Blue Sapphire Stakes – 2022

Track: Good Weather: Fine

A very strong field takes place. Economics comes up favourite and beat home Opal Ridge last start who franked the form well by winning on the weekend. Greece put away a maiden field with ease and can go on with things here. Lofty Strike creates plenty of interest on return and had Everest contender Jacquinot behind it on debut. That looks the right form for this race and Jamie Mott sticks. The tempo looks to be very solid.

1. Daumier (7)

Did a bit wrong but still ran well behind Lofty Strike and that looks strong form for this race. Barrier 7 is slightly awkward but if it can put it all together it certainly can give a strong sight at the $23.00 being dished out.

2. El Padrino (9)

Going along okay but its stablemate Greece should be running past it and has to be some query on its settling position. Leaning to others.

3. Lofty Strike (8)

The market should tell the story about Lofty Strike but the claims are undeniable. Had Jacquinot behind it on debut who is off to The Everest. If there is form to trust, thats it as Jacquinot took care of Golden Mile who came out and won very well on the weekend. Some query on Lofty being away with injury and the map is a little tricky but class can come to the fore here. Watching market moves late but if Lofty is ready to go its the one to beat.

4. Lascars (14)

Sharp rise in trip. Godolphin are winning everything at the moment so I’d be anything but dismissing it. Keep safe.

5. Economics (2)

Looks the other formline that is worth trusting. Economics beat Opal Ridge who came out and won a Group 2 on the weekend so the form looks good. Should get a nice run in transit and be hard to beat against this lot. Main danger.

6. Shalailed (5)

Went okay last start. Much harder here but respecting the placement. Top 4 chance.

7. Eponymous (11)

Racing well. Not sure its the right form for this lot but Prebble and Waller are a force.

8. Grand Impact (10)

Grand Impact continues to win and thats hard to knock. Melham should take it straight to the front and it is loaded with upside. Hard to match up the form with the other dangers in the market but has the right profile to win the race.

9. Great Barrier Reef (6)

Sneaky knockout chance and we get a guide through the form tomorrow with Tribeca Star going around in NSW. J-Mac is an eye catching booking and this is within reach.

10. Redzoust (13)

Has won in style its past 2 starts. Off synthetic and Oliver is out of form. Prefer others.

11. Squad (1)

Can’t have.

12. Bews (3)

Luckless last run. Much harder here but the map looks kinder from barrier 3. Respect any market moves.

13. Shipstern (12)

Prefer others.

14. Greece (4)

Bolted in last run. Up a few notches here but the post race comments from Jamie Kah were promising and the map is kind. Can go close.

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

Bryce’s Tips	Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
3 Lofty Strike ( market watch advised )	5 Economics	5 Economics
5 Economics	8 Grand Impact	14 Greece
8 Grand Impact	3 Lofty Strike	3 Lofty Strike
1 Daumier	14 Greece	12 Bews

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8 Grand Impact
2nd	6 Shalailed	1.75 lengths
3rd	3 Lofty Strike	2.75 lengths
4th	2 El Padrino	6.5 lengths

The track was rated as Heavy 10.

Scratchings: 5. Economics, 7. Eponymous, 9. Great Barrier Reef, 10. Redzoust, 14. Greece.