Track: Soft Weather: Showers

Like the Australian Guineas the $300,000 Group 2 Blamey Stakes promises to be a cracker.  Four of these come via a run in the Elms Handicap which was run here a fortnight ago – three others are first up.  Zaaki switches paths to Melbourne to avoid running on a bottomless track in Sydney and he dominates the early betting as an even money favourite here. He was a dual Group 1 winner in the spring and is using this as a lead up run to the All Star Mile which will be run here later this month.

Mr Brightside hit the line hard first up as did the former WA mare Inspirational Girl who is in her second preparation for Danny O’Brien.  Corner Pocket is a winner and strips fitter after winning the Elms.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Zaaki

First up.  Has been a winning machine since the Brisbane Carnival last year winning six of seven.  Won the Tramway fresh over 1400m last prep.  Has trialled well.  Can lead or tuck in behind here from barrier one and is the one they have to beat.

2. Lunar Fox

Won the Australian Guineas on this day last year but hasn’t done much since.  Safely held by Corner Pocket, Mr Brightside and Co in the Elms first up.  Hard to recommend.

3. Bankers Choice

Ex Kiwi first up here for Michael Moroney.  Was a Group 3 Mile winner at Trentham on January 15.  This is a rise in class.  Happy to watch him.

4. King Magnus

Honest customer trained by Robbie Griffiths and Matthew De Kock.  Was beaten less than a length in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes in the spring and ran well in the Elms first up.  Place claims.

5. Mr Brightside

Progressive gelding trained by team Hayes.  Won seven in a row last prep then ran a solid fourth in the Cantala Stakes when trying Group 1 level for the first time.  Resumed in the Elms Handicap – hitting the line hard after being held up.  Maps to get a gun run this time around.  Second of the key winning chances.

6. Corner Pocket

Was a good winner of the Elms Handicap first up extending his winning run to eight in a row.  First try at the mile is a query but he is sure to have fans at close enough to $10-1 in the betting.

7. King Of Leogrance

Has only had one run since the spring of 2020.  Genuine staying type.  Should find these too sharp first up.

8. Purple Sector

Sydney sider who hasn’t been beaten far in four runs back from a spell.  Up in class here.  Rough place chance at best.

9. Pondus

Last ran in the Melbourne Cup.  Beaten a long in that race.  Best form is over further.  This is just a pipe opener.

10. Inspirational Girl

Won the Group 1 Railway Stakes over this trip in November 2020.  Just had the one run in the spring then tipped out.  Returned with good sixth in the C F Orr at Caulfield.  She did her best work through the line in that.  Blinkers go on here with plenty of intent as they need to win to secure a run in the All Star Mile.  Is some query on wet ground but is the third of the key winning chances.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
6. Corner Pocket	5. Mr Brightside
1. Zaaki	10. Inspirational Girl
10. Inspirational Girl	1. Zaaki
3. Bankers Choice	6. Corner Pocket

Group 1 Australian Guineas 2022 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 1 Randwick Guineas 2022 (Randwick 1600m)

Group 1 Canterbury Stakes 2022 (Randwick 1300m)