The Davona Dale Stakes – Grade II [KYO]
GP Race #9 1m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.
1 Hyptonight, trained by Pan Farms
Takes her chance here with just one win from six attempts. Three thirds in a row at ungraded level do not look good enough but her jockey and trainer are in fine form and the ace draw will help.
2 Sports Creek, trained by Estero Farms
Her best effort as a two year old came in the DED Princess when she ran a fine second to Jokes On You but that really is the only piece of form to recommend her. Bought for $165.000 after a disappointing tenth in the Santa Ynez Stakes on seasonal debut she clearly has ability its just whether her new trainer can find the hidden combination.
3 Beat To The Punch, trained by Mb Stables
Looks the one to beat here after a great two year old season saw her take the grade one Chandelier Stakes by a hugely impressive three lengths. She disappointed a little in the BC Juvenile Fillies when only eighth but had had a tough season and was given a good break after wards. Her seasonal debut came in the Forward Gal where she stayed on nicely from a tricky draw for second and that run should have her as sharp as a razor for this race.
4 Sweeping Slew, trained by Toppedout
She should be hard fit after three runs this year but none of them have been that encouraging and i winder whether this is a bit of a last chance for her. She hit some solid form as a two year old placing third in the Sorrento Stakes and the DMR Debutante as well as a career best third in the Pocahontas. She looked a good chance in the BC but after showing speed from a wide draw she weakened into thirteenth and hasnt looked the same filly since. Its beginning to look like she was an early type and i would have to see an improved run from her today to change that opinion.
5 Informant, trained by Smokey Stover
She has only run the five times and won three so she represents plenty of potential in a race that looks dominated by one or two proven fillies. A winner of her first two races she then ran well in three ungraded stakes races winning the ONT Lassie Stakes on her last juvenile start. Her seasonal debut wasnt too bad but so far she hasnt looked a typical oaks type and it will be interesting to see how she steps up to the mark today.
6 British Chai, trained by Mo Mentum Farm
Still a maiden after three runs but its clear from her effort in the Forward Gal that she is much better than your average maiden. I can’t see her winning but she may run into a place at log odds.
7 Fear The Greatness, trained by First Class Stable
She took her maiden and then rattled off three in a row concluding with a hugely impressive win in the Pocahontas. She was a great chance in the BC Juvenile Fillies and didnt disappoint with a battling third from a sticky draw and then ended the season with a fifth in the Starlet. Her stamina was questioned in those last two races and she again looked weak at the end of seasonal debut when seventh in the Forward Gal and that is the biggest question for her to answer in this race.
8 Home Cookin, trained by Mb Stables
A winner of two from three she is typical of the sort of filly from the stable who comes here from well under the radar. A 1.36 and 3 work after a comfortable win in The Ruthless on seasonal debut makes her a major contender in this race.
9 Out Of Wedlock, trained by D J C Racing Stables
A winner of 50% of her races she has dabbled at this level and wasnt too bad. She took the Lady Finger Stakes pretty easily before running a fair race in the Frizette when 6th beaten 3 lengths. Its pretty hard to really judge that race as it was on a rain affected track and she sprinted well in a couple of overnights since suggesting to her trainer she was ready for another go. She will be an outsider here.
10 Manifest, trained by Mb Stables – withdrawn
11 La Terrifant, trained by Jive Inc
Last years award winning two year old filly its great to see her back in action. She was mighty impressive in the BC Juvenile Fillies winning by two lengths and then proved that was no fluke with a game win in the Demoiselle earning her the two year old filly of the year title. There are lots of positives for this filly, she gets the trip, she’s full of class and her form speaks for itself, add to that her jockey is unbeaten on her and there is plenty to like about her chances. My one small negative here is the draw, it may be tough for her to win this from wide and on seasonal debut.
12 Leblonde James, trained by John Henry
Another that has a good win record she has won 4 from 8 and looks to step up today. A couple of game wins saw her bought by her new owner for $45.000 but the wide draw certainly wont help and she hast shown enough so far to bother the best of these.
SUMMARY
A really interesting race which seems to be between La Terrifant and Beat To The Punch. Though those two may look the best on paper racing at HRP is rarely that straightforward so i woudnt be writing off Fear The Greatness or Home Cookin
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
