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The 2002-2004 results are at the bottom
of the page for comparison |
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JUNE 14th SUMMING UP
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Just an average field overall and finding the 2-3 better fillies in the
field with Group 1-2 pretensions is not that easy. Flashy Wings
has not been tested in either of her races and has never been taken out
of her comfort zone by either the race pace or the finishing effort required
of her by the jockey. She has produced a level of form close to that of
the 'Listed' race veterans and appeals as having more scope to improve.
She is much better than Dream Rose who finished 5th within 6L of Bow Bridge
and company for the same owner and trainer. She looks the best prospect
of a filly who can go on to higher level races.
Clare Hills has also not been tested in two races but has looked
a highly precocious and ready type and probably close to as good as she
will be. In both races her fast natural pace has meant that she's pulled
clear of the field by soon after halfway before slightly stalling on the
uphill finishes. This flat, speed track should suit her better in theory
and she presents a strong profile to get placed but leaves the impression
that something will have that bit more 'class'.
Ooh Aah Camara, Salut D'Amour & Bow Bridge represent the established
best filly form but none appeal as having the improvement to move onto
a higher level. Salut D'Amour appears to be best on a stiffer track and
with time to gather herself for a long finishing run. On this track she
may well find others going too quick to be able to bring this into play.
Ooh Aah Camara is back on faster ground and if she runs well for her new
trainer may well come out best of this group.
Of the lightly raced fillies Gilt Linked is interesting and the
form of her trainer's 2yos at the meeting is clearly a positive. She made
her debut in the same maiden that the trainer's last runner in the race
broke her maiden in. She was the biggest in that field and not a classic
sprinter build being taller, slightly lightly built and a little narrow
(compare her to a little, compact sprinter like Bow Bridge). However she
was totally fit for her first run, a good rangy mover and looked as if
she was there to win.
She put in a chaotic performance but still finished reasonable close up.
If she hadn't lost 4L at the start, raced with her head held sideways &
run in snatches she might have won. Which is at least two 'ifs' too many.
However, with most of the field looking in the class of the usual 4th+
finisher in the race she has the scope to be better than that.
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RACE QUALITY:
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Normally a wide spread of abilities and as with the Coventry the better
fillies, with the longer term futures, make the first three places if they
are in the field. The majority of the field will be a mix of precocious
5f 2yos who have already finished winning along with a small number who
can win up to Listed level at 2yo but will not develop beyond that and
will be running in handicaps at 3yo.
The last three years give a good idea of the split of abilities and how
the best fillies will outclass the others. The nine fillies to have made
the first three in 2002-4 have later won at 2yo one Group 1 race, three
Group 2 races, two Group 3 races plus two other Group 1-2 places. The other
41 fillies have won between them one Group 3 race, two at Listed level
and two Supersprints. The better fillies have usually opened up notable
distances back to others by the end given a clear passage through the crowded
field.
Other than Attraction who won the Hilary Needler by a long way the fillies
that won or ran in the previous Listed races, including the National Stakes,
have a poor record in the last three seasons. The better fillies have often
run only in maidens before the race.
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TRAINERS:
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A slightly unusual field with a number of the major trainers with no runner
including B Meehan, TD Easterby, AP O'Brien & M Bell. R Hannon
had three finish in the first eight in 2002 but has had just one runner
since and has only the maiden Rapsgate this year. Given the overall bias
of the stable towards sprint 2yos this is a relatively modest return. In
general he appears to have a thin group of sprint 2yos on the evidence
so far.
The only 'regular' who has a strong representative is M Channon
with Flashy Wings. The bulk of the field are from trainer's who rarely,
or never, have runners in the race - MW Easterby, K Burke, D Barker, R
Guest, J Goldie, E Dunlop, etc. The overall impression is of an open edition
of the race and lacking an obviously superior set of fillies.
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SIRES:
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First season sires Mozart (Rapsgate) & Mull Of Kintyre (Multiple)
have runners. Mozart has not had a 5f winner yet.
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