Sir John Monash Stakes – 2020

Track: Heavy   Weather: Showers

The rail is back to the true on Saturday which will hopefully lead to the track playing much fairer than the last meeting, when the on pacers had a significant edge. On Thursday, the track is rated a soft with 3-8 mm predicted on Saturday during the morning and afternoon – as a result I am working off a heavy track.

This year’s race has a relatively small field of nine runners and features horses that have had their last start in three different states. I expect the pace to be solid with Tavisan and Jungle Edge looking to press forward and Ashlor possibly looking to tuck in behind the other two from its outside barrier.

The early betting sees Viridine a clear favourite ahead of Jungle Edge who ran second in the race last year. There are three horses in the $8 range all coming out of Victorian Winter Sprint races – I am Someone, Tavisan and Ashlor.

1. Jungle Edge

The nine-year-old gelding just keeps turning up to the races and running well. He was good in this race last year leading everywhere but the post. Interestingly he has started much shorter than Viridine at their two most recent meetings – with the score being 1-1. He had a quiet jump out during the week and looks to be in good order coming off a five week freshen up. If the rain comes (which looks likely) I think the gap in price between he and Viridine is too big.

2. Viridine

He is coming off a nice last start win up in Sydney where he did a good job to pick up the leaders late in conditions similar to what he likely faces here. He has the advantage of fitness over key rival Jungle Edge and looks to get a soft run in behind the speed with D Oliver booked. Will run well again.

3. Ashlor

Was good last start where he sat outside and booted away from Tavisan at the Valley. On pacers were advantaged that day however and he has had three attempts at the track / distance and is yet to run a place. Whilst I think he will run well I could not entertain him at single figures.

4. Snitzkraft

He has been up a long time now and has run only one placing in his last nine starts. He is yet to register a placing at five goes around Caulfield and has much better form on dryer tracks. I found it hard to make a case for him here.

5. Intuition

I found him to be a really interesting runner. He was unwanted first up at Flemington but finished on okay from back in the field. Up 100m in trip here second up with race fitness and I suspect D Dunn will find what might be the better ground out wide late in the day. My query with him is the conditions – his better runs have been on top of the ground

6. I Am Someone

Another horse that has been competing in the winter sprint races in Victoria. 1200 is his pet distance and I expect him to get a nice run in behind the speed we talked about. Should be rock hard fit now and on a quick back up I expect him to run well.

7. Tavisan

He gets back onto his home track where he won two back. This being said I was happy to risk him here, coming off two plain runs and deep into his prep with seemingly good pressure coming from Jungle Edge. He seems very well found in early markets at $8 – I am expecting him to start double figures.

8. Spirit of Aquada

He gets the blinkers on for the first time however his win percentage is poor and I think some of the better fancied runners will have a bit too much class for him.

9. Grey Shadow

I found him the hardest horse to line up coming from Brisbane. He goes really well around Caulfield and this is his peak distance with five of his six wins coming at the 1200m. I like the booking of Jamie Kah and I don’t want to be losing on him at $10 +.

The following are the top 4 selections for the Sir John Monash Stakes 2020.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’s Tips
2 Viridine	1 Jungle Edge
1 Jungle Edge	2 Viridine
6 I Am Someone	9 Grey Shadow
3 Ashlor	6 I Am Someone