Chantilly Lace picked in the Manawatu Classic
Investigate worth a bet
CHANTILLY LACE is my selection to win the Manawatu Classic at Trentham on Saturday. She was disappointing in the Oaks last time but I would give her the benefit of the doubt because she raced in the Lowland Stakes at Taupo 8 days earlier and maybe the quick backup did not suit. Chantilly Ace is a wet track specialist so rain will help her. MOONLIGHT MAGIC and WREN are interesting runners from the Andrew Forsman stable. They both ran in the NZ Oaks last time. Moonlight Magic at her 6th start and Wren at her 5th start. Both fillies are in with a show here. JUST AS SHARP ran 4th in the Derby. He is the top rated horse in the race by a long way. At R78, he is 9 points ahead of Chantilly Ace who is the second top rated, but just like Chantilly Lace has not won for a wee while. INVESTIGATE is the improver. He was an easy winner of a New Plymouth maiden when successful as the odds-on favourite. He could just be the three year old find of the season as far as the stayers go. Will we see him compete in the Queensland Derby in June? If he wins this the answer will be probably.
My verdict is to back Chantilly Lace if wet but Investigate if the going is not too bad, say a soft 7 or better.
Manawatu Classic 3YO 2000m G3
YEAR WINNER LAST RACE RATING
2023 ARBY 6th Levin Turf Classic 65
2022 AMALFI PRINCE Second R65 Mata 64
2021 JOY ALONE 6th MAAT Ellerslie 62
2020 No race (covid lockdown)
2019 THE CHOSEN ONE 11th NZ Derby 74
2018 SHERIFF 2nd 3YO Ellerslie 67
2017 CHARLES ROAD 6th NZ Derby 73
2016 HUMIDOR unpl NZ Derby 63
2015 EXQUISITE JEWEL 4th NZ Oaks 78
2014 LADY CUMQUAT 3rd Ellerslie 67
2013 SURVIVED R75 Rotorua 75
2012 MALANDRINO R65 Te Awamutu 71
Favourites tend to do well in this race with The Chosen One, Sheriff, Charles Road, Humidor, and Lady Cumquat all being favourites while Malandrino was 2nd favourite.
Five of the last six winners last raced at Group one level last time.
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