ONT Matron Stakes – Grade III

1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $175.00 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st        Petroleum                       The Sidley Stud            Hernandez R M                            1:41.42  

This four year old has been close a few times at this level and today finally broke through for a deserved win. Traveling just off the speed she was always going well and was fairly impressive at the end in what was a muddling sort of race. A daughter of Great State who tends to see their prodigy improve with age she could be setting herself up nicely for a five year old campaign.

2nd       Menacing Shadow      La Canada Racehorses          Contreras L                    1:41.58

The pace was just strong enough for the closers to flash home late and get near the front but as usual with these deep closers it was all a bit to late for this five year old. This was another strong effort by the mare but her running style has really caught up with her in this grade since her win in the Chiluki at the end of last year.

3rd        Anoushka On Tap        Winning Link Stables               Curtis B                            1:41.85

Stalked a strong pace and we all know what happens when they do that. Sure enough when the race engine kicked in the closers the pace had been strong enough to see her swamped and she ended up third. Whether she was trying to get to the front or happy to stalk she had clearly burned too much energy early and in the end did pretty well to hold on for the show.

4th        Attack Angel                  The Sidley Stud                           Lopez P                            1:41.94

This was a good effort by one whose form lines were interesting coming into this race. Running at free and fair level for the whole year she proved that the four out of five wins she has achieved this year was probably a bit of a drop compared to her ability as she managed a good fourth here. Only three she has a lot of time to win another ten at the lower levels or even have a go at black type at some time in the future.       

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES