CD Distaff Turf Mile – Grade II

  CD                  Race #10         1m                    Turf                      Graded Stake

Purse $1,000.00  For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Love                          Mo Mentum Farm       Fresu A                            122      

This is a good filly and one that has already achieved some excellent results but as just a four-year-old there looks to be a lot more to come from her. A good win in a swift time in the Wilshire last time sets her up nicely for a big effort here from a gate which will see her get an economical trip.      

2 Poetic Panther                    Maletto                        Rodriguez Jam             122

It was an interesting choice to send this multiple grade one winning mare to the Stall Memorial last time as she was carrying a big penalty to run in the easier grade. However big her impost was she did run a little flat finishing fifth after toiling under the 129Lbs and it was so unusual to see her run like that it did send up a couple of red flags. There is no doubt though that this is one of the best females in the game, anywhere near her best she would win this and certainly with her old pal Rodriuez Jam back in the saddle the expectation will be high that she does.         

3 Beach Towel                       Winning Link Stables               Curtis B            122

A mare that has taken on a new lease of life since being switched to the turf, I feel this is her best trip and was a grade one winner over the mile last year, so must be respected in a small but select field. She has looked right on song this year winning the Buena Vista and then beaten a narrow margin in the grade one Wiley so must be given every chance of what would probably be a guaranteed top two.

4 Starry Starry Nights                D J C Racing Stables                Velazquez J R    122

This is one of those entries from the stable that looks more hopeful than likely. A nice enough sort, whichever way you look at it she looks out of her depth at this level but I must admit I have seen stranger things happen in all my years at HRP. So unlikely, but I wouldn’t be betting my life that she could win this race maybe once if it was run a million times over.

5 Aime La Nature               Our Athletes                             Dettori L          122      

Another nice sort that looks to be taking a bite that may be too big she does have some form that would give her a chance at an upset here especially if she got an early uncontested lead. An on-speed sort she was a good winner of the Sand Springs last time and importantly should the weather spit the dummy she can go on an off track. So, she wouldn’t be a top choice, but she certainly looks capable of getting in the race at the end.       

6 Smokin Cherie             TwinTowersRacing                     Bridgmohan S X          122

When she took the Pebbles at the end of last year in very impressive fashion she looked to be heading straight to the top. Her progress however has faltered a little this year after a poor effort in the Pegasus and just a pass mark for her third in the Very One. It can take a little time for good three-year-olds to make the transition to four however I am not sure that is the whole reason she has been a little ordinary this year. Her Pebbles win came from the lead where she kept up a strong gallop and blew her rivals away, but her last two runs have seen her turned into a deep closer which seems to contradict her best running style. In my mind she may be a sprinter miler which is why she was ridden as a closer in her last two over longer trips so coming back to the mile we may see some of that early speed and she could just be the dark horse in this race.

7 Anoushka Titan           Maxmillion Farm            Luzzi L J                           122

She finds the car park which could make things tough for the five-year-old. Last time she was drawn wide she was turned into a closer by the race engine but did very well at the end of the KD Ladies Turf, finishing fast for a close third. Generally, though, she runs as a stalker and in that role, whilst she has got some good results, in my mind at least, she was better as a closer. So maybe this wide gate may give her her best chance, especially if there is some heat up front.

SUMMARY

There is obvious separation here between Beach Towel, Poetic Panther and the rest. Those two are certainly best on form but I always like to look out for possible outsiders in races like this and I rather think Anoushka Titan could be worth a Disney dollar each way.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES