Ladies The Leading Lights in Reid

The G1 William Reid S. has previously served as a launch pad for a handful of Australia’s successful Royal Ascot invaders, including Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}) and Miss Andretti (Aus) (Ihtrahim {Ire}), and while none of this year’s participants appear headed that direction, it has drawn some qualities fillies and mares. Angelic Light (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) overturned champion sprinter Lankan Rupee (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) in a shock result over this strip in the G2 McEwen S. last September, and was narrowly beaten at the highest level three times over the spring. She likes this track and makes her first start since a fifth in the G1 Winterbottom S. in November. 

“She’s got all the right form at the Valley,” trainer Robbie Griffiths, who will also saddle It Is Written (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), told Racenet. “I’m very happy with her. She’s had two trials and she galloped on Monday morning on the grass. She ran her last three [furlongs] in :35.50 and she went really well.” 

Vain Queen (Aus) (Artie Schiller) has won over the course and has strong form second up, and although the draw wasn’t overly kind to her–she’ll exit from gate nine–she’s hard to overlook after a strong first-up fourth in the G1 Oakleigh Plate Feb. 28. Last year’s G1 Blue Diamond S. heroine Earthquake (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) was a well-beaten 10th in the Oakleigh, but rebounded to be second going 1000 meters at Flemington two weeks ago.