Track: Good Weather: Fine

Thirteen have accepted for the final Group 1 of the Sydney Autumn – The All Aged Stakes.  Nine of these are Group 1 winners.  There are seven geldings, two entires, three 3 year-olds and one mare in this years field.  Trainers Chris Waller and James Cummings have multiple runners.  Interestingly only two runners come via the T J Smith Stakes which is the traditional lead up race and has produced the winner of this race the last five years!  One of those is the race favourite Masked Crusader.  He was dominant winning the William Reid Stakes in March before finishing second in the T J Smith at his latest run.  The second favourite is Savatiano.  She has had a six week let up since winning the Canterbury Stakes.  Next in the betting is the Doncaster Mile winner Cascadian.  He draws a soft gate and will be attempting to defy recent history by stepping back in distance to win this race.

Tagaloa won the 2020 Blue Diamond and is a bold front running type.  Kolding is a two time Group 1 winner but was very plain after being well supported in the George Ryder Stakes.  Eight year old Dream Force has a very strong record over this trip but will need to over come a tricky barrier – he is drawn in 13.   Zoutori won the Newmarket Handicap then finished fourth in the T J Smith.  I Am Superman is a last start winner, while Imaging can be excused for a poor Newmarket Handicap run after pulling up lame.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Kolding

Kolding opened this campaign with back to back seconds at Group 2 level, then finished less than a length off Verry Elleegant in the Group 1 Chippy Norton.  He produced a rare bad run last start but has had a month off and he is capable of bouncing back.

2. Masked Crusader

This four year old gelding has been exceptional at his last two starts.  He blew them away in the William Reid at Moonee Valley, then we made him a black booker off the back of his T J Smith run.  He was back in the ruck but once clear really attacked the line to run second in a high rating race.   The query is that he failed as an odds on favourite at his only previous attempt over 1400m but he is a more mature horse now and is capable of making amends.

3. Zoutori

Zoutori won the Newmarket in March, then finished fourth in the T J Smith – all be it beaten six lengths.  He is racing well and comes via the right lead up.  1400m a small query?

4. Dreamforce

This eight year old won the Tramway Stakes this track/distance in the spring but was only moderate here first up.  He improved to run second at Rosehill last time but had track bias heavily in his favour.  Draws wide.

5. Cascadian

Well ridden by Jamie Kah to win the Doncaster Mile.  Comes back 200m in trip here which is of some query but both horse and jockey are airborne.

6. Fifty Stars

Last seen finishing midfield in the All Star Mile when unsuited by the track bias.  Another I have queries on coming back in trip to 1400m.

7. Imaging

Forgive his poor Newmarket performance after he was found to be lame.  Prior was good running second in the C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield.  Stepping back up to 1400m suits.  One of the chances.

8. Kementari

Ran well in the William Reid Stakes first up and has a good record at this trip.  He is roughie with a chance.

9. I Am Superman

His best form is fresh with five of his six wins coming first or second up, so I like that they have given him five weeks between runs into this.  Each way chance!

10. Savatiano

Another who has been given a freshen up into this.  She has won her last three starts and is a very versatile mare who knows how to win.  Barrier six gives Hugh Bowman plenty of options – has a great each way chance.

11. Tagaloa

Interesting runner!  Loved his win in the CS Hayes in February then he was only reeled in late in the Australian Guineas.  He has had a quiet recent trial at Cranbourne and could take some catching here.

12. Prague

Big eye catcher with a fast finish out wide in the Newmarket, then wasn’t far away here last week.  In the mix.

13. Peltzer

3 year-old with a strong winning strike rate.  He has five wins from six starts this track however is unproven at this distance and I’m not sure the likely fast tempo suits him.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
2. Masked Crusader	2. Masked Crusader
10. Savatiano	11. Tagaloa
5. Cascadian	3. Zoutori
11. Tagaloa	12. Prague

Group 1 Champagne Stakes 2021 (Randwick 1600m)

Group 3 Breeders Stakes 2021 (Morphettville 1200m)