Intriguing fillies contest at Invercargill

The Group 3 Caduceus Club of Southland Pace for two year old fillies is one of the highlights of the harness racing meeting at Ascot Park on Saturday.

The Northern Southland Trotting Club should be congratulated for bringing together such a great card with great depth in a lot of the races and the Caduceus Club Pace should be one of the highlights.

Unlike a lot of the juvenile races this season, twelve runners are carded to start which is a great result for the club.

The All Stars barn only has one runner involved in the race which may go some way to explaining the bigger field.

On exposed form, the Canterbury visitors may have an edge here and so we thought we would highlight the leading chances as we see them and in the order that we rate them.

Delightful Memphis

Could not have been more impressive on debut than she was in the Leonard Memorial where she broke 56 seconds for the last 800 metres while working around the field.

That followed on from two outstanding trials in Canterbury and with natural improvement from her first lifetime race, you would expect she would be better again here.

The draw of two second line poses a slight query but still a clear first pick here

Renske B 

Very smart win first up at Timaru where she got up after sitting parked the whole way and running her last 800 metres in a sharp 55.4

Didn't seem quite as sharp second up in the Leonard Memorial after doing all the work in front so maybe the first run just took the edge off her.

Lovely barrier draw of four should see her try for the front early and if Delightful Memphis has any traffic problems from her second line draw, then Renske B will pounce.

Kotare Yarra

Has looked very smart at trials and workouts in Canterbury.

Went 1:58.1 at Ashburton when she defeated Delightful Memphis and ran a huge trial at Rangiora recently when a close up fifth after giving them a huge start early.

Her debut run in the Leonard Memorial was full of merit as she looped the field from last mid race and stuck on really well for fifth.

She has had no luck again with the draw but has the ability to be a major player here.

A must for trifecta and first four players

Ariadne Lavra

The big improver at trials in Canterbury in the last few weeks for trainer Mark Jones.

Her win over a field of older maidens last week at the Rangiora trials was very impressive.

Her closing sectionals of 56.2 and 27 even were done with ease and she seemed to have more to offer.

Has drawn well at three and if anything goes wrong with the favourites ,she will be the one to benefit.

Must include in trifectas and first fours.

Seaswift Joy

Another filly who hasn't had much luck in her two starts to date.

A good third at Timaru to Renske B when they ran home in 55.4 off the front was followed up by a game 4th in the Leonard where she sat parked for a good part of the journey.

Has looked good at trials when allowed to bowl along in front but keeps drawing poorly at the races.

One second line is no help yet again but can run in four here with a bit of luck in the running. 

From there on the field looks decidedly even but we would be surprised if the first three home in the Caduceus Club Pace weren't in the five fillies we have highlighted.

Harnesslink Media