Elwick Stakes – 2023

Track: Soft Weather: Overcast

Think THESPIAN WATERS leads these with THOROS OF MYR and CAIRNS in behind. NEEDS SUGAR and ENCOUNTER SPHERE should settle midfield, followed by the three remaining debutants, OXY BOLT, BATCHY BULLET and ISLAND WARRIOR.

1. Thoros Of Myr – Rated Price $5.00

Well backed in both career starts, and got the chocolates last time in. Does a few things wrong in the run and would need to improve here to be winning.

2. Encounter Sphere – Rated Price $14.00

Gets a negative jockey switch and would need to run an improved rating to catch the ones in front of him

3. Oxy Bolt – Rated Price $51.00

Complete blowout, but nothing surprises with this stable.

4. Thespian Waters – Rated Price $3.00

Elite trial, looks the leader and with Siggy Carr on (who also trains). Looks to have upside on those who have already debuted. Should be winning.

5. Cairns – Rated Price $3.80

Looks a great winning chance, definitely the best hope of the raced brigade. Should land behind Thespian Waters and get every chance, but may find him too quick.

6. Needs Sugar – Rated Price $7.00

Gave Thoros of Myr a good scare late in their last outing. Should be the one making ground from the back. Some hope.

7. Batchy Bullet – Rated Price $26.00

Trialled okay and that trial form ran okay during the week at Launceston. Home track and Pires on a huge positive. Rough chance, but not likely.

8. Island Warrior – Rated Price $41.00

Should find these too sharp.

The 2YO form thus far has been a touch underwhelming given the strength of last year’s crop, but this may change here.

The trial of debutant Thespian Waters was fantastic. This colt showed a lot of early speed and relaxed nicely, before gapping his rivals late under a strangle hold.

If he can bring his trial form to race day, I think he should be favourite and winning this. Leading from start to finish under one of the best front-running pilots Siggy Carr.

Cairns looks the main danger – she was very well educated on debut when who defeating the well-fancied Thoros Of Myr who subsequently did a lot wrong still in his second start, when winning.

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

Betting Strategy:

Back THESPIAN WATERS for 1.5 units at $4.00

Back CAIRNS for 0.5 units at BSP