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Murwillumbah Race Preview -Friday December 16

3 minute read

Beaudesert trainer Ben Ahrens hopes My Little Flicka can provide his stable with an overdue winner when she drops in class and crosses the border to tackle Friday's Raptor Waste Management Christmas Sprint Cup (1200m) at Murwillumbah.

My Little Flicka, winner of six of her 21 starts, is coming off an unplaced run behind Elegant Composure in the Listed $100,000 Colin McAlpine Memorial Classic (1200m) at Eagle Farm on November 26. The mare led into the straight to finish ninth, beaten just under six lengths on a track rated a soft 6.

My Little Flicka has been unplaced in all five races this preparation - all at Eagle Farm - and Ahrens is looking forward to getting her to Murwillumbah on Friday.

"I'm keen to get her away from Eagle Farm," said Ahrens. "Eagle Farm with that long straight just doesn't suit her pattern of racing and she seems to struggle that last 100m. Same thing applies at the Sunshine Coast track - all of her wins have been at Ipswich and Doomben."

My Little Flicka has won four races at Ipswich and two at Doomben. Her form earlier in the year was terrific and produced three straight wins over 1200m, the first at Ipswich on February 3 then back-to-back Doomben wins on February 17 and 27.

Although she hasn't won this preparation in Brisbane, there was a lot to like about her run two starts back in a strong form race, finishing fifth to Perfect Dare in a 2MW Hcp (1200m) at Eagle Farm on November 19.

The form out of that race has been excellent with the first four horses across the line ahead of My Little Flicka all acquiting themselves well in subsequent starts. The winner, Perfect Dare, ran second at Rosehill at his next outing, runner-up In His Stride won at Eagle Farm last Saturday, third-placed Brooklyn Storm was an Eagle Farm winner at his next run and the fourth-placed Sheiswatsheis then ran well in two Listed races, including a third to Sydney mares Ravi and Unequivocal in last week's $100,000 Just Now Stakes (1300m) in Brisbane.

"That was a good effort and the form out of that race has stood up," said Ahrens. "She'll appreciate the drop in class at Murwillumbah on Friday and that race looks ideal for her.

"And it would be nice to get a win as the stable has been going terrible at the moment - my worst run in 12 years as a trainer. I just haven't got the right horses in the stable at the moment. My Little Flicka and a couple of others have probably reached their level and are getting a bit hard to place. I do have some nice two-year-olds coming through to look forward to but they are a few months away from racing."

Ahrens said My Little Flicka would go forward as usual from her awkward barrier 10 in the 12-horse field. Tegan Harrison will partner My Little Flicka.

One of My Little Flicka's main rivals at Murwillumbah looks to be the Gold Coast-trained More Than Money who also ran in that same Eagle Farm race won by Perfect Dare, finishing 11th.

More Than Money's previous overall form was consistent and he does boast a sound record at Murwillumbah where he has had three starts - all over 1200m - for two wins and a second.

The Christmas Sprint Cup is the main race on Friday's eight-race twilight Murwillumbah meeting, with the first race set for 1.35pm and the last to go at 6pm.

On-course patrons will also be eligible to win a trip to Sydney for next year's Golden Slipper Stakes.

The Murwillumbah track is currently rated a good 4 and the rail will be in its true position.
Racing and Sports

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