How Now Stakes – 2021

Track: Soft? Weather: Showers

Fourteen mares have accepted for the $200,000 How Now Stakes.  Two are trained in New South Wales, two in South Australia, one in Queensland and one in New Zealand.  The early favourite in the betting is Bella Niptotina.  She has been racing in fine form since joining the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable earlier in the year.  On the next line of betting is La Mexicana.  She has six wins from eleven starts and gets Damian Lane in the saddle for this third up assignment.

Geist has a powerful turn of foot which was on full display last start at Randwick.  She stormed home from the back to win very impressively there.  Night Raid is one of four first up horses in the race and maps well.  Enchantingly bolted in against easier company at Morphettville last start.  Miss Albania is very consistent.  Bonham has group form in New Zealand.  Chassis ran a peak figure in the Cockram Stakes last start.  Belsielle is very consistent while Shaik strips fitter after a good first up effort.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Bonham

Ex kiwi mare who boast a strong record – four wins and a placing from six career runs.  She is now with the Tony Gollan barn in Queensland and has trialed well behind the smart Rothfire leading into this.  Capable of running well first up.

2. Kahma Lass

Same trainer / jockey combo and silks as Probabeel who is well fancied in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.  She won the NZ 1000 Guineas at Group 1 level at the end of last year.  At her only Australian start she finished last in the Light Fingers Stakes in February.  Watch market.

3. Bella Nipotina

Kicked strongly to win a race run to suit here first up, then was luckless at a key stage in the Chautauqua Stakes at Moonee Valley last time out.  She is a classy mare with a great chance here.

4. La Mexicana

The addition of the tounge tie suggests La Mexicana may have had excuses for a disappointing run in the Regal Roller at her last start.  She ran well with the big weight at her start prior.  One of the chances.

5. Night Raid

Resumes.  She won the Listed Matrice Stakes at Morpehttville in March.  Maps to get a gun run from barrier four.  In the mix.

6. Chassis

Was a huge run here behind Probabeel in the Cockram Stakes last start.  A repeat of that would see her go very close.

7. Bons Abroad

Resumer.  Has just one win from eight starts over the distance and has never run a place at this track.  Looking elsewhere.

8. Miss Albania

Won well at Flemington at the start of August but was only fair after being heavily supported in the Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley last start.  Expect her to race further forward this time which will improve her chances.

9. Geist

James Cummings trained mare who stormed home from the back to win a benchmark 78 at Randwick last time out.  May need some luck from barrier three but if the breaks come she has a winning chance.

10. Belsielle

Has won two of her last three.  Up in class here but is fit and racing well.  Consider for multiples.

11. Shaik

This four year old mare has three wins and four placings from her eleven starts.  She returned well with a second at Randwick but may end up buried back on the fence here from barrier one.

12. Malicorne

Disappointing effort after finding the lead with ease at Moonee Valley first up.  Needs to improve.

13. Enchantingly

Five year old mare who has gone to a new level this preparation.  Latest she found the lead and kicked clear to bolt in by 7.50 lengths at Morphettville in a benchmark 68.  A long way up in grade but it won’t surprise to see her measure up at this level given her last start dominance.

14. Smokin’ Val

Winkers go back on for this second up assignment.  She didn’t have the best of luck first up at Morphettville.  Sharply up in grade but has a rough chance.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
3. Bella Nipotina	3. Bella Nipotina
9. Geist	13. Enchantingly
4. La Mexicana	6. Chassis
13. Enchantingly	5. Night Raid

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3. Bella Nipotina
2nd	6. Chassis	0.75 length
3rd	4. La Mexicana	0.85 length
4th	9. Geist	0.95 length

The track was rated as Good

Scratchings: 8. Miss Albania