Black Opal Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft   Weather: Fine

The Black Opal stakes makes for an intriguing affair headed by the very talented and promising Queen Of The Ball. The Snowdens have a good record in the race and have a promising colt Metallicity, out to break its maiden after an impressive and unlucky debut. There isn’t much separating the first few in the market in what looks to be a competitive affair. On paper, this looks like a race to follow with plenty of up and comers battling it out for the top prize.

1. Sweet Ride (13)

Ticking along well. Needs luck from the draw and plenty of speed will be on but if things fall into place for it, Sweet Ride can be in the finish.

2. Cool Amigo (8)

Improved last run but can’t have here.

3. Great Seige (11)

This looks too tough.

4. Metallicity (14)

Very good hope here Metallicity. There was a lot to like about the debut run, it was caught in an awkward position and just failed to fully extend. The stable speak very highly of Metallicity and from the debut there was certainly the element of – back me next time. No favours from the draw but looks very hard to beat with even luck.

5. Nolan (3)

Going okay but this looks out of its depth.

6. Peace Officer (15)

Prefer in something easier.

7. Rise Of The Masses (2)

Good hope from the draw and will be on the speed in the firing line. The stable produce them tough and strong, Jay Ford is also a positive rider so I am expecting it to be somewhere in the finish.

8. Standing Order (4)

Great chance lobbing from the nice draw. Will be on the speed and the stable have an outstanding record in this race.

9. Warby (12)

Must respect the stable and in form jockey Ben Allen. Inclined to follow any market moves.

10. Queen Of The Ball (16)

Outstanding first-up run and quite flat second-up. Will need plenty of luck from barrier 16 but does have early speed to burn. Can win but looks a risk at this stage launching from the wide draw.

11. Invertational (10)

Can’t have off the trials. Deserves the long odds.

12. Lethal Lady (1)

Okay effort thus far but can’t have in a race of this depth.

13. Swift Sweet (9)

No jockey engaged as of yet. Sound first-up run but has to deal with an awkward draw. Looks the right price.

14. Troach (5)

Solid each-way chance from the nice draw with the booking of Tim Clark. Likeable efforts thus far.

15. Fine Vintage (7)

Poor debut run, can’t have.

16. Custodian (6)

The market will be the best guide. Coming from an astute stable and a strong booking, worth keeping safe.

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

Bryce’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
4 Metallicity	4 Metallicity
7 Rise Of The Masses	10 Queen Of The Ball
9 Warby	9 Warby
10 Queen Of The Ball	12 Lethal Lady

Group 1 Australian Cup 2022 (Flemington 2000m)

Group 1 Newmarket Handicap 2022 (Flemington 1200m)

Group 2 Kewney Stakes 2022 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 2 VRC Sires Produce 2022 (Flemington 1400m)

Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap 2022 (Flemington 1400m)

Group 3 Matron Stakes 2022 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes 2022 (Flemington 1200m)

Listed Moomba Plate 2022 (Flemington 1100m)

Group 1 Coolmore Classic 2022 (Rosehill 1500m)

Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1500m)

Group 2 Ajax Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1500m)

Group 3 Sky High Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 2000m)

Group 3 Magic Night Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1200m)

Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1200m)

Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1100m)

Listed National Sprint 2022 (Canberra 1400m)