Empire Rose Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 14 fillies and mares for the $1,000,000 Empire Rose Stakes. Four of them had their last start in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes on 17 October, two in the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase on 14 October and two in the Group 2 Angst Stakes on 10 October in Sydney . The early favourite is three-year-old Odeum who has won three of her four starts with the latest a 1.75 length win in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas. Second favourite is Mystic Journey who has won 12 from 21 starts and won the Group 2 Stocks Stakes last outing. Third favourite is Madam Rouge who won the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes last start.

Chaillot has won three from four and was placed in the Ladies Day Vase at Caulfield last start. Felicia was 3rd in the Tristarc while Pretty Brazen finished 5th. Vanna Girl has won 7 from 13 and was 3rd in the Group 3 Craven Plate last outing. She Shao Fly finished 2nd in the Tristarc Stakes, while Forbidden Love won the Listed Reginald Allen Quality.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Mystic Journey

This five-year-old mare has won 12 of her 21 starts and has earned nearly $4 million in prizemoney. She has had three races since resuming and returned to the winners circle with a win in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes last start. Has to be included in the chances.

2. Nettoyer

At seven-years-old she is the oldest runner this year. Earlier in the year she won the Group 1 Doncaster Mile, she was 2nd in the Group 3 Craven Plate over 2000m on 17 October then found the Cox Plate too hard when 9.4 lengths 9th last week.  She is racing for the 3rd Saturday in a row and will go better back to a mile and against her own sex.

3. Madam Rouge

Has hit form at the right time with a win in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes two weeks ago. Place chance.

4. Pretty Brazen

Won the 2019 Group 2 Sandown Guineas at her only star over this distance. Was running on well when 2.15 lengths in the Tristarc and is a rough place chance.

5. Vanna Girl

Last preparation she won 4 races in a row in Queensland from 1400m to 1800m including two Listed races and the Group 2 The Roses. This time in she has been contesting stronger races and finished 5.8 lengths 14th in the Epsom Handicap then was 3rd in the Craven Plate with the best last 600m race sectionals. Could be a contender.

6. Shout The Bar

Won the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes back in March, but has not shown much in three runs this campaign and not expecting to see her in the finish here.

7. Asiago

Resumed with a nice win in the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong, but has had no luck at her last two starts in the Tibbie Stakes and the Angst Stakes. Don’t completely write her off as she wears the Godolphin blue.

8. Missile Mantra

Followed 3rd in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes with 0.7 lengths 4th in the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase. Not the worst.

9. Felicia

She won the Group 3 How Now Stakes in September then placed in the Northwood Plume Stakes and the Tristarc Stakes. Not sure if she will run out the 1600m.

10. She Shao Fly

She was o.4 length 2nd in the Rose Of Kingston Stakes then 0.3 length 2nd in the Tristarc Stakes where she chased hard to just miss. Has place prospects.

11. Chaillot

She has won 3 of her 4 starts and was only a half-length away when 3rd in the Ladies Day Vase. Wouldn’t surprise to see her go well again.

12. Odeum

At her last two starts she has won the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes over 1400m and the Group 1 Thousand Guineas over 1600m and now has three wins from four starts. As a three-year-old filly she gets a massive weight drop with only 49kg to carry and could win this.

13. Chica Fuerte

She won the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes over 2000m last start, so is dropping back in distance. With the light weight she is capable of going well.

14. Forbidden Love

This All Too Hard filly has drawn the outside barrier but last start she ran close to the course record when winning the Listed Reginald Allen Quality over 1400m at Randwick. Could surprise.

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

Jo’s Tips
12 Odeum
1 Mystic Journey
11 Chaillot
13 Chica Fuerte

Group 1 Victoria Derby 2020 (Flemington 2500m)

The Golden Eagle 2020 (Rosehill 1500m)

Group 1 Cantala Stakes 2020 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes 2020 (Flemington 1200m)

Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes 2020 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 3 Hotham Handicap 2020 (Flemington 2500m)