The race of the night tomorrow looks to be the $50,000 Magness Benrow Sires Stakes Fillies Semi-Final Mobile Pace, with all six runners holding a bona fide winning chance.
As is so often the case over the 1980m, the barrier draw is crucial – and it’s Cath who has the ideal position drawing barrier one as the early favourite. The daughter of Sweet Lou was nothing short of impressive on Easter Saturday in her first run of the campaign, scoring her third career win after also taking out the Millwood Nike in November. She’ll need to be at her best, however, with Secret Wish (3) bringing two wins from as many starts this campaign, including a recent Addington victory, and having trialled nicely since.
Drawn between the pair is Miki’s Deal, a superb winner of the Ladyship Stakes at Alexandra Park two starts back and third behind race rival Havtimewillfly (4) in a Southland Oaks heat since. The remaining two runners – Lizzie Borden, a sound fourth at Addington last week, and the immensely talented Indulge Me from the powerful Nathan Williamson barn – are both more than capable at this level.
The feature trot is the $50,000 Future Wealth Sires Stakes Classic, which brings together a number of different form lines for what shapes as a fascinating contest. Back-marker Nellie Doyle was a brilliant winner over race rival Freya on Easter Saturday but faces the challenge of a 20-metre back mark this week. Drawn ahead of her is the returning Donna’s Boy, a winner of four races from just 11 starts – three of those at Addington. He comes into the race fresh but has won both of his trials and looks the pick of those drawn off the front.
Several chances emerge from the 10-metre mark, including a fresh-up Princess Sadie and the Dunn pair of One Ova Da Line and Rock Lobster, both of whom raced with great credit in their respective Autumn Rewards races. The biggest beneficiary of the handicapping is One Ova Da Line, who finds himself 30 metres better off compared to that run, having won his previous three starts on the bounce.