La Trice Classic – 2023

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 9 mares lining up for the $150,000 La Trice Classic. There are three 4YOs, two 5YOs, one 6YO,  one 7YO and two 8YOs. Four runners had their last start in the Listed Starstruck Classic over 1600m at Ascot on 17 December while the others all came via different races. Trainer Darren McAuliffe has two runners.

The early favourite is Starstruck Classic winner Alsephina who has won 8 of her 10 starts, including her last 5 in a row. Second favourite is The Velvet Queen who won over 1500m at Ascot last outing on 24 December. Third favourite is Sentimental Queen who finished 1.8 lengths 5th in the Starstruck Classic. Playing Marika was 2nd in this race last year and comes off 3rd in the Starstruck Classic, while Gunmetal Grey finished 2nd in the Starstruck Classic with the best final 400m of the meeting. The other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Jadavi (9)

This 8YO mare has raced at this distance 3 times for 2 wins. She has had 4 starts this campaign and finished in the back half of the field each time. Her latest was 11th in the Ted Van Heemst Stakes over 2100m on 17 December. Gets blinkers on for the first time. Prefer others.

2. Solaia (5)

One of two runners for trainer Darren McAuliffe. This 5YO has ran 4th at her last 3 starts, with the latest 2.2 lengths 4th over 1800m at Ascot on 24 December. Not the worst.

3. Alsephina (4)

Starstruck Classic winner. She has won 8 of her 10 starts, including her last 5 in a row, and placed at her other 2 starts. She has raced at Ascot 5 times for 5 wins. William Pike has ridden her for her last 3 starts and stays with her. Looks the likely winner. The query is the 1800m as she hasn’t been over further than 1650m before. Should win.

4. Pat’s Got Sass (3)

Faded to finish 4.1 lengths 10th last start over 1600m at Ascot on 17 December. Big mare that tries hard and does have a Group 2 placing on her resume.

5. Sentimental Queen (2)

Resumed from a 32 week spell for 1.8 lengths 5th in the Starstruck Classic. Goes well second-up and has won at this distance. Serious player.

6. Playing Marika (6)

This 7YO Playing God mare was 2nd in this race last year. She comes off 3rd in the Starstruck Classic where she was running on strongly and is in the mix here.

7. The Velvet Queen (8)

Won over 1500m at Ascot last outing on 24 December to give her 2 wins from 3 starts this campaign. She fanned widest on the turn and ran on very strongly to get up on the line. Should figure in the finish.

8. Gunmetal Grey (1)

Finished 2nd in the Starstruck Classic with the best final 400m of the meeting. She has 3 wins from 27 starts with one win at 1100m and 2 at 1200m, but her performance last outing suggests the 1800m won’t be a problem

9. Alimentaria (7)

This 8YO has 5 wins from 36 starts over 1600m to 2100m. She hasn’t won at Ascot in 9 runs here. Looking elsewhere.

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

Jo’s Tips
3 Alsephina
7 The Velvet Queen
8 Gunmetal Grey
6 Playing Marika