How Now Stakes – 2020

Track: Good    Weather: Late Rain

A field of thirteen is set to line up for this years edition of the How Now Stakes.   The James Cummings mare Lyre is a strong favourite in the early markets, she comes to this race second up after a good second in The Heath 1100 at this track three weeks ago.  Next in the betting is Humma Humma, she comes out of the same race as Lyre, and her performance was good there off a wide run.  Felecia brings a different form line to the race, she ran well in the Chandler Macleod Stakes first up at Moonee Valley.

Missile Mantra stumbled on the turn and was eased down in her resuming run, we can expect a much better effort here.  Sydney sider Fiesta is one of many of Chris Wallers strong team to line up at Caulfield on Saturday and she has shown in the past she was the ability to sprint well first up.  She’s a Thief is honest and makes her own luck from the front.  The rest of the runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Spanish Whisper

She ran well first up in a group 3 last time in but this is tougher.  I did like the way she closed off in a recent Flemington jump out.

2. Humma Humma

She looked the winner first up before fitness may have told late.  She will take good improvement from that run.  A wide gate for jockey Jamie Mott to overcome here but arguably it is better to be drawn out than in late in the day at Caulfield.

3. In Good Time

Comes down from Sydney.  Has been well beaten at her last two but has had some excuses.  The dryer the track the better for her.

4. Broadwayandfourth

Blinkers go on the first time here which could see her improve off a moderate first up run.  From barrier 1 she is likely to be close enough to last on the fence with plenty to do upon straightening.

5. I am Eloquent

Doubt we have seen the best of this lightly raced mare who resumes in this race.  Drawn well in barrier 8 with D Oliver booked, I’m sure he will get her in a position where she win on the turn.  Whether she is able to sprint with these first up is the question?

6. Lyre

She was a good run first up in the Heath 1100, surging to the line late.  Looks likely to be in a similar position again from the inside gate and I have full confidence that Luke Currie is as good as any jockey from this position.  The knock on her is her winning strike rate (three from fifteen).  One of the main chances.

7. Fiesta

Chris Waller brings Fiesta down from Sydney for this assignment first up.  She has a good first up record and I am wary of what Waller’s Melbourne team have done over the last couple of weeks, September Run and Humidor have been huge wins and Madam Rouge arguably should of won a similar race to this.  He had a winner at Bendigo on Wednesday too.  Like her drawn out late in the day and look for her storming down the outside late.

8. Missile Mantra

A big forgive run when she stumbled on the bend first up, jockey Damien Lane proceeded to ease her down.  She started single figures in that race and if you liked her there, no reason to drop off for this.

9. She’s a Thief

This mare loves to roll forward and make her own luck.  She is probably lacking the class to win this but if the track is favouring on speed runners then this works in her favour.

10. Our Compana

Started single figures last start and on face value that was a disappointing run.  Going to be big odds here and it wouldn’t shock to see master trainer Peter Moody turn her form around.  She loves the 1200m distance.  Consider for the multiples.

11. Jentico

I have big questions over the form in the race she contested first up.  Doubt she is good enough to be winning this.

12. Felicia

There was very good money around for this mare first up at Moonee Valley and I thought her effort was very good in a strong race.  She split Showmanship and Age of Chivilary there – Showmanship was favourite for the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes before suffering a tendon injury earlier in the week and Age of Chivilary is currently a $10-1 for the same race.  The last time we saw her this track and trip she was a dominant 3.75 length winner.   Looks a great chance in this.

13. Bons Abroad

Bons Abroad has been racing consistently through the winter in mid week races.  Don’t think she is good enough to be matching it with these horses.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
6. Lyre	12. Felicia
12. Felicia	6. Lyre
2. Humma Humma	7. Fiesta
8. Missile Mantra	8. Missile Mantra

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	12. Felicia
2nd	4. Broadwayandfourth	2 lengths
3rd	7. Fiesta	2.2 lengths
4th	3. In Good Time	2.4 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3

Scratchings were – nil