The Stocks Stakes is Race 7 at Moonee Valley racecourse on Saturday September 15th. Aaron Purcell trained Spirit Song is the current favourite for the second Group 2 race of the day. We like a runner at good odds. View our Stocks Stakes tips, preview and selections.
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1. AVIENUS
Honest mare who ironically hasn’t seen the winner’s stall since winning this race back in 2010. She was excellent behind Parthian two starts back and when fourth to Cuban Sunday in the Listed Slickpix Stakes a fortnight ago. The wide draw doesn’t help but will certainly be out doing her best.
2. SPIRIT SONG
Won an impressive six from her eight starts last prep including in the G3 Schweppes and the G2 Sunline Stakes over this track and distance. Returned to racing a fortnight back and made steady ground finishing just over three lengths from Let’s Be Happy in an Open Mares event. Better for that run and would only have to be close to last prep’s form to be winning here.
3. NEVER FORGET
Another overseas runner who joined the Moody yard and has had two runs in Australia. Finished well down the track in the first run on a Heavy in the Cockram Stakes before a much better effort on a drier surface, finishing third to Let’s Be Happy a fortnight back. Appreciated the drier surface and given that she gets those conditions, might be one to monitor closely.
4. BOOKLET
5yo mare who never, although not winning, never seems to be far away in these races. Normally gets back so with an inside draw so she may find herself in an awkward position in the race.
5. DAME CLAIRE
She won the Andrew Ramsden (3200m) when leading throughout back in May of this year and expect that she’ll need it longer than today’s race to produce her best. Won a Cranbourne Trial five days ago by a very big margin.
6. MIDNIGHT MARTINI
Lightly raced 5yo mare who competed well in the Herpert Power (G2) and David Jones (G3) before pulling up lame in The Lexus Stakes and being immediately spelled. Made good ground late first up behind Let’s Be Happy a fortnight ago and hard to think she would’ve gone backwards from there.
7. ROCK PRINCESS
Has demonstrated her liking for the wet weather with four wins on Heavy tracks in her last six starts. Each of those runs were in Restricted company so it’s a big step up in grade for her today and the market has quoted her accordingly.
8. BLISS STREET
She was a leading 3yo filly last spring but in five starts during the Autumn didn’t quite produce the same form. Forgive her first up run on Heavy but was only fair last start behind Let’s Be Happy when had her chance to do a little better.
9. MY CHICHARITA
NZ mare from the Michael Moroney yard who has compiled a record in home country that makes here worth consideration here – despite finishing last in her Australian debut four weeks ago. That was on a Heavy track and could easily improve on that run with Oliver up and a favourable draw.
10. CHATEAUX MARGEAUX
Very well bred mare from the Moody yard. Progressed through the grades quickly last prep culminating in her starting a short priced favourite in the G3 Keith Nolan Classic but she was unable to deliver and was immediately spelled. Hard not to notice her first up run finishing from well back in the field to finish second behind Thy. Expected to get back from the wide gate but sure to be getting home hard.
11. OASIS BLOOM
Well beaten first up on a Heavy track at Caulfield in Cockram Stakes and was then unlucky not have been able to finish closer than she did after being held up for a run behind Zurella.Quick back up here should be no problem and has the services of Boss on board. In an open race, she’ll have her share of admirers.
12. DANCE FOR CASH
4you Dash for Cash mare who will find this a lot harder than her last start third on the Geelong Synthetic track in a RST 68 event – there’s easier races she’s eligible for.
OVERVIEW
As is the case with these Mare’s races, the betting is open with joint favourites in early betting being Spirit of Song and Chateaux Margeaux at $4.40 with Midnight Martini the next best at $4.80. Each of these mares obviously are well credentialed but it’ll be interesting to see how the track plays with Chateaux Margeaux and Midnight Martini expected to get back. If swoopers are able to get home, then happy to go with either. If it’s favouring those on-pace, Never Forget at $9.00 might be able to run a cheeky race. Improved substantially on her first up run last start and getting out to the mile should allow her to improve again.
