2021 Rowley Mile – tips, preview and runner by runner

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

Following the early scratching of Order Again, there are 14 runners for the $185,000 Rowley Mile. They came through a variety of lead-up races with two having their last start in the Listed Winter Challenge over 1500m on 24 July and two having their last start in a BM 78 handicap over 1500m at Randwick on 31 July. Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott train three of the runners, while Chris Waller and Kris Lees both have two. There are nine geldings, three mares and two stallions with 5 four-year-olds, 2 five-year-olds, 3 six-year-olds, 2 seven-year-olds and 2 eight-year-olds,

The betting is very open and the early favourite is four-year-old  Kukeracha who hasn’t started since winning the Queensland Derby in May and goes well fresh. Second favourite is Riodini who has won 4 of his 12 starts and is third-up here. Third favourite is eight-year-old Countofmontecristo who has won 10 of his 37 starts and has drawn wide.

Berdibek looked unlucky when he finished 0.7 lengths 4th in the Grafton Cup last outing.  Invinciano has a win and a 2nd from her last two starts. Surf Dancer has finished 3rd and 4th at his last two runs and is unbeaten third-up. Chief Ironside faded to finish 8th when first-up in the Winter Challenge last start, but has a good second-up record. while the topweight Taikomochi resumes after 47 weeks but has trialled three times.  All other runners are currently 18 to 1 or longer.

1. Taikomochi

This eight-year-old Snitzel gelding is one of three runners for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. Gai has won this race more times than any other trainer. His career record is seven wins and nine places from 29 starts, and he hasn’t started for 47 weeks after winning the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m in September 2020. He has only won one of six first-up starts, but has placed four times. An each-way hope.

2. Quick Thinker

A five-year-old So You Think stallion trained by Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman with five wins and four places from 19 starts. He is a versatile horse with wins at 1400m, 1600m, 2000m, 2400m and 2600m. As a three-year-old he won the Group 1 Australian Derby. Returns from an 11 week let-up and has gone well at two recent trials. In the mix.

3. Kukeracha

One of two runners for Chris Waller, this four-year-old gelding has three wins and five places from 13 starts. His latest starts were a length 2nd in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate, followed by a narrow in in the Group 1 Queensland Derby on 29 May. Resumes after 11 weeks and won a recent Rosehill trial. Has drawn barrier 1 and with James McDonald in the saddle rates as one of the main chances.

4. Order Again –  SCRATCHED

5. Chief Ironside

One of two runners for Kris Lees, this six-year-old stallion has three wins and five places from 24 starts. He resumed from a 36 week spell to run 3.3 lengths 8th in the Listed Winter Challenge over 1500m at Rosehill on 24 July. Not here.

6. Riodini

This former New Zealander came 3rd in the 2020 Epsom Handicap over a mile, but in his three runs since then he has finished in the back half of the field each time. On his earlier form he is right in this, but I’m not confident on his latest runs.

7. Countofmontecristo

With prizemoney of $2.1 million this eight-year-old is the biggest earner in the field. He has 10 wins and 13 places from 37 starts. Last start he finished 1.8 lengths 5th in the Winter Challenge and is a a place hope here. Has drawn barrier 13 which is no help.

8. Berdibek

This seven-year-old grey gelding returns from a six week let-up. He was steadied early then held up from the 600 to 300m before making up lots of ground for 0.7 length 4th in the Grafton Cup last start. He was very unlucky and can place here.

9. Blue Soldier

He has only had one start in Australia where he finished 5.2 lengths 8th over 1300m at Rosehill on 24 July. Gets the blinkers on for the first time. Looking to others.

10. Surf Dancer

Has three wins and a place from 10 starts and all the wins have been over 1400m. Last start he led early but was winded in the latter stages for 3.4 lengths 4th over 1400m at Randwick. Might struggle with the 1600m.

11. Toryjoy

This seven-year-old Street Cry mare ran 3rd over 1800m at Randwick on a heavy track last start after leading and being headed at the 200m. The 1600m should suit and she is a place chance.

12. Invinciano

She was a 2.6 length winner over 1550m at Kensington on 28 July, then ran 0.8 lengths 2nd over 1500m at Randwick on 7 August. Likely to race on the speed and can run a place.

13. Monegal

Drawn the widest barrier and could struggle from there.

14. Cognac

Trained by Richard and Michael Freedman, this Invincible Spirit gelding finished 3.8 lengths 3rd over 1500m at Randwick last start. Has three wins and four places from 11 starts. Not the worst.

15. Whasir

This four-year-old Choisir gelding is the least experienced runner in the field with only three starts.  At his latest start he finished 1.5 lengths 2nd in a maiden handicap over 1200m at Goulburn. Can’t see him troubling these.

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

Jo’s Tips
3 Kukeracha
7 Countofmontecristo
12 Invinciano
1 Taikomochi

Group 1 Winx Stakes 2021 (Randwick 1400m)

Listed McKenzie Stakes 2021 (Moonee Valley 1200m)

Listed Carlyon Stakes 2021 (Moonee Valley 1000m)