The $1 million Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) has drawn together a competitive field for Australia’s last Group 1 race of the season at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday.
1 – BELLA NIPOTINA
The star of the Queensland Winter carnival winning the Doomben 10,000 before second placings in the Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap. This is the easiest race she’s been in this prep and the best weighted runner.
VERDICT: The formguide says she’s the horse to beat.
2 – SEMANA
Came through strong races in Sydney during the autumn, winning the Triscay Stakes before Group 1 placings behind Zougotcha in the Coolmore Classic and Queen Of The Turf. Resumed in the Stradbroke, got too far back but did make ground. Drawn better here.
VERDICT: One of the leading chances.
3 – ROOTS
Has not raced since finishing down the track nine weeks ago in the Robert Sangster Stakes. Does her best racing when fresh as she presents here and that trip suits. Not knocked around in a quiet tune up trial at Randwick recently.
VERDICT: Capable on her day and 1400m fresh is a big tick.
4 – OPAL RIDGE
Targeted at this race and arrives here third run back from a spell. Is a winner at this trip and handles all types of ground. Impressive first-up winner on her home track at Scone then got too far back, was wide but kept making ground in the Moreton Cup.
VERDICT: Shouldn’t be too far away from a good gate.
5 – COMRADE ROSA
Was doing her best work late when beaten 2-3/4 lengths in the Dane Ripper Stakes, giving the winner C’est Magique 2.5kg. Better suited at the set weights here and is suited up to 1400m.
VERDICT: Not without place claims.
6 – BUBBLE ROCK
Former US galloper that was beaten 4-1/2 lengths in her Aussie debut in the Helen Coughlan Stakes, holding her ground in the straight. Open to improvement with that run under the belt but not convinced on the strength of that form.
VERDICT: Faces a task here.
7 – VIENNA PRINCESS
Has raced below her best this year after some solid spring performances including a close sixth in the Golden Eagle. This trip is her preferred distance but needs firm ground.
VERDICT: Not going well enough.
8 – C’EST MAGIQUE
Sold recently for $1.7 million and the new owners got an instant return and pedigree upgrade when she won the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes. James McDonald sticks and she’s drawn to advantage.
VERDICT: Has genuine each-way prospects.
9 – LEKVARTE
Was something of a summer and early autumn revelation but resumed in the Moreton Cup and didn’t fire a shot. Targeted at this race and does have excellent second-up figures but would need to make good improvement off the last performance.
VERDICT: Needed to see more resuming.
10 – AUSBRED FLIRT
Was six weeks between runs when getting home strongly to grab second behind C’est Magique in the Dane Ripper Stakes. The 1400m trip is her pet distance and it should be noted she arguably should have won The Invitation over 1400m in the spring.
VERDICT: Peaking at the right time.
11 – MORE SECRETS
Arrives here with eight weeks between runs. Overall she has been disappointing in her 2024 runs but it should be noted that her best effort was when fresh in the Guy Walter Stakes and she has a similar set up here.
VERDICT: She’s not going well enough.
12 – ZOE’S PROMISE
Should appreciate dropping back to 1400m after getting run over late her past two over 1600m. Did win over this trip three starts back, albeit in easier grade but her 1400m record is solid. Tricky draw to overcome.
VERDICT: This looks too rich for her.
13 – COCO JAMBOO
Imported mare that got off on the right foot when winning the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown at her first Aussie run. Then was good again, getting home strongly to finish behind the placegetters in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes and meets the winner 1.5kg better here. Drawn favourably.
VERDICT: On the up and can’t be left out of the chances.
14 – COEUR VOLANTE
Resumed and while safely held, wasn’t disgraced in the Helen Coughlan Stakes before making improvement when defeated by 2-1/4 lengths in the Dane Ripper Stakes. Ready to peak here third-up but does have a wide draw to overcome.
VERDICT: One for the exotics.
15 – ROLL ON HIGH
Got too far back before making slight headway late in the Stradbroke Handicap. That effort followed a good win in the Fred Best Classic, against the three-year-olds. Is three from six over 1400m.
VERDICT: Can run into the placings.
16 – ABOUNDING
Made good improvement when holding on gamely late to round out the placings in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes. Does meet C’est Magique 1kg better this time but has to overcome out of the outside barriers.
VERDICT: Faces a task from the wide draw.
17 – MISS JOELENE
Has been running on gamely in recent runs in The Roses and the Queensland Oaks, over 2000 and 2400m. Comes back 1000m in trip in the space of three weeks.
VERDICT: Set a task here.
18e – BANANA QUEEN
Disappointing performance last start in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes when down the track after being slowly away. That performance followed a placing in the Dark Jewel at Scone and a solid fifth in the Hawkesbury Crown.
VERDICT: Can do better than last start.
19e – WILLINGA BEAST
Broke through to score a maiden black-type win in the Hinkler Handicap for the new owners who only recently parted with $675,000 to secure her at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Harder here and tricky gate to overcome.
VERDICT: It would be a surprise if they hit the stumps.
****
TIPS
1st – SEMANA (No. 2)
2nd – BELLA NIPOTINA (No. 1)
3rd – OPAL RIDGE (No. 4)
4th – COCO JAMBOO (No. 3)