Seven run in The QUEEN CAR Handicap Stakes
Longchamp again relies on fillies and mares 4yo+ for this weeks showcase race, 10 furlongs on the turf track. I am happy to report that the weather is forecast to be good for racing but cold for spectators, so wrap up warm if you are planning to visit. Seven runners have shown up and some of them may sound familiar as three of them had their last race here. The betting is:
2/1 Captivating
5/2 Fandepgroom
3/1 Hello I love You(ENG)
9/2 Cache(SAF)
7/1 Hammer Drop(GB)
11/1 Limit Break
14/1 Panther Square
Analysis
2/1 Captivating – #5
Trainer: peeps3
(Vindication x Mr. Prospector x Sadler’s Wells)
The favourite comes from Cobra Kai Racing Stables and won here over this same distance just a month ago. With 8 wins from 25 starts this 5yo has hit a rich vein of form recently and if she is successful again may be headed towards a graded start in the near future. She usually stays just off the pace ready for a finishing straight burst and will be hard to beat.
5/2 Fandepgroom – #4
Trainer: tenpin
(Fantastic Light x Deputy Minister x Bluching Groom)
Rockriver Stables send out this experienced 5yo who has 13 wins from 35 races, including a G3 over 14 furlongs. Her last run produced a high SP# 110 on yielding turf over 9 furlongs so she is in form, however there is very much a suspicion that on good to firm ground she may struggle for the speed needed to catch the favourite. Bred from a D class mare as a 2yo by Sister stable jimj she has been a consistent gatherer of breeding points throughout her career.
3/1 Hello I love You(ENG) – #6
Trainer: australia
(Green Desert x Machiavellian x Lyphard)
A nice 4yo filly from Nextbonus Racing who, despite being the favourite, was just beaten into 2nd place in her last race here a few weeks back after leading for most of the way. That was over 11 furlongs and I’m sure this is her preferred distance. I also believe she may have learnt a lot from that race and has a very good chance of turning the tables on her older rivals this time, so expect her to take a very early lead and remember to hang onto your hats in the latter stages.
9/2 Cache(SAF) – #3
Trainer: misery
(Horse Chestnut (SAF) x Seeking The Gold x Northern Dancer)
Another 5yo, this time from The SAF Connection, who has won 5 from 25 starts and has over $1.2m in career earnings. Winner of a G1 as a 3yo, and later a G2 race, she seems to have lost a little of her edge since finishing 6th in The G1-Breeders Bowl Turf Distaff last year so will be looking to recover some of that lost form. Usually happy running just behind the leaders she may struggle for speed when it matters.
7/1 Hammer Drop(GB) – #7
Trainer: odin
(Powerscourt (GB) x Caerleon x Hail To Reason)
Tees Stables send out this 4yo filly who was claimed after being bred as a 2yo by stormborn2. Won 3 straight allowance races for her new trainer but was easily held by Captivating in her last race here and only managed 4th place. A nice claim and a good allowance performer, but I’m not convinced that she will find too many wins in stakes company. A late runner who will be shadowing the favourite all the way.
11/1 Limit Break – #1
Trainer: outsider
(Charismatic x Forty Niner x Septieme Ciel)
A 6yo from Ace Stables – Scandinavia Division. Bred from a D class mare she has already racked up 44 runs and has won 8 of those, including 1 owner restricted stakes success. Has yet to achieve sp# 100 and it seems a little late in her career to expect it to happen here, but she comes here after a nice allowance win last time so her confidence will be high.
14/1 Panther Square – #2
Trainer: steelewolf
(Sadler’s Wells x Nureyev x Seattle Slew)
Jrogue Stables send out a relatively lightly raced 6yo bred from an 11 Graded race winning B class mare. Sadly for her owner she has not looked like emulating that and despite 5 wins from her 28 races, has yet to achieve stakes success. Ran a real stinker in her last race over 8 furlongs and will be looking to at least improve on that performance.
Summary
A race that where the winner could come from any of the top 3 in the betting. Favourite Captivating looks in really good form just now but I think Hello I Love You(ENG) could just make up for her disappointment last time and narrowly hang onto the lead when they cross the line, with Fandegroom finishing in third.
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LAST WEEK
The ENOUGH KNOCK Memorial proved to be a big disappointment for favourite Mia Then Back as she could only finish in 2nd place behind up-and-coming 4yo colt Shouldn’t Matter(IRE). Both finished in sprinting style but the winner always seemed to have the beating of the well backed favourite, finishing with an SP# of 109. 10/1 shot Steady Employment was handy throughout and did well to hang onto 3rd spot.
1ST SHOULDN’T MATTER(IRE)
2ND MIA THEN BACK
3RD STEADY EMPLOYMENT