Ladies take centre stage at Epsom

The Freezer Burn Stakes is wide open this year with the bookies betting 4/1 the field with highest odds of only 8/1, not very generous of them since there are only nine runners. Let’s try to narrow it down a bit if we can.

 

(1) 9/2 Imperial Oats (AUS) – bentley

This six year old mare has failed at group level but her good two recent stakes starts suggest she is capable of getting it right. Bentley will be hoping that she can add a group success to her string of seven stakes victories in the twilight of her career. With top jockey Harzheim aboard, a speed figure in the upper 90’s looks likely.

(2) 8/1 Rigid In The Night – patriots

This filly jumps in class here, never having run at stakes level. She also tries beyond nine furlongs for the first time and has a modest rider aboard. A win here may be asking a bit much but she could surprise if she takes to the extra ground.

(3) 8/1 Grand Caffreys (IRE) – corka

This grand five year old mare has won no less than six group one races, deserving every bit of the more than $3 million she has earned. Unfortunately, her best days may be behind her and she hasn’t seen the winners box since August, nine runs back. Other than her second in the Breeders Bowl Turf Distaff in October, she hasn’t threatened to score and her current form doesn’t suggest that will change here.

(4) 6/1 Yankee Rose – waremblem5

A strong front running filly clearly on the upgrade, Yankee Rose has won her last three starts, the last two being her only stakes attempts thus far. She has no problem with the trip and, provided she handles this next step up in class, a speed figure in the high 90’s looks on the cards again.

(5) 7/1 Kid Icarus – pudj1

Kid Icarus ran her best race to date last time out, but the track was a little on the wet side and she goes 10 furlongs for the first time here, as well as stepping up to group level having failed in four stakes attempts to date. The potential is there, but this doesn’t look like it will be a winning group debut.

(6) 4/1 Aragon Bull – fourhooves

Out of nowhere, Aragon Bull scored a massive 110 last time out in a stakes race. A repeat would blow this field away, but can we rely on that figure. Her two previous best figures, both in the high 90’s, were on wet tracks. That she has the class, there is no doubt, with a Gr3 win and Gr1 second place already on her resume. She is also proven at the distance. Both factors say she will be a threat, though we can’t expect another 110.

(7) 8/1 Ramble On (AUS) – phatpharm

Despite having failed to find the top three in seven attempts at group level during her long career, this five year old mare has scored three times at stakes level and has the consistency to suggest she could be thereabouts at the finish, though perhaps softer ground would suit her better.

(8) 6/1 Tess Carlisle – rohan

Already a dual stakes winner and group 1 placed from only 13 starts, Tess Carlisle clearly has class. Her run in the Equinics last time can probably be ignored because of the wet conditions. She is distance suited and, though her speed figures are a little inconsistent, clearly capable of scoring around the 100 mark.

(9) 5/1 Prospector Villa – pazfour

With three stakes win and a group 2 show behind her, Prospector Villa is one to be reckoned with in this lineup. Her form over this sort of distance suggests that she is another likely to produce a speed figure in the high 90’s.

 

It looks like we can narrow down the winner to one of five: Imperial Oats, Yankee Rose, Aragon Bull, Tess Carlisle, or Prospector Villa. Tess Carlisle and Yankee Rose will ensure the pace is a good one which could set things up for the closer of the group, Imperial Oats. With the top rider aboard, she will be my tentative selection in a wide open affair.