Expert Advice Aims for Ideal Stakes Debut

Il Campione Filly Steps Up from Condition Ranks for Handicap Neapolis Bid, at Hipódromo de San Isidro

Noche Plateada Stands in Expert Advice's Path / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

As a prelude to tomorrow's G1 Gran Premio República Argentina, the curtain will come down on April with a 13-race card at the Hipódromo de San Isidro, offering the usual mix action that characterizes the venue’s alternative programs.

The feature on the day is the Handicap Neapolis, to be run over a mile on the dirt auxiliary track and open to fillies and mares five years old and up. The winner’s share of the purse—5,560,000 pesos—is modest, but the race could mark the emergence of a new name in the stakes ranks.

That name may well be Expert Advice (Arg), a steadily progressive daughter of Il Campione (Chi) trained by Miguel Cafere. With a near-flawless record of 4 wins and 2 runner-up finishes from 6 starts, the chestnut enters off a convincing three-length score over Santa Se (by Security Risk) over this same surface and trip. Assigned a favorable impost of 56.5 kilos, she looks poised to make a successful stakes debut.

Her main threat appears to be the ever-consistent Noche Plateada (Arg) (by In the Dark), who will carry topweight of 59 kilos. She exits a third-place finish behind Galitza (by Bodemeister) and Costa Dark (by In the Dark) in the Handicap Juan Carlos Noriega at Palermo, but prior to that had beaten Manicura Rusa (by Zensational) by 1 1/2 lengths here in the Handicap Stiletto.

Manicura Rusa returns for another try, having placed in a couple of spots in the interim, most recently finishing second behind the talented Royal Rimout (by Remote) in a tough allowance.

Also entered is Che Mamita (Arg) (by Safety Check), who has turned in a few puzzling efforts of late but is more than capable on her best day, whether coming from behind or taking the race to her rivals.

Rounding out the field is the British-bred Queen of Córdoba (GB) (by Almanzor), who gets in with just 51.5 kilos and could be a sleeper play, particularly with the advantage of European foaling time potentially working in her favor.