EMPIRE ROSE STAKES 2019 PREVIEW
FLEMINGTON RACE 5 – 14:20 AEDT
OPEN G1
1600m
$1,000,000
GOOD 4
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 11x45 | INVINCIBELLA | C WALLER | J ALLEN (14) | 57.0 | $17 |
| 2 | x4111 | MELODY BELLE | JAMIE RICHARDS | O P BOSSON (13) | 57.0 | $3.50 |
| 3 | 6x757 | ARISTIA | MATHEW ELLERTON & SIMON ZAHRA | C WILLIAMS (1) | 57.0 | $14 |
| 4 | 13x41 | SAVATIANO | JAMES CUMMINGS | J DOYLE (12) | 57.0 | $9.50 |
| 5 | 0x600 | AMPHITRITE | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | L NOLEN (4) | 57.0 | $27 |
| 6 | x0041 | SPANISH REEF | K KEYS | M ZAHRA (6) | 57.0 | $15 |
| 7 | 6x710 | PRINCESS JENNI | D BRIDEOAKE | D OLIVER (10) | 57.0 | $8 |
| 8 | 7x545 | NOIRE | C WALLER | M WALKER (11) | 57.0 | $46 |
| 9 | 2x424 | POHUTUKAWA | JAMES CUMMINGS | H BOWMAN (7) | 57.0 | $6.50 |
| 10 | x8361 | NETTOYER | WENDY ROCHE | B RAWILLER (9) | 57.0 | $16 |
| 11 | x2193 | SPANISH WHISPER | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | D DUNN (8) | 57.0 | $27 |
| 12 | 01x16 | BACCARAT BABY | DAVID VANDYKE | M HELLYER (3) | 57.0 | $23 |
| 13 | 2x232 | ANGELIC RULER | DANIEL & BEN PEARCE | B PREBBLE (15) | 57.0 | $15 |
| 14 | 7x278 | MISS SISKA | G BEGG | L J MEECH (2) | 57.0 | $35 |
| 15 | x5363 | FIDELIA | R GRIFFITHS | J MOTT (16) | 57.0 | $14 |
| 16 | 6x722 | NAIVASHA | P CAREY | R MCLEOD (5) | 57.0 | $126 |
OVERVIEW
The Empire Rose Stakes kicks off the first of four Group 1 races on Derby Day, which is often regarded as one of the best racing days of the year. The race has been dominated in early betting by New Zealand mare Melody Belle who has scored nine Group 1 victories and won three in a row. Australian Oaks winner Princess Jenni looks to be one of the main dangers.
SPEED MAP
Decent sized field but there doesn’t seem to be too much speed engaged here. Miss Siska is your likely leader with Savatiano also likely to push forward from barrier 12. From here, there’s a few runners that will push into the front half of the field, including; Spanish Reef, Spanish Whisper and Melody Belle. There looks to be a notably high number of backmarkers in this race.
KEY RUNNERS
- MELODY BELLE ($3.50)
New Zealand runner who has raced in Australia previously. Raced well previously at Group 1 level in Australia but couldn’t come away with a win. Since returning to NZ has scored a number of wins, including three Group 1’s in a row recently. Draws barrier 13 but has been in scintillating form recently. Deserving favourite here.
- SAVATIANO ($9.50)
Racing well at the moment, scoring an impressive 2.25L victory last start in her second run back from a spell. She went for home around the turn and booted clear to score easily. Prior to that she was fourth in the Group 2 Blazer. Should improve again third up but 1600m looks a query.
- PRINCESS JENNI ($8)
Was solid in her return at Flemington to kick off the prep, before travelling to Moonee Valley and scoring an impressive swooping run to score over Rondinella and Oceanex. In her latest run, she was never really in a winning position; she was slowly away which left her 2nd last for most of the run before being hampered in the straight. Should see a much better run here and looks a top hope.
BLUEY’S PICK
- MELODY BELLE ($3.50)
The New Zealand form should hold up here on the back of Te Akau Sharks extremely solid preparation. Melody Belle finished just behind Te Akau Shark to kick off this prep before scoring three consecutive Group 1 victories. Looking to make it four wins on the trot and can certainly do so.
