Racing: Donegal Delight emerges as filly to beat

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Donegal Delight has taken over as the best filly in Cran Dalgety's stable.

And considering the enormity of that feat it makes her the filly Miss Elsie has to beat in today's opening heat of the Nevele R series at Marlborough.

Dalgety has a handful of class fillies, with Bettor Move It, who also contests today's mile heat, rated the best a few months ago.

She was even good enough to come from a second line draw to sit parked and win a Sires' Stakes heat at Alexandra Park two starts ago, suggesting she sits among the top five fillies in the country.

Canterbury trainer Dalgety isn't arguing that, he just thinks Donegal Delight is now better.

"The other filly is very good but this one [Donegal Delight] is better," Dalgety told the Herald.

"Bettor Move It was race hardened and more experienced leading into last month but Donegal Delight has really caught up and now passed her."

Donegal Delight sat parked to win the Sires' Stakes consolation at Alexandra Park on December 31 and then performed to an even higher level when she burned early and beat some high class male opponents at Cambridge last Friday.

"I have always liked her but she has really blossomed now and I'd like to think she might be the third best filly in the country behind Carabella and Bettor Cover Lover.

"She is like a colt. She is strong, with a big neck and a huge rump.

"And that is why I think she can win even from the second line this week because she will be too tough for most of them."

So does Dalgety rate Donegal Delight a better chance today than Bettor Move It, even though the latter has drawn barrier two.

"Yes, definitely," he emphasises.

"But the one they all have to beat is Miss Elsie. She is a fast filly and she is the one I am most worried about."

Miss Elsie was second in the Jewels last season and won well fresh-up but finished second when driven cold last start, much to the anger of some punters.

But she has gate speed and expect to see driver Colin De Filippi drive her more positively today.

Dalgety is also keen on the chances of Lightning Raider in today's Cup prelude, even though he faces a 30m backmark.

"He is in good form and has high speed but will need a little bit of luck, especially with Hostile Grins in the race."

Meanwhile, Dalgety is still likely to start Smiling Shard in Sunday's Pelorus Classic at Blenheim even though the star four-year-old has had a minor setback.

"He was a little muscle sore a couple of mornings last week but worked well on Tuesday and he will start on Sunday and be right."