1 Dead Ant Dead Ant, trained by Wynnewood

Sold out of the Mb Stables yard after some decent performances as a juvenile she has certainly turned into a success story for the new owner. Her last start win the the grade three Miss PS was pretty game and was won by a half-length in a swift time. I like her a lot as a sprinter and with that last win and an early season win in the grade two Santa Ynez Stakes give her every chance although as a three year old in a handicap this race may come a few months too soon.

2 Hehehe, trained by Maxmillion Farm

Age is no barrier this season and this admirable six year old gets in here with a very winnable handicap mark. The winner of last year’s Phipps Handicap before a super run in the BC fillies and Ares sprint where she finished fast for sixth she ended the season one of the best fillies on HRP. This year she has added the grade three Hurricane Bertie to her trophy cabinet and ran a close third to Red Velvet Cake I the Vagrancy Handicap last time. Is she as good as she was last year? Well that is the real question here, that and whether this trip may be a touch short for her. They are questions that need to be answered but there is no doubt she is a very classy mare who could easily overcome those questions.

3 Danzig Ghost, trained by D J C racing Stables

A consistent filly she finally got some reward for some gutsy efforts when winning the Ruffian Handicap last time. Amongst her many great races that she just couldn’t win was a huge second in the BC Sprint last year so it is not whether she has the ability but more about whether she can run to her best today. If she does that she could just about win but I do worry about her recent strike rate. The trainer is in good form though and although her last work wasn’t inspiring I think she may go close again.

4 Anna Valentine, trained by Night Rider Stables

Another decent mare who has graded stakes winning form she doesn’t come into this in her best ever form but nonetheless deserves respect. Forgetting her turf run last time she would be two from three this season and her last work wasn’t too shabby so she has some sort of chance in a tough field although a place may be her best hope.

5 Christine, trained by Captinj

A real consistent sort in overnights she finally won a graded stakes at the end of last year when taking the Sugar Swirl at grade three. Some decent efforts since saw her best run come when narrowly beaten in The Winning Colours last time out but like Anna Valentine she may struggle to top that effort and a place may be her best hope.

6 Its Taco Time, trained by Sanny Village

This is an interesting runner as her best form has all been at the route trip. She proved she could sprint with a close u sixth in last season’s Test so she is not an outsider against these confirmed sprinters at all. She likes to get on the early pace as she showed last time out when leading the grade one La Troienne field before finishing a game fourth so if she doesn’t get too outpaced early on she may just be an answer for a tricky race. I will be watching her with interest.

7 Red Velvet Cake, trained by Mb Stables

Her win in The Vagrancy Handicap last time was very good and her form before that puts her right in this with a big chance. I would be happier to be backing her from an inside draw but the very fact she is drawn wide is enough for me to favour some of the others.

SUMMARY

I am liking Hehehe in this with Its Taco Time for the exacta. Pretty much everything has a shot though and you can easily makes cases for the three year old amounts others.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES