2008 San Domenico Stakes – 9 August 2008

The $125,000 Group 3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill this Saturday is one of the feature events in Australia this weekend, and marks the opening of the three-year-old season in Sydney. There is a small field of seven three-year-olds for the 1100 metre race and the early favourite is the filly Anatomica.

Anatomica has only one midweek win from her three race starts but has amassed $278,750 in prizemoney courtesy of a second in the Reisling and a fourth behind Sebring in the Golden Slipper on a heavy track. She was an impressive winner of a 900 metre Rosehill trial on July 22 and will only carry 52kg in the San Domenico under the set weight plus penalties conditions, making her a huge chance.

Fillies have done well in the San Domenico with fillies winning in the last three years (Sliding Cube in 2007, Gold Edition in 2006 and Media in 2005). The topweight, carrying 54.5kg, is outstanding Queensland filly Black Minx who has won 5 of her 6 starts and regular jockey Jim Byrne is making the trip south with her.

Black Minx was the first winner by champion Lonhro and will stay in Sydney for the Silver Shadow on August 23 and the Golden Rose on August 30. Stablemate Presley has also been brought to Sydney for this race by Toowoomba trainer Mark Webb. Presley is a General Nediym colt who won his debut start then was unplaced at his only other start, but won a barrier trial at Toowomba by 11 lengths last Thursday.

The smoky of the field could be the Goulburn trained Whitefriars who won his first start at Canberra by nearly 7 lengths in January and has not started since, but won a Warwick Farm barrier trial on July 18.

Duporth also won a trial on that same day and will be ridden by Hugh Bowman in his first start since a handy fifth to Sebring in the Sires Produce in April.

by Jo Jackson

Get the latest Horse Racing Odds