Autumn Stakes – 2022

Track: Good Weather: Fine

There are nine acceptors for the $300,000 Group 2 Autumn Stakes.  Four geldings, three fillies & two colts make up this years field and the early favourite in the betting is the Maher & Eustace trained filly Decent Raine.  She is a last start winner over this distance and is rock hard fit and racing well.  Next in the betting is Coastwatch.  His third placed finish the Group 1 Golden Rose over 1400m last preparation reads well for this.

Spirit Of Gaylard is one of three resumers and has trialled up well at Geelong in recent weeks.  Sharp Response has been hitting the line hard and looks ready to peak here third up.  Lucky Decision is a progressive type trained by Peter Moody as is Mahrez who stormed home first up at Pakenham and he gets Jamie Kah in the saddle for this.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Coastwatch

Chris Waller runner who comes down from Sydney for this first up assignment.  He is the best credentialed runner in the field having won at Group 2 level.  Was also placed in the Group 1 Golden Rose over this distance last preparation.  Rates highly here.

2. Spirit Of Gaylard

Resumes.  Talented colt.  Ran home strongly in the Moonee Valley Vase before winning the Connisseur at Flemington over 1800m last prep.  Will be better over further but has trialled up very well and is capable of making his presence felt here first up.

3. Sharp Response

Has been added to our black book twice this preparation.  Was a great run first up at Flemington in the wrong part of the track, then just got too far back in a fast run race at Moonee Valley last start but still attacked the line hard.  Up in grade here but is ready to peak.

4. Prix De Turn

Resumes in second preparation.  Ran a cracking race on debut at Sandown in September, then was seventh in a high rating Caulfield Guineas at just his second start.  Was second in a recent Cranbourne jump out.  Roughie with a chance.

5. Lucky Decision

Unbeaten this campaign.  Won a maiden first up, then was impressive winning again at Class 1 level last time out.  Improving type with map favours.

6. Mahrez

Stormed home to run third in the fastest last 400m & 200m of the night at Pakenham first up.  Huge run.  Fitter for that and gets Jamie Kah from a good draw for this second up assignment.  Each way player.

7. Decent Raine

Current race favourite.  Was very unlucky not to win here two starts ago, then was dominant winning at Flemington over this trip last time out in a high rating race.  Deep into her preparation now but we have seen that this is rarely an issue for Maher & Eustace runners.  Leading chance.

8. Burning Power

Back from a let up.  Won three of her five starts.  Has been given two very quiet trials in recent weeks.  Look for her finishing off at the end.

9. Ninyo

Safely held at Sandown first up in an easier race.  Can’t recommend.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
7. Decent Raine	2. Spirit Of Gaylard
5. Lucky Decision	7. Decent Raine
1. Coastwatch	5. Lucky Decision
3. Sharp Response	6. Mahrez

Group 1 C F Orr Stakes 2022 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 2 Rubiton Stakes 2022 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes 2022 (Caulfield 1200m)