Last seasons winner: Black Firenze from Galloping Ghost
The winner does not need any introduction!! Words won’t do it justice. Ran 30 times at 3, winning an outstanding 20 times and at one point had won 17 times in 22 races

Tarynfightsherbattle from Taylorandtarynsachin
Last race: Cal 1 1/8 Turf Firm – DDCQ 3rd
Started her racing life at 3, making it to the hugely difficult Eliminator semi-final. Run an amazing 40 races this season, and still showing top class form. Some horses love to race!!
29 Qualifying races over sprint and classic distances, culminated in these impressive stats:
Runs 29, wins 8, 2nd 8, Place 7
Dirt form is spattered with some decent form, but not prolific enough to be considered favourite for me. Her class will get her through favourably, but will be tough to beat a pure dirt class act.


Better Half Irish from Galloping Ghostsachin
Last race: Bel 1 1/4 Dirt fast – Candy Cane G3 2nd
In contrast to the first horse, this beautifully bred filly from Galloping Ghost has just 13 lifetime runs: winning 6 from 9 qualifying races. Won the Preakness over distance and going and form is second to none coming into this race. Firm favourite given her favoured surface and terrific form, she will most likely lead from start to finish. Beautiful filly.


Scream Out Loud from Pancho Racing Stablessachin
Last race: Bel 1m Turf Yield – fOpenAlw 3rd
4th in this season eliminator gave her a tough start to her career but used it as a platform for some great runs, winning almost a third of her races, including 2 qualification races. At home on the dirt, she put in a huge performance 4 races back over 1 ¼ dirt, so stamina is no issue here and she can use that, along with her front running style to get amongst the principles. Slight concerns are how will both her and Better half Irish contest the lead and what will it take from them?


Dazzling Tigress from Bobby Dazzlersachin
Last Race: Bel 1m Turf Firm – Xmas dashing 6th
One of very few that started racing at 2. At first glance her form is average, with lots of ‘almost in the money’ runs. But look closer and see that she has only run 2 times on Dirt fast, finishing 4th on both occasions. She has Dirt fast today, over her optimum trip and might spring a surprise here and will certainly give the Dazzler from the Emerald Isle a good run for his money

Lotto Winner from Indunasachin
Last race: SA Dirt Mud – fClm50000DD 4th
Recent auction purchase from Greeko Holdem, she has some nice-looking early season form, winning the G1 Oaks, however her form has dropped, liked many, towards the business end of the season. She has been comprehensively beaten her last 4 runs, but her season form shows gaps like this from where she recovers to produce some top class runs. Best form over dirt and 5 top grade wins she won’t be without a chance but will need everything to fall right against a few of these


Hot Fudge Malt from Sweet Stablessachin
Last race: Cal 1 1/8 Turf Firm – DDCQ 6th
Another, who, if you take her off track record away, has put in some top notch performances, notably in the VBC G2.Failed to win 14 qualifying races and not won for 18 races and thus hard to make a case for the win, but she is capable to get in the money in this race, given frailties of some here. However, I think she may end up being the best of the rest.

Beautiful Mind from Pancho Racing Stablessachin
Last race: Cal 5f Dirt good – XMAS Red Sled G2
Prolific scorer for trainer Pancho, she came on to the championship stage late in her 3 year career. Winner of 5 of her 12 qualification runs, she comes here with 3 wins in the last 4 races and had a genuinely nice lead up race to the final, winning the XMAS G2. I have a slight feeling she is more a long sprinter and although won at 1 1/8 she may find some of these too sharp. If she can compete over this distance and particularly at this level, she has an outstanding chance


Primrose Everdeen from Galloping Ghostsachin
Last race: Cal 1 1/8 Turf Firm – fAlw 2nd
Another that started racing at 3, trainers show amazing patience placing these animals sometimes. More patience shown by Galloping Ghost in the fact he didn’t rush this filly straight into championships; let her show her level and ability and then act upon it. This filly has not won a qualifying race but has loaded up on place money on several occasions. A pure dirt runner, she always seems to find one too good and that will be the case again here, where the very best at 1 1/8 dirt meet up. With 2 likely speedy front runners, she may find herself way back and struggle to make the ground up at the business end of the race.


Oatmeal Cookie from Sweet Stablessachin
Last race: SA 6f Dirt Fast – fOpenAlwDD 3rd
Won her first 4 races, all in the eliminator, which is an amazing feat, and take her last 4 runs away and she would be among the favourites, but those poor runs, albeit at the highest level, left her with work to do here. Won the G1 VBBC and 3 qualifying races this season, she has ability, but it is a case of whether she still retains that after 4 very tough races or needs a rest. If she is drawn low, she will have a great chance, if running back to form, but she will struggle, as shown historically, from a mid to high draw.

Seaside Fun from Chrismansachin
Last race: Cal 1 1/8 Turf Firm – DDCQ 2nd
Changed hands twice this season, ending up with Chrisman in this final. Run predominantly in claimers, Chrisman gave her a chance at the top level and qualified after just 3 runs with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd, but all on turf. Only one run at 1 1/8 dirt fast, in a 20k claimer and that just is not good enough for a final of the reputation. The fact she seems at home in high level claimers and the final is dirt, she is going to struggle here.


Better Half Irish
Beautiful Mind
Tarynfightsherbattle