THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?
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date | Sat 02 Nov 2024 |
track | Flemington |
distance | 1600m |
conditions | WFA, Fillies and Mares |
status | Group 1 |
prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
The Empire Rose Stakes is one of the more recent Group 1 races on the Australian calendar, having only been incepted in 1988, and having been assigned Group 1 status in 2004. It is for mares and fillies only, racing over the Flemington mile.
The best mares to have won the race include the champion miler Divine Madonna in 2007, dual horse of the year Typhoon Tracy in 2009, New Zealand legend Melody Belle in 2019, and Colette as a five-year-old in 2021, following on from wins in the Golden Eagle at four and ATC Oaks at three.
Despite the WFA nature of the race, and exposed form by the time the Melbourne Cup carnival comes around, it is a race that has been prone to upset results over the year, so punter’s have to be wary when assessing the race.
Princess Grace has been matching motors with some of the best horses in Australia, finishing second to Fangirl in the Winx, second to Mr Brightside in the Memsie, and fourth to Mr Brightside in the Makybe Diva at this track and distance. She then looked to be gifted the Blazer Stakes dropping back to mares grade and jumping at $1.65, but couldn’t reel in Life Lessons. If you forgive her that defeat, and go on her previous form, then she is the one to beat.
Atishu is the stablemate of Princess Grace, and is the mare James McDonald is riding. Does that give us a clue as to who the stable, or at least the jockey, thinks is the horse to beat? While better with the sting out, Atishu is still effective on a good track, but is far from the most reliable horse getting around. There is a lot of speed in this race on paper, and you can easily see her being the one to emerge from the pack and sail by them all, just as she did in the Queen of the Turf at Randwick earlier this year.
Alcohol Free is on the back-up after running fourth in The Invitation last week, in a blanket finish alongside smart mares like Espiona, Ruthless Dame and Magic Time. Before that she was outclassed in The Everest, and was chasing Think About It home in the Premiere, beaten just under three lengths. She’s ready for the mile now, and draws to get the run of the race.
Hope In Your Heart is a game mare that has run so well in so many big races over the last year or so. She was second to Atishu in the Queen of the Turf, has run fourth in a Golden Eagle, Doncaster Mile and Coolmore Handicap. She much prefers ground with a bit of give in it, rather than firm footing, but she’ll give her all and be somewhere in the mix as always.
Selections: 1.Princess Grace 2.Atishu 3.Alcohol Free 4.Hope In Your Heart
EACH-WAY
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
YEAR | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINERS |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Pride of Jenni | Declan Bates | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace |
2022 | Icebath | Craig Williams | Brad Widdup |
2021 | Colette | Damien Oliver | James Cummings |
2020 | Shout The Bar | Damien Oliver | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
2019 | Melody Belle | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards |
2018 | Shillelagh | James McDonald | Chris Waller |
2017 | Shoals | Dean Yendall | Lee & Anthony Freedman |
2016 | I Am A Star | Dean Yendall | Shane Nichols |
2015 | Politeness | Dwayne Dunn | Robert Smerdon |
2014 | Bonaria | Michael Rodd | Pat Hyland |
2013 | Red Tracer | Nash Rawiller | Chris Waller |
2012 | Appearance | Michael Rodd | Guy Walter |
2011 | Hurtle Murtle | Damien Oliver | Matthew Smith |
2010 | Sacred Choice | Corey Brown | Joe Pride |