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Group 1 TAB Classic preview

It’s the best Fillies & Mares sprint in the country and we are set for another sensational edition of the race that has been won by some of Australia’s best sprinters including Alinghi, Shoals, Miracles of Life and of course the one and only Black Caviar.

We look at each runners chances in the massive race on Saturday at Morphettville

Spright – Garry Frazer | Damien Oliver

Distance: 14 Starts – 3 wins & 4 placings | 3 x Group 3 winner & 3 x Group 1 placed

Was second behind Sunlight in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes two starts back. Oliver has ridden the mare three times, all in Group 1 races where their best result was a third placing in last year’s Moir Stakes behind Viddora and Brave Smash. Oliver has won the race twice in his career. 

Cool Passion – Tony McEvoy | Barend Vorster

Distance: 10 starts – 5 wins & 3 placings | 3 x Group 3 winner

Last start fourth in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes over 1300m. Was up on the speed in that race and the drop back to her pet distance should suit her perfectly. Barend Vorster partnered her in a trial win over Sunlight last week which bodes very well for the mare.  

Princess of Queens – Mick Price | Jamie Kah

Distance: 14 starts – 5 wins & 1 placing | 1 x Group 3 winner

Recorded the biggest win of her career last start when she claimed the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes at Caulfield in February. Won the Listed Christmas Handicap here in December over 1200m and has local girl Jamie Kah aboard. Only won once from five tries first-up is her only knock.  

Ellicazoom – David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Ben Allen

Distance: 9 starts – 1 win & 4 placings | 1 x Group 3 winner & 1 x Group 1 placing

Finished third behind Sunlight & Spright in the Group 1 William Reid two starts back. Won the Group 3 Cockram Stakes over 1200m in September.

I’ll Have a Bit – John McArdle | Ben Thompson

Distance: 6 starts – 2 wins & 1 placing | 1 x Group 2 winner & 1 x Group 1 placing

Has won a Group 2 and Group 3 race over the 1200m here at Morphettville and ran third in last year’s Group 1 Goodwood after her Euclase victory. Ben Thompson has ridden the mare five times and knows her like the back of his hand.

Jamaican Rain – Richard Laming | Craig Williams

Distance: 5 starts – 3 wins & 1 placing | 1 x Group 3 winner

Won 50% of her career starts. Won the Group 3 Mannerism two starts back before having a crack at the Group 1 Coolmore last start. Craig Williams jumps off Ellicazoom to ride this horse.

Divine Quality – Robbie Griffiths | Beau Mertens

Distance: 10 starts – 2 wins & 5 placings | 1 x Group 3 winner

Hasn’t measured up in Group 1 company in her last two attempts but won the Group 3 Begonia Belle on Derby Day last year. Seven of the nine times Beau Mertens has ridden her she’s finished in the quinella.

Bella Martini – Team Hawkes | Dwayne Dunn

Distance: 8 starts – 4 wins & 1 placing | 1 x Group 2 winner

Hasn’t won in over a year since her victory in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes. While four of her five career victories have been over 1200m, she’s only run 1200m once in her last seven starts.

Mamzelle Tess – Troy & Leon Corstens | Jason Maskiell

Distance: 12 starts – 1 win & 6 placings | 1 x Group 2 placing

Has only contested three Stakes races in her 37 start career but has placed in all three efforts. Ran third in the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes over 1200m here on Goodwood Day last year.

Everyday Lady – Will Clarken | Michael Walker

Distance: 4 starts – 1 win & 3 placings | 1 x Listed winner

The 2019 addition to the Will Clarken yard won this year’s Listed Manihi Stakes in March for her first Stakes victory. Star jockey Michael Walker takes the ride on the mare who he rode here on Adelaide Cup day when she ran third behind the talented Despatch.

Grey Shadow – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | John Allen

Distance: 7 starts – 1 win & 3 placings

Ran the Listed Wangoom at Warrnambool on Wednesday. Won’t run here.

Mica Lil – Mark Minervini | Dom Tourneur

Distance: 7 starts – 1 win & 2 placings | 1 x Group 1 placing

Minervini’s bargain buy ran third in this race last year at massive odds. She hasn’t won in over a year but has shown she’s capable of a return to form with a third placing in this year’s Manihi Stakes.

Anjana – Mick Price | Michael Dee

Distance: 4 starts – 3 wins | 1 x Listed winner & 1 x Listed placing

The very talented filly has won five times from eleven starts. Ran fourth in last year’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas and ran third in the Listed Redelva Stakes last start as the race favourite. Mick Price has won this race four times and Anjana looks primed for this assignment.  

Thrillster – Troy & Leon Corstens | Stephen Baster

Distance: 3 starts – 2 wins & 1 placing | 1 x Listed winner & 1 x Group 2 placing

Only missed a placing once in her eight start career and that was when she ran fifth in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas. She produced a massive run first up last start to just miss from the tail of the field. She’s undefeated in both attempts second up and loves the distance.

Lady Cosmology – Simon Miller | Luke Currie

Distance: 3 starts – 2 placings | 2 x Listed winner & 2 x Group 2 placings

The flying filly from the west comes to town with two wins and seven placings from ten career starts. Has contested all the best races in the west for youngsters and gets her chance in a Group 1 on Saturday.

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