The highest rated race on the card is a fillies and mare MR 84 Handicap over 1000m which is a tricky one to analyse.
There is plenty of speed in this race and the one to beat could be Kissable. She wowed everybody in her first two starts as a juvenile when winning by 6,4 lengths and 7,5 lengths over 800m and 1000m respectively. However, she was unplaced in three features after that. Last time in her second run after a rest in a handicap, she showed her normal good early speed before fading tamely. She now has her third run after a layoff and she has been given an eight point drop by the handicappers. That last run was in soft going and if it is quicker ground she could keep going carrying only 55,5kg. Jameson Girl has some class and moved up well in her first run for three-and-a-half months last time before finding no extra. She finished five lengths in front of Kissable. She will have come on from the run and on paper should beat Kissable, but the concern is she will be wearing first-time blinkers. The headgear can cause a horse to over race, although with their being so much pace in this race they could well be a positive and she must be included in the exotics.
Sean Tarry
The topweight Rouge Allure is an interesting contender. She is a 1400m specialist and shows pace over that trip before staying on. She is drawn one which will give her a good opportunity to sit behind all the speedsters and if she is not too badly outpaced she could be given a tow while striding freely and could then run on. Celtic Lady is a courageous little filly who has good pace and the ability to kick at the end. She should also benefit from all the pace in the race, but she does have to overcome a seven point raise for her comfortable three length win last time in a weaker race than this. Levi Lady has a lot of pace and managed to escape the field last time and win easily. She has a six point raise to overcome and is none too reliable. Melinda’s Garden sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and will be dangerous. This big, good-looking filly has good pace and has dropped another two points in the merit ratings. She wears second-time blinkers. The concern is that she has suffered breathing issues in the past and is also not a reliable sort.
Ice Art was dropped down to this trip last time and after sitting off the pace swept through to win cosily. The race should set up well for her here too, but she was given an eight point raise so it won’t be easy in this tougher event. Celestina faded tamely in her comeback effort but if recapturing her best could be a factor, although the overall form of the Sean Tarry yard is not yet as lethal as it was last season. Lady Of The World has dropped to a mark four points lower than her last win and has a chance if finding her best, but this is her second run after a four month layoff. Memphis Belle has a tough task with the like of Kissable and Jameson Girl on their last meeting. Gimmethemoney has the ability to be involved but returns from a five month layoff.
The meeting starts off with a workrider’s maiden and Over Easy is the one who is selected. He looked promising the last time he ran in September but needed maturing and he has been given time to do so. Leeuwpoort is interesting as he is not a bad looking sort and his two best races have both been under this rider over this trip.
In the first leg of the PA Bell Tower makes plenty of appeal as this typically rangy daughter of Ideal World caught the eye running on strongly over 1200m on debut and will relish the step up in trip. She is drawn in pole too. Truth Of Beauty could be worth including in the swinger with Bell Tower as she has ability and faces an uninspiring field. She has a fair draw over a probably ideal trip.
The first leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m is an uninspiring event and offers a good opportunity for Brave Gitano, who plugged on over 1700m last time and should enjoy this further step up in trip. However, he has a tough draw so Sucha Charmer and Artificio must also be considered.
The first leg of the Jackpot should be won by Ma Amour who is proven over the trip and has little to beat. Generoso is the back up.
In the next race , a Middle Stakes event over 2400m, the frustrating Odd Rob appears. He is drawn well and although not officially too well weighted he has a lot of ability. However, he doesn’t appear to go through with his effort on occasion so can’t be relied on. Sheet Weaver and Smart Mart will enjoy the trip. Wild Brier is interesting stepped up to this trip as he has plenty of ability and his pedigree suggests he will stay. Enchanted Drawing is interesting having his first run for Mike de Kock as one who stays and carries only 52kg.
Raydaveric and Jubilee Line both have a touch of class and are fancied to fight out the sixth over a suitable 1600m.
The last could be won Rebuked from pole position as he was only 1,6 lengths behind the smart Emily Jay over this sort of 1450m trip last time and runs off the same merit rating with a 1,5kg claimer aboard.
By David Thiselton
