Cap D’Antibes Stakes – 2023

Track: Good  Weather: Fine

There is a massive field of 20 plus 4 emergencies for this year’s race. Seven runners had their last start in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield on 19th August and two in the Group 2 Furious Stakes over 1200m at Randwick on 2nd September, while the rest all came through different races. Three runners are sired by Shalaa, three by I Am Invincible and two by Rich Enuf. Several trainers have 2 runners.

The visitors draw conspiracy strikes again as the 2 outside barriers in the massive field go to South Australian and Queensland runners.  Betting is fairly open and the early favourite is  Queensland filly Skirt The Law who resumed for 2nd in the Quezette and has 3 wins from 5 starts. Second favourite is Estriella who was a close 2nd in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes at her latest start. Third favourite is South Australian Stretan Angel who won the Listed Dequetteville Stakes at her second start but has drawn the widest barrier. Steel City hasn’t started since running 11th in the Group 1 Golden Slipper in March. The rest of the runners are currently $15 or more.

1. Ulanova (3)

Resumed for 7th in the Quezette Stakes. Might need another run before she shows her best

2. Steel City (2)

Hasn’t started since running 11th in the Group 1 Golden Slipper in March. Won the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes over 1200m at Rosehill in her first preparation, so obviously has ability.

3. Skirt The Law (23)

Tony Gollan filly who resumed for 2nd in the Quezette and has 3 wins from 5 starts. The barrier is no help. Winning chance.

4. Saltaire (6)

Resumes here and has shown potential in trials. Rough place chance.

5. Appin Girl (4)

Won her first 2 starts by good margins before 0.2 length 3rd in the Group 2 Champagne Classic over 1200m at Doomben. Serious player.

6. Princess Duhallow (20)

One of 3 runners sired by Shalaa (the others are Rose Of Shalaa and Catahoula). Finished last in the Quezette and this looks too strong.

7. Show Royale (19)

Won her first 2 starts before resuming for 9th in the Quezette. Gets blinkers on for the first time but the wide barrier makes her look unlikely.

8. Stretan Angel (24)

She won the Listed Dequetteville Stakes at her second start but has drawn the widest barrier. Her racing pattern in both her starts has been to come from the back of the field and run on very strongly at the end, so the wide barrier might not hurt her chances. A winning chance.

9. Shesallshenanigans (12)

Has 3 wins from 6 starts but would prefer her in something easier.

10. Cigar Flick (14)

I feel she has a Group win in her but with her being ridden at the back of the field one race then at the front the next I’ll wait until they have her fully worked out. In the mix.

11. Dubenenko (5)

Hasn’t started since 2 lengths 3rd in the Listed Oaklands Plate over 1400m at Morphettville Parks on 15th July. Place chance.

12. Tiz Enuf (22)

One of 2 runners sired by Rich Enuf (the other is Claymore Mine). She has 2 wins from 4 starts and was 3 lengths 5th in the Quezette. Drawn barrier 22 and likes to lead so may have to go very hard at the start. Sneaky chance.

13. Claymore Mine (10)

Winner of her only start over 1200m at Mornington on 22 April. This is much harder.

14. Rose Of Shalaa (16)

Resumes from a 19 week spell and having her first metropolitan run. Not the worst.

15. Estriella (9)

One of 3 runners sired by I Am Invincible (the others are Sicilian and Moesha). She was a close 2nd in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes over 1200m at Randwick at her latest start on 19th August. One of the main chances.

16. Sicilian (15)

Ran 3rd in the Quezette and has good early speed. Should make her presence felt.

17. Hell Queen (18)

Only beat one runner home when resuming in the Furious Stakes. Unlikely.

18. Iphimedia (21)

Finished well back at Moonee Valley in a fillies race when resuming. This looks too strong.

19. Fragile Love (11)

Has 2 wins and a 2nd from her 3 starts. Could surprise.

20. Sheva (17)

Won a maiden at Geelong last start. This is much harder.

21e. Picky (1)

Last start winner of a Ballarat maiden at start number 7. Gets the rails but will find this too tough.

22e. Celestial Storm (8)

Looking to others.

23e. Catahoula (7)

Bendigo maiden winner last start. Not here.

24e. Moesha (13)

Prefer others.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo Jackson’s Tips	Lewis Oliver’s Tips
8 Stretan Angel	8 Stretan Angel
3 Skirt The Law	3 Skirt The Law
5 Appin Girl	2 Steel City
15 Estriella	15 Estriella

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	9 Shesallshenanigans
2nd	8 Stretan Angel	0.2 length
3rd	3 Skirt The Law	1.7 lengths
4th	6 Princess Duhallow	1.9 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 1. Ulanova, 5. Appin Girl, 10. Cigar Flick, 18. Iphimedia, 24e. Moesha.