Denise’s Joy Stakes – 2022

Track: Heavy   Weather: Possible showers

There are 16 runners plus four emergencies for the $140,000 Denise’s Joy Stakes. Four runners are sired by Capitalist, three by I Am Invincible, and two each by Not A Single Doubt, Deep Field and Star Turn. Three of them had their last start in the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes over 1200m at Randwick on 2 April, two in a 3YO Fillies Handicap over 1100m at Caulfield on 16 April, two in a BM 78 Handicap over 1100m at Hawkesbury on 30 April while the rest all came via different races. Peter & Paul Snowden, Mark Newnham and Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou all have two runners.

The early favourite is  I Am Me from the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable who has won all three starts this campaign by big margins. Second favourite is Zapateo who was run down late for 0.4 length 2nd in the PJ Bell last start. Third favourite is A Very Fine Red who has two wins at this distance and likes a soft track.

Najmaty resumed from a spell with a 1.5 length win over 1100m a Caulfield. Comrade Rosa has won two of her six starts and gets the blinkers on for the first time. Authentic Jewel placed at Hawkesbury when resuming and has a good strike rate. Mallory is a Group 3 winner and gets the winkers on for the first time, while Sky Command has good early speed and draws to do no work from the inside barrier.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Mallory (5)

One of two runners for Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou, she is also one of two Not A Single Doubt fillies in the race. She is a Group 3 winner and gets the winkers on for the first time. Solid chance.

2. Flying Evelyn (19)

At the end of last campaign she won the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes over 1100m at Flemington in November. Has finished well back in two starts since rsuming and has no form on soft or heavy going. Drawn very wide. Looking elsewhere.

3. Zapateo (15)

She was run down late for 0.4 length 2nd in the PJ Bell last start. Has only missed the quinella once in seven starts. Jockey Rachel King won this race on Fituese in 2020. One of the chances despite the wide draw.

4. Sky Command (1)

This Deep Field filly has 3 wins over this distance. She has good early speed and draws to do no work from the inside barrier. Jockey Brenton Avdulla won this race on In A Wink in 2015. Could place.

5. A Very Fine Red (8)

One of two runners for Mark Newnham and also sired by Deep Field. She has two wins at this distance and likes a soft track. In the mix.

6. Authentic Jewel (10)

One of three fillies sired by i Am Invincible (the others are Najmaty and I Am Me). She placed at Hawkesbury when resuming and has a good strike rate but hasn’t fired in two previous second-up runs..

7. Najmaty (14)

One of two runners for Peter & Paul Snowden. She resumed from a spell with a 1.5 length win over 1100m at Caulfield. Could go well.

8. Stellar Magic (4)

Sired by Star Turn (as is Sonnet Star). She finished fourth last start at Doomben when first up and won at Eagle Farm second-up last campaign. Not the worst.

9. Satin Ribbons (3)

One of four Capitalist runners in the race (the others are Comrade Rosa, Girl Mania and Zetarita). She has three wins and two 2nds from six starts and her only failure was on a heavy track at Warwick Farm last start. Jockey Regan Bayliss won this race last year on Ballistic Lover. May not be suited by the conditions.

10. Rupertaar (18)

Resumes from a 17 week spell and has won both of her previous first-up starts. Drawn very wide and has no heavy track form. Prefer to watch.

11. Sonnet Star (2)

Nicely drawn in barrier 2 but only has one win from nine starts and looks outclassed.

12. Von Trapp (7)

Hasn’t been close at her last three starts. Seems unlikely.

13. I Am Me (6)

From the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable and has won all three starts this campaign by big margins. Won by 4.2 lengths over 1100m at Ballarat on 5 April then won by 2.3 lengths over 1100m at Flemington on 25 April. Should fight out the finish.

14. Coco Rox (17)

Has won three of her five starts with the latest a 0.2 length win over 1050m at Doomben on soft going. Drawn wide but not the worst.

15. Rubinocchi (20)

This Rubick filly won by 4.6 lengths over 1100m at Canterbury on heavy going last start, but has drawn the extreme outside barrier. Trained by Joseph Pride who won this race last year with Ballistic Lover. Has claims.

16. Comrade Rosa (12)

Has won two of her six starts and gets the blinkers on for the first time. Trained by John O’Shea who won this race with Alucinari in 2016. Looking to others.

17. Fumiko (13)

Has no wins or places on soft or heavy, Not here.

18. Girl Mania (11)

Disappointed as favourite on heavy going last start. Prefer others.

19. Zetarita (16)

Returns from a 10 week let-up. Prefer to see.

20. I’m Not Slew (9)

She faded to finish 16 lengths off the winner last start at Hawkesbury on a heavy track when first up. Track conditions won’t suit.

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

Jo’s Tips
13 I Am Me
3 Zapateo
7 Najmaty
1 Mallory