2017 Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes Preview
Saturday 25 March
Rosehill Racecourse
The Vinery Stud Stakes is a 2000 metre group one for the 3yo fillies. It is a traditional lead up into the Oaks and over the past few seasons it has been won by some serious racehorses, most notably Lucia Valentina. It is an interesting race, as most fillies will be getting out to the 2000 for the first time in their careers.
The Kiwi La Bella Diosa ($5) was extremely impressive in winning the Surround Stakes at Randwick at her first start in Australia. That race was ran on an extremely heavy track, which tells us she relishes the current wet conditions Sydney is continually throwing up. I doubt the 10 furlongs will pose any issues though after running a 10L last against the older mares in the Coolmore Classic, the current price looks skinny at best.
Out of the Kembla Grange Classic we have Dawn Wall ($5) and Lubiton ($7). There was a big tip around for Lubiton that day and the market reacted accordingly though I thought the win of Dawn Wall put any question marks over who was the stronger filly to bed. It was a perfect ride by Kerrin McEvoy to deliver Dawn Wall the win but she ran through the line over the mile with some strength. The 2000 metre journey she’ll receive on Saturday looks to suit her down to the ground and from barrier 3 Melham should be able to give her every chance.
Foxplay ($3.40) is another of the Chris Waller runners to line up on their home track of Rosehill. Coming off a last start victory in which she really pinned her ears back late to just get up for the punters who took the shorts. The most encouraging thing out of that performance was her last 200 was scintillating and that’s a great sign heading towards to 2000 metres of the Vinery. She has proven that wet ground is no issue and has shown class throughout her whole career. Market watch to see which way the Waller stable is leaning.
Montoya’s Secret ($13) is a very intriguing entry into the race. This filly was racing in maiden grade only two starts ago and has now made the trip north to contest a group one. In that maiden I speak of she beat a horse called Rock Giselle by three lengths, and that horse has since won very impressively. She then went to a BM64 at the Valley and won with some arrogance, a comfortable 4.5-length romp. This is a massive step up in class though the talented daughter of High Chaparral is bound to love the trip and is a chance at long odds.
The leading chance of the Victorian visitors though is Harlow Gold ($6.50). She brings the group one form of the Australian Guineas in which she was outstanding, coming from 11th on the bend to grab an eye catching fourth. This filly ran second in the Oaks in the spring and third up now at the 2000 looks ideal. The heavy going would be some query though with the in form Regan Bayliss riding from gate 5 she’s a cracking each way chance.
Tip – Harlow Gold each way ($6.50/$2.20)
