Feehan Stakes – 2021

Track: Heavy Weather: Showers

Fourteen have accepted for the $500,000 Feehan Stakes.  Four of them had their last start in the P.B. Lawrence at Caulfield and five are first up.   Trainers Michael Moroney & Danny O’Brien each have two runners.  The early favourite in a wide open betting race is Superstorm.  He ran well first up for the new camp and is suited stepping out to the mile here.  Next in the betting is Elephant.  He is an unbeaten gelding trained in New Zealand by Emma-Lee & David Brown.  He rises sharply in grade here but was dominant winning first up at Caulfield and is the horse in the field with the most upside.

Sierra Sue has won two in a row including the P.B. Lawrence last start and is one of three mares in the race.  Shot Of Irish is flying this preparation and loves rain affected ground.  The Chosen One won first up last spring and Damian Lane looks a key booking with the blinkers also going back on.   Nonconformist raced with out luck first up.  Best Of Days gets an inform Brett Prebble.  Dawn Patrol is first up in Australia while Realm Of Flowers kicks off her Melbourne Cup campaign.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Best Of Days

Best Of Days ran second in the Australian Cup earlier in the year.  He wasn’t beaten far in the Lawrence first up and draws well here.  Trainer and jockey both going really well at the moment.  In the mix.

2. Streets Of Avalon

On the quick back up after finishing seventh in the Memsie last week.  He does go well here, but big queries on him at the mile and in testing conditions.  Not for me.

3. The Chosen One

One of the Kiwi trained runners in the race.  He gets the blinkers on and Damian Lane for this first up assignment.  Capable of running a race.

4. Superstorm

Arguably the best horse in the race.  He hit the line well first up in the Lawrence over 1400m and raced well on heavy ground in the Golden Eagle last preparation.  He maps to get a long way back here which is the concern if you like him but does get an inform Damian Oliver to ride.  Will be rattling home at the end.

5. Sound

Stayer resuming.  This looks a pipe opener.  He needs further.

6. Chapada

Stablemate to Sound.  He is an honest gelding who has jumped out well leading into this.  Wouldn’t shock to see him run a race fresh.

7. Nonconformist

Talented middle distance / staying type.  He had no luck first up off the back of a good jump and looks to have returned in super order.  Goes well this distance and in these conditions.  Not out of this if they can make ground.

8. Shot Of Irish

We made Shot Of Irish a black booker after a brave on speed performance last start.  He is a long way up in class and weight here but he is going particularly well this prep and gets back onto wet ground which he loves.  Knock out chance, especially if there is an advantage for on speed runners.

9. Dawn Patrol

Williams import who is no doubt on a Cups path.  He brings in some strong overseas form but may find these a bit sharp first up at the mile.  Look for him running on.

10. Port Guillaume

Lightly raced European who is now with Ben & JD Hayes at Flemington.  He showed a nice turn of foot in a recent Cranbourne jump out and will have no problems handling these conditions.  Knock out chance.

11. Elephant

Unbeaten New Zealand gelding who impressed winning first up in Australia.    He takes a big step up in class from benchmark 84 to Group 2 level but the times and margins say he is capable.  One of the main chances.

12. Sovereign Award

Over did it out in front here first up and dropped out to run last.  Wouldn’t shock to see her improve second up if Ben Allen can get her to settle.  She goes very well this track & distance and loves soft ground.

13. Realm Of Flowers

Secured her ticket into this years Melbourne Cup by winning the Andrew Ramsden in May.  This is a pipe opener first up.

14. Sierra Sue

Sierra Sue has won her last two starts.  She let go with a huge run to win the Mildura Cup on July 23, then was perfectly ridden by John Allan to score at Group 2 level last start.  Flying but just needs to prove herself at the mile here.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
11. Elephant	11. Elephant
4. Superstorm	4. Superstorm
14. Sierra Sue	3. The Chosen One
8. Shot Of Irish	8. Shot Of Irish

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: 12. Sovereign Award.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	4. Superstorm
2nd	11. Elephant	0.1 length
3rd	3. The Chosen One	0.5 length
4th	7. Nonconformist	0.7 length