Tuesday 14 July 2009

3:50 Lingfield (15th July)

An interesting fillies' maiden over this turning 6f with a selection of form horses and potentially decent debutantes.

Piccadilly Filly, Mellifera, Pastel Blue & Slasl re-oppose here after their recent encounter at Kempton. The first named, trained by E J Creighton, didn't have much luck in-running on her second start from a wide draw and may be capable of better although she does have a tendency to pull. The form of the Kempton race has taken a knock with Hot Pursuits beaten quite easily next time out. I would have thought Spencer would have had the choice of rides and his decision to partner Luluti doesn't bode well for Pastel Blue.

Clearly the experience of the form horses is a big advantage, especially on a turning track where it is all to easy to lose position. Saying that, a number of unraced juveniles have some merit.

Luluti has been entered to run in the Lowther Stakes Group 2 and with Spencer taking the ride this 100,000gns purchase could well have a future. It will be interesting to see how this filly fares in the betting although a high draw and the fact that Callaghan has a poor win rate on debut doesn't inspire confidence. I would rather watch this two-year-old today.

Puff is similarly entered for the Lowther and in many ways appeals more than the Callaghan runner, simply because Beckett is more likely to win on debut and has decent place statistics with all of his juveniles on debut at any price. This filly by Camacho cost 95,000gns and with Sanders taking the ride must be considered even though the draw is far from ideal. It is interesting to note that their other Lowther entrant, Tropical Treat, won well at Windsor and that is an additional sign of encouragement. An interesting debutant worthy of respect.

Of the others Hope 'N' Reason may have a hope. Simcock is certainly capable of winning on debut and this filly has been given a Stakes race entry, which is often a sign of potential for this trainer who can win at big odds.

A tricky race to assess with a mix of form and unraced juveniles. A high draw is never good news here and inexperience is a major concern, too. Piccadilly Filly is probably the best of the form horses but seems a touch temperamental. Of the unraced I would plump for Puff and Hope 'N' Reason. I would want a price to start thinking about betting.

An intriguing race.

*(Millefera (W Swinburn) has very good win and place statistics when priced 13/2 & less on second start.)
A watching race.

Race review:'A fascinating race with Piccadilly Filly going clear only to tire and get caught by the debutante Puff, trained by Beckett. The winner done well from a high draw and was out the back for much of the race. Little doubt a touch of class made the difference here and this filly powered home down the straight. So Surreal ran well to hold third place from Millefera. The juveniles from the Kempton race seemed to run to form. Piccadilly Filly certainly has enough ability to win a race, although, as seen at Kempton, struggles to finish her race.'