Andrew Ramsden Stakes – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

A full field of eighteen runners plus four emergencies have accepted for the chance to win a ballot free ticket into this years Melbourne Cup.  Champion trainers Chris Waller and Team Maher/ Eustace saddle up six runners between them.  The Sydney Cup is a key form reference as is the Mornington Cup.  Gai Waterhouse’s White Marlin is a well backed favourite in early betting.  He has won six of seven starts and was a dominant winner at his only Flemington appearance.

Hezashocka has also been well backed and looks ready to win fourth up.  Lunar Flare is a talented staying mare and I like the booking of Michael Dee for her.  Vow And Declare and El Patroness look the other main winning chances.

1. Vow And Declare

2019 Melbourne Cup winner.  His form this prep prior to last start was very solid.  He is well suited under the weight scale and can run well here.

2. Selino

One of the Waller runners.  He out performed his sp in the Sydney Cup last start.  Consider for multiples.

3. Hezashocka

Was a very good and very narrow second in the Mornington Cup last start.  Ran well in the Australian Cup prior.  No certainty to get the extra 400m but I didn’t think he was stopping last start.  Looks the logical danger to the favourite White Marlin.

4. Southern France

Not here.

5. True Marvel

Was second in the Sydney Cup last start at huge odds.  He maps to do no work and will run the trip.

6. Aurora’s Symphony

Was safely held in the Roy Higgins.  Outclassed.

7. Amade

Ran well in the Adelaide Cup before finishing midfield in the Sydney Cup.  Rough place hope.

8. Swords Drawn

Backs up after a good closing third in the Warrnambool Cup.  Thought he was a sneaky good run the start prior in the Mornington Cup too.  Rough each way hope at odds.

9. Rebel Racer

Won the Adelaide Cup two starts ago.  We know he will stay but I’d be shocked if he had the class to win this.

10. White Marlin

Brilliant winner at Sandown first up then nutted as a very short price favourite last start with the big weight.  Looks ready for this trip now.  Love the Waterhouse Childs combo!  The one to beat.

11. Hasta La War

Good winner of the Port Adelaide Cup last start.  This is a lot harder.

12. Cadre Du Noir

Doesn’t appear to be going well enough this time in.

13. Camorra

Can’t entertain.

14. Herman Hesse

Ran on well for third in the Mornington Cup.  Is ready to peak fourth up.

15. Third Realm

Improved showing for sixth in last weeks Warrnambool Cup but gets no favours from barrier 22.

16. Timour

Didn’t fire in the Sydney Cup last start.

17. Lunar Flare

Looks to be going quite well this prep.  Her win in the Bart Cummings and second placing in the Moonee Valley Cup last campaign looks solid form for this.

18. El Patroness

Was okay in the Australian Cup three back and a good winner in an easier contest at Lakeside last start.  Rough chance.

19e. Alakahan – 1st Emergency

He kept coming in the Sydney Cup to run seventh.  Drawn perfectly.

20e. Long Arm – 2nd Emergency

Had a chequered passage last start in Adelaide but lacks the talent to be winning here.

21e. Caboche – 3rd Emergency

Not here.

22e. Pesto – 4th Emergency

Needs four scratchings to get a run which looks unlikely.  Does go well here.

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

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
10 White Marlin	10 White Marlin
3 Hezashocka	3 Hezashocka
17 Lunar Flare	11 Hasta La War
1 Vow And Declare	1 Vow And Declare