chased leaders, went 2nd 5f out, ridden to challenge when hung left over 1f out, not quicken
slowly into stride, held up, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader until 5f out, one pace
pushed along towards rear, never dangerous
Dressed To Dance can make experience count over Distant Sun, with Not Too Taxing and Not To Know the other main contenders. With Neil Callan riding well at present, hopes are high that Dressed To Dance can open her account at the sixth time of asking after going so close in a course-and-distance nursery last time. Unlucky to be nabbed right on the line, she can make the most of this return to maiden company, aided by what looks a good draw in stall three. Distant Sun shaped well on his debut here in November, finishing third despite running green. This drop back in trip could work in his favour, and so Roger Charlton's charge will be another popular choice. Not Too Taxing was a little unlucky in running at Kempton last time and is now put back up in distance, so has to be mentioned, while Not To Know has some promise but will surely benefit from being tried over a mile at least in future. Any market support for Otaki should be heeded as well, but we are happy to side with Dressed To Dance.
Distant Sun (USA) 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Aureate (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov.
Kiwi The Clown (IRE) Fruits Of Love gelding out of an unraced mare.
Not To Know 25-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, not clear run briefly over 2f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Putra Laju (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Not Too Taxing 11-8fav (8-11) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, stayed on again final furlong, held when not much room close home, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Galaxy Stars (8-11) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn auc (7) pol in Dec.
Dressed To Dance (IRE) 5-6fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Homes By Woodford (8-11) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Gertie (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Soon outpaced, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 10l behind Charlotte Grey (8-6) at W'hampton 6f 2yo aut (7) pol in Dec.
Minnie Mill 25-1 (8-12) Held up, effort and headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, rallied near finish, 3rd of 7, nk behind Hollywood George (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Otaki (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leader to over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 16l behind Messiah Garvey (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.