tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
led, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened
slowly away, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 1f out, one pace
in rear and outpaced
tracked leader, led inside final furlong, headed near finish
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, one pace
towards rear, never dangerous
Nonrunner
YANZA is our idea of the winner in this closing sprint handicap ahead of Cayman Fox and Forever's Girl. Jeremy Gask's filly has been racing with credit over six furlongs of late but her one victory came over the minimum and from a perfect draw in stall two we fancy that today's step back in distance can help her add to that sole success. The selection has been placed off this mark the last twice but both efforts have suggested that five furlongs might be ideal, the horse having lead for most of the way before being caught late on. It is a slight concern that connections turn to 7lb claimer Luke Kilgarriff to take the ride but the youngster is given the chance to prove he's more than capable by steering this relatively unexposed three-year-old to success here. Plenty of dangers lurk amongst her rivals, headed perhaps by Cayman Fox. Another who races prominently this filly is able to run off 62, the same mark that saw her take second behind an in-form rival back in October. Stall 11 is far from ideal for one who does like to chase the pace but it's otherwise hard to discount James Moffatt's charge who has shown a distinct liking for this course and distance in the past, placing on five out of eight occasions here. Forever's Girl merits attention as the only last-time-out victor in today's line-up. That course and distance success was the filly's second here and although more will be required off a 5lb higher mark improvement is entirely possible from the three-year-old who goes particularly well on artificial surfaces. From a decent draw in stall three PJ McDonald's mount is a serious contender for top honours today if getting the breaks. At bigger prices Monsieur Reynard and Rocket Ruby look worthy of a mention. The former was placed here off this mark last time and although winless from 11 all weather starts the gelding is yet to finish out of the money when taking in a five furlong race here at Dunstall Park, whilst Rocket Ruby has perhaps improved since last racing here and has chances. A wide open finale but Yanza can go one better and land the spoils.
Yanza 9-2 (9-2) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Gentle Guru (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out,challenged on inside 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Gentle Guru (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Forever's Girl 25-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Micky Mac (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Cayman Fox 11-4fav (8-5) Keen, led, ridden clear over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Lithaam (9-1) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Northern Empire (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 17l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-10) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug.
Metal Guru 8-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 12th of 13, 8l behind Forever's Girl (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Shakespeare's Son 33-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon ridden along and outpaced, 13th of 14, 14l behind First Swallow (8-13) at Southwell 5f Handicap (0-58) (3yo+) (6) fbs.
Monte Cassino (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 2f, weakened 2f out, 11th of 14, 7l behind First Swallow (8-13) at Southwell 5f Handicap (0-58) (3yo+) (6) fbs.
Monsieur Reynard 10-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ran on to go 3rd towards finish, not reach front pair, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Decider (9-9) at Wolverhampton 5f sell stks (6) pol.
Across The Sands 18-1 (9-3) Led 2f, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 16l behind Spice Run (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol.
Rocket Ruby 11-4fav (9-0) Pressed winner, ridden over 1f out, no impression on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Arriva La Diva (8-0) at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.
Grimes Faith 28-1 (9-2) Soon pushed along in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway when not clear run and hampered entering final furlong, not recover, 9th of 11, 5l behind Welcome Approach (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Commander Wish 2-1fav (9-3) Outpaced in rear, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Elusive Ronnie (8-12) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
