She’s A Wonder to make all the running on debut

LAST YEAR’S champion three-year-old filly, SHE’S A WONDER, who slammed open-allowance company the first time of asking, beating ROJORN DI PILOT and DUKE in October’s I’msatisfied Trophy, reports down in class Saturday for her seasonal debut, facing non-restricted overnight-allowance runners at six and a half furlongs.

Seemingly back to her blazing best, SHE’S A WONDER took out none other than MAHOGANY at exercise on May 30, clocking an eye-popping 1:12.3 to beat her stablemate’s 1:13.0, a speed gallop out of the reach of most grade-one runners.

After landing the I’msatisfied at six and a half furlongs, trainer Ian Parsard cut back in distance with the filly, pitting her against stablemate FATHER PATRICK in three consecutive sprints, races she could not dominate, having developed a habit of leaving the gate slowly.

Though she was not able to have her way in those lightning-fast races, SHE’S A WONDER ran evenly, suggesting she needed a slower pace and a tad more distance, which is exactly what the Information and Technology Department Cup has on offer.

INSURANCE

Apart from imported LURE OF LUCY, who is yet to hit top form since reporting off a four-month lay-up in April, SHE’S A WONDER should have her way in the 10-horse line-up. Parsard has thrown in some insurance for good measure, entering speedy JORDON REIGN’S to keep LURE OF LUCY honest, should SHE’S A WONDER not leave the gate cleanly.

However, from the evidence at exercise, she is razor sharp, which she has to be to get the better of MAHOGANY, who ran a scorching 1:11.1 for six furlongs on May 7, his second run off the lay-up, after being narrowly beaten by RUNAWAY ALGO’s 1:05.2 at five and a half furlongs on his seasonal debut.

Though allowing LURE OF LUCY five pounds, SHE’S A WONDER’s preparation is simply too good to be second-guessed. Reyan Lewis, who partnered her throughout the classics last season, knows her best and should get the job done.