2021 Golden Rose Stakes – tips, preview and runner by runner

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 13 three-year-olds for the $1,000,000 Golden Rose with 10 colts, a gelding and two fillies. Four runners had their last start in the Group 2 Run To The Rose over 1200m on 11 September, three in the Listed Dulcify Stakes over 1500m on 11 September and two in the Listed Exford Plate over 1400m at Flemington on 11 September. There are three runners sired by Snitzel, two by Fastnet Rock and two by Flying Artie. Team Hawkes and Chris Waller both have two runners each.

The early favourite is the James Cummings-trained  Anamoe who was impressive first-up winning the Run To The Rose. Second favourite is Remarque who was 3rd in that race after 3rd in The Rosebud the start before. Third favourite is Artorius who was runner-up in the Exford Plate after starting favourite last outing.

In The Congo finished 2nd in the Run To The Rose, after winning the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes.  Jamaea came from well back to win the Group 2 Furious Stakes against her own sex last start. Tiger Of Malay finished 2nd in the Dulcify Stakes where he was only beaten late. Startantes comes off three consecutive wins at Doomben, while Giannis wa sa first-up winner of the Dulcify Stakes.  All other runners are currently 30 to 1 or longer.

1. Anamoe

This Street Boss colt trained by James Cummings has four wins and three places from eight starts. In the autumn he ran 2nd in the Group 1 Golden Slipper then won the Group 1 ATC Sires Produce by 2.8 lengths before a 22 week spell. He resumed for a first-up win in the Run To The Rose where he gave weight to most of the field. It was an impressive win where he had the best last 800m race sectional and he will be very hard to beat here.

2. Artorius

Has had two runs in Melbourne this campaign for 2nd in the Group 3 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes then 2nd in the Listed Exford Plate when a $1.55 favourite. He drops 3kg from that run and has in-form jockey Jason Collett. Looks close to a win but has drawn wide in barrier 11. One of the chances.

3. Captivant

Won the Group 1 Champagne Stakes over 1600m in the autumn and has drawn barrier 1. He finished 3.8 lengths 6th in the Run To The Rose where he was reported to have experienced breathing issues during the run. One for the exotics.

4. Hilal

One of the two runners for Team Hawkes, this Fastnet Rock colt has drawn the outside barrier. His only win from seven starts was a 2YO maiden plate at Kensington on debut in February 2020, but he has been runner-up in two Group 1 races in the autumn – the ATC Sires Produce and the Champagne Stakes. Chased hard for 0.6 length 3rd in the Exford Plate at his latest start. Not in my top 3.

5. In The Congo

This Snitzel colt trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott has two wins and three 2nds from his five starts. He won the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes over 1100m on 28 August, then was only run down late to be runner-up to Anamoe in the Run To The Rose. Steps up to the 1400m for the first time but is a key player and should make his presence felt.

6. Tiger Of Malay

He won the Group 2 BRC Sires Produce over 1400m during the Queensland Winter Carnival, then won the Group 3 Up and Coming Stakes resuming this time in before a close second in the Dulcify Stakes. Meets the winner of that race 1.5kg better at the weights. Place chance.

7. Remarque

This Snitzel colt trained by Team Hawkes has only had four starts but finished 3rd in The Rosebud then 3rd in the Run To The Rose where he had the best last 600m to 200m race sectional. Looks ready for the 1400m and should be in the finish.

8. Giannis

One of two runners for Chris Waller, this Flying Artie colt was runner-up in the JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm during the winter. He won three trails at Rosehill before resuming to win the Dulcify in the final stages. May need further than 1400m but will run a big race.

9. Royalzel

This Snitzel colt trained by Gary Portelli has four wins and a place from seven starts but this will be his first run a Group level. Finished 0.6 length 3rd in the Listed Dulcify and this is a big rise in grade.

10. Coastwatch

Finished 2nd in the Up And Coming before winning the Group 3 Ming Dynasty over 1400m on 28 August. Nicely drawn in barrier 2 and worth putting in the multiples.

11. Moridan

He has only started twice and won a 3YO Maiden handicap at Kensington last start. My money won’t be on him.

12. Jamaea

This Headwater filly trained by Robert & Luke Price at Kembla Grange came from last to win the group 2 Furious Stakes over 1200m last start. Looks as if the 1400m will suit and it would be no surprise to see her run a place

13. Startantes

Queensland filly who has won five of eight starts, although none were at Listed or Group level. Connections paid a $37,500 late entry fee this week to get in the race. Hard to line the form up and she could surprise.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
1 Anamoe
5 In The Congo
7 Remarque
8 Giannis

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratchings: –

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	5. In The Congo
2nd	1. Anamoe	0.2 length
3rd	10. Coastwatch	1.6 lengths
4th	2. Artorius	1.88 lengths