THE unexpected withdrawal of reigning Horse-of-the-Year Princess Popster from the 23rd running of the Thornbird Stakes has promoted stablemate Bubbling Angeline to be the 1-2 morning line favourite to win the event.

The Graded Stakes call for native-bred three-year-old fillies is among a number of races used a prep among fillies for the upcoming Jamaica 1,000 Guineas.

A field of six will go 1,400 metres for a purse of $1,100,000.

The Thornbird Stakes highlighter of the 10-race card is scheduled to go to post at approximately 5:00 pm with first post at 12:45 pm.

Though a small field, most of the runners present have shown worthwhile promise and should give a workmanlike account of themselves to lend quality to the event, but Bubbling Angeline, who is also prepared for the races by trainer Philip Feanny, as does Princess Popstar, could prove to be a more than worthy contender in the absence of her illustrious stablemate, with a victory.

A chestnut filly by Blue Pepsi Lodge out of Miss Angeline (Traditional) bred by Everglades Farms has twice failed going 1,400 metres. Notwithstanding, at present she looks to be a cut above her rivals, and with a change of rider in the Classic maestro Winston Griffiths called to the saddle for the first time by trainer Feanny, she could go all the way this time after campaigning as high as Overnight Allowance with two successive wins.

Miss Juanita, who when she last met Bubbling Angeline as two-year-olds going 1,400 metres, was a step away third, is prepared for the races by the champion and leading trainer Wayne DaCosta. She will be having her second run as a three-year-old and will enter the fray with a 6.0kg advantage that could make her a more formidable opponent for the favourite.

The presence of her stablemate Also Correct, to be ridden by Dick Cardenas, Kabrina with Dane Nelson astride, and the Paul N Smith charge River Mumma to be ridden by Paul Francis could add to the competitiveness of the event.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Technocat (Dane Nelson)

Race 2 Black Thorn (Dane Nelson)

Race 3 Rum Punch (Dick Cardenas)

Race 4 Timeforacat (Dane nelson)

Race 5 Lashing Force (Chaldric Budhai)

Race 6 Raise Your Voice (Dane Nelson)

Race 7 Double De Cat (Dane Nelson)

Race 8 Reasonable Press (Orlando Foster)

Race 9 Bubbling Angeline (Winston Griffiths)

Race 10 Madiba (Dane Nelson)

PICK 6 Selections:

Race 1: 1, 2, 6

Race 2: 5

Race 3: 1, 5

Race 4: 6

Race 5: 3,7,9

Race 6: 9

Cost: $180.00