3 minute read

Well-bred Ida can make it back-to-back wins when she steps out at Wyong today.

Ida was a good winner last time, stepping out at Gosford and putting away a maiden field with a good deal of authority under jockey Sam Clipperton.

Clipperton keeps the ride going into today and that has to be seen as a positive as he is currently riding in good form, his recent strike-rate of 16 per cent full of merit given that it is carnival time in Sydney.

A big part of Clipperton's recent success has come about through his relationship with John O'Shea and Godolphin.

Clipperton has had 115 rides for O'Shea this season and has been able to strike at 18 per cent with the stable, losing just 6% on turnover when sporting the royal blue.

Another plus for the chances of Ida is the soft ground.

Her first attempt on soft going resulted in that strong last start win and cut in the track may be a big plus for her.

Cut in the track can favour key danger Sheer Style as well but just how well she is travelling must be a huge query.

Sheer Style was a smart juvenile and the pick of her form last season would be winning this race quite comfortably.

In two runs this time in she has been a long way below that level, though, and she comes here with plenty to prove now.

Another with ratings to prove a big threat is Montrer Dame but again on profile she will do well to trouble Ida.

She's shown a good deal of ability but she's shown it over slightly further than today's 1100m trip and she promises to be at her best when getting out to the mile and perhaps further.

Spotting Ida a head start and running her down here will prove no easy task.