2021 HDF McNeil Stakes Race Details

Race 4 at Caulfield on Saturday 28th August 2021.

The HDF McNeil Stakes is a 1200 metre set weights plus penalties race for three-year-olds run by the Melbourne Racing Club in late August or early September. It is held at Caulfield on Memsie Stakes day.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the HDF McNeil Stakes page.

HDF McNeil Stakes 2021 Preview

Track: Good Weather: Fine

The $200,000 HDF McNeil Stakes is the first of five black type races on the Caulfield card and there are eight acceptors.  Three of these come via the Vain Stakes which was run on this track a fortnight ago and one horse is first up.  Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young have two runners.  The early favourite in the betting is the very talented colt Artorius.   He won the Blue Diamond Stakes here in February and is being aimed at the Caulfield Guineas which will be run in a few months time.   The second favourite is General Beau.  He finished second in a high rating Vain Stakes first up and strips fitter for this.

Heresy is the lone filly in the field – she ran home strongly in the Quezette Stakes first up and maps to get a gun run here.  Mr Mozart was strong late in the Vain Stakes and looks suited out to 1200m.  Bruckner was an impressive maiden winner at Kembla Grange at the start of August and has trialled well in between runs.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

HDF McNeil Stakes Runner by Runner

1. Artorius

Outstanding colt heading towards the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in October.  He was dominant winning a fast run Blue Diamond Stakes here in March.  He won’t be wound up first up but if the gaps appear at the right time his class may take him a long way in this…

2. General Beau

Won the Guineas Prelude and Preview as a two year old.  He sat outside the leader in the Vain Stakes first up and kept fighting to run second.  Should be able to find the lead here with out doing too much work and may take some getting past.

3. Lightsaber

Won the VRC Sires at Flemington in the Autumn, however he weakened badly over the concluding stages first up and I think he is a better horse at 1400m.

4. Exceed Expect

Has two wins from three career starts.  He found the right going at Sale first up and was only able to win narrowly.  Looking elsewhere.

5. Mr Mozart

Progressive son of Snitzel who finished well in the Vain Stakes first up.  I liked the way he attacked the line late and he looks suited stepping out to 1200m here.  The slight query is the map but if McNeil can find a horse to bring him into the race this colt has a great each way chance.

6. Zerelle

Resumed at Sandown last week where he finished seventh.  Hard to recommend off that.

7. Throw at Da Stumps

Kicked strongly to win a Geelong maiden last start.  This is much harder.

8. Bruckner

There was a bit of style about his win in a Kembla Grange maiden first up.  Gets thrown into the deep end here but looks to have some ability and gets Jamie Kah.  Knock out chance!

9. Heresy

The loan filly in the field.  She was back and wide first up but was still able to close off strongly to run second.  Maps to get a much better run in todays’ race.  Will the fillies form measure up against the colts?

HDF McNeil Stakes 2021 Tips

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

Jo’s Tips
Lewis’ Tips
1. Artorius 1. Artorius
2. General Beau 5. Mr Mozart
9. Heresy 2. General Beau
3. Lightsaber 9. Heresy

Previews for other races this week

Group 1 Memsie Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 The Heath 1100 2021 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality 2021 (Kembla Grange 1400m)

Group 3 San Domenico Stakes 2021 (Kembla Grange 1100m)

Group 3 Premier’s Cup 2021 (Kembla Grange 2000m)

Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes 2021 (Morphettville Parks 1400m)

Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes 2021 (Belmont 1300m)

2021 HDF McNeil Stakes Final Results

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 4. Exceed Expect.

Result Horse Margin
1st 8. Bruckner
2nd 1. Artorius 0.2 length
3rd 9. Heresy 0.3 length
4th 3. Lightsaber 1.05 lengths