Down Under Ladies Take Center Stage

It’s a battle among the Australian fillies this week in Victoria when The $75,000 Down Under Ladies Stakes is run at 6.5 furlongs. This race is restricted to Australian owned fillies and has drawn six competitors. Let’s take a look at the field from the railout.

Modestly bred first time starter, who predictably is the longest shot on the board. This is a tough spot to begin a career, but on the bright side she only has to beat one horse to get a piece of the purse. She is by the little known and underused sire Encounter(AUS), a sire who trainer aussie02 is fond of despite his stud record of one stakes winner out of his 41 sim runners. “Encounter(AUS) hasn’t really done much in the SIM, but dear i dream. I’m not sure this is the right spot for my filly, but we’ll take a shot anyway. You never know in racing”, aussie02 told the media.

SMACK MOUTH(AUS)                      7/2

(CHOISIR (AUS) x AVENUE OF FLAGS x RORY’S JESTER(AUS))

Owner: kkzadar

Jockey: P Spratt ( 60 – 4 – 3 – 8 – 7% )

Record (4 : 3 – 0 – 1) 

After beginning her career with a hat trick of wins this chestnut daughter of the popular Australian sprinter Choisir(AUS) was beaten into third last time out. An off track that day may have compromised her chances, therefore she could be very dangerous with a return to a fast track this weekend. She is unbeaten in two starts at 6.5 furlongs and her trainer is upbeat about his filly’s chances this weekend. “My filly’s record is really good and I’m hoping she can step up and win this race”. kkzadar also gave a thumbs up to Smack Mouth’s sire Choisir(AUS). “If anyone is thinking of breeding an Aussie sired cheapie, Choisir looks to have some real nice 2 year olds coming through”.

SISSON’S INDY                               2/1

(A.P. INDY x RAHY x SEEKING THE GOLD)

Owner: devil

Jockey: D Evans ( 753 – 192 – 122 – 105 – 25% )

Record (7 : 2 – 1 – 0)

From two modestly bred Australians to a real blue blood daughter of A.P. Indy. Not a great record thus far in 7 career starts and this weekend’s 6.5 furlong distance may not be to her liking. However this is not a tough field and she should be in with a big shot on Saturday. Her future lies in the longer races as she showed last out when winning her two turn debut impressively. She could be a major factor next year as the distances get longer.

DROP DEAD GROUSE                           2/1

(LEMON DROP KID x DEHERE x UNBRIDLED)

Owner: lapa6

Jockey: P Boyd ( 75 – 5 – 6 – 10 – 7% )

Record (0 : 0 – 0 – 0)

This filly is another who is making her debut in this race. However, unlike Wishful Encounter who is the longest shot on the board, Drop Dead Grouse is co-favored at 2/1. Punters looking to play this filly will be hoping here breeding can pull her through. She is out of a very good broodmare and her half sister has already shown promise in only 2 career starts. Even in this field I’ll have to take a stand against this filly from a wagering point of view. Just too short of a price for a fiily who is short on experience but may still turn out to be very good.

MEADOWBANK CHOICE(AUS)                    3/1

(REDOUTE’S CHOICE (AUS) x PEINTRE CELEBRE (IRE) x SAINT BALLADO)

Owner: pigeon5

Jockey: R Dogs ( 170 – 11 – 20 – 18 – 6% )

Record (6 : 2 – 1 – 0)

Back to the Australian breds. This daughter of Redoute’s Choice(AUS) is the owner of the highest speed figure in the field. However she will need a strong pace to set up her come from behind style. Her sire has been one of the standout Australian stallions in the Sim and this brown filly will look to become Stakes winner number 19 for Redoute’s Choice(AUS).

ROBOTICA FLOG(GB)                                          11/1 

(LADONI (GB) x IRISH RIVER(FR) x MACHIAVELLIAN)

Owner: bcumming1

Jockey: S DeMarchi ( 93 – 5 – 5 – 8 – 5% )

Record (7 : 1 – 1 – 1)

Rounding out the field is this filly from Great Britain who began her career on the grass, but switched to the dirt last out and ran a career best while finishing third against allowance company. After that encouraging effort her connections have rolled the dice and stepped her up to the Stakes ranks, hoping for another improvement. Trainer bcumming2 would also like this filly to win a stakes race for her sire Ladoni(GB). “Out of all the horse I have bred this year (at least 100) I’d like to see a Ladoni(GB) sired horse win a stakes. I think I have bred about 30 Ladoni’s and none of these have turned out too good”.

That’s the field. Best of luck to all.