Chelmsford Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft  Weather: Shower or two.

Fifteen runners have accepted for the $250,000 Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes and there has been one early scratching. The Chris Waller stable has five runners entered for the event, the Annabel Neasham stable and the Waterhouse/Bott stable have two runners entered each whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Surefire has opened up the $3.70 favourite. He won impressively first up over the unsuitable distance of 1400m, and even though he was assisted by the pace up front, he still had a lot of work to do and the bias against him.

Montefilia is on the second line of betting at $4.40. She is resuming after an okay preparation which saw her win the Ranvet Stakes second up convincingly but she was poor in her other two runs in the preparation. She has trialled twice in preparation for this.

Mo’unga rounds out the top three in the betting at $6.50. He wasn’t fully tested in the concluding stages of the Winx Stakes and stewards did query the run, though Tommy Berry was adamant he was blocked in the straight and couldn’t test the son of Savabeel.

1. Mo’unga (5)

Had some excuses first up but was poor regardless. Not ideal that Tommy Berry is off him and onto the stablemate. Maybe he is taking longer to come to hand following six months off? Can’t have him winning this, place at best.

2. Numerian (1)

Returning after 84 days. Two trials in preparation for this, something he has never done since coming to Australia. I am expecting a bold run first up and for him to be really hitting the line. I think he is a solid place chance.

3. Knights Order (11)

Returning after 147 days. Classy stayer who will be looking for further. Will hit the line, but he won’t be winning over 1600m.

4. Stockman (4)

Tremendous return for a horse who wants further. Ran amazing closing sectionals behind Anamoe last start and will appreciate the extra distance. Still a touch too short for him, but he is a solid place chance.

5. Kukeracha (9)

Returning after 84 days. Hard to have.

6. Great House (15)

Returning after 84 days. Looking for further.

7. Crystal Pegasus (2)

Returning after 147 days. Another stayer who is looking for further.

8. Entente (14)

Returning after 162 days. Seems the theme in this race, there are a lot of stayers resuming. Can’t have.

9. Surefire (12)

Slashing return over an unsuitable distance against the bias, despite the pace set it up for him. Won’t get the pace here but could follow the pace across and sit prominently should they please. Has to be the one to beat based on his first run.

10. No Compromise (6)

Decent return first up behind Surefire. Should be hitting the line looking for further.

11. Supernova (13)

Returning after 896 days. Hasn’t raced in over 2 years. Can’t have.

12. Profondo (10)

SCRATCHED

13. Alegron (3)

Returning after 112 days. Stayer resuming. Expecting a good run and for him to be hitting the line.

14. Benaud (7)

Another who ran some nice sectionals behind Anamoe in the Winx Stakes. He is one who will appreciate the mile and run a strong one, especially back in grade. If they can settle a touch closer, he is a winning chance.

15. Montefilia (8)

Returning after 147 days. Apart from the mighty Winx, only one other mare has won this race since 2009. Can’t have her here first-up.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
14 Benaud	9 Surefire
9 Surefire	1 Mo’unga
10 No Compromise	15 Montefilia
2 Numerian	7 Crystal Pegasus

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3 Knights Order
2nd	2 Numerian	1.26 lengths
3rd	10 No Compromise	2.32 lengths
4th	14 Benaud	2.67 lengths

The track was rated as Heavy 10.

Scratchings: 1. Mo’unga, 6. Great House, 11. Supernova, 12. Profondo, 15. Montefilia.