2014 Breeders Classic tips, preview and selections

A small but select field of mares will line up for the Breeder’s Classic, the feature race at this weekend’s Rosehill meeting. Heading the markets is John O’Shea’s unbeaten mare White Sage at $2.70, just in advance of last year’s winner of this race Steps In Time and Catkins, both at $4.60. Champion mare Streama will be looking to post a first up win for the first time in her career and is the only other runner in the market at $5.50

Breeders Classic Form Guide

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1. STREAMA – B Shinn (4) 59kgs

She contested ten races last year – all at stakes level, and only once finished worse than fourth. Seven of those races were Group 1’s where her record read – victory in the George Main Stakes, a nose second to Boban in the Epsom Handicap and a further three placings. Surprisingly, Streama is winless when resuming from a spell in five attempts but has filled a place on each occasion. She has to give the rest of the field weight but from gate four, she should get a good run and have the last shot at them.

Odds: $5.50

2. STEPS IN TIME – J Cassidy (6) 57kgs

She won this race last year first up off a fifteen week break with two barrier trials under her belt. On Saturday she’ll be stepping out for the first time for her new trainer Joe Pride (previously with John O’Shea) but with an almost identical preparation to last year’s. She hasn’t raced since finishing eighth (3.2 lengths) in the G2 Yellowglen Stakes at Flemington back in November but looked ready and sharp for her return in the two barrier trials that she has produced for Pride in the past three weeks. Will bowl along out in front and give them something to chase.

Odds: $4.60

3. CATKINS – J Bowman (1) 55.5kgs

Kept improving with each run last prep did this Chris Waller trained mare by Dubawi. She overcame big weights and poor draws to claim both the G3 Sportingbet Sprint and Eliza Park Stakes during the spring before running a lip second to stable-mate Red Tracer in the G1 Myer Classic. Spelled after the Myer and has been tuned up for her return with two barrier trials. She has a good fresh record and will be set for big things this time in if her rate of improvement continues as it did throughout the spring.

Odds: $4.80

4. SHARNEE ROSE – C Reith (8) 55.5kgs

Blew punters out of the water when, as a $51 chance in the G3 Golden Pendent (1400m), she finished too well for the likes of Red Tracer, Benetta and Appearance, to score a head win last preparation. The Kris Lees trained runner proved it was no fluke by comfortably winning again at her next start, the G3 Angst Stakes (1600m). She then ventured south whilst in form for a crack at the G1 Myer Classic and did well given the race was dominated by those up front, finishing fourth (4.2 lengths) behind Red Tracer and Catkins. Will appreciate a solid tempo up front but only the one win from six starts first up (placed a further four times). She’ll be finishing well but may find the 1200m a fraction short.

Odds: $21.00

5. DRIEFONTEIN – T Berry (2) 55kgs

Comes off a courageous win on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast when, lumbered with 61kgs, she dug deep late to win the R. M. Williams Quality (1300m) by a neck. Surprising though, given her overall record, that the Gai Waterhouse runner has only won the one race from eight starts at this track and that came in the G3 Sheraco Stakes where she secured the perfect run throughout. Drawn to get a similar run here and whilst this grade may be her absolute best, she is fit and capable of sticking on for a place.

Odds: $9.00

6. WHITE SAGE – J McDonald (3) 54kgs

An exciting mare from John O’Shea’s stables, she has won five from five including, at her most recent start late last November, a comprehensive two length victory in the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m). The daughter of Reset was looked after in a recent trial and whilst this is a step up again for her in terms of class, she’s drawn to take up a forward position. Has met every challenge with flying colours thus far and will give them plenty to catch with 54kgs.

Odds: $2.70

7. EMMALENE – T Clark (7) 54kgs

Queensland trainer Liam Birchley has brought this 5yo Jet Spur mare to Sydney on three occasions during her career with mixed results. She finished fifth in the 2012 G2 Light Fingers behind Sea Siren and was totally luckless in the G2 Sapphire Stakes behind Arinosa. She’s had one run back from a six month spell and that came on the Gold Coast, Magic Millions Day. With 54kgs, she flashed home late to run a neck second to Whittington. She’ll find this no easier than last start despite stripping fitter.

Odds: $17.00

8. PRETTY PINS – J Collett (5) 54kgs

We haven’t seen this Patinack Farm representative since she finished ninth of thirteen (3.1 lengths) behind Less Is More in the Listed Premiere’s Cup (1800m) back at the end of August last year. She’s had two trials in the past month, finishing mid-field in both. Her first up record is only moderate and would wait for something longer before entertaining her as a chance.

Odds: $126.00

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RACE OVERVIEW

Steps In Time and White Sage will going forward with Catkins and Driefontein keeping that pair honest. Doubted White Sage in the Festival Stakes given the step up in class and the fact that she drew the widest gate in a field of fourteen but, she crossed comfortably and just kept going. Think she’ll sit off Steps In Time here who may provide the perfect “bunny” for her to chase. Catkins should be in the right position throughout from gate one, stalking the above pair along with Driefontein. Both are tough competitors who rarely run bad races. Streama will be charging late and $5.50 about a mare of her calibre, despite the weight and being first up, is almost too good to pass up.