Idyllic Prince Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are nine runners for the $100,000 Idyllic Prince Stakes and four of them had their last start in the Listed Belmont Newmarket on 15 August while three runners are first-up from a spell. The early favourite is Free Trade who has eight wins and seven places from his 16 starts. Second favourite is Dance Music who is the only mare in the race and is resuming from a 26 week spell. Third favourite is Great Shot who was competitive at Group level before a long 45 week spell.

Varaiation has had a 40 week break but has placed in both lead-up trials and ran 2nd in this race last year.  Saracino won the Belmont Newmarket last start but goes up 4.5 kg from that win. Multiverse finished 3rd in this race last year and comes off a 3rd in the Belmont Newmarket, while Lockroy ran 4th. The other two runners are currently 30 to 1 or longer.

1. Great Shot

This Magnus gelding is the proven weight-for-age performer in the field. He was placed in the Listed Birthday Stakes then the Group 3 Northerly Stakes before a long 45 week spell. He ran 2nd in a recent Belmont trial and has won 3 of 7 when fresh. He should go well.

2. Variation

Last year this War Chant gelding resumed from a spell to come 2nd in this race behind Great Again, then two starts later ran 2nd in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes at Caulfield. He is resuming here and has placed in both lead-up trials, so it would be no surprise to see him in the finish.

3. Lockroy

Ran 2nd in the HG Bolton Sprint on 25 July, then 2.7 lengths 4th in the Belmont Newmarket on 15 August. He is normally thereabouts and will probably fill one of the minor placings.

4. Red Publisher

He faded to finish 6th when resuming over 1400m here on 15 August, and with only one run from 12 starts at this track I don’t think he will bother these.

5. Flow

At his last three runs he has beaten a total of four horses home. Needs to improve considerably.

6. Saracino

Last start he won the Belmont Newmarket at $21 which was his first win at the track in 10 races here. He goes up 4.5 kg on that win and doesn’t win often, but is capable of surprising.

7. Free Trade

This gelding has 8 wins and 7 places from 16 starts, and the only time he missed a trifecta spot was his latest run where he resumed for 5th in the Belmont Newmarket. He has multiple wins at the track and has drawn the inside barrier so I suggest you forget his last run and expect to see him fight out the finish.

8. Multiverse

Finished 3rd in this race last year and has placed in three of his four runs this campaign. Has 7 wins at this track and is quite capable of placing again

9. Dance Music

The only mare in the race, she has 8 wins and 5 places from 15 starts. Last campaign she won at Pinjarra Park then Ascot before running 3rd in the Listed Pinjarra Classic. She resumes here after 26 weeks and placed in a Lark Hill trial. One of the main chances, she should fight out the finish and is my pick to win.

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

Jo’s Tips
9 Dance Music
7 Free Trade
1 Great Shot
8 Multiverse

Group 1 Memsie Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 The Heath 1100 2020 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1200m)

Listed Heatherlie Handicap 2020 (Caulfield 1700m)

Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap 2020 (Rosehill 1400m)

Group 3 Premier’s Cup 2020 (Rosehill 1900m)

Group 3 San Domenico Stakes 2020 (Rosehill 1100m)

Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes 2020 (Morphettville Parks 1400m)

The track was rated as Good 4

Scratchings were – nil

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	7. Free Trade
2nd	5, Flow	0.5 length
3rd	8. Multiverse	1.34 lengths
4th	6. Saracino	2.75 lengths