GEORGE RYDER STAKES 2021 PREVIEW
3YO+ OPEN WFA
1500m
$1,000,000
HEAVY 8
Rail +3m entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) |
Current Price |
| 1 | 0x225 | KOLDING | C WALLER | H BOWMAN (13) | 59 | $6.50 |
| 2 | 605x3 | AVILIUS | JAMES CUMMINGS | N RAWILLER (6) | 59 | $4.20 |
| 3 | 017x5 | DREAMFORCE | J P THOMPSON | J B MC DONALD (2) | 59 | $11.00 |
| 4 | 624x8 | SAMADOUBT | B BAKER | J PARR (12) | 59 | $34.00 |
| 5 | 5x416 | STAR OF THE SEAS | C WALLER | S CLIPERTON (11) | 59 | $10.00 |
| 6 | 40x41 | GEM SONG | K LEES | J R COLLETT (5) | 59 | $16.00 |
| 7 | 03x12 | THINK IT OVER | K PARKER | G BOSS (8) | 59 | $34.00 |
| 8 | 825x3 | CASCADIAN | JAMES CUMMINGS | MS R KING (7) | 59 | $26.00 |
| 9 | 407x0 | DALASAN | LEON MACDONALD & ANDREW GLUYAS | K MCEVOY (4) | 59 | $26.00 |
| 10 | 332x7 | DAWN PASSAGE | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | TIM CLARK (10) | 59 | $10.00 |
| 11 | 1918x | JUNIPAL | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | J ALLEN (3) | 59 | $23.00 |
| 12 | x6022 | MIZZY | A CUMMINGS | REGAN BAYLISS (9) | 57 | $15.00 |
| 13 | 20x44 | FUNSTAR | C WALLER | TOMMY BERRY (1) | 57 | $4.80 |
OVERVIEW
Another high class field lines up here for the George Ryder Stakes over 1500m. The big question mark over the race is how the track will hold up. With a Heavy track looking likely, it looks open for the taking with a number of former Group 1 winners lining up. Avilius is the early favourite after an ominous first up run, but he’s looking for further and will face stiff competition from the likes of Kolding, Funstar, Junipal & Dreamforce.
SPEED MAP
Pace looks to be genuine here, with Samadoubt and Dreamforce set to fight it out for the lead. Behind those should be Mizzy, Kolding and Funstar, who look to get the ideal run behind the leaders. Dalasan, Dawn Passage and Junipal should settle midfield, with a gap back to the backmarkers.
KEY RUNNERS
- KOLDING ($6.50)
Has been impressive so far this prep, despite not scoring a win yet. He’s finished within 2 lengths in each of his three runs so far, and fought bravely last start at Randwick to finish narrowly behind Verry Elleegant. He should get an ideal run behind the leaders and should be right in this.
11. JUNIPAL ($21)
Resumes here today as a bit of an outsider, but I think he can feature here today. He was impressive last prep, scoring three wins, including Group 3 success. His only attempt at Group 1 level was a touch unlucky, sitting midfield in the Toorak Handicap before being strung up at the 400m mark. A return to his dominant form last prep could see him go close here.
- FUNSTAR ($4.80)
Kicked off her career in superb fashion, scoring five wins from her first seven starts. This included an absolutely dominant performance in the Group 1 Flight Stakes, which saw her score by over 3 lengths to Probabeel and 6.8 lengths back to third place. Since then, she’s gone eight runs without victory, but has been right in the finish for many of those. She was good last start and there’s no reason why she can’t hit back here.
BLUEY’S PICK
- FUNSTAR ($4.80)
This looks like an extremely competitive race, with a number of winning chances engaged. I’m backing Funstar to return to her dominant best here and get back in the winner’s circle after eight runs without victory. She was very good last start in arguably poor ground and still has an upward career trajectory.
