Hawthorne 28 December 2006
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The inside posts have been advantageous here in recent times and DR. NICOLE could be hard to beat from a handy position two from the rail. James Divito has sent out plenty of winners recently and this one is sure to appreciate an ease in class having been highly tried on his last two starts. Count Sheep is better than recent efforts suggest and could run well at a big price.
Secret S never looked at home over sprint trips and is more interesting now trying a longer distance. However, she has a bit to find with the form principals and ANGELA'S WISH is preferred. She made a promising debut when well supported for a similar C&D event earlier this month and is expected to have improved for that experience. Mis Vietoria drops in class and is likely to be popular.
A weak looking contest which should go the way of NEGRO NOCHE. James Divito's filly was a disappointing favourite last time, but that run may be best forgotten as she was found to have bled mid-race and her previous C&D form will make her very tough to beat at this level. Morgie Lou Who and Scenic Pine look the biggest dangers.
Speed figures point to the chance of Purple Jade, however, he was beaten in a weaker event last time and may be worth opposing. More solid claims look to be held by NATIVE TELL, who was runner-up against similar opposition when last in action. He has been off the track since July but the yard have a good record with horses returning from a break and a sharp workout earlier in the week offers encouragement.
On his penultimate start, ZEALOUS was seen getting her head in front in a much more valuable contest than this and she will be hard to beat if anywhere near that form. Gregory Geier's filly is handily positioned for one that likes to be amongst the early pace and she is preferred to Mak Macy Mo and Hopeitsadiamond.
JOVIAL ANGEL comes here right at the top of her game and is taken to go one better than when runner-up here in November. Joel Berndt's representative has proved thoroughly consistent in this grade and, along with Cash Mama, boasts the highest speed figure over this 6f trip. Cash Mama won last time and remains unexposed so has to be given the utmost respect.
Ralph Martinez's string are firing on all cylinders at present and that good run can be continued by DEPENDABILITY. A seven-time winner in just twenty-one career starts, she is a model of consistency and comes here on the back of two impressive displays in similar events. Sole Of The City is also in good heart and warrants consideration.
A wide open contest on paper, in which GARESCHE is only a tentative selection. Andrew Hansen's inmate was behind today's opponent Battle Tank last time but doesn't have much ground to make up and is entitled to improve for that run, which came following more than a year on the sidelines. Several of the others were also in behind that day but few can be ruled out if running up to their best.
Skip Around hasn't gone on as expected since making a winning debut in October, however, this is the lowest level she has competed at and support in the betting would be interesting. Stronger recent form is offered by MOVED though and she looked like a drop down in trip would suit when third over slightly further last time. Explosive Pride has scope for improvement but the widest draw is a worry.
