Nunthorpe Sprint Challenge Final 3YO Fillies 
1400m Turf
1400m Turf
28th March 2011Last Season's Final
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This Season's Contenders
| Horse : Sky Burst | Trainer : Sky Castle Stables |
With two challenge final appearances already behind her, Sky Burst is becoming something of an old hand. Although she has not tasted success at championship level yet, she reamins a touch of class. Her qualifying campaign started slowly and then exploded with a run of four consecutive qualifier wins during January and February. History shows that her draw is not ideal but if any is good enough to overcome a starting handicap it's Sky Burst. Solid claims, even if hampered slightly by the draw.
| Horse : Elysian Meganova | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
Last season, Elysian Meganova ploughed through the mud at America to score a famous juvenile sprint success. It is certain that she would definitely benefit by a little cut in the ground here too. She comes out of stall eight and will have a great view of runners either side of her. Scoring in this race will catapult her to immortality with an impressive championship double of back-to-back juvenile and 3YO scores. A lot will depend on the going. If all goes in her favour she will be a tough nut to crack. One to put on any shortlist.
| Horse : Majestic Scenary | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
The second of three runners in the race coming out of the Shotgun Mike yard. Mjestic Scenary has shown her best qualifying form on a fast dirt track and coming here to contest a challenge final on turf may not quite be to her liking. Six attempts over the trip under qualifying conditions has not yet yielded a win, coming close on a couple of occasions with some good efforts. Contrast that form with what she has achieved when tackling a 1600m distance and you get the impression that a further 200m would put her amongst the favourites. Probably not one to get too excited about against some of the more tried and tested.
| Horse : Outer The Blue | Trainer : Appleyard Estate |
Having dodged a juvenile campaign by virtue of her birth being so close to the end of last season, Outer The Blue will be making her debut in a challenge final. To make up for lost time, she has been a very busy qualifier, racking up thirteen races along the way. Her debut qualifying success has been her only recorded victory in the series, coming on good ground over 1400m at Hong Kong. Many of these were behinnd her on that day and the form looks solid. A repeat performance on similar conditions could see her go close.
| Horse : Winged Goddess | Trainer : Victor Consortio |
The bridesmaid at last season's juvenile sprint, Winged Goddess will be looking to go one better here. She has performed with startling ability on a soft track, never finishing out of the first three in five qualifying runs this season and as a juvenile. Last season I had her on a very short list of possible champions and this season she remains on the shortlist but slightly lower on confidence. Much relies on getting the ground she needs to blitz. Anything less than a bit of rain to soften the ground may result in a below expectation result. That said, she is clearly a contender and has a clear view of runners around her from stall seven.
| Horse : Depths Of My Mind | Trainer : Wrs Stables |
This season's turf track for the final may be a test for Depths Of My Mind. It is no doubt that she is far better suited by dirt and her performance in last season's juvenile Ladbrokes Monthly at the back end of the term, was certainly a high point in her career. Third place without much luck in running over the 1600m trip was special and it is her undoubted class at that trip which will see he well in her career. However, this final is not to her liking and she is going to have to fly to get near some of these.
| Horse : Princess Natalie | Trainer : DerekW10 |
Princess Natalie is of similar mould to Depths Of My Mind. She had the upper hand when scoring the Ladbrokes Monthly last season. Her appearance in the juvenile sprint final caught her out. The trip was on the short side there and although she benefits with an extra 200m in this, a similar outcome could be on the cards. Her yard brought her in with confidence and there is no doubt she will be ready for the race. There has been form to read over distance on soft and good ground however, 1600m suits better on a dirt track.
| Horse : Brilliance | Trainer : Old Inn |
This season's challenge final weekend will see Old Inn saddle their first challenge contenders. Can Brilliance live up to her name and secure a challenge rookie some silverware. Arguably better on a muddy surface, she may find this race tough. The ability is certainly there but whether she has what it takes to nose ahead of some of these is the question. Whatever the outcome, the night will certainly bring joy to her handler.
| Horse : Ember To Inferno | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
Ember To Inferno will have no trouble negotiating the 1400m trip. She has contested mainly in second instance qualifiers but don't let that put you off. A winner on good ground in early qualification has been a highlight of her season. Her draw is a bit of a negative with bundles of pace on her inner. I'm not sure whether she is anywhere near the ability of Elysian Meganova and Majestic Scenary as she was only regarded a consolation runner last term. Nevertheless, the yard have caught me with my pants down before, so I disgard her at my peril.
| Horse : Buffy Theslayer | Trainer : Nightmare Stable |
It is difficult to get enthusiastic about Buffy's chances of slaying this field, looking at current form. She has performed with merit on the odd occassion but for the most part, seems a little below in terms of class, squaring up with some of these. This will, for sure, be her last appearance in a challenge final. Too many wins to go forth to a four year old campaign, we will see her fade into the night sky with a puff of smoke, much like a vampire her namesake has just slaughtered in the popular nineties telly hit.
| Horse : Immortal Kopite | Trainer : Queen Bee |
Immortal Kopite has proved a tough cookie on soft going. It would be a funny, yet permanent reminder of the jovial scouser if his legacy was etched in challenge history. Queen Bee saw enough in the horse to make the purchase at auction and she handles the 1400m trip well. Her recent form has been outstanding! Two wins and a second place in her last three full field qualifiers had the desired effect to get her into this final. She certainly acts well on fast and soft ground, evident by her recent efforts. A likeable horse who always gives her all, will it be enough here?
| Horse : Six Perfections | Trainer : Stable 76 |
She hasn't had the best of it during the qualification series. Whether her luck will change in this final is in the lap of the Gods. An inside draw will certainly keep her on her toes but ultimately, the finish line is unlikely to see her involved in a photo finish for the win. On recent efforts she will have to find quite a bit with most of these.
| Horse : Amber Glory | Trainer : Sky Castle Stables |
Amber Glory does not stand out as a championship contender and is likely to struggle. Her cheap auction price will certainly pay dividends in the long run as she appears to hold very nice ability over a 1600m trip. The colours are certainly represented strong in challenge finals but she would have to rate in the category of also ran.
| Horse : Bow To No One | Trainer : Stardust Racing |
Bow To No One will appear in her first challenge final when they go to post. It is easy to see that there is a lot to find on recent form with most of this field and things could be a little tough for her. She has a qualifying win to her name this season, albeit, a full field third instance. A win is a win though, unfortunately, something that will be amiss here.
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