The Apple Blossom Handicap – Grade I   
 OP   Race #1   1 1/16m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $600.000  For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 La Gran Kirky, trained by Australia Wide
This four year old gets in on a handy weight here mainly due to her lack of success at graded stakes level.
That however doesnt mean she hasnt got the ability as she proved in winning the Empire Distaff and The Critical
Eye last year. The former champion trainer certainly hasnt over taxed her since buying her for $100 as a three
year old but his approach may pay dividends in a race like this. Ultra consistent she has run two pleasing races
this year losing by a nose and winning by a neck in two competitive overnights and those runs will have set her
up nicely to break through in graded class today.

2 T S Razor, trained by Mb Stables
This is another promising filly that gets in with a low weight due to her lack of success in black type racing.
Thereabouts at the top level as a three year old she never really broke through but she looks a much stronger filly
this season after two nice wins in overnight company. The first was over an inadequate sprint trip but her last start
came over the mile and she cruised home in an open allowance making her a very lively chance in this.

3 Hydro, trained by Team 7 Illusions
This classy filly is no doubt the most accomplished in the race but with this being a handicap she has to pay
dearly for that honour. Near the top of her age group as a three year old she has won two grade two’s so far this season
the last one in the Azeri was very smooth indeed. She certainly has the ability and class to overcome the handicap
today but it is a big ask for the daughter of Charley Farley against a few underexposed fillies.

4 Sweep The Ash, trained by Eastern Equine
She actually finished in front of Hydro in the BC Distaff last year but gets six pounds from her rival today, a fact
that on paper makes her very hard to beat. The main thing against her will be fitness as she is without a run since
last December and even with the competitive handicap mark that may be too much to overcome.

5 A Class Angie, trained by Night Rider Stable
She wo the grade one DEL Handicap carrying 122Lbs last year and yet races here with 4 Lbs less which must be a strong plus for her chances. Just behind Hydro and Sweep The Ash in last years BC Distaff she has run two nice races this season and that may give her the edge over Sweep The Ash in this rematch. A great win in the HOU Ladies Classic in January was followed by a decent if not slightly dissapointing fifth in the grade one Santa Margarita. This filly is a
firm stable favourite and i am sure will give another good account of herself in this very interesting race.

SUMMARY
Well if this wasnt a handicap there would be a pretty easy 1,2,3 but with the handicap marks as they are it will be a
very close contest. I still think Hydro will be very hard to beat but i think A Class Angie may just have the edge on
todays weights. Sweep The Ash is right in it on form and if she is ft enough will be right in it. The two dark horses are
T S Razor and La Gran Kirky as the handicap puts the right in it. T S Razor may have the edge but my heart will be with
A Class Angie and Hydro to make their class tell.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES