Commanding Jewel and Dear Demi, the quinella from the recent Let’s Elope Stakes, look set to fight out the finish in another Group 2 – the Stock Stakes. Only a head separated the pair on the line in the Let’s Elope but the differential of their opening prices for Friday’s night feature is much wider than that. Commanding Jewel is $1.70 with Dear Demi at $4.00. The only other runner under double figure odds for the race is Solicit, who also comes out of the Let’s Elope Stakes where she ran seventh. It has been a good race for punters in recent years, with five of the past seven favourites for the race saluting, including last year’s winner Atlantic Jewel.
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1. DEAR DEMI – J Cassidy (2)
Finished well first up in the Cockram Stakes, a race dominated by those on speed, when fifth (2.6 lengths) behind Gregers and as expected, was better again at her next and only start since when second (head) to Commanding Jewel in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes. Sat behind the leading line of three as they turned from home and just had to ease of heels at a crucial stage as the leaders peaked. Once in clear room, she finished hard to just miss registering her seventh career win. Both runs in this time point to this high-class mare figuring strongly here.
2. COMMANDING JEWEL – D Oliver (7)
Backed up a super effort in the G3 Cockram Stakes to run third (half a length) behind Gregers, her first start in almost a year, with a tough head win in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington a fortnight ago. She kept the leading pair and main dangers Gregers and Solicit in her sights throughout, joining that pair as they made the turn. Was left in front a long way from home last start and was there to be run down but found plenty. Will be fitter again and prove extremely hard to beat.
3. EPINGLE – L Nolen (6)
Lightly raced 7yo mare who we haven’t seen since she finished fifth in April’s Sydney Cup (3200m). She’s been readied for her return to racing her by Trainer Mick Kent with two barrier trials – both of 990m, in the past month. Classy mare that will obviously be better for the outing but here, against her own sex, can’t be totally dismissed from running a cheeky race fresh
4. REMEMBER HOWE – H Coffey (1)
Broke through for a rare win, only her fourth from forty-two starts, when out-lasting Reckless Assassin in a BM 90 (1600m) three weeks ago. Ridden a bit more aggressively than she was accustomed to last start and it seemed to switch her on. Would expect her to try and take up a forward position again but hard to see her holding out some of the quality challengers over the final stages.
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5. RECKLESS ASSASSIN – N Hall (3)
Redoute’s Choice mare going well for Trainer John Sadler in fillies and mare’s races recently. She won two in a row at Flemington before finishing second (1.3 lengths) to Rememba Howe in a BM 90 over this course three weeks back. Going as well as she can and can’t deny her connections a crack at a race such as this but expect she’ll find a couple too smart.
6. ESPRIT ROSSA – C Newitt (4)
First up off a nineteen week spell, the daughter of Bel Esprit found a nice spot in the run from a good draw in the BM 90 (1200m) and held on well for third (4.5 lengths) behind impressive winner Girl Guide – who has subsequently won the G3 Sportingbet Sprint. Good things were hoped for her when she was then taken Bendigo for a BM 84 (1400m) but after finding a good spot in transit again, weakened quickly in the straight and dropped out to run last of fourteen, over sixteen lengths from the winner. Needed to be heading into a race of this calibre with a much stronger performance under her belt.
7. SOLICIT – D Lane (5)
Blew alarmingly in betting when making her return to racing in the G2 Let’s Elope Stake (1400m) a fortnight ago, drifting from 7/2 out to 7/1. As expected, she took up the running but only laboured when asked for her effort in the straight and finished seventh of ten, 2.5 lengths behind Commanding Jewel and Dear Demi. Fitter again but after her first up run, have to see some support for her in the betting ring before considering her a live chance.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Solicit rolls forward here and, although disappointing first up in the Let’s Elope, should get a nice run in front here around a track that suits her pattern. Her record earns her another chance and any betting moves should be closely monitored. Commanding Jewel has drawn awkwardly but she is the best horse over a mile in the race and the small field should see her able to hook around them with no drama. Dear Demi was very good in the Let’s Elope – backing up an excellent first up effort. The step up to the mile is a positive and in tactical races – which this may turn out to be given the size of the field, Cassidy is a plus. Didn’t think there was as much between them as their opening prices suggest.
- DEAR DEMI
- COMMANDING JEWEL
- SOLICIT
- EPINGLE
