A typically tough field of fillies and mares has gathered for the G3 Cockram Stakes at Caulfield Saturday where A Time For Julia and Bonaria, who ran second and fourth respectively in this race last year, are back for another crack. A Time For Julia is on the second line of betting at $6.00 along with Real Surreal who, like A Time For Julia, is returning from a spell, whilst Bonaria who started 14/1 last year, opened up at $17.00 which represents great each-way value. Heading the market is Gregers who after an impressive first up win, is rated a $2.70 chance to somewhat surprisingly, record only her second Stakes win.
Cockram Stakes 2014 form guide:
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1. DEAR DEMI – B Rawiller (13) 59kgs
Clarry Conner’s champion mare will line up here first up off a fourteen week spell after being scratched from last week’s Toy Show Quality (1300m) due to the wet track. She has had two good looking trials in readiness for her return and did run third first up last prep to Catkins in the G3 Wiggle Stakes (1400m) however, she has drawn the widest gate here meaning she’ll get back in the run and over 1200m around the Caulfield track, it’ll take a big effort to gather her competitors in. Wait for her to have this run and get out over something longer.
2. COMMANDING JEWEL – Scratched
The Commands mare hasn’t seen a race track since taking out the G2 Let’ Elope Stakes almost a year ago now. Her trainers, Leon and Troy Corstens, had given her two trials a few months back (May/June) and she was good in both, winning the second impressively. Smart mare who has been in work now for a while now in preparation for her return and with Oliver in the saddle and the inside gate, will be capable of producing a big run here.
3. GREGERS – C Williams (8) 58kgs
Smart mare who resumed from a fourteen week spell with an emphatic 3.3 length win in an Open Fillies and Mares race over 1100m here at Caulfield a fortnight ago. The daughter of Commands competed very well at the elite level last time in, finishing fourth in the G1 Oakleigh Plate, G1 William Reid (beaten 0.5 length) and G1 Goodwood Handicap. She has obviously come back in very good order and against her own sex, will prove exceptionally hard to beat.
4. SCANDIVA – C Newitt (2) 58kgs
The well bred Fastnet Rock mare had her first start in almost a year a fortnight ago, running a credible sixth (1.7 lengths) behind Territory in a BM 90 (1200m) at Rosehill. The G2 winner was the subject of good support in the betting (12’s into 9’s) despite the long lay-off and as they turned, she appeared to be travelling well outside of the leader but when asked for her effort, not surprisingly, was found wanting over the final stages. Will strip a lot fitter for that hit-out and the return to her own sex is also a positive. Can run a cheeky race from an inside draw.
5. BONARIA – G Schofield (4) 57kgs
Smart mare that enjoys racing at Caulfield and who returned from a successful autumn campaign, that saw her bag the G3 Mannerism and G3 Schweppes Stakes, with a commendable sixth (4.8 lengths) in a 1100m Open fillies and mares race under the steadier of 59kgs. She’ll strip much fitter for that run and the drop to 57kgs will also assist. Won the G3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) second up last prep after an unlucky third in the G3 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m). Can figure in the finish again.
6. A TIME FOR JULIA – L Nolen (7)
Won the G3 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) first up over this track/trip last prep, taking her fresh record to two wins and a second from three starts. The impeccably bred Redoute’s Choice mare lines up here with similar conditions for this race, same weight, same jockey, drawn mid-field and would rate a big chance of producing the same result.
7. THIAMANDI – M Rodd (6) 57kgs
Swept straight past the odds-on favourite Lord Of The Sky when running away with a two length win in the G3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) two starts back. That effort saw the 4yo Street Boss mare start a much shorter 3/1 for the Listed Regal Roller (1200m) at her next and most recent start but despite a similar run in transit, the same finishing burst wasn’t there and she could only hold her ground in the run home, finishing fourth (2.6 lengths) behind Hard Strike. Best to go on the Bletchingly run and give her another go dropping back to her own sex and from a draw that should see her settle handy.
8. FIVE ALL – M Payne (12) 57kgs
Put together a very honest campaign last time in and was rewarded with victory in the G3 Tressday Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. The Darren Weir trained mare resumed with a seventh of ten (6.6 lengths) in an Open fillies and mares race over 1100m at Caulfield a fortnight ago where she didn’t threaten from the back of the field. She’ll get back a long way here too one would imagine after drawing the second to widest gate and on her first up run, would have to make significant improvement.
9. MEMBERS JOY – M Zahra (11) 56kgs
Resumed from a six month spell with an encouraging second (3.3 lengths) to the impressive Gregers in an Open fillies and mares race over 1100m a fortnight ago. The Hussonet mare settled back in the field and did a good job given Gregers was controlling the race from the lead position. From similar draws to this one, she has settled back and from that position, find it hard to see her turning the tables on Gregers.
10. REAL SURREAL – D Dunn (3) 55kgs
From the winning Hawkes Racing yard, this Real Saga mare resumes from a twenty week spell with an impressive winning trial at Hawkesbury under her belt. She had two winning trials to her name when making her return off a twelve month break in the G2 Light Fingers Stakes last prep where she ran a great fourth (1.3 lengths) to Sweet Idea. Can go close again here with Dunn onboard and a favourable barrier.
11. HAZARD – N Hall (5) 55kgs
Lightly raced 5yo mare from the Anthony Freedman yard who put together a short but successful campaign together earlier this year. After running third din the Listed Hareeba Stakes behind Knoydart, the daughter of Flying Spur than second to Bonaria in the G3 Mannerism Stakes.She’s been wound up for her return with two barrier trials in the past month, the most recent of which she won in good style. Drawn well and on her efforts last time in, has to be given serious consideration here.
12. SINO EAGLE – G Boss (10) 55kgs
Kicked off this campaign two starts ago with a win in a Caulfield Open Fillies and Mares race over 1200m, defeating Aces And Angles by two lengths after securing a lovely run throughout. The stable-mate to Five All then stepped up to the G3 Aurie’s Star and did a great job to run fourth (1.4 lengths) behind Tiger Tees and Mr. Chard.
The form out of that race is outstanding with Tiger Tees winning last week’s G2 Warwick Stakes and Mr. Chard taking out the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury. With that kind of form around here, her current price of $16.00 is tempting
13. FOREVER LOVED – V Duric (9) 55kgs
Rounded out her last campaign but running fourth in the G1 Australian Oaks (2400m) in April, and returns to racing having competed in one trial, which was six weeks ago now, where she ran a nose second to Sweet Idea. The daughter of High Chaparral has plenty of class and whilst she’ll be better rolling along out in front in races longer this, she’s still capable of running better than her current price of $14.00 would suggest.
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Odds Comparison:
RACE OVERVIEW
Scandiva, Thiamandi, A Time For Julia, Real Surreal and possibly Forever Loved, all push forward and set what should be a good tempo. Looking for a spot behind them will be Gregers. She was dominant first up and should be able to find the box seat here for Williams who rode her in both the G1 Oakleigh Plate and G1 Robert Sangster where she finished a close up fourth and third respectively. If she reproduces those efforts, it’s hard to see any of her competitors matching her. Bonaria represents great value at $17.00. She’ll settle off the speed and if Schofield can put her into the gaps, expect her to be finishing hard whilst there’s just too much good form around Sino Eagle to ignore at a similar price.
- GREGERS
- REAL SURREAL
- BONARIA
- A TIME FOR JULIA
News:
There are no misgivings from Anthony Cummings over his decision to sacrifice starts in possibly two Melbourne stakes races on Saturday.
Cummings accepted with Best Case, Scandiva and Spy Decoder at Rosehill and Caulfield but the ballot, concerns about a rise in class and a wide barrier convinced him to abandon the Melbourne plan.
In a frustrating set of replica circumstances, Best Case was made first emergency for the Premier’s Cup at Rosehill and the Australian Bloodstock Stakes at Caulfield.
Working on the premise the South Australia Derby placegetter could be left on the outer for both races, Cummings said better race programming made sense for Best Case to stay at home.
“If he doesn’t get a run here I’ve got the alternative of running him on Wednesday at Canterbury whereas there are no options in Melbourne,” Cummings said.
Scandiva was an acceptor for the Group Three Cockram Stakes but will run at benchmark level in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap at Rosehill.
“Before I step her up to stakes grade I think she needs another run after having all that time off,” Cummings said.
As for Spy Decoder, Cummings made a decision as soon as the barrier draw came out.
“Spy Decoder drew the outside at Caulfield so that was an easy pick for him to stay here,” he said.
In Burning Passion in the TAB Early Quaddie Handicap, Cummings will have one of the best supported runners in early Rosehill betting.
