The 2015 Surround Stakes field has been released and a number of talented fillies are set to clash again in the Group 2 event at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
Adrift scored an upset win over First Seal in the 2015 Light Fingers Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
The build-up to the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) was dominated by the likes of Mossfun, First Seal, Peggy Jean and Amicus, but Gai Waterhouse-trained Adrift came out and scored an upset win in impressive fashion at Royal Randwick a fortnight ago.
Adrift (barrier six) has now recorded three wins from her past three starts and will continue on a path to the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11 in the Surround Stakes this weekend.
First Seal (barrier seven) was far from disgraced when second in the Light Fingers Stakes and will have the chance to turn-the-tables on her rival in the Surround Stakes this weekend.
The Fastnet Rock filly will be stepping up to 1400 metres for the first time this preparation and it was over that distance in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) in which she found her best form during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival before she went on to win the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m).
Third placegetter Slightly Sweet (barrier three), Group 1 winner Peggy Jean (barrier five), Chris Waller-trained Winx (barrier nine), Thousand Guineas winner Amicus (barrier eight) and Supara (barrier two) are also set to back-up in the Surround Stakes this weekend.
One of the most interesting runners in the 2015 Surround Stakes field will be Godolphin filly Abduction, who will be returning to racing for the first time since she finished fifth behind Set Square in the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2400m) at Flemington on November 6.
Abduction (barrier 11) finished at the tail of the field in a barrier trial over 1000 metres at Royal Randwick on February 2 and she produced a much sharper effort when she took out a barrier trial over the same distance by two and a half lengths at Hawkesbury on February 16.
Gerald Ryan-trained Lucky Raquie (barrier four) finished at the tail of the field when she made the trip to Melbourne for the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 14, but Ryan is hoping that she can produced an improved effort in the Surround Stake sand she won the Listed Black Opal Stakes (1200m) second-up during her autumn campaign last year.
The resuming Wine Tales (barrier one), Bjorn Baker-trained Candelara (barrier 10) and promising filly High Above (barrier 12) round out the 2015 Surround Stakes field.
