2008 Sir John Monash Stakes – 19 July 2008

The feature race at Caulfield on Saturday is the $100,000 Sir John Monash Stakes over 1100 metres. It is a listed weight-for age race and has attracted a field of 13.

Live In Vain was second in this race last year and is well suited by the sprint distance. The early favourite is the Danny O’Brien trained mare La Chasseuse who has won three of her last four starts. She will be ridden by Jamie Mott who partnered her for a win at her last start.

If La Chasseuse wins she will be equal with Kaphero and Weekend Hussler for the most metropolitan wins in Victoria for the season. Two of her wins have been stakes wins and this is her first weight-for-age test.

Second favourite is Tesbury Jack to be ridden by Darren Gauci. Although he has 6 wins from 16 starts he hasn’t raced since pulling up lame in a 1200m sprint at Flemington on Derby Day last spring and is apparently around 45kg heavier than when he last raced. However he has trialled nicely at Sale, on June 23 and July 7. Cargo Cult and Lucky Diva are both chances over the distance and neither of them have started for around 3 months.

by Jo Jackson

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