Weight favours Mamma Mia in King’s Plate

MAMMA MIA's 10lb weight swing on MONEY MONSTER could be a death knell for her rival, the defending champion in Saturday's King's Plate at seven and a half furlongs.

In finishing eight and a quarter lengths fifth, five behind third-place MONEY MONSTER, MAMMA MIA was actually eased by Robert Halledeen after trying to dictate the pace at six furlongs two weeks ago.

MAMMA MIA was taken out of her comfort zone in the hot six-furlong battle, which fell into in-form RHYTHM BUZZ's lap early inside the last furlong. Whereas MONEY MONSTER made late headway along the rail from ninth position down the backstretch, MAMMA MIA was forced into a flat-out sprint by United States of America debutant WALL STREET TRADER and super-fit KP CHOICE.

Returning with 114lb in what should be a milder pace, MAMMA MIA is light enough to steal a march against slower rivals. Going seven furlongs in late February, MAMMA MIA set off at a fast clip before being overhauled by the dead-heat pair of ATLANTIC CONVOY and FURTHER AND BEYOND inside the last furlong.

Should speedy MAMMA MIA fail to reproduce her middle-distance pace, which also saw her leading the Mouttet Mile field into the lane last December, the King's Plate will turn out to be a closer's race with the likes of MONEY MONSTER, PROVOCATIVA, SONNY T AND CHIPPY and ALL FOR LOVE also having a look-in.

Pace makes the race, which could turn out to be a lone-speed haven for MAMMA MIA or a cavalry charge of closers.

SONNY T AND CHIPPY returning off a two-month break isn't strange for a Spencer Chung runner, dismissing any fitness concerns. The trip is perfect for the Savoy Stomp-Trinket Box five-year-old whose strong stretch runs will serve him well in the event of a pace collapse.

ALL FOR LOVE, reporting on a hat-trick at 114lb, appears to be enjoying her best form ever, winning at six furlongs two weeks ago. The four-year-old filly was early in the pace for back-to-back victories and is not to be underestimated at seven and a half furlongs in tip-top shape.