The last of the features at Flemington this Saturday is the Empire Rose (1600m), featuring Fangirl and Pride Of Jenni.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Empire Rose.
2025 Empire Rose Runner Preview:
1. Pride Of Jenni: I actually think she’s racing well. Great ride saw her win the Feehan before going to the King Charles where Bates just took too long to get her to the front and she couldn’t establish a break. This time, she should be able to do as she pleases from the front and will give an almighty sight.
2. Fangirl: Fangirl is class and that is going to carry her a long way. She was a total forgive in the King Charles. Bumped when the gates opened, tardy, back last and was never a factor behind Ceolwulf. Gets back to her own age/sex and brings the A1 form.
3. Abounding: Love her, think she is flying, and maps to do no work…I just question her running a strong 1600m at this level. Happy to oppose.
4. Damask Rose: Back to Mares grade after two runs at Group 1 level against the boys when far from disgraced. She’ll get back but be strong late.
5. Benagil: Benagil is three weeks between runs since resuming in the Weekend Hussler where she didn’t have the best of luck in the run but got clear and wasn’t too bad in the run to the line behind Zou Sensation. Fitter, up in trip, been set for the race, she can threaten.
6. Leica Lucy: Oaks winner so I think if they give her a dig in the ribs, she can settle handy and still be effective at the end. She’s right in the mix.
7. Lazzura: I think she is a dynamite fresh horse, and a sprinter. Can’t see her threatening.
8. Firestorm: Sneaky good run from her last Saturday in The Invitation and that race has proven to be a good reference for this in the past. She’s a definite knockout chance.
9. Splash Back: She’s racing well but I just don’t see her measuring up against the big girls.
10. Idle Flyer: Has smashed the clock her past two runs, runner up two back before a big win in the Angst. Flying this girl, well found, but on times, she’s going to take beating.
11. On Display: On Display I want to give another chance to. On face value, she was plain here in the Rose Of Kingston, but when you break down the sectionals, she had no chance of getting involved in what was a total forgive. Racing like she’ll eat up 1600m, kept on the fresh side…she appeals each way.
2025 Empire Rose $100 Betting Strategy:
$10 Win / $40 Place On Display
$50 Win Fangirl Tote/SP.
Group 1 Strategy Outlay: $2100
Group 1 Strategy Return: $1501
Empire Rose Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 7 | 57kg |
| 2 | FANGIRL | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 57kg |
| 3 | ABOUNDING | Robert Heathcote | Ms Jamie Melham | 1 | 57kg |
| 4 | DAMASK ROSE (NZ) | Mark Walker | Blake Shinn | 9 | 57kg |
| 5 | BENAGIL | Glen Thompson | Craig Williams | 4 | 57kg |
| 6 | LEICA LUCY (NZ) | Chris Waller | Mark Zahra | 3 | 57kg |
| 7 | LAZZURA | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 11 | 57kg |
| 8 | FIRESTORM (NZ) | Chris Waller | Adam Hyeronimus | 8 | 57kg |
| 9 | SPLASH BACK (FR) | Grahame Begg | Jordan Childs | 10 | 57kg |
| 10 | IDLE FLYER | Matthew Smith | Michael Dee | 5 | 57kg |
| 11 | ON DISPLAY | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Ben Melham | 2 | 57kg |
Empire Rose Stakes Odds
2025 Empire Rose Speed Map
Looks pretty straight forward here with Pride Of Jenni doing as she pleases from the front. All depends how hard she wants to go, like normal, or like this prep, do they try and rate her. Abounding should hold a good spot, likewise Idle Flyer.
