The Empire Rose Stakes is always one of the most hotly contested features in spring, and we’ll be treated to another open edition of the Group 1 contest at Flemington on Saturday.
Several previous Group 1 winners will line up alongside some of the country’s best fillies and mares, and the 2021 Empire Rose Stakes shapes as a fascinating betting race.
You can find my 2021 Empire Rose Stakes Tips below.
Empire Rose Stakes – Winner
No. 5 Still A Star
What a story this would be, and it’s a serious chance of materialising.
Still A Star has been nothing short of outstanding since making her debut for veteran Tasmanian horseman Bill Ryan, winning the Apple Isle’s best races and continuing to improve with each start.
She kept her best work for late when third in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes when resuming this time before returning arguably a career-best performance to win the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston last time.
Fitter third-up and out to a mile, I am more than happy to stick with her in my Empire Rose tips.
Empire Rose Stakes – 2nd
Colette has been set for this race and she too will take winning form into the Empire Rose Stakes.
The Hallowed Crown mare enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence during her three-year-old season, and ended her prep with a dominant win in the ATC Oaks.
She added The Golden Eagle to her CV last spring and she has improved for each of her three starts back this time, culminating in a comfortable win in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes last time.
With a lucrative bonus on the line for completing the Tristarc/Empire Rose double, I’m confident that James Cummings will have her at her best on Saturday.
Empire Rose Stakes – 3rd
No. 2 Mystic Journey
We know how good she is over a mile, and Mystic Journey has returned to the races in excellent form this time, so I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish of the Empire Rose Stakes.
The Needs Further mare announced herself to the greater Australian racing community during a three-year-old prep that was highlighted by wins in the Australian Guineas and the inaugural All-Star Mile.
She only just missed at a big price in the Let’s Elope Stakes when resuming, she ran home well to fill the minors in the Rose Of Kingston and she steps out on Saturday with genuine winning claims.
Empire Rose Stakes – 4th
No. 15 Steinem
There is a case to be made for many of the confirmed starters in this year’s Empire Rose Stakes field, but I am confident that the Tristarc and the Rose Of Kingston will prove to be the correct formlines, and for that reason, I’m throwing in Steinem.
Steinem stamped herself as a filly to watching during the autumn of this year, winning her first two career starts and ending her prep with a couple of runs in black type company.
She needed her first run back this time when sixth in BM70 company at Mornington, but she ran home well to finish second, beaten just over a length by Colette last time.
She harbours plenty of upside and will relish the mile.
Empire Rose Stakes Suggested Bets
- 4 Units straight out #5 Still A Star
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
