Colin Stephen Quality – 2022

Track: Soft-Heavy   Weather: Partly Cloudy with a shower or two

Eight runners have accepted for the $200,000 Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality and there have been no early scratchings. The Ciaron Maher/David Eustace stable has two runners entered each whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Cadre Du Noir has opened as the early favourite at $2.30. He is going for three wins on the trot following his last start win in the Listed Tattersall’s Club Cup by over six lengths. With the incoming weather, he will fancy his chance of making it another win this preparation.

Herman Hesse is on the second line of betting at $4.60. He broke through for the first time this preparation last start when winning a 2400m benchmark 78 by 2.5 lengths. He does have some recent form on the wet but it’s not great, so I expect they will be praying that the forecast isn’t accurate.

Grove Ferry and Mohican Heights round out the top three in betting at $6.00. Grove Ferry has trialled since his 1.4 length fourth behind Arapaho in the Premier’s Cup. He is yet to run beyond 2000m so the distance has to be a slight query. Mohican Heights is coming from a 2 length defeat at Flemington in a 2500m race. The distance won’t be an issue for him and the rain won’t worry him providing it’s not too much.

1. Cadre Du Noir (5)

He is going for three wins on the trot following his last start win in the Listed Tattersall’s Club Cup by over six lengths. Handles the distance, won’t mind the rain and the weight won’t bother him. World’s best jockey is aboard, so I expect another solid run.

2. Attorney (8)

Didn’t handle the track conditions last start at Randwick and he is also entered for Mornington on Saturday. I can’t have him based on his recent form.

3. Grove Ferry (4)

35 days between runs following his 1.4 length fourth defeat behind Arapaho in the Premier’s Cup. He has trialled since nicely but the unknown for him is whether he can run 2400m, especially one that might end up being a slog if the rain hits hard.

4. Mohican Heights (3)

This bloke can stay all day which is going to come in handy in this one. He has run well in soft conditions and he is really unknown in heavy, especially over this distance. He is drawn nicely and he could be a sneaky chance.

5. Herman Hesse (1)

Handled his opposition nicely last start in a benchmark 78 over the 2400m. Sticks to the same distance at the same track but his form suggests he won’t want the rain that is on the way. He gets a nice drop in the weights, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him fighting out the finish.

6. Raging Bull (6)

Won well first up and just hasn’t lived up to the early expectations of this preparation. Can’t have him here.

7. Fun Fact (7)

Ran 3rd in this race last year. Has run well in weaker grade but just hasn’t performed well in some time. Prefer others.

8. Monreal (2)

Too hard for him.

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

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 2. Attorney, 6. Raging Bull.