Bob Charley AO Stakes – 2023

Track: Soft  Weather: Showers

With the early scratchings of She’s All Class and Fox Fighter, 12 runners remain for the 2023 running of this race. There are 8 geldings and 4 mares with one 3YO, six 4YOs, four 5YOs and a 6YO. Five of the runners had their last start in the At Sea Handicap over 1100m at Randwick on 27 May while the rest all came via different races. Three runners are resuming from a spell. Trainer Joseph Pride has 3 runners and James Cummings has 2.

The early favourite is Spacewalk who ran on to just miss in the Darby McCarthy 3YO Plate over 1110m at Doomben last start. Second favourite is Wewillrock who was run down in the final 100m to finish 0.3 length 2nd over 1200m at Rosehill after performing well in New Zealand. Third favourite is Conscript who was a 1.2 length winner of the At Sea Handicap last start. Zethus has had 2 recent runs and can and can improve third-up. Dragonstone won this race last year and has drawn the inside barrier, while Dehorned Unicorn has won at this track and distance before. All other runners are currently $12 or longer.

1. Tycoonist (8)

Resumes from a 30 week spell. Was disappointing last campaign and prefer to see.

2. Zethus (3)

One of 2 runners for James Cummings (the other is Spacewalk). Resumed for 1.8 lengths 5th in the Listed Hawkesbury Rush then was 1.8 length 4th in the Listed Chief De Beers. In the mix.

3. She’s All Class (7)  – SCRATCHED

4. Never Talk (10)

Back to her best distance after 2.5 lengths 8th in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic. Place chance.

5. Conscript (5)

Was a 1.2 length winner of the At Sea Handicap last start, beating 4 other runners in this race. Has won 8 of his 19 starts and will be hard to beat.

6. Dragonstone (1)

Won this race last year and has drawn the inside barrier. He is one of 3 runners for Joseph Pride (the others are Ourbullseye Beauty and Dehorned Unicorn). Resumed from a 16 week break for 2.5 lengths 5th in the At Sea, and can improve second-up.

7. Fox Fighter (11)  – SCRATCHED

8. Surreal Step (9)

Finished 3rd in the At Sea last start at huge odds. Not the worst.

9. Sneaky Paige (4)

Struggled in both runs so far this campaign. Prefer others.

10. Ourbullseye Beauty (12)

Mare from the USA who is having her first Australian start. She has shown potential in trials. Watch for any betting moves.

11. Dehorned Unicorn (13)

Faded to finish 4 lengths 7th in At Sea. Has won at this track and distance before. Could place.

12. Spacewalk (14)

Ran on to just miss in the Darby McCarthy 3YO Plate over 1110m at Doomben last start. Drawn the outside barrier but can feature in the finish.

13. Wewillrock (2)

Was run down in the final 100m to finish 0.3 length 2nd over 1200m at Rosehill after performing well in New Zealand. Looks well-placed here.

14. Forzanini (6)

Resumes after a 16 week spell, Can run well fresh and has good form on soft going. Don’t dismiss.

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

Bryce Parker’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
13 Wewillrock	5 Conscript
12 Spacewalk	13 Wewillrock
2 Zethus	12 Spacewalk
6 Dragonstone	6 Dragonstone

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	12 Spacewalk
2nd	6 Dragonstone	0.32 length
3rd	13 Wewillrock	0.43 length
4th	8 Surreal Step	0.93 length

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 2. Zethus, 3. She’s All Class, 7. Fox Fighter.