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Crafty Irna from the Ron Quinton yard looks set to break a long winless drought when she takes her place in the $100,000 La Gioconda Stakes (1600m) at Wyong today.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The group 3 winning mare has only managed the two wins in 21 starts but comes into the race with handy form, running a slashing second behind Dystopia in the listed Toy Show Quality (1300m) when resuming last start.
The step up in trip for this will suit and although her record of no placings from five starts at the mile does not look pretty, a majority of those have come in group and listed company.
Crafty Irna is well on top on weight adjusted Timeform ratings and the form out the Toy Show looks the best to follow into this. She was only narrowly edged out on that occasion and with and extra 300m to work with she will be getting to the line well.
Top jockey Nash Rawiller will take the ride for the first time replacing apprentice jockey Sam Clipperton who has done a good job.
Dreamworker comes into the race through the Toy Show as well, running eighth on that occasion after missing the start and working home well over the final 100m.
She will also appreciate the extra trip having won over the mile previously and should improve on what she produced last start.
The daughter of Encosta De Lago is unlikely to use the good barrier as she likes to get back in the run but will be fighting out the finish.
Delzara also rates a mention in this, following up a good win at Flemington with a moderate effort at Rosehill last start. She goes well at the trip and a repeat of her effort at Flemington will see her in the mix.
The two interesting runners of the field are Think Mink and Tigress Lily.
Think Mink has mixed her form since coming to Australia from New Zealand and John O’Shea has elected to put the blinkers on for the first time. She has had a freshen up since a moderate effort at Canberbury last start and will want to improve on that.
Tigress Lily resumes from a spell in ordinary fashion when only beating the one runner home in the Toy Show but her best form would see her in the mix here.
She was sent for a spell after running fourth behind Fibrillation in the listed Aspiration a race that Crafty Irna finished second in after having no luck and I expect her to finish behind her again today.
Enjoy the race.