Leading trainer Gary Hall sen. declares that Ella Sue is spot on for the $35,000 Veolia Environmental Services Dainty’s Daughter Classic at Gloucester Park on Friday night, but he expects the tough filly to meet with stiff opposition, especially from Centrefold Angel.

“Looking at her form, wins at her past four starts, Ella Sue looks dominant,” Hall said. “But she will need a bit of luck and I don’t expect her to get things all her own way.

“Fitness-wise, I think she’s better than she was when she won a race for fillies last Friday week. And I think she’ll improve on that effort. However, I expect Centrefold Angel to be an improver and a big danger.”

In the 2130m event last Friday week, Ella Sue started from barrier No. 6, settled in tenth position and sustained a powerful three-wide burst from the 1150m mark to take the lead 100m from the post before holding on to win by a nose from the fast-finishing Pole Dancer, with Hear No Secret finishing boldly from the rear to be third.

Centrefold Angel began well from barrier seven, raced three wide early and then worked hard outside the pacemaker Rich Life before getting her head in front briefly with 450m to travel. She then wilted to finish sixth.

The New Zealand-bred Ella Sue, to be driven again by Gary Hall jun., will start from barrier five on Friday night, with Centrefold Angel well drawn at No. 4 and Pole Dancer out at No. 9.

The Halls are hoping for a change of luck after being placed in two of the past three Dainty’s Daughter Classics. Tiffany Case finished second to Charlotte Church in 2007 and La Joconde was third behind Sheer Royalty a year ago.

Centrefold Angel, who is having her third start as a three-year-old for Byford trainer Debra Sweet, gave a sample of her class when she stormed home to win the $100,000 Diamond Classic at Gloucester Park last June.

She then had three more starts before going for a spell. She was placed in three of those runs, including a fine effort when she finished strongly to be second to top-flight colt Parsons Dragon in the $125,000 Golden Slipper Stakes.

Centrefold Angel and Ella Sue have strong claims, but Pole Dancer, Hear No Secret and Key Question all deserve serious consideration.

The versatile Amanda Suvaljko-trained Pole Dancer has had 17 starts for five wins and nine placings and she impresses with her powerful finishing bursts.

Hear No Secret, trained at Northam by Jesse Moore, is a stout-hearted filly who has won four races and continues to show improvement. The inexperienced Key Question, trained in Bunbury by John Graham, is a sister to star pacer Has The Answers and she has struck top form with stylish victories at her past two starts.

Courtesy of Ken Casellas