Heritage Stakes – 2022

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

Thirteen runners have accepted for the $160,000 Listed Heritage Stakes and there has been one early scratching. The Michael Freedman stable and the Annabel Neasham stable have two runners entered each whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Best of Bordeaux has opened as the early favourite at $2.60. He was very good in the Run To The Rose, finishing 1.5 lengths off the talented In Secret. They have opted to head towards this race instead of the Golden Rose, which is a good indication of confidence here.

Opal Ridge is on the second line of betting at $5.00. He was too good for his rivals in Highway grade and he has shown glimpses of talent in harder grades prior. He should get every chance in this race.

Semillion is on the third line of betting at $6.50. He was just fair in the McEwan Stakes behind Rothfire and he will benefit from the drop back to Listed grade.

1. Best of Bordeaux (5)

He was very good in the Run To The Rose, finishing 1.5 lengths off the talented In Secret. They have decided to head here instead of the Golden Rose which is good and I love that the blinkers are coming off and the visors going on. He has drawn nicely and maps to get an untested lead. Hard to beat.

2. Swiss Exile (7)

Nothing came up from the plain last start run by Swiss Exile which worries me a touch. His best can shake this up but after last start, I can’t have him here.

3. Semillion (8)

His run was just fair when finishing 3.5 lengths behind Rothfire in the McEwan Stakes. Drops back majorly in grade and has shown in the past that he can handle the heavy going. He will need a peak figure to beat Best of Bordeaux but he looks the only one likely to get near him.

4. Great Barrier Reef (9)

SCRATCHED

5. Economics (10)

First up after 134 days. Two trials in the lead-up to this but he is yet to run outside of maiden grade. Prefer others.

6. Another Cognac (13)

Ran third behind Kipsbay last start in a Class 1. This looks too hard for him.

7. Chairman (11)

Should be 2/2 to start his career following a place at Kembla Grange. He is also entered for Sandown on Sunday but I think this is preferred. Yet to prove himself, but should be hitting the line well.

8. Hawaii Five Oh (4)

This well-bred son of I Am Invincible just scrapped in first up at Wyong in maiden grade, whilst also losing a plate in the run. This looks a lot harder despite a nice draw and the blinkers for the first time. Maybe a place.

9. Opal Ridge (1)

Won well last start in Highway grade and previously has shown the talent in much harder races. If she can bring his best here, she is a chance to upset the favourite but she looks like a solid place chance regardless.

10. Plymstock (2)

First up after 112 days. She has shown glimpses of talent over her first two preparations but just hasn’t put it all together. She is entered for a benchmark 78 later in the afternoon, but she has a better draw here. Place chance at best.

11. Wingardium (3)

Struggled in the Furious Stakes which could have been the grade or the heavy going. Drops back to Listed grade now but is likely to still get a wet track. Drawn to get every chance but this looks too hard for her.

12. Spicy Hotpot (12)

First up after 108 days. This looks too tough.

13. Razeta (6)

First up after 98 days. Outclassed.

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

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
1 Best of Bordeaux	1 Best of Bordeaux
9 Opal Ridge	9 Opal Ridge
3 Semillion	5 Economics
2 Swiss Exile	2 Swiss Exile

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	5 Economics
2nd	9 Opal Ridge	1.65 lengths
3rd	8 Hawaii Five Oh	2.88 lengths
4th	11 Wingardium	6.01 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 1. Best Of Bordeaux, 2. Swiss Exile, 4. Great Barrier Reef, 7. Chairman, 10, Plymstock, 12. Spicy Hotpot, 13. Razeta.