Last season’s Champion 2yo Filly Majmu has it all to at the weights in the Gr3 Starling Stakes
If past results of the Starling Stakes are anything to go by, then it’s best to take a wide berth of race favourites. And while you are at it, also ignore the effect of the draw in this 1400m race.
The last six runnings of the race have thrown up winners at 33/1, 20/1, 14/1, 8/1, 5/1 and one favourite – Sidera in 2009, at 28/10 (that was the year when 100/1 shot Valley Of Rubies ran into the trifecta). The winners came from draws as wide as 15 (Kiribati in 2008, at 33/1) and 10 (Sarasota last year, at 20/1). Pole position featured only once, when Success Counts won in 2010 – at 14/1, with the runners-up drawn at 12 and 14.
Let’s see what this year’s race has in store for the 3yo classic generation of fillies.
All eyes will be on last season’s Champion 2yo Filly Majmu. She made her seasonal debut a month ago, over 1450m on the tight inner track here. Racing from well off the pace in a field of thirteen, and seemingly full of running with 400m to go, she failed to get a clear passage and that was that. Her fourth place, just over a length behind the winner, was no reflection of her ability. She ran some 20 points below her best 2yo rating, and will be out to restore her champion’s reputation in this race. With top-weight of 58kg that may not be entirely straightforward.
Stiff opposition should come from her stable companion One Fine Day, who showed great promise during her Natal-winter campaign. She ran third to Alboran Sea in the Allan Robertson, when interfered with. That was followed with a second place to Afrikaburn over 1400m on July-day, where the impression was that left things too late. The daughter of Trippi made her seasonal debut as a 3yo two weeks ago over 1000m, winning in a canter against modest opposition. If she recaptures her Allan Robertson form, she’ll give Majmu plenty to think about – there’s 4kg difference in the weights here.
Flame Cat had a busy campaign as a 2yo, showing mostly consistent and highclass form, racing against the best fillies around. Her two most recent starts of the new season were both wins at short odds, and she looks in fine form. With 56kg her task is a tough one.
Narrowly beaten by Flame Cat last time out was Pennington Sands. That was the seasonal debut for the daughter of Mogok, who at her last 2yo start finished less than 3 lengths behind Same Jurisdiction and Carry On Alice, both among leaders of the 2yo generation. She carries just 52kg here, and if she can recapture the form of that last 2yo race she has a winning chance here.
Kileigh won her last two starts as a 2yo, then followed up with another win on her seasonal debut early in October. Her race ratings have increased with each win, and she seems likely to further improve on it here. Her task isn’t easy with 56kg, though.
Sean Tarry and Piere Strydom team up with the unbeaten Siren’s Call. This homebred daughter of Elusive Fort won her second start two weeks ago, over a mile. She carries 54kg here, and doesn’t need to improve a whole lot on her last effort to have a good winning chance here.
Siren’s Call scored by three-quarters from Smart Call last time, over a mile, at level weights. Smart Call is 2kg better off here, and has the services of Khumalo. That could be enough to turn the tables, although Siren’s Call could be the one with more room for improvement.
Impressive on debut – Drifting Dusk
Another to take seriously is Drifting Dusk. This daughter of Dynasty and classic racefilly Fading Light made her debut over 1200m in the middle of October. Backed to 12/10 favourite in a field of twelve, she sauntered home by seven lengths. She could be anything, and with just 52kg here must be taken seriously. She drawn wide at 13, but as we know that is more an advantage than a hinder in the history of this race.
Trainer Corne Spies saddles two runners, Sarve and Fire Dancing. The latter finished less than 2 lengths behind Flame Cat and Pennington Sands last time out. That was the first run on turf for the National Emblem filly. With that experience she could well improve on her rating.
The remaining runners look relatively well exposed, and appear to have stiff tasks, even though most are bottom weighted with 52kg to give them some help.
In summary, a most interesting contest with an eye on the big races for 3yo fillies to come. Majmu will be expected to find the winning trail again, but on ratings she’s is anything but a good thing with 58kg. One Fine Day and Pennington Sands make as much appeal as Majmu, not to forget likely improvers Drifting Dusk and Siren’s Call. Opportunity knocks! All deserve to be included in exotic bets. And remember, history shows this isn’t a race for favourites…
