China Doll Stakes
 SA Race #5 1m Turf Stake
Purse $100.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.

As I write, 3000 two-year-olds are taking part in the DMR Trials; I wonder just how many of those will be competing in this race next year? Maybe some, maybe all, maybe none nut one thing the trails and races like this prove is that there is a huge population of horses at HRP all hoping for a bit of black type in their future. Here is how these hopefuls line up today in an interesting mix of old players versus new:

1 Its Been Fun TwinTowersRacing Prat F 122 —

A filly whose first win came in a maiden claimer at the free track at the end of last year you wouldn’t expect a filly like that to be contesting a black type at SA just 4 months later but here we are. Although most of her form looks pretty humble, I did like her run in the Princess Of Palms Stakes when a closing fourth and that run certainly showed plenty of improvement over her previous starts. Her works are progressing well too and whilst this race may come a bit soon in her improvement curve, she does have a shout at running well.

2 Adare Manor Robeth Van Dyke D 122 —

Lightly raced with just four starts, she won a nice maiden at WO before tackling some bigger prizes as a two-year-old. She was last in both her runs in black type and would’ve caused the trainer to go back to the drawing board. Well today is a result of that deliberation as after some promising turf works, she tackles her first race on the grass today and may well be the surprise package from what we have seen on the gallops.

3 Distant Hero Arkansas Elite Gutierrez Mario 122 —

There is a lot to like about this winner of two from three and she gets her chance today to measure her ability against better fillies. There is no doubt she will stay every yard of this trip, and I did like the way she dominated an allowance at SA last time on this grass track. I would expect her to go on pace or to lead and she will be hard to run down.

4 Greyfriars Red Greyfriars Stable Vazquez R A 122 —

Took a decent maiden as a two-year-old and then followed up with a strong second in allowance company before having a crack at the grade three Durante. Suffering spinney legs start, she got too far back but did make up ground at the end giving some hope to a career at this level. She may need to start better to have a chance but if this new engine agrees with her then she has the ability to run well.

5 Mundi Moon High Voltage Rispoli U 122 —

Bought for $55.000 after winning a maiden and an allowance at lower level she looks for quick payback here and she has a fair chance of doing just that. I very much liked her sub 1.37 dirt mile work recently and considering she has looked a better filly on turf it will be interesting to see how she goes today. Another with all the potential if she has the class gene.

6 Rekindle Mb Stables Espinoza V 122 —

You would expect a form line bristling with black type form from this stable and this filly has enough on her record to probably start favorite for this race. A close up fourth in the Durante she has tried the dirt a couple of times with the KYO in mind but although she has run well, she hasn’t looked quite as effective on the main track. She comes back to turf today which should see a big effort.

7 Bicycle Thieves Sim Speed Stable Dettori L 122 —

Winner of her last three and recently claimed this new stable looks to capture a good prize here with this progressive filly. There are a few things against her here, the draw and the fact she hasn’t raced beyond five and a half furlongs, but her turf works are strong, and she has seen her races out like she will be OK over further. A very interesting entry who looks to make it four in a row and just may do it.

8 Bogey Free Maxmillion Farm Cedillo A 122 —

Drawn in the car park we have the turf king’s single entry and as usual, I will have to say anything from this stable has to be taken seriously on the grass. Bought for just $5.000 at auction, she is two from two for the new owner but like Bicycle Thieves comes here with no form over further than five furlongs. The clue here is the 1.35 flat mile work at the beginning of the month and that would be good enough if she can work with this wide draw and has enough of that elusive class gene.

SUMMARY
A really open race that could easily go to any of the 8 runners. This is definitely a race to watch and take notes on as the winner of this race could easily be a filly that is breaking through at this level. I really can’t settle on one horse as the winner, so I will take my default route with a turf race and go for Bogey Free from the Turf Kings Stable.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded