The MISS MARAUD Handicap Stakes
Victoria
The MISS MARAUD Handicap-ST
4yo+ F 9F Turf
Home sweet home in Victoria for what should be a great race. A field of nine will greet the judge with all but two of them real chances.
PP #1 – SALAMIS(IRE) – (DAYLAMI (IRE) x GREEN DANCER x RIVERMAN) (elysium) 7/1
Has been running moderately lately with a 2nd placing in the Nunn Saddle Challenge Stakes in 3056 then a 3rd in allowance company last start in 3084. Has had a six week break and looks as if this 5yo mare could run very well as she is a front runner and has drawn the fence.
PP #2 – TRUST I SEEK – (SEEKING THE GOLD x OCTAGONAL(NZ) x NORTHERN DANCER) (dkyoung4) 6/1
5yo mare with a nice 22 6 2 4 for $147,734 record. Enormous run when running SP of 102 to win allowance in 3077 over 9 furlongs. Comes in off a seven week break that should see her fresh and look for flashing home from behind. Been running very well in allowance class, this looks a lot harder but she has talent.
PP #3 – HAIL THEE(IRE) – (ROCK OF GIBRALTAR (IRE) x RAISE A NATIVE x HABITAT) – (biznut) 9/1
23 2 3 5 for $81,271 means this 6yo mare may struggle in this class. Ran a SP of 102 to run 2nd in owner restricted allowance in 3007 and placed then won over 12 furlongs in 3021 and 3049. Her last run was over 9 furlongs in 3098 to nab 3rd . Loves extra distance and will be running through from mid-field in the stretch.
PP #4 – KAYLA- (RED RANSOM x A.P. INDY x NUREYEV) (375stud) 9/1
Good record at 27 5 7 2 $287,036 and is coming off her first stakes victory in the Fighting Force Special Stakes in 3084 over 9.5 furlongs at this track. Best run before that was in an allowance on dirt in which she wired the field in 2982 over 9 furlongs. Distance is not the issue, the class of other fillies and mares is.
PP #5 – MISWAKI’S LAST- (MISWAKI x KRIS S. x ARTAIUS) (xanthu3) 3/1
16 9 0 3 for $278,971 shows me that this 5yo mare likes winning. She has competed at this level in her last six runs winning three of them. Obviously has performed at this level and justifies her equal favoritism at 3/1. Beat Apple Carbon by over 13 lengths in her Classy K. Memorial Stakes victory in 3098 with that mare racing in Graded company this week. Runs best when mid-field, barrier suits and she should salute this week.
PP #6 – LET’S BE NATURAL(IRE) – (RIVER KEEN (IRE) x BAPTISM(GB) x TEJANO) (afleetang) 13/1
13 4 5 2 for $92,251 as a 5yo mare is very lightly raced in anyone’s book. She was on a spate of great results late last year with an 8 3 2 2 record. She doesn’t appear to have the same speed as these other fillies and mares and may be found wanting. She attempts to run from wire to wire and this could prove her undoing from this barrier in this class.
PP #7 – DON’T DOUBT HER(AUS) – (REDOUTE’S CHOICE (AUS) x LIL E. TEE x DANZIG) – (g1robbo) 23/1
Outsider for this race for many reasons. 17 1 4 3 for $83,448 and a 8 month winless period. Was nailed by twenty-three lengths in G3 last start in 3091 with 3 from that field racing in G3 this weekend. Having said that ran well in 3028 when 2nd in allowance running a SP of 96. Looks to want allowance company.
PP #8 – RIGID IN THE NIGHT – (NIGHT SHIFT x CRAFTY PROSPECTOR x LEE DAVID) (patriots) 3/1
33 8 9 3 for $231,256 indicates a handy runner. Coming off great win in 3105 running a SP of 103 to down allowance field by over a length over 8 furlong just over the border in New South Wales. Stepping up a furlong more than previous eight runs but should handle it. Takes a sit just off the speed and runs on.
PP #9 – LIGHT THE ROCK – (FANTASTIC LIGHT x EL GRAN SENOR x KING OF THE NORTH) (zjkj4) 4/1
24 10 0 7 for $363,797 is handy in this field. 4yo filly that is good to go this weekend after winning back to back Stakes in 3035 and 3049 then back to back 3rd placings in 3070 and most recent in 3098. 3098 was beaten by over three lengths by Miswaki’s last and looks as if the race pan out as either she is run down by her again or Light The Rock holds out and wires the field. Great chance and has been racing frequently in class.
Prediction:
1st – Miswaki’s Last
2nd – Light The Rock
3rd – Kayla
4th – Rigid In The Night