Only 4 go in The PRETTY WORLD Challenge Stakes

Just 4 fillies have show up for The PRETTY WORLD Challenge Stakes – a mile on turf for 3yo’s.  A disappointing turn-out but a really hot favourite will ensure that there is some interest here.  The betting is:  

3/5 Thunder Belle(KY)
6/5 Strained(KY)
9/2 Queensland Wildcat(KY)
15/1 Hundred Acre Wood(KY)

Analysis

3/5 Thunder Belle(KY) – #2
Trainer: caddywampu
(Unbridled’s Song x Storm Cat x Raise A Native)
Already having her third run as a 3yo this filly broke her maiden in a stakes race at the first time of asking but has struggled to find a win since.  In her 2 runs this year she has only beaten 3 other fillies and the rasie in distance muct be a source of worry for her trainer, Caddywampu Stables. At these odds she looks a very bad bet indeed although she does have more experience than most in this field.

6/5 Strained(KY) – #1
Trainer: vilfly
(Andromeda’s Hero x Black Tie Affair(IRE) x Danzig)
Brundlefly Stables sends out a filly based on a D class horse who could easily upset the favourite.  With 2 wins from only 4 runs her sp#’s have been reduced by a couple of off-track starts, but she has the breeding and the strength in the straight to win this comfortably.   

9/2 Queensland Wildcat(KY) – #3
Trainer: parramatta
(Forest Wildcat x Seeking The Gold x Damascus)
A filly from Hunter Valley Stables whose only win in 3 starts was on an off-track. She has excellent breeding lines but so far has not shown quite the same class as the top two in the betting. She may be more effective over this distance but she will need a lot of improvement to challenge for the top two places.

15/1 Hundred Acre Wood(KY) – #4
Trainer: verywide
(Golden Missile x Woodman x Honor Grades)
Big odds for this filly from Fastnfirm Stables who has already had 8 runs.  Bred from a G class dam she gets her first stakes run here after a 2nd place in a short field last time.  Although her trainer obviously thinks a lot of her, her odds really reflect her chances here, and she is an excellent study in horse placement.  

Summary

Not the most competitive race we will ever see here in North Korea but at least we could witness the upset of an odds-on favourite.  Interestingly all of the fillies are Kentucky bred, but for me 6/5 shot Strained(KY) should manage to finish ahead of the rest.