Sat | Apr 27, 2024

Weight swing gives Mamma Mia King’s Plate edge

Published:Thursday | March 28, 2024 | 12:13 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
MAMMA MIA, ridden by Phillip Parchment, wins the 1000 Guineas ahead of stablemate THALITA (Dane Dawkins) over a mile, for three-year-old, native-bred fillies at Caymanas Park on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
File
MAMMA MIA, ridden by Phillip Parchment, wins the 1000 Guineas ahead of stablemate THALITA (Dane Dawkins) over a mile, for three-year-old, native-bred fillies at Caymanas Park on Saturday, June 3, 2023.

SATURDAY’s KING’S Plate could be a handicap gift to last year’s 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner, MAMMA MIA, returning with a 10lb weight swing on MONEY MONSTER, the winner of last year’s race.

MAMMA MIA and MONEY MONSTER are fresh out of a hot six-furlong, which fell into in-form RHYTHM BUZZ’s lap early inside the last furlong two weeks ago. United States debutant WALL STREET TRADER and super-fit KP CHOICE took MAMMA MIA out of her comfort zone, forcing the pacer into a flat-out sprint, which fizzled off the home turn.

She was actually eased by Robert Halledeen, finishing eight and a quarter lengths fifth, five behind third-place MONEY MONSTER, who made late headway along the rail from ninth position down the backstretch.

Returning with 114lb in what should be a milder pace, MAMMA MIA is light enough to steal a march against slower rivals. Going seven furlongs late February, MAMMA MIA set off at a fast clip before being overhauled by the dead-heat pair of ATLANTIC CONVOY and FURTHER AND BEYOND inside the last furlong.

Should speedy MAMMA MIA fail to reproduce her middle-distance pace, which also saw her leading the Mouttet Mile field into the lane last December, the King’s Plate will turn out to be a closer’s race with the likes of MONEY MONSTER, PROVOCATIVA, SONNY T AND CHIPPY and ALL FOR LOVE also having a look-in.

SONNY T AND CHIPPY returning off a two-month break isn’t strange for a Spencer Chung runner, dismissing any fitness concerns. The trip is perfect for the Savoy Stomp-Trinket Box five-year-old whose strong stretch runs will serve him well in the event of a pace collapse.

ALL FOR LOVE, reporting on a hat-trick at 114lb, appears to be enjoying her best form ever, winning at six furlongs two weeks ago. The four-year-old filly was early in the pace for back-to-back victories and is not to be underestimated at seven and a half furlongs in tip-top shape.

Pace makes the race, which could turn out to be a lone-speed haven for MAMMA MIA or a cavalry charge of closers.