Ethereal Stakes – 2020

Track: Soft-Heavy   Weather: Rain

A field of sixteen runners have accepted for one of the key lead ups to the VRC Oaks run at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.  Most of these runners come through either the Group 2 Edward Manifold or The Oaks Trial.  Both were run at Flemington.  In an open betting race Starelle is the early favourite, she turned her form around to finish second in the Manifold.  Chica Fuerte comes through the same race and crossed the line next to Starelle.  Succeed Indeed gets back in her races but should be given a chance to balance up and let rip down the centre of the track from barrier eight.

Silhouette and Pensato are trained by James Cummings.  John Allan rode both of these horses last start and would have likely of been given the choice for this race.  He has elected to ride Silhouette.  Salto Angle has run second at her previous two starts and has her hoof on the till.  Yatton was good from back in the field last start and wont be a maiden for much longer.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Café Rizu

Been up for a long time and started long odds and was well beaten at her most recent start.  Looking elsewhere.

2. Chica Fuerte

Was good in running second to promising Colt Cambourne at Bendigo.  She then ran well in her first city race at Flemington.  Draws to get a good run again from barrier 6 and is one of the chances.

3. Starelle

This mare had one start in her first preparation,   finishing strongly behind promising filly Aidensfield.  She resumed this preparation with two ordinary runs before turning her form around when long odds at Flemington last start, she ran second there.  Hard to trust but if she can hold that form into this race then she is right in the mix.

4. Success Indeed

Succeed Indeed was a good winner from back in the field second up at Sandown.  She followed that up with a fourth in the Manifold, a solid performance.  An EW chance.

5. Silhouette

Started $15 in the Manifold and finished fifth.  One of the chances in this.

6. Pensato

Pensato was able to get the job done in the Oaks Trial courtesy of a perfect on pace ride from John Allan.  I have question marks over that form.  Also noting that John Allan has elected to ride the stablemate Silhouette here and Pike goes aboard this filly.  Could not recommend at single figure odds.

7. Art Glass

Was able to win a weak maiden at Geelong last start.  Doubt she is good enough to match it with these.

8. Shilajit

May have had excuses when beaten 12 lengths on her home track of Ballarat last start.  This looks too hard.

9. Blazing Ace

Started $151 in the Manifold and wasn’t able to figure in the finish.  Surely not up to these.

10. Salto Angel

This daughter of Sacred Falls has finished second in her last two races.  Blinkers go on here and the step up in distance shouldn’t worry her.  Can run a race.

11. Selfless

Wears the same colours as Odeon, that horse was successful  in the Thousand Guineas last week.  Her maiden win on debut was nice.  Then got a long way bay back at Flemington and did not figure.  She might be able to improve here onto her home track.

12. Star of Eden

Finished third in the Flemington race won by Pensato.  Would suggest she still has plenty of improvement left at this only her third start,

13. Northen Bliss

Has been unable to break through in four maiden starts to date.  This is harder.

14. Yatton

Unsuited in a slowly run race at Flemington where she got a long way back.  Fourth up with the blinkers on should suit better.

15. Swindon

Like Yatton she was unsuited in getting back in the Oaks Trial.  She was massive odds on that occasion and will be big odds again here.

16. Mrs Murphy

Having her first start in town.  Is yet to figure in the placings in her two attempts in Maiden grade so it is not easy to make a case for her here.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
6. Pensato	2. Chica Fuerte
2. Chica Fuerte	4. Succeed Indeed
14. Yatton	5. Silhouette
10. Salto Angel	2. Starelle

Group 1 Caulfield Cup 2020 (Caulfield 2400m)

The Everest 2020 (Randwick 1200m)

Group 3 Caulfield Classic 2020 (Caulfield 2000m)

Listed Gothic Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1400m)