2021 Christmas Stakes Race Details

Race 8 at Caulfield on Sunday 26th December 2021.

The Christmas Stakes is an 1100 metre open handicap race run by the Melbourne Racing Club in late December. It is held at Caulfield as one of the feature races on the programme.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Christmas Stakes page.

Christmas Stakes 2021 Preview

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Sixteen runners + two emergencies have accepted for the $200,000 Listed Christmas Stakes.  Six had their last start in the Kensington Stakes at Flemington, three ran in the Doveton Stakes and two others come via an Open Handicap at Pakenham.  Three are first up.  The Phillip Stokes and Maher & Eustace stables both have two runners entered.  One of those Maher & Eustace runners is the early favourite Marabi.  The unbeaten five year old mare demolished her rivals by seven lengths first up in benchmark 70 grade at Ballarat and tackles Stakes grade for the first time here.  Next in the betting is Outlaws Revenge.  He has won his last two starts at Morphettville and looks well drawn in barrier nine.

Away Game was a Group 3 winner in June and has jumped out well in recent weeks.  Parsifal was best placed of those to come via the Kensington Stakes – he finished second.  Curran was an eye catcher from the back in the Doveton Stakes, while Rainbiel has had a let up since finishing down the track in the Begonia Belle on Derby Day.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

Christmas Stakes Runner by Runner

1. Away Game

Has been given a freshen up since finishing sixth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on October 22.  She won a recent Cranbourne jump out under a hold.  If she can find some cover from barrier 16 she is an each way chance in this.

2. Ancestry

First upper trained by Phillip Stokes.  He has nine wins from twenty starts but has really struggled for form in recent preparations.  Gets blinkers for the first time which could help sharpen him up.  His best would be good enough to win this.

3. Sartorial Splendor

Was well fancied first up at Flemington but never fired a shot.  Poorly drawn out in barrier 17 and doesn’t have the best record here.

4. Parsifal

We made this seven year old gelding a black booker after a good effort last start in the Kensington Stakes at Flemington.  Was second after racing in the inferior section of the track there.  Rock hard fit now fourth up and appears well drawn with John Allen in the saddle.

5. Grandview Avenue

Sent around $101 at Flemington last start and whacked away okay to be beaten less than three lengths.  Fitter again here third up.

6. Morrissy

Was only fair in the Kensington Stakes first up.  D Oliver to C Azzopardi is a knock.  Needs to improve.

7. Prezado

Unplaced in five goes this preparation and doesn’t go well at this track.  Looking elsewhere.

8. Streetcar Stranger

Another of the South Australian visitors.  Was second behind Enthaar here last start, and won only previous try this track & trip.  Barrier 18 makes things tricky though.  Consider for multiples.

9. Munitions

Godolphin gelding drawn to get a soft run.  Was second at Pakenham last start and the form out of that race has been strong.  The query is whether he is looking for 1400m now?

10. Outlaws Revenge

South Australian visitor racing in fine form.  Has won his last two at Morphettville.  Latest, was always traveling back to the inside and surged through the gap once clear.  Maps in a good spot here for South Australian jockey Dom Tourneur.  Each way chance.

11. Shamino

Second of the Phillip Stokes runners.  Finished last in the Kensington Stakes and is unplaced in four previous Caulfield runs.  Prefer others.

12. Curran

Lightly raced gelding with four wins and four placings from twelve starts.  Just got too far back here last time when dropping back to 1000m but closed off well.  The extra 100m suits.  Has a chance.

13. Rainbiel

Has been freshened since finishing 11 of 14 in the Begonia Belle at Flemington.  Was a nice winner of the Black Pearl at Geelong prior.  In the mix here.

14. Vainstream

Was a big drifter first up at Pakenham coming off a 12 month break.  Ran home okay into sixth there but happy to watch him again here.

15. Excess Funds

Not often you see Jamie Kah on a $151 chance but we do here.  Has been beaten 3.5 lengths in both runs back.  Needs to improve.

16. Broadwayandfourth

Likes to get back and run home in her races.  Had the bias in her favour but finished off nicely at Pakenham first up.  Strips fitter here and drops right down in the weights.  Rough hope.

17. Marabi – 1st Emergency

Unbeaten filly trained by Maher & Eustace.  Three of her four wins have been by over six lengths.  Resumed at Ballarat with seven length win over subsequent winner Savannah Cloud.  Steps from benchmark 70 to listed level for the first time but times and margins suggest she is well and truly capable of measuring up.  Jamie Kah takes over the ride.  Clearly the one to beat.

18. Ginger Jones – 2nd Emergency

Resumer from the Andrew Noblet yard.  She has a handy record and goes well first up.  Rough place chance from the soft draw.

Christmas Stakes 2021 Tips

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

Jo’s Tips
Lewis’ Tips
17. Marabi 17. Marabi
10. Outlaws Revenge 4. Parsifal
4. Parsifal 12. Curran
1. Away Game 10. Outlaws Revenge

Previews for other races this week

2021 Christmas Stakes Final Results

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 8. Streetcar Stranger, 16. Broadwayandfourth, 18. Ginger Jones.

Result Horse Margin
1st 17e. Marabi
2nd 1. Away Game 0.75 length
3rd 4. Parsifal 2.5 lengths
4th 13. Rainbiel 3.25 lengths