Driver Chris Geary is looking for success with Miss Streisand in the J L Raith Memorial at Menangle on Saturday night.
SPEED is the key top young driver Chris Geary believes could win him tonight’s Group 2 J L Raith Memorial at Menangle.
Geary has retained his drive on talented filly Miss Streisand, a $10 chance with TAB Fixed Odds.
However, her wide draw of 10 is Geary’s only concern.
It’s a tricky race and it would have been ideal to draw somewhere in the middle,” Geary said.
“We’re not left with a lot of options out there.
“It’s a pretty even field and there have been a few fillies that have popped up in recent weeks which has made it a great race.
“The draw will play a big part and the fillies that have drawn one to five have the advantage.
“Miss Streisand is faster than most fillies, her pure speed alone is one of her best assets so we will have to wait and see what happens.”
Geary has driven Miss Streisand in her last three starts, all resulting in victories.
In fact, the daughter of A Rocknroll Dance is unbeaten in her five starts this season.
And having driven her as a two-year-old, Geary believes Miss Streisand is even better again this term.
“She has always been very fast, she showed that last season,” Geary said.
“She has always been a nice filly too but she seems a little stronger this time in.”
A filly having her first look at Menangle in race conditions is the Tim Butt-trained Cheesy Fingers.
Ranked as the $3 elect, the daughter of Betterthancheddar boasts one win in 10 starts and has drawn barrier three.
Close behind her in the market are other well-drawn fillies Bella Clare (barrier two) at $3.50 and Victorian filly Soho Nolita (barrier four) at $3.70.
Last start Group 1 winner Miss Halfpenny has been listed as a $16 chance.
The Paul Fitzpatrick-trained filly has not raced since winning the Breeders Challenge Final last July but won a trial at Menangle on December 28 clocking 1:53.6, faster than any of her winning mile rates.
Fitzpatrick has trained three of the last 12 J L Raith Memorial winners.
The Cawdor mentor first tasted success in this feature with Dance Of Life in 2007 and then in 2009 with Ima Spicey Lombo.
In 2012 he won the feature again with Marquess De Posh and all three were driven by his son Blake Fitzpatrick.
Tonight, Fitzpatrick’s oldest son, Gavin, will take the reins behind Miss Halfpenny.
It was his victory with Miss Halfpenny in the Breeders Challenge that gave Gavin his 1500thwinner in the sulky on his Birthday.
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