George Ryder Stakes – 2021

Track: Soft-Heavy Weather: Fine

A field of thirteen runners have accepted for the $1,000,000 George Ryder Stakes.  These runners combine for eight Group 1’s between them.  Chris Waller again has a strong hand in the race with three runners.  James Cummings is the other trainer with multiple runners.  Three of them had their last start in the Chipping Norton Stakes while three others ran in the Canterbury Stakes.  Junipal is the only horse in the race that is first up.  The early favourite in a wide open betting race is the Godolphin trained Avilius.  He hit the line strongly first up and is a three time Group 1 winner.  Next in the betting is Funstar.  He looks set up to run well here, given he is third up and is likely to get a good run in transit.

Kolding is one of the three Chris Waller runners.  He draws wide but is fit and racing well.  Dawn Passage was a little plain first up but his form from last preparation puts him right in this.  Star Of The Seas was in the wrong section of the track in the All Star Mile which gives extra merit to his sixth placing.  Dreamforce won this race last year and finished third in it the year before.  Mizzy has been Group 1 placed at her last two starts while Gem Song won the Newcastle Newmarket at his last start.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Kolding

Kolding is a two time Group 1 winner.  He has finished within 2 lengths of the winner at all 3 of his starts this preparation.  In the mix here.

2. Avilius

Resumed with a lovely pipe opener in the Chipping Norton Stakes – he finished third beaten less than half a length.  He comes back 100m in trip here which has to be some query but draws well and handles all conditions.

3. Dreamforce

Won the Group 2 Tramway Stakes at Randwick in September.  He comes back to Rosehill here where he has finished in the placings at 8 of his 9 starts.  Likely to try and kick up and hold the lead from barrier 2.

4. Samadoubt

One of the speed horses in the race.  Safely held first up in the Canterbury Stakes after a long lay off.  Prefer to see him again here.

5. Star Of The Seas

Was back and wide in the All Star Mile which was not the place to be but still managed to run sixth.  Prior to that he won the Group 2 Blamey Stakes at Flemington.  He is fit and racing well.

6. Gem Song

Won the Newcastle Newmarket last start.  Looks set to peak here third up but may need a firmer track?

7. Think It Over

Won the Liverpool Stakes first up, then finished second in the Ajax Stakes.  Glenn Boss sticks with him.

8. Cascadian

He stormed home to finish runner up in the Group 1 Cantala at Flemington in the spring.  He will take good improvement from a solid third in the Newcastle Newmarket first up and is drawn well here.

9. Dalasan

Another that doesn’t mind the sting out.  Steps quickly to 1500m after finishing down the track in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington first up.  He is capable of being competitive at this level on his day but I’m not sure about this set up.

10. Dawn Passage

Beaten less than a length in the $7.5 mil Golden Eagle in October.  Then ran second in the The Gong before being sent for a spell.  In the mix here.

11. Junipal

Resumes here.  He won the Sandown Stakes in November and did start favourite in the Group 1 Toorak prior.  Wet conditions suit but it would be a big effort to win first up here.

12. Mizzy

Finished second in the Canterbury Stakes on March 6, then was runner up again last start in The Coolmore.   Airborne!

13. Funstar

Funstar comes here third up off the back of two very solid runs in the Apollo Stakes and Chipping Norton.  She maps to get a lovely run behind a good speed and is a leading chance.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
2. Avilius	13. Funstar
13. Funstar	3. Dreamforce
5. Star Of The Seas	2. Avilius
1. Kolding	1. Kolding

Group 1 Golden Slipper 2021 (Rosehill 1200m)

Group 1 Ranvet Stakes 2021 (Rosehill 2000m)

Group 1 The Galaxy 2021 (Rosehill 1100m)

Group 1 Rosehill Guineas 2021 (Rosehill 2000m)