Australia Stakes – 2021

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A field of six runners have accepted for the 2021 Australia Stakes.  It is hard to recall a field this small in a Group 2 since the superstar Black Caviar finished her racing career.  Neighbourhood is the only filly/mare in this years race – the other five are geldings.  There are two first-uppers in the race and no last start winners.

Viridine has come up a clear favourite in the early betting.  He hasn’t been far away at his two runs back and has a good record in Victoria.  The second favourite is Tavisan.  He makes his own luck on speed in his races and gets arguably Victoria’s best rider, Jamie Kah, to steer.  Streets Of Avalon is a former Group one winner and no doubt Zac Spain will be trying his best to hold the lead from barrier four.

The Patrick Payne stable is traveling well at the moment and he saddles up the seven year old Widgee Turf.  Widgee Turf has had nine starts at Moonee Valley for three wins and three seconds.  Neighbourhood draws a tricky gate but has been competitive at group level in the past.  Arcadia Prince hasn’t raced since 2019 but has won seven of his sixteen career starts.

1. Streets Of Avalon

Streets Of Avalon’s last win was the Group 1 Futurity Stakes however that was ten starts and almost twelve months ago.  He has never won first up but will be up on speed and giving himself every chance in a moderate group two race.

2. Widgee Turf

Talented sprinter/ middle distance type who loves racing at this track.  At age seven these might be a little slick for him first up but look for him flashing late.

3. Viridine

This James Cummings six year old won the Bletchingly Stakes and Regal Roller Stakes at his last two Victorian starts.  He was then spelled and has ran third at Rosehill and fourth at Eagle Farm to begin this preparation.  Damian Oliver reunites with him and he looks the one they have to beat here.

4. Arcadia Prince

Former Perth galloper who is now with Amy Mcdonald.  He is clearly a talented horse and has an impressive winning strike rate but the gear changes and time off would indicate he has had some issues.  Therefor I would prefer to see him first up.

5. Tavisan

Tavisan is a winner of five of his 26 career starts.  He rode the speed at Caulfield in the Christmas Stakes but weakened badly over the concluding stages to run seventh.  Inform jockey Jamie Kah sticks with him but he needs to improve on his last start effort to figure here.

6. Neighbourhood

Neighbourhood had two runs at the end of the spring carnival then re appeared after a seven week let up in the Standish Handicap on New Years day.  He got back off a slow tempo there and was just fair to the line.  The winkers go on here which may sharpen him up but he looks to map in a trick position – last on the rail?

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