Cesarewitch Challenge Final 4-7YO Fillies
2850m Dirt
30th March 2011Last Season's Final
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This Season's Contenders
| Horse : Allison | Trainer : Victor Consortio |
There is no doubting that Allison is at home on a dirt track. In seven qualifying races over the trip she has only failed to make the money on a single occasion, going down two lengths in fifth place. She is one of five horses that will carry 124lb in the race and she may be slightly hampered by her draw against the rail. Racing from stall one is not the best place to be if recent statistics hold up. She was an expensive auction purchase and has slowly but surely bitten a chunk out of her price tag. It may be a difficult ask for her to score here.
| Horse : Lucifers Mistress | Trainer : Burkveen Racing |
Lucifers Mistress makes a return to the challenge final scene for the first time since her juvenile season. Her performances in qualifying have been consistent, without winning, which makes her a good prospect in the race off minimum weight. The feeling is that she will find one or two just a tad too hot to handle but must still be regarded as a lively contender. The major concern with her is that she has never won a race on dirt but there is something likeable about her which I just can't put my finger on.
| Horse : Xtreme Diva | Trainer : Sky Castle Stables |
Dual challenge winner, Xtreme Diva, comes into this race looking to make it back-to-back championship titles. Last season she was mightily impressive when landing the St. Leger and she aims to be one of the few fillies to grace the virtual world, who can claim success in her three year old and four year old seasons. Her engagement in the Queen Elizabeth a day earlier will be a pointer as to where her trainer feels she is more likely to succeed. Muddy or fast going is not going to bother her. Her form on both goings is impressive. She is two from four over course and distance and must be regarded as a threat to all despite her weight penalty.
| Horse : Burkes Monstress | Trainer : Burkveen Racing |
Burkes Monstress is one of four in this field that will contest the Queen Elizabeth a day earlier. She will certainly relish the test and will most likely be in favour of a fast going. The chance she has much depends on whether her draw can be overcome. Carrying minimum weight on the off is massive plus and can only enhance what is already a good chance. Her credentials stand up well as a potential champion, although the draw may play a part in whether she is fighting out the finish. She is one to put on the shortlist.
| Horse : Natalia From Mosc | Trainer : Burkveen Racing |
The third runner from the yard in this final gives good representation. Two solid efforts in running close to last seasons champions in The Oaks and St Leger, Natalia From Mosc will definitely not look out of place amongst these fine fillies. If she is to step up to the plate and give a good account of herself, it is likely to come if she can find the necessary to overturn recent form lines with Xtreme Diva. She is a very appealing prospect, running off minimum weight regards her in with a decent shout.
| Horse : Devil's Daughter | Trainer : Butlers Yard |
Devil's Daughter has run well in two challenge finals in the past, claiming fourth place in both a Ladbrokes Monthly and last season's St Leger. Her form on a dirt track is not as strong as a few others in this race, her only win on the surface coming when breaking her maiden. It may not be her niche and it is likely that she will find this a bit of a tough ask. There are others in the race that warrant more appeal.
| Horse : Minesweep | Trainer : Liveoak Stables |
Minesweep is one of the fillies who is getting a little long in the tooth now and she may be dominated by the younger generation. Take nothing away from her as she is a fine animal, evident by her championship victory in the St Leger as a three year old. She has found a dirt track a bit of a hinderance during her career, last tasting success as a three year old. Things don't look like improving much here and she may find this contest too hot with a 4ld penalty to shoulder.
| Horse : Godolphin Barby | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
Now here is a horse that looks at home on the surface. There have been many shows of great ability when tackling her opposition on the kick back and wins in qualifying races down the seasons have come on both fast and muddy. This race will mark an end to her racing career at this level with retirement imminent at the end of this season. If she is to go out with a bang it is more likely to come on World Challenge Day. Her penalty in this race does not inspire total confidence in selecting her a probable winner and her stable mate's in the race look better prospects.
| Horse : Light Fingers Nz | Trainer : Sky Castle Stables |
This race will mark only her second appearance in a challenge final. The first coming in her juvenile season when she put up a remarkable effort trailing fourth behind juvenile champion of that era, Queen Alexandra. A few wins have been achieved on the surface in graded company but she is yet to make a mark at this level, could the tide turn here? Based on the evidence presented, it looks likely that the yard is holding a better hand with their other runner in the race but off a light weight she certainly could get a tow and make a place if all goes in her favour.
| Horse : Spazzmic Serenade | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
At the age of five it is unsual to see a horse making their debut in a challenge final. This is what presents itself here with Spazzmic Serenade. She commanded quite a high auction price as a juvenile and winning this would go a long way to help repay the faith the yard had shown in her. It's not often that you look at a horse from the yard who has not paid her way, that is the case with her. I don't think that should be a factor here as the horse must be in the race with high regard. She will likely act better on fast and cannot be dismissed as the yard is very selctive with their challenge hopefuls.
| Horse : Pathway To Exile | Trainer : Victor Consortio |
Pathway To Exile holds fond memories for myself and it would be a pleasure to see her cross the line in first place and lift a challenge championship. In the three finals she has contested over a stayers trip, she has performed consistantly, getting close on all occasions. She has shown her better form over the maximum trip on a muddy surface and could be a player here, granted she gets the run of the race. She was recently touted at auction by the yard and I was suprised to see her remain unsold. The yard will be all smiles if she won here.
| Horse : Hagalaz Runedance | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
Hagalaz Runedance was a juvenile champion over the classic trip of 2400m and she showed up well in her only final run to date over course and distance. Her fourth place behind Amazonia a couple of seasons back looks a great marker to judge her ability on fast going. She came very close there and a repeat performance here would certainly do her justice. With so many horses begging for fast going, the race will be turned on its head should muddy be the order of the day and she may be one to capitalise on that. Her championship season was won on a muddy surface, so it looks like she is as effective on both goings.
| Horse : Bast | Trainer : Farndale Farms |
Bast will come into this race representing the colours of Farndale Farms for the very first time at championship level. It pains me to report that she looks a little out of her depth against these rivals, even if running off the minimum weight. She has not been able to strike a winning blow at this level during her career and it is difficult to make a case for a reversal of that fortune. Nearer last than first.
| Horse : Queen Alexandra | Trainer : The Face |
Queen Alexandra, already a challenge champ, is certainly one who will show her true ability on a fast track. Her chances of victory look extremely slim if the rain comes. Things will be a lot different if the rain stays away. Her starting stall has only produced one winner from twenty-two course and distance finals, even so, there will be a big run from her. It is unclear whether she has enough in the tank to get the better of some of these but she is by no means a horse to strike off any shortlist.
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