Beloved Country took on the boys when winning the Sentinel Stakes last time out.
The main focus of attention at the garden course this weekend is on the juveniles. The girls contest the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes and although just seven go to post it is nonetheless a very interesting affair.
Official ratings for 2yo’s are not available at this stage of the season, but joint top with Sporting Post at the weights are Rich Girl and Littleblacknumber.
Littleblacknumber
Duncan Howells’ charge beat Rich Girl fair and square over 1200m here in January and then went on to run the unbeaten Pine Princess to just three quarters of a length when runner up in the non-black type King’s Pact Stakes. She’s improved with each start and looks sure to be involved again.
As well as Littleblacknumber Duncan Howells also saddles What About Me and she too has done nothing wrong. Indeed, after running Pine Princess to a length and a quarter when a runner up on debut, the daughter of Tiger Ridge ran on stoutly after losing two lengths at the start to win over 1200m at this circuit. On their runnings to Pine Princess there is very little between them.
Rich Girl
Three of the seven runners are trained by Charles Laird and with Anton Marcus riding Rich Girl one would expect her to be the stable elect. She was beaten fair and square by Littleblacknumber in January, but whereas Duncan Howells’ charge was having her second outing, Rich Girl was visiting a race track for the first time. She was deep in the red at 3/10 when easily winning her only subsequent start by five and could turn out to be anything.
The same can be said about Beloved Country. This daughter of Trippi made heavy weather of beating Garden Treasure by three quarters of a length on debut and on a line through that one she is held on the book by both Rich Girl and Littleblacknumber. She did then show her potential in no uncertain terms though when beating the boys in the non-black type Sentinel Stakes.
Making up the trio from the stable and the only one in which Marcus and Ingrid Jooste do not have a share is Sluice Gate. She was hammered by Rich Girl when unfancied on debut, but did then cruise in by four and a quarter at 17/20 when Anton Marcus jumped into the saddle next time out.
Suri
Robbie Hill’s charge was heavily supported (12/1 into 22/10) when only beaten a length on debut and she did then follow up with a very comfortable victory at 12/10 in her only subsequent outing. The form of her two runs has not proven to be strong, but further improvement does look sure to be forthcoming.
Whistling Wonder
After narrowly winning what looked to be a rather moderate maiden juvenile plate on debut, this daughter of Black Minnaloushe then showed considerable improvement when fourth beaten 2,75 lengths in the King’s Pact Stakes. Further improvement would give her a shout.
About The Pace
With two of the seven having already won from the front, and most of the others preferring to race handy, a good pace looks assured. Rich Girl gets only a tentative vote as there appears to be little between most of the runners and 2yo’s can improve out of all proportion at this stage of the season.
