Ashland – Grade I (P7) [KYO]
KEE   Race #4   1 1/16m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $500.000  For Fillies Three Years Old.

1 Peaceful Autumn, trained by Mb Stables
You wouldnt normally give a filly with her credentials much of a chance in a grade one KYO qualifier but this is HRP and looking at her work times and the stable she hails from you have to give her a big shot. Well down the field in a fair tack maiden on debut she scraped home in a state bred maiden at GP last time so it is hard to make a case on those efforts. But such is the strength of the stables fillies this year that you have to include her from the one draw.

2 Mortality, trained by John Henry
Ran some decent races as a two year old but has really come into her own as a three year old winning the grade two Alexander last time out. With the fastest work times over a mile by almost a second and stakes winning form she should win this by ten lengths but this is HRP and anything can happen.

3 Watch Me Now, trained by Nolespan Racing
Second in a claimer last time you would struggle to give her a chance in this class. But this is a poor field and i think she will be suited by this trip so who knows.

4 Kinda Naughty, trained by Night Mare Racing
Won a little maiden and a little allowance before running seventh in the Davona Dale, not great form but she looks like she may get a good chance at some place money in a weak race.

5 Blackberry, trained by Our Athletes
A very classy two year old the warning signs were there on her three year old debut when dead heating with Kinda Naughty in the Davona Dale. Last year she took the Alcibiades at grade one and the Demoiselle at grade two so on that form she has a great chance. There is nothing in her conformation or breeding that says she shouldnt train on into a good three year old and it may have been the wide draw that killed her in the Davona Dale so you have to put her in your top two in this race.

6 Forgotten Past, trained by Mb Stables
A maiden winner on the 1st january i liked the way she was running on in the Honeybee last time so she must be in with a shout here. The wide draw may be enough to see her beat but if she is taken back and the pace is strong she could be yet another top filly from the yard.

SUMMARY
On paper this looks a clear cut match race between Blackberry and Mortality. With Mortality’s work times and recent win in mind she should beat Blackberry with one of MB’s horses third. BUT this is HRP so dont go writing off anything even if it was beaten in a claimer last time!

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES