Battle royal on the cards in Ladyship Mile

Harness racings big day on Sunday at Menangle features several great clashes and we thought we would preview them all this week with a runner by runner assessment

First up is the Ladyship Mile.

1) Frith – Starts 40 –  Wins 30 – Seconds 6 -Thirds 2  –  Stakes $819,572

Frith is surprisingly only having her third lifetime start over a mile, all of which have been at Menangle with her best time to date being 1:53

We are not convinced the one draw suits her that much as say two or three as there is plenty of gate speed outside Frith and she may end up getting crossed at the start.

She is a great stayer but hasn't had a run for a month so question marks remain about her race fitness but her class will take her a long way.

One of Adore Me's two biggest  threats.

2) Pas Ultimate Delight – Starts – 41 – Wins 12 – Seconds 4 – Thirds 6  –  Stakes $134,411

Has continued to improve since coming to Australia but this still looks a bit rich at this stage. 

Does have a best time of 1:52.3 and from her draw of two we think Lauren will make a serious play for the front early but we are of the opinion Pas Ultimate Delight is better driven with a sit and we give her an outside first  four chance if she is driven like that.

3) Dynamite Denn Nee – Starts 90 – Wins 17 – Seconds 15 – Thirds 12 – Stakes $181,628  (2nd Emrg)

Has been in good touch lately including a second to Frith two starts back so probably unlucky to be on the ballot but is unlikely to get a start. Rough first four player if she did.

4) Beauty Secret – Starts 54 – Wins 24 – Seconds – 9 – Thirds 4  –  Stakes $ 393,451

Will come into barrier three if there are no scratchings and from there she is a real danger to the two favourites. 

Has real gate speed if Gavin Lang wants to use it and can also run a big half if held up as she showed in the Robin Dundee on Miracle Mile night where she brushed home in 54 flat in front.

Has the all round game to trouble the two favourites and with Gavin in the bike you just know he will give her the run that she needs.

5) Major Foxy Styx – Starts – 24 – Wins 11 – Seconds 4 – Thirds – 1  –  Stakes $197,830 

Has built up a great record in Perth and stamped that form with a win in the Ladyship Cup at Melton on Hunter Cup night beating amongst others Beauty Secret. 

However  she did get a dream run that night and even with the mercurial Luke McCarthy in the bike we can't see her winning the race on Sunday with the three favourites having a class edge but she is still a definite first four player for us.

6) Tact Hayleys Delight – Starts 72 – Wins 11 – Seconds 15 – Thirds – 6  –  Stakes $160,016

In career best form at the moment but from the draw we think she has a hard job to get some of this.

We think she will have to go back from the draw and try to have one run at them late in the race but we can't see her rolling over the top of  the favourites and for us she is an outside place chance at best.

7) Laterron – Starts 82 – Wins 16 – Seconds 16 – Thirds 11  –  Stakes $173,515 – ( 1st Emer )

Produced a great run when a handy fourth to Adore Me in the Brian Hancock Cup on Saturday night and her connections must feel slightly aggrieved to be on the ballot. 

Laterron has beaten Elusive Chick home the last three times they have met and that combined with the run in the Brian Hancock Cup should have seen her make the field.

Great place chance if she gains re-entry into the field.

8) Courageousnquick – Starts 42 – Wins 16 – Seconds 6 – Thirds 4  –  Stakes $204,352

Quality mare who has just had two runs back from a spell but the draw has negated her biggest asset which is her blinding gate speed.

We still think that Anthony Butt will press the go button early and if she happened to get the front she would present all kind of problems for Frith.

Definite place chance if "Ants" can work his magic early

9) Rathmore Lady – Starts 76 – Wins 17 – Seconds 19 – Thirds 8  –  Stakes $147,976 

On her day a very handy mare but is inconsistent and can throw the toys out of the cot every now and again.

On her best behaviour she would be a rough first four chance but the draw and the quality of the field leads us to think she has a mountain to climb. 

Not for us.

10) Pemberton Shard – Starts 55 – Wins 11 – Seconds 7 – Thirds 11  –  Stakes $212 997

If there is a smokey in this years race then Pemberton Shard is it for us.

A mile is maybe a touch short of her best but she is a super tough mare who needs the speed on and that's exactly what she will get on Sunday.

Has struggled to cope with Adore Me in New Zealand but then again who hasn't  and has gone some great races in behind her in mares races.

Dexter Dunn in the bike is a big plus and she is a big first four player for us.

11) Elusive Chick – Starts 57 – Wins 13 – Seconds 11 – Thirds 11  –  Stakes $389,147

A high quality mare who was in good form earlier in the season but whose form has tapered off badly with her only placing in her last six starts a win in a five horse field just before Xmas.

Throw in the draw for a mare who likes to race on the speed and we struggle to see her running in four.

Not for us.

12) Adore Me – Starts 34 – Wins 25 – Seconds 4 – Thirds 2  –  Stakes $1,503,429 

A great racemare who has the same visitors draw as she had last year when she was beaten.

The field this year is stronger in our opinion but Adore Me has gone to another level this season as well.

This year the All Stars team have arrived earlier and given her a run leading into the race which is all a positive in our book.

The change of driver took us by surprise a bit but Natalie has been in unbelievable form this season in New Zealand and the change is a plus not a minus in our view.

Clear first pick for us even from the draw.

Selections

Adore Me is a clear first pick for us

In the end we couldn't separate Frith and Beauty Secret for second even if logic said Frith

Others to throw into multiples include Courageousnquick, Pemberton Shard, Major Foxy Styx and if you are going a bit wider Tact Hayleys Delight.

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