Concorde Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft  Weather: Shower or two.

Nine runners have accepted for the $500,000 Group 3 Concorde Stakes and there have been no early scratchings. The Godolphin stable trained by James Cummings has three runners entered for the event, whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Eduardo has opened the $2.15 favourite. He only had three starts last preparation which included the third placing at Flemington in the Lightning Stakes, winning the Challenge Stakes, and finishing off with a second to Nature Strip in the T.J Smith Stakes. He comes into this race first up after two trials, and generally goes well fresh.

Andermatt is on the second line of betting at $4.60. After winning his first two starts last preparation, he was wide throughout at Scone in the Luskin Star Stakes when finishing fourth before getting too far back in an Open race at Randwick. He has had just one 800m trial in preparation for this and he is undefeated first-up.

Malkovich rounds out the top three in betting at $5.50. The highlight of his last preparation was his win in the Bob Hoysted at Flemington before failing in the Group 1 Galaxy followed by a placing in the Hawkesbury Rush. he has had two trials in readiness for this but he is yet to win first up.

1. Eduardo (4)

Returning after 154 days. He comes into this race first up after two trials, and generally goes well fresh. No Nature Strip to contend with here and looks the one to beat.

2. Masked Crusader (6)

Returning after 154 days. Goes well fresh but I would prefer him over 1200m. I expect he will be hitting the line with just one trial under his belt.

3. Shelby Sixtysix (9)

Returning after 119 days. The people’s horse returns after a monster 19-run prep. He has had three trials in preparation for this so he should be very forward but he is yet to win fresh. Take him on trust alone.

4. Malkovich (3)

Returning after 154 days. He has promised the world and delivered an atlas in his career and this is his first go against older horses. He will be wanting longer and if you trust him, take him. But I don’t and want to see something before I include him.

5. Athelric (2)

Returning after 91 days. He generally doesn’t start his preparations on fire, but since his first run last preparation, he hasn’t lost, winning four on the bounce. His final win last preparation was in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes at Eagle Farm. One trial in preparation for this. Prefer others.

6. Handle The Truth (1)

Returning after 98 days. He only had the two starts last preparation which didn’t go to plan. Won his only trial this time in by a big margin. Outclassed here but they will be hoping to run well to give themselves publicity ahead of the Kosciuszko.

7. Zapateo (8)

She was brilliant first up, winning by almost three lengths in the Toy Show Quality. Takes on the boys now in a race that in recent times hasn’t favoured the females. I expect her to run well regardless.

8. Andermatt (7)

Returning after 98 days. Won his first two starts last preparation, before being wide throughout at Scone in the Luskin Star Stakes when finishing fourth then getting too far back in an Open race at Randwick. He has had just one 800m trial in preparation for this and he is undefeated first-up. Chance.

9. Rocketing By (5)

Looks outclassed here.

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

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
1 Eduardo	1 Eduardo
8 Andermatt	7 Zapateo
2 Masked Crusader	8 Andermatt
3 Shelby Sixtysix	4 Malkovich

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Eduardo
2nd	5 Athelric	2.54 lengths
3rd	6 Handle The Truth	4.37 lengths
4th	8 Andermatt	4.45 lengths

The track was rated as Heavy 9.

Scratchings: 2. Masked Crusader.