2011 Villiers Stakes Preview & Tips

2011 Villiers Stakes Preview & Tips

Warwick Farm – Sat 17 December 2011

There is an 8 race program at Warwick Farm on Saturday, where the main race is the Group 2 $175,000 Inglis Villiers Stakes over 1600 metres. This is Sydney’s feature summer race and there is a full field of 16 runners plus 3 emergencies. The runners range from four to eight-years-olds with only 3 mares running. Joint topweights in the quality handicap are King Lionheart and Monton who will carry 58kg, while 10 of the 19 acceptances have the limit weight of 52kg. The track is currently rated as dead.

Runners in the 2011 Inglis Villier Stakes

Lightinthenite ($5) is a Galileo gelding from the John O’Shea stable who has had 7 starts for 4 wins and 2 placings. At his latest start he ran a ½ length 2^nd to Monton in the Listed Festival Stakes over 1500m at Rosehill on 3 December, and will meet that galloper 3.5kg better at the weights. He is the least experienced racehorse in the field but has been going well and has to be rated a chance here.

Shadowfax ($6) is a Mark Kavanagh trained galloper who has a career record of 6 wins and 6 placings from 18 starts. He has had 2 runs back from a spell for a 4^th in a Listed 1200m race at Flemington on 1 November then a long head 2^nd to Alpha Proxima in a 1400m race at Caulfield on 3 December. He had a couple of very good runs back in May last campaign and has won his only start over the 1600m.

My Destiny ($8) is the first emergency and connections will be hoping for a scratching in the race so that he gets a run. The Con Karakatsanis-trained four-year-old has won his last 3 races, all over 1300m at Rosehill. He is ready for the extra ground and has drawn quite well in barrier 6. Will be one of the main chances if he gets a run.

King Lionheart ($9) is one of 2 runners from the Gai Waterhouse stable. During the spring he raced 3 times for 2 wins, including the Group 2 Shannon Stakes over 1500m, then finished 15^th of 17 in the Group 1 Epsom where he finished lame and requiring a vet certificate. After a 2 month let-up he returned for 7^th of 16 over 1500m at Rosehill in the Listed Festival Stakes on 3 December where he again pulled-up lame and requiring a vet certificate. If they have sorted out his health issues he will be a contender here, from barrier 2.

Monton ($10) won the Listed Festival Stakes over 1500m on 3 December at his most recent start to score his 5^th win from 19 starts. He goes up in weight from his last win and has drawn out in barrier 18, which will not help him.

New Day Rising ($10) is a Fastnet Rock gelding trained at the track. He has had 3 starts over 1600m at Warwick Farm for a win and 2 seconds. His latest start was an excellent win over 1400m at Rosehill last Saturday where he sprinted to the lead at the 300m and found plenty. Definite chance here.

Jo’s Tips – Villiers Stakes

- Top Tip: (8.) New Day Rising
- Danger: (17.) My Destiny
- Trifecta: (14.) Lightinthenite