Black Type Bugler

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Black Type Bugler

eHorseracing.com’s Official Online News Source

The Diana Trail Grade II

goldsmith

The Diana Trail Grade II

 

This weekend some of our best 3 year old staying fillies will be heading to Germany for the $250 000 Diana Trail Grade II run over a mile and three eighths.  The weather looks fantastic and this strong field will be heading around on the firm turf course.

 

This field brings together two last start Grade III winners, Chasing Hamburg (AUS) won the Grade III Penelope Cruz (half her luck) running away to win by nearly 4 lengths in a dominant display over 10.5 furlongs and will be hard to beat on that performance.  Buda at the Dance (ENG) last start won the Grade III Arrow Field over 10 furlongs in good fashion and the owners must have a high opinion of her to ship her from Australia to Germany for a crack at this race.

 

Let’s have a good look at the runners.

 

  1. Chasing Hamburg  (AUS)  (Red Ransom x Kingmambo x Seattle Slew)

C Strehl ( 68 – 17 – 7 – 11 – 25% ) 7/1

This filly has the services of a top jockey in C Strehl and has been most impressive recently since stepping up in distance.  She has progressed from a maiden winner to a Grade III winner in her last 4 starts which is a huge effort and doesn’t look like stopping now.  Last time out she came from 10 lengths off the leader at the half way stage but gave them wind burn coming in to the straight to win running away by 3 ¼ lengths with a speed figure of 99.  She is going to be rattling home and is the one to beat in this field.

 

  1. Ganconagh  (GER)  (Monsun x Galileo x Rainbow Quest)

A Shove ( 55 – 6 – 4 – 5 – 11% ) 14/1

A locally bred filly Ganconagh has shown potential winning her last couple over similar distances and by good margins, albeit in allowance races.  She is bred to run over a distance being by Monsun and although stepping up to graded company for the first time could give some cheek.  Her best speed figure to date is a 93 over 9.5 furlongs and she will need to improve a bit on that to trouble the winner here.

 

  1. Septicemique  (ENG)  (Septieme Ciel x Ile de Bourbon x Shareef Dancer)

Q Swanson ( 41 – 8 – 7 – 5 – 20% ) 6/1

This 3yo filly is the 6/1 equal second favorite for this race.  She has only missed a place once in her 11 starts winning 4 of those including a stakes race 2 back over 9 furlongs running a huge 100 speed figure.  Last time out she was placed in the Grade III Penelope Cruz after hitting the front coming into the straight only to find Chasing Hamburg a little too strong over the concluding stages.  Has been impressive but may find she’s starting to hit her distance range and could be starting to paddle late.

 

 

 

  1. Ketaring  (KY)  (El Prado x Fappiano x Kris S)

Al Glover ( 46 – 7 – 3 – 6 – 15% ) 9/1

One of the least experienced runners in the field Ketaring has shown dazzling closing speed late in her races over shorter distances and looks as though the trip will suit.  Last time out she came from nearly 14 lengths off the leaders at the half way mark of the Grade III Penelope Cruz to get within 4.5 lengths of the winner Chasing Hamburg with a 95 speed figure.  She will be settling back but is continuing to improve with each start and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her finishing over the top of these late.

 

5.   Rorty  (IND)  (Marcus Andronicus x Mineshaft x Rahy)

            B Ilo ( 63 – 5 – 11 – 10 – 8% ) 12/1

Rorty is another relatively inexperienced filly who is on the up improving at her last four runs including a 3rd placing in a stakes race last time out.  She tends to settle back midfield or worse and gets going late.  So far her best speed figure is a 92 over 9.5 furlongs and she would need to improve to get the prize here.

 

  1. Run Sally Run  (IRE)  (Hurricane Run x Nureyev x Rahy)

C Cabaniss ( 35 – 3 – 2 – 2 – 9% ) 43/1

A huge step up in class for this filly, her current price is reflective of her form at the moment and she meets some smart ones here.  She has only won one so far with a moderate speed figure of 78 over 8 furlongs.  This is her first run for a while and a step up in distance so the owners will be hoping she can improve here but she is up against it.

 

  1. Pye Us Transit  (ENG)  (Medician x Sunday Silence x Affirmed)

J Walsh ( 167 – 18 – 26 – 23 – 11% ) 7/1

This filly has won 3 of her last 6 starts and looked good winning last time out when stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time.  She ran a handy 2nd two back in the Grade III The Longest Walk over 9 furlongs with a 98 speed rating which is great going.  Has been doing everything right and looks likely to hit the board again here after placing in the first two at her last 7 starts.  A good chance.

 

  1. Dance Cat Dance  (IRE)  (Danehill Dancer x Galileo x Storm Cat)

M Spencer ( 103 – 10 – 11 – 14 – 10% ) 8/1

She has won 2 of her 4 starts so far in her career and got moving late last time out in her graded debut clashing with several of these runners in the Grade III Penelope Cruz.  She finished 6 lengths from the winner in that race and improved to run a 93 speed figure.  Is improving with experience and the extra distance should suit.  Could surprise but I’m not yet convinced she is up to this.

 

  1. Bonewcat  (ENG)  (New Approach x Storm Cat x Stage Door Johnny)

E Bernstein ( 239 – 39 – 48 – 51 – 16% ) 19/1

Yet to miss a place in 7 career outings Bonewcat has shown improvement since stepping up to 8 furlongs and beyond.  Last time out over this distance she impressively ran away from 8 others to win by nearly 4 lengths with a 88 speed figure.  Has a good jockey engaged and could surprise some of the more fancy bred horses in this.

 

  1. Draft Date  (KY)  (Point Given x Bernardini x Deputy Minister

S Marx ( 85 – 13 – 13 – 10 – 15% )  9/1

Another up and comer who is yet to miss a place in 9 starts and has shown form over this distance.  Draft Date won her maiden 3 back and has since won and placed in allowance company over 11 and 10 furlongs.  Her speed figures have continued to improve running a career best 93 last time out.  Would need to improve further to take this one out but is definitely a chance to hit the board.

 

  1. Roman Tribune  (IND)  (Marcus Andronicus x Machiavellian x Caerleon)

A Starke ( 26 – 5 – 5 – 2 – 19% ) 6/1

Is the equal 2nd favorite for this after running an impressive 98 speed figure last time out in a 9.5 furlong allowance race and securing A Starke for the ride.  She is the winner of her last 3 and looks ready for the step up to Grade III company after running on over increasing distances over the last couple of months.  The distance looks like it could suit but I’m leaving her out but keeping a big watch on her as she steps up in class.

 

  1. Buda At The Dance  (ENG)  (Medicean x Danzig x Nijinsky II)

T Small ( 288 – 94 – 56 – 40 – 33% ) 7/2

Has the number one jockey on board and is a deserving favorite for this race although she will have to jump from the 12 gate.  So far she has won 7 of her 11 starts with most 5 of her last 6 in graded company.  She is already a dual grade III winner and has been impressive in Australia and New Zealand at her last four starts.  The owners obviously have a high opinion of her and have shipped her north for a crack at this race then possibly onto the European Oaks races.  She has been really competitive over 10 furlongs but never got warm in her only attempt at longer when finishing 12 lengths from the winner in the New Zealand Oaks 2 back.  Will look the winner at some stage but will she get the journey from the outside gate, only time will tell.

 

Good luck to all runners.

 

My Selections

 

1.      Chasing Hamburg

2.      Pye Us Transit

3.      Buda At The Dance

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