Miss Leopatra races into Derby and Oaks Contention

Star filly Miss Leopatra (Bettors Delight) served notice of better things to come with a comprehensive win in the Group 3 $50,000 Daintys Daughter three year old fillies classic at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

Expected to lead from barrier 5, Miss Leopatra’s driver Jocelyn Young had little option when War Cry kicked up along her inside to hold her out. Rather than continue pressing for the lead Young was content to sit outside the leader with A Precious Gem one out and one back. The other quality filly Skinny Dippin was back in the field one out.

Despite having the hard run Miss Leopatra always looked strong. Deni Roberts made her run on Skinny Dippin three wide with a lap left to travel but although sprinted up towards the leaders couldn’t maintain the momentum.

MISS LEOPATRA 18 SEP REPLAY 

Miss Leopatra quickly got the upper hand to lead along the back straight but she was being followed by A Precious Gem who had enjoyed the perfect run. But showing her true qualities Miss Leopatra lifted in the home straight ran out a comfortable winner over A Precious Gem with Skinny Dippin a close third just ahead of her stablemate Manuka Bay.

Young was effusive in her praise of Miss Leopatra.

She’s a really impressive animal. I’ve obviously got a lot of time for her, and she just keeps proving why.

She was pretty good. Like, she come back to me, but the leader was kicking the wheels, so that did stir her up a little bit. But I think that doesn’t really bother her. Like, she’s probably better when she’s up and switched on, and she’s got such a high cruising speed that she’s happy to do that.

Trained by Cameron Ross Miss Leopatra has really struck form this time in as a three year old with six wins from nine starts and an overall stake of $103,020.

In the latest rankings for the Group 1 WA Derby on 30 October she is currently number 12 and is the highest graded filly. Whether or not she can match it with the likes of Im Stealthy, D Mac and Ideal Beach is an issue but there’s no doubting her stamina and determination to win and the 2500 metres shouldn’t prove to be an obstacle for her.

But in just two weeks time beckons the Group 1 WA Oaks and she is bound to start favourite. However Skinny Dippin is bound to be thereabouts and if she drew more favourably than Miss Leopatra she would prove very hard to beat. Whatever the race should be a fascinating event.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink