The 2020 Group 1 Tancred Stakes has only attracted  small field of nine but it is loaded with quality with the James Cummings trained Avilius trying for back to back wins in the 2400m weight for age staying test.

The Chris Waller-trained Verry Elleegant is fronting up again this week after going down narrowly in last Saturday’s Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and trainer Kris Lees will saddle up three runners, Mugatoo, Mustajeer and Danceteria.

We have analysed the entire field and our complete 2020 Tancred Stakes tips can be found below!

Avilius

Avilius was the winner of last year’s Tancred Stakes but he has been struggling to find his best form with three unplaced runs this preparation before finishing third behind Addeybb and Verry Elleegant in last Saturday’s Group 1 Ranvet Stakes over 2000m at Rosehill. Avilius finished five and three quarter lengths from the winner in the Ranvet Stakes but will be suited by the step up in distance and you can’t rule him out of winning back to back Tancred Stakes.

Mustajeer

Mustajeer is the first of trainer Kris Lees three Tancred Stakes runners and has to be included among the chances. The English import has been racing well recently in slightly easier company with a win in the Listed Parramatta Cup (1900m) followed by a second in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m), both at Rosehill. Mustajeer will have no problem stepping up to the 2400m of the Tancred Stakes, having won the Ebor Handicap over 2787m at York in England last August.

Danceteria

Danceteria is another of  trainer Kris Lees’ English imports who is yet to be tested over 2400m, but is a Group 1 winner over 2000m in Munich in Germany. Danceteria is yet to show his best European form on Australian soil and looks tested going into the Tancred Staks on the back of a sixth in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000n) at Rosehill.

Southern France

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s Irish import Southern France showed his staying ability with a win in the Group 2 Zipping Classic over 2400m at Sandown at the end of the 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival. Southern France has had one run back from a break and would have to improve quickly to be a chance here after a first up seventh in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 7.

Mirage Dancer

Mirage Dancer will have no trouble stepping up to the 2400m of the Tancred Stakes with three wins over a similar distance in England. Mirage Dancer finished third in the 2019 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield during the Melbourne Spring Carnival and the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained stayer has had three runs this preparation in the lead up to the Tancred Stakes. Mirage Dancer was a handy third two runs back in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield and then finished sixth in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 7. Will have to improve on that run to be chance.

Mugatoo

Mugatoo was a beaten odds on favourite in last Saturday’s Group 3 N E Manion Cup over 2400m but was gallant in defeat behind the English stayer Young Rascal. The Kris Lees trained English import is stepping up to weight for age grade with 59kg in the Tancred Stakes and will find this much tougher than carrying 54kg under the handicap conditions of the N E Manion Cup.

Angel Of Truth

Angel Of Truth has struggled to find his best form since winning the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick during the 2019 Sydney Autumn Carnival. Angel Of Truth set the pace last start but faded over the concluding stages to finish fifth in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 14.

Carif

The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Carif will have no trouble handing the 2400m of the Tancred Stakes, with placings over 2500m and 2600m twice during the 2019 Spring Carnival, but is facing a massive step up in grade here. Carif did show some improvement at his second run back from a spell when third in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last start.

Verry Elleegant

Verry Elleegant looks the one to beat on her very consistent recent Group 1 form. The Chris Waller trained mare has been runner up at Group 1 level at her last two starts with a second to Te Akau Shark in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick followed by a second last Saturday in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill. Verry Elleegant was the winner of the 2019 Group 1 Australian Oaks over 2400m during last year’s Sydney Autumn Carnival so the step back up to that trip looks ideal at this stage of her preparation.

Tancred Stakes Tip

Verry Elleegant at $2.10