Futurity Stakes – 2021

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A field of ten runners have accepted for the $500,000 Futurity Stakes.  Six of them are multiple Group 1 winners – and only one is yet to be Group 1 placed.  There are five geldings, two mares and three 3 year-olds in the field.  The last 3 year old to win the race was All Too Hard in 2013.  The early favourite is Behemoth.  He won two Group 1’s at Caulfield over this distance in the spring before failing in the Everest.  He has returned with an easy victory in Adelaide and looks primed to run well here.  The second favourite is Probabeel.  He won the Epsom Handicap at Randwick in October and his class shone through first up when he was much too good in the Group 3 Belmaine Stakes.

Arcadia Queen returns to the eastern seaboard for another Group 1 campaign and Ole Kirk won the Caulfield Guineas here in the spring.  Streets of Avalon is as tough as nails.  He won the CF Orr Stakes on February 6.  Crosshaven finished third in the CF Orr Stakes and gets the blinkers on for the first time.  Mr Quickie is capable of sprinting fresh and has trialed up well.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Behemoth

Won back to back Group 1’s this course and distance during the spring.  He won easily first up in Adelaide and looks to have come back in great order.  A leading contender.

2. Streets Of Avalon

A stunning return to form for Streets Of Avalon who has won his last two starts.  He won the Australia Stakes by 1.8 lengths at Moonee Valley on January 21.  Then was too tough for them in the CF Orr Stakes last start.  An each way chance again.

3. Mr Quickie

Capable of producing a big finish fresh.  He won the Toorak Handicap easily during the spring.  Drawn to get a similar run for Jamie Kah here.  Not hoepless!

4. So Si Bon

First up.  He won the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in November.  Looks unlikely here but has a habit of popping up when you least expect it.

5. Too Close The Sun

Finished fourth in the Group 1 Kingston Town in December.  May find these a bit slippery first up.

6. Arcadia Queen

3 time Group 1 winning mare.  She won the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes and Group 1 Caulfield Classic in the spring.  Bigger fish to fry but this is not out of her reach first up.

7. Probabeel

This dual Group 1 winner won arrogantly here first up sitting 3 wide and powering away from easier opposition.  She is proven at Group 1 performer and has a strong second up record.

8. Ole Kirk

This three year old trained by team Hawkes won the Caulfield Guineas the last time he was here.  Prior he had won the Group 1 Golden Rose.  He just got too far back first up on a soft track in Sydney.  May need some luck from barrier 1.

9. Amish Boy

Consistent 3 year-old but looks outclassed here.

10. Crosshaven

Crosshaven is second up from a spell.  He made a sound return in the CF Orr Stakes where he was tackling the older horses for the first time. Has a fitness edge on many of these and maps well again.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Behemoth	1. Behemoth
6. Arcadia Queen	7. Probabeel
7. Probabeel	3. Mr Quickie
2. Streets Of Avalon	6. Arcadia Queen

Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 1 Oakleigh Plate 2021 (Caulfield 1100m)