Can one of the mares win the champion mare’s cup?
Can one of the mares win the champion mare’s cup?
The Maykbe Diva Cup
Grade I
Two miles
Fast Dirt
$500,000
All horses, 4 years old and up
This race can be much likened to the Melbourne Cup held annually in Australia. Many qualities are similar, the race is 2 miles, it is Grade 1 quality, and the Irish and the English horses don’t stand much of a chance. Lets take a look at the field of 13.
KABUKI(IRE) – After recently attempting both dirt and turf trips, this 4 yr old colt looks very well suited. Kabuki will improve on his last run of 99 as he looks for further distance. At 8/1, Charmer will be hoping his horse will make his run soon enough from the back of the field where he will settle after they jump.
HUNTING GROUND – It will be interesting to see if rohan has changed the horse’s running style for this race. This 4 yr old colt will be relying on a huge turn around in running style to stand any chance at being competitive here. He is used to running 8 fl races and stats show that in those he leads he is run down on the straight well before the finish line. 6/1 may be a little generous but he will surely set a hectic pace.
KRISTOPHAR(GB) – This 5 yr old horse is deserving of his 18/1 odds as he has struggled recently to post speeds that would make him competitive in this race. Kristophar or as I call him ‘The mongrel’ because of his mix of English, German and French in his breeding, can draw hope from his ALW win 4 starts back where he rounded them up in the straight to win easily.
MISS MAPLE – This 6 yr old mare is the best hope out of the girls for this race and a win is not entirely unlikely. The only thing missing from her recent outstanding form is more distance with she has ample of here. The boys could be left red faced at the finish post as this mare has the speed and experience and is an absolute gem for borde, and my tip for the race.
RUSSIAN THEATER – sunairfarm has provided us with the favourite at 4/1 and is running after a month off. At a 30% winning strike rate, the breeding tells the tale for the success of this 6yr old horse. Russian Theater will dictate the race from the front of the field and is capable of opening up a lead on the back straight that is far to big for any others to catch in the straight.
RAZOR SAL – This colt is very hard to predict at 9/1. He races at the front, he comes from behind, Razor Sal needs a distinctive running style to gain some consistency and is not without hope in this race.
HOLD THE PHONE – The rank outsider here at 40/1, in one word, outclassed. HOLD THE PHONE is coming from a claiming on turf, to a $500000 Grade 1 on dirt. Just one win of $8000 on dirt from 7 races is not enough to suggest that this 6 yr old horse will finish anywhere other than last.
GALLOPING GHOST – This 5 yr old mare is right in this cup at 6/1. She has come off a win in a quick time, she has earned over $3 million, and has 18 wins to her name. She is a real danger in this race with her only query being her form in Grade 1 company.
LARA’S SAINTLY – This horse has won 3 of his past 4 and posted some exceptional sections. She ran over 16 fl Grade 1 3 starts back and opened up a lead that was too big for the others to catch. This looks a little tougher as the favourite Russian Theater will be right up at the lead in this race. Lara’s Saintly can definitely expect a top 3 finish.
K’S UNPREDICTABLE – This lightly raced 4 yr old colt is the value bet of the race at 10/1. If he can reproduce the form of his last run, he will be competitive enough to look the winner at some stage.
BOOGIE NIGHTS(IRE) – This 4 yr old colt unfortunately just doesn’t look classy enough to have any real impact. He has still run some impressive speeds so may surprise but there has not been enough consistency yet to suggest that a Grade 1 win is within his grasp.
PRIMETIME ASSAULT – This bargain bred horse has proved more than his worth for ss89 but is just not good enough for a Grade 1 assault. With his best runs behind him, Primetime Assault may be better suited to a quiet little paddock where he can live out his days.
FAST FLYING II(AUS) – Well there had to be one Australian in the race and at 14/1 is not without hope. This well-bred 5 yr old horse will need to produce a career best run but a top 3 finish is highly unlikely going by past form.