Chelmsford Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

The early scratching of Cutadeel leaves 15 runners for the $250,000 Chelmsford Stakes. Eight of them will be having their first-up run from a spell. while the other seven are second-up and four of them had their first-up run in the Spring Preview Handicap over 1400m at Randwick three weeks ago (15 August). Early favouritism is shared betwen Avilius who ran 2nd in this race last year, goes well at this track and distance and has won two from six first-up, and Angel of Truth who resumed for a close 2nd in the Spring Preview Handicap. Third favourite is Mister Sea Wolf  who finished fifth last start in the Group 2 Missile Stakes when first up and faces a rise in distance which will help.

Zebrowski came on to finish midfield last start in the Group 1 Warwick Stakes when resuming and is not favoured by barrier 12. Shared Ambition has won six of his 11 starts and three of his failures have been on heavy tracks. He resumed in the Spring Preview Handicap and has won all three of his second-up starts. Nettoyer resumes from a 21 week spell and has shown potential in trials. She is a track specialist with five wins at Randwick. Finche resumes from a long spell of 43 weeks and has placed in a recent trial. Life Less Ordinary is back from a 20 week spell and fitter for multiple trial runs but has never won at a shorter distance than 1800m. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

Coming soon

1. Avilius

Ran second in this race last year behind Samadoubt. First-up after 23 week break, goes well at this track and distance and has won two from six first-up. With his record of 11 wins from 28 starts he has to be rated as one of the main chances.

2. Finche

Resumes from a long spell of 43 weeks after finishing 7th in the Group 1 2019 Melbourne Cup. He has placed in a recent trial and goes well first-up.

3. Mister Sea Wolf

Finished fifth last start in the Group 2 Missile Stakes when first up and faces a rise in distance which will help. He has a poor record at Randwick so I am not putting him in my trifecta.

4. Wu Gok

Eight of his 11 wins have been on a heavy track. He won the Listed Lord Mayors Cup by 3.8 lengths on 30 May and the Listed Winter Cup by 0.2 lengths on 13 June, both on heavy tracks. He is better over longer.

5. Life Less Ordinary

Back from a 20 week spell and fitter for multiple trial runs but has never won at a shorter distance than 1800m.

6. Yulong Prince

Ran 2nd to Wu Gok in both the Lord Mayors Cup and the Winter Cup. Has not won or placed in four starts at Randwick.

7. Brimham Rocks

Resumes here and all his wins have been at 2000m to 2800m.

8. Shared Ambition

He has won six of his 11 starts and three of his failures have been on heavy tracks. He resumed in the Spring Preview Handicap and has won all three of his second-up starts. One of the main chances.

9. Carif

Resumed for 6th in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury and generally improves second-up, but this looks too strong.

10. Angel of Truth

He resumed for a close 2nd in the Spring Preview Handicap over 1400m at Randwick where he ran on strongly and had the best overall race sectionals. He jumps from barrier 3 and looks to have a good chance.

11. Morton’s Fork

He finished midfield last start in the Spring Preview Handicap at Randwick when first up and goes up 4.5kg from that run. Looking elsewhere.

12. Cutadeel  – SCRATCHED

13. Zebrowski

Came on to finish midfield last start in the Winx Warwick Stakes when resuming and is not favoured by barrier 12

14. Nettoyer

She resumes from a 21 week spell and has shown potential in trials. She is a track specialist with five wins at Randwick, four of them at this track and distance. Is capable of fighting out the finish.

15. Danzdanzdanz

She ran 8.6 lengths 9th in the Spring Preview Handicap when resuming last start at Randwick on a heavy track. She has trialled since her last race 21 days ago but didn;t show much. Not keen.

16. Miss Sentimental

Having her first run for Chris Waller. Won a Rosehill trial on 18 August but prefer to watch her go around.

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

Jo’s Tips
1 Avilius
14 Nettoyer
8 Shared Ambition
10 Angel of Truth

The track was rated as –

Scratchings were –

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3. Mister Sea Wolf
2nd	6. Yulong Prince	0.2 length
3rd	2. Finche	0.7 length
4th	1. Avilius	1.2 length