By MIKE DILLON
Deebee Belle looks a great each-way value bet at Ellerslie today.
The underrated filly became even more underrated when she finished a luckless fifth behind Singalong in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa last start.
In unquestionably the most even line-up of 3-year-old fillies all season, Deebee Belle is in the right place to seek out the group-rated success she so richly deserves.
Elevenses has a wide barrier to contend with but with anything like a fair crack in running she can be right in this finish. So too can Gordon's, with Ma Victoire the real value runner for trifecta punters.
If Deebee Belle is a good bet in a group two race, it makes Chablis (No2, R3) a pretty good prospect in maiden class. Chablis finished less than two lengths behind Deebee Belle when fifth in the Avondale Guineas in December then turned in an even effort behind eventual Derby winner Hail in the Derby Trial. He was freshened and probably needed the run when third in maiden class at Counties last start, in which he drew awkwardly wide.
At 58kg Regency (No1, R2) has a fair bit of weight for a mare, but she also has a touch of class and coming in fresh she looks well placed here. She was not entirely suited by the easy track for the two races she had at the Ellerslie carnival.
The Hawtin/Rogerson stable has long felt Blanchard (No7, R5) is a coming cups mare and she did nothing to dispel that confidence when she raced away to win easily at Te Rapa last start. This is a little bit tougher, but on 54kg she is well placed to repeat. Ismailia (No1) has the weight, but also a touch of class.
At only her second start back from a spell Showella (No9, R8) is a race short of her absolute best in the big event of the day, but Frank and Craig Ritchie have her fit enough to go close to winning with the right sort of luck. Showella is all class and from a useful No5 barrier draw should get the perfect run. The No 11 barrier is going to be tough for She's A Meanie (No8), but she has Lance O'Sullivan to find her a passage and if he can do that she is probably not going to miss the trifecta. Lord Presto (No5) is badly off under this weight scale, but from his inside barrier is going to get the lovely sit until the last 150m and that could see him in the placings.
Mabuz (No14, R9) is a coming superstar and will be all the rage to make it five from five. But there is a word of warning that One Under (No3) is five lengths better than anything Mabuz has struck so far. The No 12 barrier probably makes it difficult for One Under, but if she can get a crack at them in the home straight she will prove difficult to contain. She races in blinkers today after proving field shy behind Sunline at Te Rapa. Back Mabuz, but save in the trifecta on One Under.
Krystal Klear (No2, R10) did well to finish fourth behind Mabuz at Te Rapa last start in a too-short 1200m and after being wide on the home bend. She jumps up to a much more suitable 1600m this time and while there are plenty of winning chances, she has shown she is better than useful.
Racing: Underrated filly should be the Belle of the ball in tough, even field
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