Track: Heavy Weather: Showers

There are thirteen acceptors for the $160,000 Atlantic Jewel Stakes and many of these will have asperations to run in next months Group 1 Thousand Guineas.  James Cummings and team Freedman both have two runners entered in the race.  Three had their last start in the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield and two others met here on August 21.  Three are first up.  The early favourite in the betting is Argentia.  She resumes following an outstanding debut win at Flemington in June and is the current Thousand Guineas favourite.   The second favourite is Scorched Earth.  She has been very consistent in her five starts to date and maps favourably.

Literary Magnate won easily in heavy conditions on debut and is another who maps well.   Zouzarella was a Moonee Valley winner at her debut.  Mac ‘n’ Cheese has a big motor and will be favoured if they can run on.  La Rocque was an eye catcher from the back here first up.   Larkspur has trialled well in between runs.  Libiamo comes via the Quezette Stakes, while Biscayne Bay is one of the first uppers.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Biscayne Bay

Resumer from the Maher & Eustace stable.  She won twice in first preparation and shouldn’t have too many issues handling a heavy track.  Consider for multiples.

2. La Rocque

Has two wins from three starts.  She ran home very strongly into fifth here first up.  Can settle closer from an inside draw this time.  Has an each way chance.

3. Scorcher Earth

Jump and run filly who looks likely to find the lead here from barrier three.  She ran well first up in the Quezette and she is a Listed winner this track and trip.  Could take plenty of getting past if on speed runners are favoured.

4. Mac ‘N’ Cheese

Had little luck when finishing second at her first two starts, then was back and wide in the Oaklands Plate but was still able to get over the top to win by two lengths.  She looks well above average and has a great each way chance in this.

5. Picarones

Blinkers come off for this daughter of Shooting To Win.  She has been given six weeks between runs after finishing seventh at Rosehill in a 2 year old Handicap in July.  Happy to watch her.

6. Libiamo

Billy Egan climbs back aboard this daughter of Written Tycoon.  She won well on debut, then ran well again in the Quezette Stakes last time.  In the mix.

7. Zouzarella

Lovely debut winner this track and trip on August 21.  Drawn to get back and swoop home again here.  Can figure.

8. Argentia

The second of the Freedman runners.  She was an impressive debut winner at Flemington on June 5 & gets an inform Damian Oliver for start two.  She is right up there in the betting for the Thousand Guineas & I am expecting her to run well here.  May just need a bit of luck at a crucial time from the inside gate.

9. Literary Magnate

Very interesting runner!  She bolted in on her home track at Warrnambool on debut then was heavily backed when second to Finance Tycoon in the Vobis Showdown at Caulfield.   She ran well there but was beaten 4.5 lengths.  Resumes here off the back of a solid Coleraine jump out and looks to get map favours.  Each way claims.

10. Larkspur Run

Godolphin filly who has two wins and two seconds from five starts.  She has trialled well in between runs and has a leading rider in the saddle.

11. Commands The Field

Pattern against at Bendigo first up when fourth.  This is tougher but it wouldn’t shock to see her run a race at odds.

12. Queen Of Dubai

Started big odds and was safely held behind Zouzarella here last start.  Looking elsewhere.

13. Asteroidea

Jumped out well prior to winning a Sale maiden first up.  Missed the start in the Group 3 last start and was never likely.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
8. Argentia	4. Mac ‘n’ Cheese
4. Mac ‘n’ Cheese	8. Argentia
3. Scorched Earth	3. Scorched Earth
2. La Rocque	9. Literary Magnate

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: 5. Picarones, 13. Asteroidea

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	7. Zouzarella
2nd	10. Larkspur Run	2 lengths
3rd	9. Literary Magnate	2.75 lengths
4th	4. Mac ‘N’ Cheese	2.85 lengths