Furphy Trophy/Festival Of Racing – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Ten two-year-olds have accepted for the $175,000 Festival Of Racing, with 3 colts, one gelding and 6 fillies. Two of the runners are sired by Shalaa (Princess Duhallow and Catahoula) and two are sired by I Am Invincible (Massira and Illative). Five runners are having their first race start while the other 5 all came through different races.

The early favourite is first-starter Illative from the Mick Ptrice & Michael Kent (Jnr) stable. Second favourite is first-starter Massira from the Godolphin stable. Third favourite is Butch Cassidy who is also unraced but has won 2 Randwick trials. Mach Ten has raced twice and was 2nd in the Group 3 Breeders Plate, while Princess Duhallow has also raced twice and was 1.8 lengths 4th in the Listed Talindert Stakes. The other runners are currently $10 or more.

1. Mach Ten (5)

This Exceed And Excel colt has raced twice> He debuted in the Group 3 Breeders Plate on a heavy track over 1000m on 1 October where he ran 2nd then was spelled for 10 weeks. His latest race was in the Restricted Listed Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic over 1100m at Wyong on 14 December where he was 3.8 lengths 8th. Back from an 11 week let-up and is a place chance.

2. Awesome Lineup (3)

First starter with no official trial form. Watch the market.

3. Butch Cassidy (6)

Unraced but has won 2 Randwick trials. Should go well.

4. Massira (2)

An I Am Invincible colt from the Godolphin stable. Should be ready to go.

5. Shaddow Fear (4)

This filly is from WA. She debuted with a 1.7 length win over 1100m at Ascot on New Year’s day, then won a 2YO Plate over 1200m by 0.8 length on 14 January. Made the trip to Melbourne to run in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude on 11 February where she was slowly away and did nothing to run 11 lengths last. She is much better than that and could show up here.

6. Tabata Set (7)

Has had 3 starts but has finished in the back half of the field at her last 2. Others look to have her measure.

7. Princess Duhallow (10)

She has raced twice and was 1.8 lengths 4th in the Listed Talindert Stakes at her latest outing. In the mix.

8. Treasurway (8)

Having her first attempt at metropolitan grade. Has raced twice for 3rd at Moe then 3rd at Bendigo. Rough place chance.

9. Catahoula (1)

Another first starter who has not trialled. Drawn the inside barrier.

10. Illative (9)

First-starter from the Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) stable. Not trialled but is the early favourite.

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

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
10 Illative	4 Massira
4 Massira	3 Butch Cassidy
7 Princess Duhallow	10 Illative
3 Butch Cassidy	7 Princess Duhallow