Kensington Stakes – 2021

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Fourteen sprinters are set to line up in the $200,000 Listed Kensington Stakes.  Five of them are first up and two are trained by Phillip Stokes.  The early favourite in a wide open betting race is one of the Stokes horses, Mileva.  One of two mares in the field, she was strong winning the Alinghi Stakes on Caulfield Cup Day and has been given a five week freshen up into this.  Next in the betting is Tequila Time.  He has won his last two starts and gets Jamie Kah in the saddle for this third up assignment.

Halvorsen loves the straight and upset the short price favourite Malkovich here at his last start.  Sartorial Splendour has missed the placings just twice in ten starts at the distance and goes really well for jockey Michael Dee.  He has won four times on him.  Zipping Boy is lightly raced and won his only start here.  Parsifal looks ready to peak third up with John Allan booked to ride.  Capriccio was an excellent winner at this track first up last preparation, while Shamino gets the blinkers back on.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Halvorsen

Straight track specialist who took out the Century Stakes at a big price here first up on Oaks Day.  Has a strong second up record.   Regular rider Andrew Mallyon takes over from Dean Yendall.  Each way chance again.

2. Sartorial Splendor

First upper from the John Saddler yard.  Goes well first up – two wins and two seconds from five previous first up attempts.  Won an open handicap this track and trip in April.  Will make his own luck up on speed.

3. Grandview Avenue

The bar plates come off for this second up assignment.  Had nearly eleven months off into his first up run at Moonee Valley.  Dropped out to be beaten a long way there.  Hard to recommend off that.

4. Morrissy

Another of the resumers.  Is Group 3 placed and has sprinted well over the short course in the past.  Stable going well and has jumped out well enough.  Place chance.

5. Parsifal

Seven year old gelding with seven wins and seven placings from twenty five starts.  Comes out of a fast run 1200m race in Adelaide where he was beaten less than two lengths.  Gets blinkers here and John Allan third up.  Wouldn’t shock.

6. Mileva

Excellent winner of the Alinghi Stakes first up at Caulfield, then a good third in the Group 3 Begonia Belle.  She goes well fresh so I like the five week let up dropping back to 1000m – a distance she goes well at.  Major player as long as the inside is okay.

7. Prezado

Track and distance specialist.  Racing below his best in recent times but if he can find his old form he would be a chance here.

8. Free Of Debt

Has five wins and three placings from twenty one starts.  Has finished towards the rear at his last two.  Does get Jye McNeil but maybe looking for the paddock.

9. Shamino

Another who gets the blinkers back on for this assignment.  He was eighth in the Doveton Stakes at Caulfield first up.  Needs to improve.

10. Zipping Boy

Lightly raced gelding with a strong win record (six wins from ten starts).  Has won two of four at this distance and gets down in the weights for this.  Recent jump out was solid behind Sartorial Splendour.  Each way claims.

11. Tequila Time

Six year old who has won twice over this distance at Morphettville to begin his preparation.  Drops from 60kg to 54kg for this third up assignment and gets Jamie Kah in the saddle.  Major player in this.

12. Rock Prophet

Resumes.  Won an open handicap this track and trip in May.  Goes well first up and recent Cranbourne jump out was solid.  Consider for multiples.

12. Crestani

Comes back to 1000m after finishing eight lengths off them over 1400m here last start.  Prior was good winning over 1200m at Geelong.  Rough hope.

14. Capriccio

Was excellent winning the Inglis Dash here over 1100m first up last preparation.  Has shown a liking to the straight in short career.  Each way claims.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
6. Mileva	6. Mileva
11. Tequila Time	11. Tequila Time
2. Sartorial Splendour	1. Halvorsen
1. Halvorsen	14. Capriccio

Group 2 Villiers Stakes 2021 (Randwick 1600m)

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	6. Mileva
2nd	5. Parsifal	1 length
3rd	1. Halvorsen	1.1 lengths
4th	11. Tequila Time	1.6 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: –