E.P Taylor Stakes 2012

9.38 Woodbine

E.P. Taylor Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner $572,100

Advice: 1 pt win Princess Highway (4/1 general)

Stars To Shine: Well beaten runs in Beverley D and Spinster Stakes suggest that she’s not good enough, and that seems backed up by her inability to give 6lbs and beating to Barefoot Lady in Candian Stakes here latest.

Pagera: Would have been extremely interesting if this race was taking place on soft ground, and not far behind Siyouma in what’s turning out to be exceptionally strong form in French Group 2 back in May; That said, hasn’t gone as forward as Siyouma since and others preferred here.

Siyouma: Progressive this season and 10 furlong third in Saint Cloud Group 2 proven kickstart to two good group 1 efforts, first when behind Elusive Kate and third in Falmouth (heavy ground) before fifth in Prix Jean Romanet; Given excellent ride to win Sun Chariot Stakes from front and one does wonder if that trip suits her best but will be thereabouts on form anyway.

Barefoot Lady: Tremendously tough filly who got what can only be called her just deserts when taking Grade 2 Canadian Stakes here, although she was heavily favoured by the weights and is now badly in.

Dream Peace: Close third in last year’s race and possibly unlucky not to win having suffered interference late on and been in good form since, unlucky not to win Flower Bowl latest; Should go very close for new connections.

Moment Of Majesty: Well behind Barefoot Lady latest and not close enough to her on that occasions to turn around the form here even off 5lbs better terms; Passed over.

All Star Heart: Runner up to Barefoot Lady latest but forced to give 6lbs at the weights, so expect comprehensive reversal of the form today; Unproven over this trip though, so caution needed in much harder race.

Trois Lunes; Got better of Prix Saint Alary winner Sagawara in Prix Vanteaux, notably on heavy ground (had fair bit in hand at the fnish); Unplaced in French Oaks before Group 3 seconds but would have wanted more rain to fall; Others just preferred.

Princess Highway: Princess Highway: Quickened up nicely to land Leopardstown maiden and won competitive Blue Wind Stakes at Naas in good style, although came on leaps and bounds when romping the Ribblesdale (ground given as good to soft but more likely soft) by 6 lenghts from The Fugue; Better on good ground however, and heavy ground Irish Oaks never going to suit and may have needed run in Vermille more badly than most; Should be much better for that and go well.

Vamo A Gulpular: Grade 2 Santa Anta Stakes win doesn’t amount to much at all and she looks vulnerable on first start from sixth month absence.

Kapitale: Should be one of many to reverse form with Barefoot Lady, not least for the fact that she needed a faster pace in the Candian latest; Useful European form so not exactly out of it for all she needs to improve a lot.

Kissable: Reached solid but modest level in Grand scheme of things when trained in Ireland but no better yet for new connections, although this same jockey/trainer combination won this race last year; Both horses had similar form going into it but European challenge might just get away with it this time around and others preferred.

Havant: One time classic hopeful for Sir Michael Stoute who ran a cracker in Guineas for horse bred to excel over middle distances, so shame that she couldn’t live upto promise although it was said that she’d enjoy cut; Since moved to Head, been beaten twice in minor races in France but fascinating that she turns up here; Dettori on board and big run wouldn’t surprise, but others appeal and convince more; Would have enjoyed rain.

VERDICT: A strong renewal with plenty of European raiders attempting to take the prize back over the water. Siyouma is a deserved favourite after her Sun Chariot win and should go well but PRINCESS HIGHWAY is a very exciting prospect on genuinely good ground and may have needed her return from 3 months off in the Vermille last time, while the heavy ground did for her chances in the Irish Oaks. She can go close at the least here, while Dream Peace won’t be far away at all. Barefoot Lady may have had her day at the sun when heavily favoured in the Canadian Stakes, form much weaker than this event, and those looking for an outsider could do worse than Kissable based on the fact that her trainer and jockey teamed up to win this race last year. Havant would have liked more rain to fall.