Dark Jewel Classic – 2022

Track: Heavy   Weather: Possible showers

There are 16 runners plus four emergencies for the $200,000 Dark Jewel Classic, with one filly and 19 mares. There is 1 three-year-old, 8 four-year-olds, 8 five-year-olds and 3 six-year-olds. Eight of the runners had their last start in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown over 1300m on 30 April, two in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes over 1500m at Newcastle on 28 March, while the rest all came through different races. John O’Shea has three runners while Chris Waller, Gary Portelli, Bjorn Baker and Kris Lees have two runners each.

The betting is very open and the early favourite is four-year-old  Le Gai Soleil who is back from a let-up and is a proven first-up runner winning in four of five attempts. Second favourite is Never Talk who kept chasing and just missed last start at Hawkesbury on a heavy track. Third favourite is Brookspire who ran two lengths back from the winner last start at Hawkesbury when resuming and won at Randwick when last second-up.

Majestic Shot is on a seven day back-up and goes well on softer tracks. Wandabaa looks suited by the conditions and is a serious player. Mirra Vision returns from a six week let-up and is proven on softer tracks. Faschanel just missed last start at Hawkesbury when fresh and has the speed to overcome her very wide draw, while Flexible is resuming from a 33 week break and goes well first-up. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Mirra Vision (3)

This five-year-old Lonhro mare trained by Peter & Paul Snowden returns from a six week let-up and is proven on softer tracks. Peter won this race with Sung in 2008 and Rio Osa in 2009. Nicely drawn and is in the mix.

2. Wandabaa (19)

One of two runners for Kris Lees who won this race with Romare in 2004 and Danish Twist in 2016. She looks suited by the conditions and is a serious player.

3. Monegal (9)

Returns from a seven week let-up and comes back from 2000m. Prefer to watch.

4. Exotic Ruby (16)

One of two runners for Bjorn Baker who won this race with Irithea in 2020. She won the Hawkesbury Crown last outing and has the speed to overcome drawing a wide barrier. Jockey Rachel King won this race last year on Rocha Clock. Not the worst.

5. Fashchanel (18)

This five-year-old I Am Invincible mare is one of three runners for John O’Shea who won this race with Seaside in 2014 and Rocha Clock last year. Finished 0.5 length 3rd in the Hawkesbury Crown last start when fresh and has the speed to overcome her wide draw. Rough hope.

6. More Prophets (14)

The only runner who has raced at this track before. Has finished well back at her last three starts. Looking to others.

7. Bring The Ransom (13)

Five-year-old mare from the Kris Lees stable who has seven wins from 28 starts. Back from a let-up but hasn’t shown her best for a while.

8. Never Talk (17)

Kris Lees runner who finished 0.6 length 4th in the Hawkesbury Crown after being slowly away and never really clear on the heavy track. Ran the best last 600m and is one of the main chances here.

9. Majestic Shot (2)

Ran 3rd in the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford and is on a seven day back-up. Goes well on softer tracks and nicely drawn. Should be in the finish.

10. Cliff’s Art (1)

This six-year-old from the Matthew Smith stable has drawn the inside barrier. Finished 1.3 lengths 7th in the Hawkesbury Crown last start. Prefer others.

11. Pippali (20)

Finished 2nd in the Hawkesbury Crown and has drawn the extreme outside. Trained by Jason Coyle who won this race with Siren’s Fury in 2018. Capable of placing.

12. She’s The Gift (4)

One of two runners for Chris Waller. Won 2 races in New Zealand (1400m and 1350m) in February and March and goes well on soft tracks.

13. Ruby Tuesday (8)

One of two runners for Gary Portelli. Has finished in the back half of the field in all three runs this campaign. Looking elsewhere.

14. Nicci’s Fling (11)

Also trained by Gary Portelli and hasn’t really fired this campaign. Jockey Kathy O’Hara won this race on Upon This Rock in 2012.

15. Brookspire (12)

This Waller runner ran two lengths back from the winner last start at Hawkesbury when resuming and won at Randwick when last second-up. Jockey Jay Ford won on Romare back in 2004. One of the chances.

16. Le Gai Soleil (7)

Four-year-old from the O’shea stable who is back from a let-up and is a proven first-up runner winning in four of five attempts. Has trialled well and has won on soft and heavy going. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy won this race on Seaside in 2014. Should be in the finish.

17. Barossa Rosa (6)

Has gone well on heavy tracks this campaign, outside hope.

18. Robodira (15)

The only three-year-old in the race. Will find this tough.

19. Flexible (5)

Resuming from a 33 week break and goes well first-up

20. Amica (10)

Hasn’t raced since 19 February and doesn’t fire fresh.

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

Jo’s Tips
16 Le Gai Soleil
8 Never Talk
9 Majestic Shot
15 Brookspire