third, fourth and fifth in that race have subsequently won. The runner up Zeletto had previously run super time (comparatively) winning at Werribee and the horse than finished second to it there (Zebulon) subsequently won at Flemington. The fact this filly has won here on a similar surface to what she is likely to encounter in this race, only adds to her winning claims.
Novel Dancer
Is unbeaten from two and has managed to beat the time of older horses on both occasions. She is yet to have beaten anything of note but she did beat Cristalina Lago into third place last time, and that filly had prior beaten the time of older horses by more than one second at Mornington. Runner up Marrakesh is yet to run again, but this filly has done everything right so far and both wins have been on wet tracks.
Kalabek
Was another that ran above average time on debut, and she did it here at this track. She then ventured north to Brisbane for the winter but had no luck when wide and was injured during the race (galloped on). She appeals as a chance here given she is a quality get back type and this race is loaded with natural speed. If the race pans out right for her she could be the one with the last crack at the leader.
That is a summary of what appear to be the best chances but it is a ‘deep race’ and because there is so much improvement possible in these younger horses, something else could very well make a name for itself.
I am selecting Royal Snitzel on top with her residual fitness, but only just ahead of London Lolly largely because both have won in the Melbourne Metro area, and have the form lines to suggest they are going to be top class. Whatever happens I’m expecting a faster time posted here in comparison to the Colts and Geldings in the Vain Stakes.
Time will tell.
1. Royal Snitzel
2. London Lolly
3. Kalabek
4. Novel Dancer
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Pretty surprised at that result to be honest. Not a lot to suggest that SABATINI was good enough to win. but it was a bottler of an effort and you'd expect her to go on with it from here. London Lolly very poor and the Go Indy Go formline is now in tatters with Saturn Rock failing too. Fillies also poor in San Domenico so maybe we are seeing a 'changing of the guard' in regard to filly dominance over the colts.
Bondy
Guest
Shocking race cards to gamble on both in Sydney and Melbourne ?..
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Nothing sensational about the time slightly inferior to the BM64 winner but I haven't seen the race. Yes Andrew how good a horse could Daintree Duke have been?
andrew
Guest
yes, ran right up to its trial win. bred for speed. the dam was a good horse, group 1 placed, and by north east shiela, whom is related to celbrity girl and the ill fated daintree duke.
Alfred Chan
Expert
She isn't in the Quezette but did anyone see White House Lady at Mornington today? Dominant display. May turn out to be one of the better fillies going around in spring...
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
It's going to be interesting Brent given RS has beaten the males, but that isn't such a big deal given the dominance of the fillies in the Autumn. If he formlines from her last win weren't so good I'd be going with LL. Another I didn't mention is TOP DOLLY. She went well on debut behind Oakleigh Girl and that filly was only 3L off in the Golden Slipper. She could be the real dark horse. This is such an interesting race with more quality than most people would perceive. It was a pleasure to preview it.
andrew
Guest
drew, I shan't falsely claim things. these are indeed my own words and own opinions based on my own research, but the actual text is simply a cut/paste of a preview I do elsewhere amongst some friends, so it is not 'specially' typed up for this forum.
Drew H
Guest
I don't know what to say Andrew. Thanks, both of you, for the info.
andrew
Guest
Spirit of Heaven. Ticks all the boxes here. A horse I have some opinion off whom one naturally had to keep on eye on from when this half to Lights of Heaven debuted. She has taken some time to grow and moody has been patient with her and I think the benefits are starting to show, but im confident there is more to come. The step out to 1600m is ideal, im certain she will relish the longer trips noting her breeding and older sister was a Caul Cup placegetter (in prob the highest quality c.cup in some time) and moody has her nomed for the caul cup this year. Add to that winning form and confidence that this instills, it’s a good recipe. Good examples of that confidence was her willingness to take inside runs between horses last time and really lunge to the line. Up in class, but hardly taking on any stars here, and gets considerable weight relief from 57kg and 60kgs last two runs, down to only 51kgs here. Plays at the home track, noting only run here was under 1 length from smart Marianne and had 60kgs that day too. It’s a really compelling case for mine and certainly happy to back her at $4 to beat the in-form Atlantis Dream who has been doing well all winter in the winter off season mares races, but will concede 4.5kgs, lines for 8th run this prep and whilst has run well, reality is has been beat both runs this trip (with wins at 1200m and 1400m). on what is otherwise a very tricky card with so many horses first up and unknowns about fitness levels, she stands out as a clear best bet. pretty keen on a Mc Evoy horse called Winesearch in the 7th. Scored an easy kill first up in a 68 rating race, this a 70 rating race. her first up win was her go with blinkers and she was quite impressive. The step up from 1000m to 1200m can only suit. She holds noms for the thous guineas. The fave is the toppy who has the exposed form and its understandable why early markets have it fave. But it does have 60.5kgs, first up over 1200m. that a lot of weight for a young horse to give to winesearch. Further, whilst not saying this is conclusive, winesearch did towel up tiger ruby last start and the toppy beat the same horse on its debut by a nose. Winsearch is out of vestey whom is a G3 winner, multiple stakes placed, all 5 of her foals are winners including jolie brise and Rutherford eagle. Im pretty sure we will winsearch over in Vic pretty surely for better race, and hopefully its off the back of a win on sat. $3.90 currently on offer good enough for me. It and spirit of heaven seem a nice multi at $15.80
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Ripping preview Phil, I'm thinking London Lolly but it looks set to be another tough Saturday. Her performance last start was a belter!