A full field of mares line up for the G2 Momentum Energy Stakes (formerly the Matriarch Stakes). Lake Sensentia and Queenstown dominate the market here at $4.00 and $4.60 respectively. Whilst both horses are obviously in good form, the 2000m of this race does present the opportunity for other competitors in the race, who reach the distance for the first time in their preparations, to produce their best.
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Momentum Energy Stakes Form Guide
1. UNCHAIN MY HEART – C Schofield (4)
7yo mare from the David Hayes stables that will tackle this race second up from a spell. She finished, as expected, well back in the field in her first up run – the G3 Snowhite Classic (1600m) behind Zonza. Winner of the Listed Andrew Ramsden (3200m) last time in and would expect she’ll need this run and longer again before producing her best.
2. ZURELLA – S Arnold (8)
Resumed with a pleasing effort closing well from the tail of the field to run ninth (beaten 3 ½ lengths) behind in-form Fire Up Fifi in the G2 Blazer Stakes (1410m). She then was kept fresh for a month and next stepped out in last Saturday’s G1 Myer Classic (1600m). She got back near last and made steady ground home along the fence in a race dominated by those up front to run seventh (beaten 4.6 lengths). The step up again to 2000m suits and with the big field, she should also get the speed on up front that will allow her to finish off the race. She represents good each-way value at $11.00.
3. KAZANLUK – K McEvoy (13)
Belied her odds of 100/1 when running sixth (beaten 2 ¾ lengths) behind Fire Up Fifi first up in the G2 Blazer Stakes (1400m) and that effort saw her well supported (8/1) when next stepping out in the Eliza Park International (1600m). She failed to make an impression from the tail of the field and finished eighth of twelve and almost five lengths from the winner. Appeared to be a touch flat second up last start and the step up to 2000m will suit. Wasn’t that fair off Dear Demi (4.6 lengths) in the G3 The Roses over this trip earlier in the year.
4. LAKE SENTENTIA – M Payne (9)
From a clear last on the home turn, the 5yo mare by California Dane hit the line well in the G2 Blazer Stakes to run fourth (beaten 2.1 lengths) behind Fire Up Fifi two starts ago. She backed that effort up by chasing home the very much in-form Catkins (who was pipped in the G1 Myer Classic on Saturday) in the Eliza Park International (1600m) a fortnight ago Appears to be spot on for this race as she won fourth up over 2000m last time in work – the Listed Centaurea Stakes, where she defeated Epingle.
5. ALZORA – N Hall (1)
Only won the two races from nineteen starts and has mixed her efforts up in four runs back this time in, making her an extremely hard mare to catch. The daughter of Redoute’s Choice had every chance two starts back in the G3 Snowhite Classic (1600m) before running fifth (beaten 4.1 lengths) behind Zonza and last start, never threatened the leaders when second to last in a Open class race (2000m) at Moonee Valley where the winner was Queenstown. Drawn well but can’t take her with any confidence.
6. KEEP DE ROSE – C Williams (19)
She made it successive wins with a strong on pace victory in the Pinker Pinker (2080m) at Cranbourne before lining up in an Open class race at Moonee Valley (2040m) a fortnight ago. From a good draw Williams had the Danny O’Brien trained mare in the box seat but when the crunch came, she couldn’t go with the leader and subsequent winner Queenstown and held on for third (beaten 1.6 lengths). Will not get to the box seat from gate 19 here!
7. QUEENSTOWN – N Rawiller (10)
Rapidly improving mare who made Sharnee Rose (who was coming off a G2 win) earn her victory in the G3 Angst Stakes (1600m) two starts ago. She then lined up, like many competing here did, in the 2040m Open class race at Moonee Valley on Manikato Stakes night. Jumping straight to the front from gate eleven, the Stratum mare was well rated in front by Michael Rodd and once she negotiated her first look at the tight Moonee Valley home turn, extended well late to win by 1 ½ lengths. She’ll go forward again and if allowed to roll in front, will prove very hard to run down.
8. BELLS OF TROY – C Newitt (6)
After a poor performance as a well supported 5/1 chance in an Open Handicap (2000m) at Flemington back in September, trainer Wendy Kelly elected to give her galloper a few weeks off to freshen up. She returned in a strong Sale Cup but was always at the tail of the field and finished second to last and almost nine lengths from the winner Mouro. Back to mares is a plus and she’ll be better for having had the run in the Sale Cup but still can’t see her winning here.
9. ZONZA – D Oliver (2)
A New Zealand galloper, she produced a comfortable 1 ¼ length win in the G3 Snowhite Classic (1600m) at Caulfield two starts back, when leading all the way. She then stepped up a few notches in grade and took on the best mares in the country in the G1 Myer Classic (1600m) last Saturday. She ran mid-field and finished 5 ½ lengths from Red Tracer. Suited back to this grade and weight conditions and, from a good draw, should be placed to advantage throughout.
10. DETOX – B Melham (7)
Adelaide mare who had no luck when last (beaten 5.9 lengths) behind Keep De Rose in a F&M BM 90 (1800m) at Caulfield two starts back. She then had a month off before producing a much better effort when fourth (beaten 2.1 lengths) behind Queenstown at Moonee Valley. The daughter of Golden Snake was one of only a few in the race to make ground. She’s been sparingly raced this prep and repeat performance of last start, could see her fill a place at big odds.
11. DOLLY DOLLY – J McDonald (3)
7yo mare from Queensland who after running an unlucky second to Listen Son in Open company in her home-state, was sent south by trainer Brian Smith for the G3 Eliza Park International (1600m). She made good ground from the tail of the field and finished on the heels of Catkins, Cameo and Lake Sensentia in fifth spot (beaten 2.6 lengths). The step up to 2000m is in her favour and she ran a good third to Aliyana Tilde and Epingle in the G3 Epona Stakes (1900m) during the autumn when she carried 55kgs. Only has 54kgs and given her last run, where she was quoted a 15/1 chance, the same price on offer here again seems overs.
12. STELLA LANTE – SCRATCHED
Cracked it for the second win of her career two starts back, at start number seventeen and almost made it successive wins when a neck second last start to Catch The Cat. Both of the above races where in Restricted races and whilst she’s consistently competitive in them, she’ll struggle here again the better grade of mare.
13. EPINGLE – G Schofield (15)
A consistent mare who was galloped on first up in the G2 Blazer Stakes (1400m) and finished second to last. Three weeks later, she stepped out in the G3 Eliza Park International (1600m) and injury free, produced a much better performance to run fourth (beaten 2 ½ lengths) behind Catkins. She has been well in the mix in similar races in the past and third up over 2000m looks ideal however, from gate 15 she will be giving them a good start.
14. ENDLESS SHADOW – (17)
Formerly a Queensland galloper, the 5yo Dane Shadow mare is now under the guidance of Tony McEvoy. She had two starts this preparation in Adelaide, closing steadily in races over 1200 and 1400m to finish second and third respectively, before coming to Victoria and lining up in a Open F&M’s (1700m) race on Cup Day. She again closed well to run fifth (beaten 2.6 lengths) behind an impressive Wistful. The 2000m will suit but question marks over the quick back-up and class remain.
15. MISS ZENELLA – (16)
Lightly raced Zabeel mare who, after winning a restricted race at Sale in impressive fashion at only her fifth start, was immediately sent to Queensland for an attempt at the QLD Oaks (2400m) back in June. The Peter Moody trained galloper produced an outstanding effort to run second in that race behind the ultra-impressive Gondokoro. She has since returned to racing with a good effort behind Notice Received over 1400m and was fair when tenth of fourteen behind Zonza in the G3 Snowhite Classic (1600m) at her next and most recent start. Will be fitter again and she is another who will appreciate the 2000m trip of this race. Not to be underestimated.
16. GIRL GONE ROCKIN’ – D Dunn (12)
Team Hawkes train this well bred daughter of Redoute’s Choice who kicked off this campaign in the G2 Blazer Stakes two starts back. She held her position well in the run to the line and finished fifth (beaten 2.6 lengths) behind Fire Up Fifi and Peron. Despite an apparently pleasing effort first up, she was surprisingly taken to Sydney to contest a BM 70 (1800m) race where as a 7/2 chance, she ran a head second to Dream Folk. It was a big ask second up, jumping from 1400m to 1800m and having to carry 59kgs but she did well. Only raced in restricted grade prior to this prep but the lightly raced 5yo has shown enough in both recent starts, to suggest she deserves her spot here.
17. ZOOMANIA – (11) (1st EM)
Well bred Zabeel mare from Peter Moody’s stables who started 5/2 in the Hamilton Cup (2200m) last start. She took up a forward position but was no match for Hurdy Gurdy Man late and ran fourth, beaten 3 ½ lengths. Slowly starting to show form with several runs now under her belt after a long lay-off but needed to be winning last start to be rated a chance here.
18. CATCH THE CAT – P Maloney (14) (2nd EM)
She made it two wins from five starts when closing with a well timed run last start to claim a neck victory in a BM 78 (1600m) race at Moonee Valley. The Tale Of The Cat 4yo obviously has a some ability and is still yet to fulfil her potential however, whilst she could go on to win her fair share of races in the future, I can’t see a race of this calibre – at this stage of her career at least – being one of them.
19. HEYDAY – (20) (3rd EM)
Another representing Peter Moody, this mare is by Pins. She made it two wins from her past four starts with an easy 2 ¾ length win at Yarra Glen last start in a BM 70 (1955m) as the even money favourite. She led all the way last start but should she get a run, will have plenty of work to do to take up a similar role from gate 20.
20. BALUCH – (5) (4th EM)
Hard Spun mare who showed plenty of promise in her 3yo season but after a long lay-off of eight months, is requiring some time to reach that standard again. Last start, here third run back, she closed steadily from the tail of the field to run seventh (beaten 3.9 lengths) behind Catkins. She has improved steadily but not quickly enough that, if she were to get a start here, she would be capable of winning.
RACE OVERVIEW
Queenstown will cut across from her wide gate and go forward but in a big field, you’d think she’d have a bit of company to keep her honest. Lake Sensentia will get her chance to atone for last year’s second placing but runs into a big field here. A few value runners here include Zurella ($11.00) and Epingle ($16.00). Both have been competitive at this grade in the past and they tackle this race third up from a spell – ready to produce. They’ll both enjoy the solid tempo up front and will be getting home hard. Zonza gets a lovely run here from her gate and should tail the speed. Found the G1 mile race too slick for her last Saturday and best to go on her second to Moriarty (who was in sensational form at the time) in the Listed Mayor’s Cup (2000m) during the autumn as the best indicator to her chances. She too is value at $12.00. In a race where the favourite’s record is not strong, coupled with the big field, would be more inclined to shop for some value here.
- ZURELLA
- ZONZA
- EPINGLE
- LAKE SENSENTIA
