Rivas Rhapsody and Athenian in close contention for the Betdaq Casino Games Fillies’ Handicap
The two most highlighted entries for the Class 4 Betdaq Casino Games Fillies’ Handicap are Rivas Rhapsody and Athenian. Seven other three-year-old and above runners will race through the six furlongs distance on Wednesday, 27th June at Kempton.
Hawk Wing’s four-year-old bay filly out of mare, Riva Royale, was unbeaten in her debut season, and has finished second in both the outings of the new season.
She stamped her dominance in the maiden stakes on 4th November, 2011, at Ffos Las over six furlongs under jockey, Silvestre De Sousa, by a 3 ¼ lengths’ margin.
She then dictated the Book Now For WHWF Handicap (Division I) on 30th November at Kempton over six furlongs. This time she had jockey Dane O’Neill onboard, while finishing second on the day was, Speak The Truth.
Her monopoly on the season remained intact, as she bagged a hat-trick on 15th December at Kempton over seven furlongs long Mediforce.Org Private Ambulance Provider Handicap.
Rivas Rhapsody won as the favourite in partnership with jockey Dane O’Neill, and finishing in second was, Tislaam, by a margin of 1 ¼ lengths.
Her seasonal debut on 26th May at Newbury over seven furlongs in the Alexander Consulting Fillies’ Handicap, found her faltering in the last few strides, and finishing as the runner-up, but only by half-length’s margin.
Her most recent attempt was in the Bathwick Tyres Fillies’ Handicap on 17th June at Salisbury over seven furlongs. She settled in second after being defeated by the winner by five lengths.
A challenging candidate for her will be Athenian, Acclamation’s three-year-old bay filly, out of mare Ziria.
She claimed her seasonal debut on 28th May in the Betfair Supporting Grassroots Racing Handicap at Kempton over six furlongs. Coupled with jockey Chris Catlin, the two enjoyed the four lengths’ lead.
Striking two back-to-back victories, she won the Elite Racing Club Fillies’ Handicap on 4th June at Chepstow over six furlongs, and then in the follow up races, she won as the favourite of the race and held the runner up adrift by 1 ¾ lengths.
The three-year-old settled second in the Countryside Alliance British Stallion Studs E B F Fillies’ Handicap (Division I) on 8th June at Newmarket over six furlongs.
Rivas Rhapsody is backed by 3 to 1 odds, while Athenian stands at 9 to 4. Which one of the two will get to take the £4,075 prize money home, will unfold soon.
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