Standard Weight for Age, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Maidens at time of entry are ineligible, Apprentices cannot claim.Field Limit: 16 + 4 EM The Group 1 of the day for the Fillies and Mares is the Myer Classic. With five individual Group 1 winners and three Group 2 winners in the field of thirteen runners, it promises to be, as it is every year, a great race with numerous chances. Early favourite is Streama, who has eased from $3.00 to $3.40. The big firmer since markets have opened is Oasis Bloom who is not quoted as an $11.00 chance, in from $17.00.
1. STREAMA – J Bowman (9)
Fantastic mare who has won seven of her sixteen starts including two Group 1 races. She returned to racing this season with a good third behind More Joyous in the Sheraco Stakes before a flat effort next time out in the Premiere Stakes behind Red Tracer. She enjoyed the step up in distance to the 1400m of the Tristarc Stakes a fortnight back and crossed from her wide gate to lead and proved too strong. Expecting her to adopt similar tactics again today.
Odds: $3.00
2. SECRET ADMIRER – J McDonald (2)
Five year old mare who hasn’t won in her past thirteen starts but, has been placed on eight of those occasions with five of them in Group 1 events. Surprisingly, she contested the Caulfield Cup last start and after being ridden close to speed, faded late to finish 5.3 lengths off the winner. Her from and runs prior were all solid and last time she competed in a race under these conditions, she ran second to Ofcourseican in the G1 Coolmore. She’s a definite chance.
Odds: $6.50
3. YOSEI – G Boss (1)
Her form is better than what it reads. Her last two starts were in the G1 Epsom Handicap and G1 Toorak, both over today’s trip and on each occasion, she got back but closed in good style. She’ll appreciate being back to her own sex and should get a good run from her inside draw.
Odds: $8.50
4. RED TRACER – C Brown (6)
Ultra consistent mare who has only missed a place four starts from her twenty-one to date. She kicked off this campaign with a solid win in the G2 Premiere Stakes defeating Satin Shoes and was good again last start when third to Streama in the Tristarc. She’ll get every chance again from her draw and should any rain come, her chances improve significantly.
Odds: $10.00
5. SKYERUSH – B Shinn (10)
Guy Walter trained mare who is on the quick back-up after finishing fourth (beaten 5.6 lengths) in the G3 Tesio Stakes last week behind the in form Star of Giselle. She’s been settling closer in her recent starts that what she use to previously but may find it harder to do so here from her wide draw.
Odds: $19.00
6. PEAR TART – C Reith (7)
She blossomed over the Brisbane Winter Carnival winning four of her five starts including the G1 Tatt’s Tiara defeating Skyerush and Red Tracer. Needed the first up run in the Premiere Stakes and displayed an improved effort at her most recent start where she chased home Streama in the Tristarc. Her pattern is to roll forward and think she should get there comfortably enough to be competitive.
Odds: $8.00
7. RASPBERRIES – K McEvoy (7)
The first of Darley’s three representatives in this race who loomed up to win first up in the G2 Blazer Stakes before her condition gave out and she finished fourth (beaten 1 ¾) behind Mosheen. She then got too far back in a race dominated by those on pace in the Tristarc and finished third to last (beaten 6.4). Will get back and pace crucial.
Odds: $31.00
8. INVEST – P Mertens (4)
The winner of the Group 1 Schweppes Australian Oaks (2000m) last preparation and has had two starts back this time in with her last start, a seventh of fourteen behind Star of Giselle. Had her opportunity last time out but she’s probably looking for something longer than today’s race.
Odds: $151.00
9. SHANNARA – J Winks (3)
Second of Darley’s runners who also gets a long way back in her races. That was the case in both of her starts this preparation with the latest behind a ninth (beaten 5.5) in the Tristarc Stakes behind Streama. She needs a few things to fall her way during the race given her racing pattern.
Odds: $51.00
10. OASIS BLOOM – D Oliver (5)
A lightly raced 4yo mare that is lining up for her seventh race start and, has been the subject of some very good support early in the betting markets. That support is off the back of her last three starts where firstly, she was very unlucky in the G2 Let’s Elope before making amends for that with a win in the Crockett Stakes and last start, a second to Star of Giselle who franked that form by winning last week at Moonee Valley. Drawn to get the ideal run.
Odds: $10.00
11. SOFT SAND – C Williams (12)
Has a frustrating habit of finding trouble in her runs. That has certainly been the case at each of her three runs this time in including a last start fifth (beaten less then two lengths) behind Streama in the Tristarc. Will no doubt get back from her wide draw and on the big Flemington track, should be able to get plenty of room to wind up.
Odds: $10.00
12. APPERANCE – M Rodd (13)
The third and final Darley entrant, this mare trained by Guy Walter. She caught the eye when resuming in the G2 The Shorts behind Pampelonne in September and then it was a month before we saw her again in the Tristarc. She got back in a race where those up front controlled the temp but did like the way she got to the line. A blow-out chance at big odds.
Odds: $41.00
13. FULL OF SPIRIT – S Arnold (11)
Smart Kiwi mare who won the G3 Adrian Knox and ran fourth in the G1 AJC Oaks earlier this year. Her first start in Australia as a four year was two starts back and she produced a pleasing effort closing from last to finish sixth, beaten just on 2 lengths in the G2 Blazer behind Mosheen. Last start she finished second to last in the Moonga Stakes and wonder if she’s now not looking for a longer trip.
Odds: $21.00
SUMMARY
Pear Tart to go forward with Streama following her across and settling handy, Red Tracer and Oasis Bloom. Slight query on Red Tracer running out a strong mile but think the three abovementioned runners are genuine chances here as they should be able to set a moderate pace. Secret Admirer and Yosei – both in good form – will appreciate being back to their won sex and the weight conditions of this race.