Belgravia Stakes – 2023

Track: Soft   Weather: Fine

Following the early scratching of Home James, there are 11 runners remaining for the Belgravia Stakes this year, with 6 geldings, 5 fillies and one colt. Seven runners had their last start in the Max Simmonds Stakes over 1000m at Ascot 2 weeks ago, while the rest came via different races. Two are resuming. Two runners are sired by Playing God. Trainer Simon A Miller has 4 runners and Luke Fernie has 2 runners

The early favourite is Super Smink who resumes from a 26 week spell after winning the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate and the Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes at the end of last campaign. Second favourite is Almighty Class who won the Max Simmonds Stakes by 1.5 lengths. Third favourite is Augment who was a 1.5 length winner over 1200m at Ascot last start. Ripcord ran 2nd in the Max Simmonds. The other runners are currently $16 or longer.

1. Ripcord (7)

One of 2 runners trained by Luke Fernie (the other is Shaddow Fear). He has a win and 3 placings from his 4 starts and ran 2nd in the Max Simmonds last outing with good closing splits. In the mix.

2. Super Smink (6)

This filly was brilliant as a 2YO winning 3 of her 5 starts including the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate and the Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes. She resumes from a 26 week spell and has trialled. Strong claims.

3. Almighty Class (2)

One of 2 runners sired by Playing God (the other is Rope Them In). He won the Max Simmonds Stakes by 1.5 lengths at only his second start. Looks to be one of the main chances.

4. A Lot Of Good Men (5)

Came from the back of the field to run 7th in the Max Simmonds when resuming, with good closing splits. Goes well at this track and expected him to be shorter than his current price of $19.

5. Rope Them In (8)

He has 2 wins from 3 starts. Resumes after 17 weeks and placed in a recent trial. Not the worst.

6. Home James (10)  – SCRATCHED

7. Eliteone (3)

One of 4 runners for Simon Miller. Won on debut then was spelled. Resumed for 3.6 lengths 5th in the Max Simmonds. Could surprise.

8. Moorditj Boy (11)

Has a win and 2 places from 3 starts. Has drawn the very wide but has early speed to overcome this.

9. Shaddow Fear (1)

Resumed from a 29 week spell for 6th in the Max Simmonds. Prefer others.

10. Brave Strike (9)

Ran 2nd in the WA Sires’ Produce as a 2YO and resumed for 8th in the Max Simmonds. Should take improvement from that. Don’t dismiss.

11. Augment (4)

Was a 1.5 length winner over 1200m at Ascot last start to give her 2 wins and 2 places from 4 starts. That was against older horses and she should go well here.

12. Petula (12)

Won her first 2 starts then resumed for 4th in the Max Simmonds. Has drawn the outside barrier but is capable of making her presence felt.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
2 Super Smink
3 Almighty Class
11 Augment
4 A Lot Of Good Men

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	2 Super Smink
=2nd	11 Augment	0.22 length
=2nd	3 Almighty Class	0.22 length
4th	5 Rope Them In	1.17 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratching: 6. Home James.