Very smart field of eleven mares line up for the running of the G1 Queen of the Turf, headed by the mighty mare More Joyous who is looking for a hatrick of wins in this race. She’ll be met by arguably the toughest field she’s faced in this race with all bar five of the runners, having won at the elite level.
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Queen of the Turf Stakes Form Guide
1. MORE JOYOUS – N Rawiller (1)
The winner of twenty-one of her thirty-one starts, unbeaten in three starts this track and trip, winner of this race the past two years, winner of eleven of fifteen here at Rosehill – probably no need to go on, you get the picture. She resumed with a gallant second to stable-mate Pierro in the G1 Canterbury Stakes and won this race last year when, like she will be on Saturday, second up from a spell. Drawn ideally in one and couldn’t picture any other runner here getting within a length of Pierro.
Odds: $1.50
2. SECRET ADMIRER – J McDonald (4)
Her record reads three wins from twenty-four starts but she has been placed in G1 company a staggering seven times! She also resumed in the Canterbury Stakes and settled fourth from her good draw but wasn’t able to match the likes of Pierro and More Joyous over the final furlong and finished fifth, 3.6 lengths away. Her second up record is good and includes a ¾ length second to Danleigh in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes last prep but can’t see her turning the tables on More Joyous.
Odds: $12.00
3. APPEARANCE – K McEvoy (6)
Rounded out her Spring campaign with a narrow victory in the G1 Myer Classic and returned to racing in February in the Listed Triscay Stakes and was out-bobbed. Her next start in the Listed Wiggle Stakes wasn’t run to suit but her most recent outing was and, it just happened to be the G1 Coolmore Classic. She settled in a good spot, a few lengths of a hot speed and dug deep in the final furlong to nose out Norzita and Red Tracer. Might just find herself in a similar situation here.
Odds: $10.00
4. RED TRACER – C Brown (10)
Consistent mare by Dane Shadow who won the G3 Millie Fox two starts back on her preferred wet conditions before producing a career best last start in the G1 Coolmore Classic. Ridden by Brown, from gate one she saved every bit of ground and given every chance to see out the trip and was only bettered by Appearance. She won’t be afforded that kind of run today from a wider barrier.
Odds: $6.50
5. STREAMA – J Bowman (9)
Second up she chased Steps In Time the whole way home when 3 ¼ length second in the Wiggle Stakes before drawing poorly (gate 13 of 14) in the Coolmore Classic and getting too far back. She was doing her best work late in the Coolmore and they might be a bit more aggressive with her out of the gates today. Form probably is better than it reads.
Odds: $17.00
6. MID SUMMER MUSIC – L Nolen (5)
Peter Moody trained mare who, first up in the G3 Liverpool City Cup, sat outside the leader and eventual winner Skyerush in the run, before holding on for fourth. She then stepped out in the G1 Canterbury Stakes as a 100/1 chance, settled at the tail of the field and failed to make an impression in the run home, finishing five lengths from Pierro. Better suited back to the conditions of this race and any sting out of the track would also assist.
Odds: $21.00
7. SPIRIT SONG – (11)
A consistent mare who was rewarded for her honesty, with a comfortably 1 ½ length win in the G2 Sunline Stakes when third up form a spell at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago. Fourth up last prep, she ran a long neck second to Solzhenitsyn in the G1 Toorak Handicap so not out of place in this company but will find it tough from her draw.
Odds: $34.00
8. PEAR TART – J Cassidy (2)
Just hasn’t been able to recapture the form of her winter campaign last year that saw her claim the G1 Tatt’s Tiara. She was ridden aggressively last start form her inside draw and settled on a hot speed in the Coolmore Classic but was unable to sustain the effort and faded, finishing tenth of fourteen. Will go forward again but, just to be considered a chance of winning here, she’d need heavy conditions.
Odds: $34.00
9. THERE’S ONLY ONE – J Parr (7)
Won the G3 Bellmaine Stakes for Peter Moody first up off an eight month spell before getting back in a slowly run G3 Tressday and finishing sixth. Got back again at her latest start – the Sunline Stakes and didn’t have a great deal of luck in the run home. Going better than her form would suggest but even at her top, couldn’t see her winner this.
Odds: $51.00
10. SHANNARA – (8)
Last win for this 6yo Octagonal mare, came in the Listed Skinfitness Cup at Hawkesbury in November 2011. She was first up in the Listed Wenona Girl at Warwick Farm three weeks back and from her inside draw, had no luck at all in the run home behind eventual winner Arinosa. Should’ve at least placed last start but even then, it’s still a significant step up to this grade.
Odds: $101.00
11. CATHAY LADY – B Shinn (3)
Exceed and Excel mare who won four on the trot last prep, culminating in the Listed Belle of the Turf Stakes at Gosford. She resumed off a nine week break with a typically tenacious effort in the Listed Wenona Girl Stakes, where she held on for fourth behind Arinosa, after going forward from a wide gate. Will go forward from three, give plenty but doubt that that will be enough.
Odds: $101.00
OVERVIEW
Cathay Lady, Pear Tart go forward from the inside draw with Red Tracer, Spirit of Song and possibly Streama who are draw wider out. Pace should be good here and it’ll be interesting to see where Rawiller can place More Joyous early from the inside gate but she’s good enough to create her own chance if need be. Secret Admirer goes in @ $14.00. She should appreciate what could possible be a solid tempo and bide her time before making her move and her second up record is good. Appearance will follow a similar pattern, has competed in two G1 races and won them both and Streama, who I’d like to see go forward and find a spot, is capable of sticking on.
