Golden Pendant – 2022

Track: Soft-Heavy   Weather: Partly Cloudy with a shower or two

Seventeen runners have accepted for the $400,000 Group 2 Golden Pendant and there has been one early scratching. Team Snowden has four runners entered for the event whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Espiona has opened as the early favourite at $4.60. James McDonald hopped off her after her Sheraco Stakes run and scratched his head, as he wasn’t sure what happened. She loomed up well and didn’t go on with it after running 2.1 lengths back in sixth, so it’s hard to make a big push for her leading into this.

Nimalee is on the second line of betting at $5.50. Her run in the Tramway Stakes was quite good, finishing 2.3 lengths back in third, behind Zaaki and half a length off Icebath. She is a big chance in this race and ran 2nd in it last year.

Startantes is on the third line of betting at $7.00. She hit the line with gusto in the Sheraco Stakes, 2.3 lengths back in seventh, and is well on target for the Golden Eagle.

1. Nimalee (16)

Ran boldly in the Tramway Stakes behind Zaaki and Icebath, and the form has been since franked with Icebath running a cracker last weekend. The draw is a touch painful and she will need luck, but the class is there, and I think she is a big chance. Finished 2nd in this race last year.

2. Startantes (8)

Hit the line nicely in the Sheraco Stakes and is well on target for her grand final. I am expecting another solid run in a highly winnable race. She is drawn nicely and should get some nice pace for her to use to finish like a rocket.

3. Jamaea (5)

She was really good in the Theo Marks behind Kiku and actually outperformed herself. I would have her a lot higher in the rankings but with the incoming rain, I feel like she is going to struggle a touch. If you think she can handle the weather, she is drawn well and maps to get a beautiful run.

4. Electric Girl (7)

She really took it to Shades of Rose in the Sheraco Stakes and only narrowly missed in the end. She is drawn to get a good run once again but again it’s the weather that has thrown me off her.

5. Expat (2)

The daughter of Makfi underperformed last start in the Mona Lisa when running 3.4 lengths back in ninth. She has since trialled nicely and gets a beautiful draw here and the weather to suit. She will need to return to her best to be a chance here.

6. Palaisipan (17)

Ran well first up in the Sheraco Stakes but now has to face a horror draw with a chance to be stuck wide. With Bowman suspended, Nash Rawiller will take the ride and he will need some luck to put her into a winning position. Place at best.

7. Mirra Vision (10)

First up after 133 days. Generally goes well fresh. She has had two trials in preparation for this but I personally couldn’t have her in this field, but I won’t be surprised to see her run well.

8. Espiona (15)

Her run first up had both punters and jockey scratching their heads as she loomed to make an impact and went a bit one-paced when finishing two lengths back in sixth. She hasn’t drawn well here and the stable’s second-up stats aren’t that good. Have to respect them.

9. Tycoon Evie (13)

SCRATCHED

10. My Whisper (6)

Bit ordinary first up in the Sheraco Stakes. Will need to do better to be a factor in this one though the extra distance helps.

11. Meg (14)

She is going for three wins on the trot and she has really surprised a few, winning a benchmark 78 in brilliant fashion before backing it up and winning the Mona Lisa. On that form alone, she is a big chance in this race, especially being over 1400m.

12. Pippali (1)

I can’t have her here.

13. Katalin (9)

She ran second in the Mona Lisa before running third in the Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle. She has drawn nicely here, but I see her as a place chance.

14. Dynasties (3)

First up after 112 days. Should run well from the draw though I prefer her over a bit further.

15. Gin Martini (12)

First up after 112 days. Another who should run well but will be better over further.

16. Riduna (11)

She almost pinched the Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle last start in what was her career-best run. She will need to replicate or go better than her last start display to win this.

17. Dalchini (4)

She came from well back in the Mona Lisa to finish 1.5 lengths back in fourth. Up to 1400m is ideal now, handles most conditions and carries no weight from a nice draw.

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

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
1 Nimalee	1 Nimalee
5 Expat	6 Palaisipan
2 Startantes	3 Jamaea
17 Dalchini	13 Katalin

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Nimalee
2nd	6 Palaisipan	0.06 length
3rd	12 Pippali	0.62 length
4th	8 Espiona	1.47 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 9. Tycoon Evie.