Furious Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft  Weather: Shower or two.

Twelve runners have accepted for the $250,000 Group 2 Furious Stakes and there have been no early scratchings. Team Snowden has three runners entered for the event, the Chris Waller stable has two entries whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

In Secret is the early favourite at $3.60. She got cluttered up a touch in the straight in the Silver Shadow before flying home for second, half a length in front of the next placegetter. History is on her side as four of the last five winners have come through the Silver Shadow, and looks the ideal lead-up race.

Paris Dior is on the second line of betting at $5.00. She is entering this first-up following a decent campaign which ended in her winning the Percy Sykes before going for a well-earnt break.

She’s Extreme rounds out the top three in the betting at $5.50. She fell to Fireburn in the Autumn in the Golden Slipper and the Sires’ Produce before winning the Champagne Stakes narrowly.

1. She’s Extreme (10)

Returning after 140 days. Had a lengthy first preparation against decent horses which ended in a win in the Champagne Stakes. She enters this on the back of one trial and has drawn horribly. I would prefer to see how she returns.

2. Sheeza Belter (5)

Returning after 84 days. Started her preparation in April, and didn’t do too well on the heavy tracks before heading to Brisbane and winning the Sires’ Produce and JJ Atkins in impressive fashion. Goes okay first up on top of the ground, happy to watch her with the track potentially getting light showers and she may want further earlier.

3. Paris Dior (4)

Returning after 147 days. Won the Percy Sykes well in the Autumn before going for a spell. Trialled well twice in preparation for this. Going to watch to see how she comes back.

4. Seven Veils (6)

She was keen first up in the Silver Shadow and is capable of much better. Drawn a lot better here and I expect her to be in the finish.

5. Willinga Beast (9)

Got hampered in the run during the Silver Shadow but all in all, she was poor. Hoping to see a more improved run here.

6. In Secret (12)

Got cluttered up in the Silver Shadow before bursting through late for a nice second. Has the right form line to win this race but the barrier has done her no favours. She is the one to beat but will need luck.

7. North Star Lass (1)

She was very good in the Silver Shadow at big odds and ran the quickest sectionals of the race to the 800m and to the 200m whilst still being able to quicken over the final 200m. Drawn ideally and maps to get a soft lead. With a run under her belt, she could run another bottler.

8. Russian Conquest (11)

Resuming after 168 days. Ran well on top of the ground to start her preparation in the summer/autumn before not handling the heavy tracks. Drawn ordinary here and has had three trials in preparation for this. Should be hitting the line.

9. Mumbai Jewel (3)

Entered for Moonee Valley on same day. Can’t have on recent form.

10. Waverider Buoy (7)

She was very brave in a much weaker company. Might run a decent race if she stays in Sydney as she is entered for Moonee Valley also.

11. Madame Pommery (8)

Returning after 91 days.  Can’t have first-up and would rather watch her return, being in a much tougher race.

12. Wingardium (2)

Returning after 84 days. Two very nice trials in preparation for this and will likely push to share the lead or tail the leader. Can’t have.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
7 North Star Lass	6 In Secret
6 In Secret	3 Paris Dior
4 Seven Veils	7 North Star Lass
3 Paris Dior	5 Willinga Beast

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	7 North Star Lass
2nd	5 Willinga Beast	0.19 length
3rd	1 She’s Extreme	3.51 lengths
4th	3 Paris Dior	4.15 lengths

The track was rated as Heavy 9.

Scratchings: 2. Sheeza Belter, 6. In Secret, 9. Mumbai Jewel.