Danehill Stakes – 2021

Track: Good-Slow Weather: Shower or two

Nine colts, two geldings and one filly have accepted for the $300,000 Group 2 Danehill Stakes.  Godolphin as so often is the case in the big three year old races have a strong hand with two runners as does Matt Laurie who also has two runners.  Three last ran in the Poseidon Stakes at this track/distance and three others ran in the three year old set weights and penalties race at Caulfield on September 18.  The early favourite in a very competitive betting race is Ingratiating.  He finished second in the Poseidon Stakes last start and gets the blinkers back on for this third up assignment.  Next in the betting is General Beau.  He was runner up to Ingratiating at start number two on this day last year and has already been met with good early market support.

Ranch Hand surprised many defeating Ingratiating first up in the Poseidon.  His trainer Chris Waller won this race last year with the filly September Run.  Gimmie Par won the Quezette Stakes in August and ran well at her only previous start up the famous Flemington straight.  Kallos was an effortless Hawkesbury maiden winner first up and is another who has been met with good support in the early betting.  Mornington Glory also comes here off an impressive maiden victory, while Ranveer strips fitter second up.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Ingratiating

Returned to the races with an outstanding come from behind win at Caulfield in August, then looked the winner in the Poseidon before Ranch Hand nailed him on the line.  Blinkers go back on.  Major player.

2. General Beau

Returns to Flemington for the first time since this corresponding meeting last year where he finished second behind Ingratiating in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes.  Normally an on pacer, he settled back in the field after missing the kick last start and stormed down the outside to win.  Rates highly again here with Lane in the saddle.

3. Bruckner

Won a Kembla Grange maiden at the start of August, then progressed quickly to win the Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield.  Can run well again here.

4. Ranch Hand

Chris Waller trained colt who won the Poseidon Stakes first up.  He was badly checked as Prebble searched for an inside run but picked himself up again to chase down Ingratiating in an impressive display.  Strips fitter second up.  Expecting him to run well again.

5. Ranveer

This Matt Laurie trained colt has a win and two seconds from three starts.  He has always shown plenty of ability at the jump outs and strips fitter here after a good resuming second behind General Beau at Caulfield.  Each way claims.

6. Mimosas

Won a low rating race here on debut in May, then battled in heavy going at Sandown at his next start.  Prefer to see him first up.

7. Lloyd’s Crown

Son of Rebel Dane.  Cracking effort to box on into third in the Poseidon Stakes last start when stepping sharply in grade.  Consider for multiples.

8. Kalllos

Second of the Godolphin runners.  He resumed from a spell on September 9 with a stylish Hawkesbury maiden win.  In the mix here.

9. Forbes

Has form around Anamoe as an early season two year old.  He ran home well into fourth behind General Beau first up at Caulfield.  Knock out chance.

10. Mornington Glory

Jumped out well leading into an outstanding victory on debut in a Bendigo maiden.  Wouldn’t shock to see him measure up here.

11. Mighty Hercules

First starter from the John Salentri yard.  His jump outs have been okay but this looks a herculin task on debut.  Prefer others.

12. Gimmie Par

Ran a cracking second here behind race favourite Ingratiating on debut in February.  Unbeaten in two Caulfield runs since, including last start when heavily back in the Quezette Stakes.  One of the chances.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Ingratiating	12. Gimmie Par
2. General beau	4. Ranch Hand
12. Gimmie Par	5. Ranveer
8. Kallos	1. Ingratiating

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8. Kallos
2nd	2. General Beau	2 lengths
3rd	3. Bruckner	2.2 lengths
4th	12. Gimme Par	3.45 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratching:  6. Mimosas