By MIKE DILLON
Flying Babe looks like breaking the mould of the Matamata Breeders Stakes.
In the last decade the fillies-only affair has been one of New Zealand's most competitive races.
This could be different. Flying Babe's outstanding $500,000 Mercedes-Benz Super Bonus Classique win at Te Rapa last start, leaves little room for anything but the brilliant Takanini filly starting hot favourite.
Remarkably, Flying Babe has looked better with each start.
Equally remarkable is the little filly's ability to cope with hard work and hard racing.
Flying sprinting Machines can have flakey constitutions, often needing to be freshened after a tough race.
Flying Babe can do the hard yards and come back looking for more.
Co-trainer Richard Yuill said it is amazing how the filly has trained on since leaving the Mercedes Classique field struggling at Te Rapa.
If she produces a performance even remotely the same it is difficult to see how the opposition can beat her.
One of the eye-catching runs behind Flying Babe at Te Rapa was from Blackrock College. Flying Babe set such a hot pace it was difficult for any runner to make ground late in the race, yet Backrock College managed to come from near last to finish mid-field.
It is unlikely Blackrock College will get as far back in running this time and a similar finish to Te Rapa would she her pose a threat.
If the race comes down to sheer grit and guts Damaschino will be suited. She got the best of a desperate home-straight battle to win at Te Rapa last start and with only three starts so far is liable to further improvement.
Lady Tess and Modena Bay are trifecta chances.
There is a general opinion that Hill Of Grace is only a stayer, but she has a record of two wins from three starts at the 1600m of tomorrow's Waikato Stud Stakes.
And after the ground she made up to finish mid-field behind Sunline when resuming from a spell at te Rapa last start there will be money to say the high class mare can make that record three from four.
Against a small field she should not get too far off the pace.
And that pace could be the race decider. Any alacrity in front will assist Hill Of Grace getting over the top of the opposition.
That was no fluke win by Bawalaksana at Ellerslie last start. He was dropping down a grade in class and scored handsomely and meets a field here that he will be comfortable with.
Racing: Babe hot for Matamata feature
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