The Tristarc Stakes (1400m) is a set weights race, restricted to mares. Darren Weir won the race last year with La Passe and Telopea is his only runner this year. The Tristarc provides a good lead-up for mares heading towards the Group 1 Myer Classic, on Derby day at Flemington.
View Sportsbet.com.au‘s preview of the race below.
FIRST SEAL
Odds ($5.50)
Group 1 winning mare prepared by John Thompson.
Why she can: Very honest mare in the money 11 of 16 starts. She was midfield when resuming in the Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill. Fitter for the run and goes well second-up.
Why she can’t: Having first start the anti-clockwise way of going. Had every chance first-up, loomed up to win, but gave little over the last 50m and was disappointing.
TYCOON TARA
Odds ($3.30 favourite)
Another Sydney visitor and she has won here previously.
Why she can: In outstanding form winning three of her last four starts. Latest she led and fought on strongly to win the Golden Pendant. Has an ideal draw.
Why she can’t: Only bad luck will beat her.
PEARLS
Odds ($13)
Goldolphin mare, by Exceed and Excel.
Why she can: Another with form out of the Golden Pendant, where the first four at the 800m were still there at the end. She had the gun run and fought back strongly on the line.
Why she can’t: Had every opportunity to beat two of her rivals last start, but couldn’t run them down.
FRENCH EMOTION
Odds ($15)
Trainer Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman combine here.
Why she can: Turned in career-best performance to win Blazer Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last start. There should be plenty of speed on, which will suit her get back style of racing.
Why she can’t: She is meeting stronger opposition here and has drawn a wide gate. She will have to go back and may give them too much start.
CATCH A FIRE
Odds ($51)
This Sebring four-year-old is prepared by David Hayes & Tom Dabernig.
Why she can: She’s a winner this track and distance.
Why she can’t: Her latest win she fell in at Benchmark 90 level and needs to be doing more.
DANISH TWIST
Odds ($4.40)
Newcastle-trained mare, prepared by Kris Lees
Why she can: Nice mare and she won four in a row in Sydney before a spell. Ran on strongly over 1200m when resuming. Fitter and out to 1400m is a definite plus.
Why she can’t: Track has been playing for on speed runners and she could get too far out of her ground.
VIBRANT ROUGE
Odds ($41)
At eight-years-old she is the oldest runner in the field.
Why she can: Ran a nice race last start when third in The Blazer.
Why she can’t: Has been up a long time and wins are well-spaced.
CORONATION SHALLAN
Odds ($41)
Former Kiwi jockey Michael Walker rides.
Why she can: She won at Group 3 level before a spell, but hard to make a case for her, although her fitness levels will be up.
Why she can’t: Out of her depth.
JESSY BELLE
Odds ($19)
Another Hayes/Dabernig starter.
Why she can: She wintered in Brisbane, which is always a bonus and is fitter for three runs from a spell.
Why she can’t: She is thereabouts in many of her races, but finds it hard to win.
DENMAGIC
Odds ($13)
Trained at Warwick Farm by David Pfieffer.
Why she can: Placed at Group 2 level when second to Tsaritsa in the Qld Guineas. She is underrated – battled away last start when fourth in the Golden Pendant and should be peaking for this
Why she can’t: She’s overdue for a win in decent company, but just can’t get there against the better horses.
TELOPEA
Odds ($13)
Gun jockey Craig Williams and trainer Darren Weir join forces.
Why she can: She’s been sparingly raced for a six-year-old and appears to be coming into form. She was far from disgraced when eighth in the Group 1 Rupert Clarke Stakes. She was then fourth to French Emotion in the Blazer and is back to her home track.
Why she can’t: Her wins have been in much weaker grade and the wide barrier is a negative.
SHILLELAGH
Odds ($10)
Lightly raced Kiwi five-year-old, with just eight career starts.
Why she can: her two runs here have been solid. Latest she won a Benchmark 84 (1444m) at this track. She finished powerfully to win and has big wraps on her.
Why she can’t: Has to make a big step up in grade.
SATYA
Odds ($34)
From the in-form “Team Hawkes” yard.
Why she can: Fitter for first-up run in Benchmark grade at Warwick Farm. She is unders for mine, but the Hawke’s stable is in form and so is jockey Dwayne Dunn.
Why she can’t: Outclassed.
MORE TIPS: View our Caulfield Cup day TIPS
Best Bet
1. Tycoon Tara
2. French Emotion
3. Danish Twist
Value Tip
Denmagic
