Lee Steere Stakes – 2023

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 13 runners for the 2023 Lee Steere Stakes, with 12 geldings and one mare. There is one 4YO, four 5YOs, two 6YOs, five 7YOs and one 8YO. Seven runners had their last start in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 21st October and two had their last start in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 4th November, while the rest came via different races. Two are resuming. Five runners are sired by Playing God and two by Trade Fair. Trainer Daniel Morton has 2 runners.

The betting is fairly open and the early favourite is Marocchino who won the Asian Beau Stakes last start at 100 to 1. Second favourite is Bustler who resumed for 7th in the Eurythmic Stakes with good closing splits from back and wide. Third favourite is Valour Road who finished a close 2nd in the Eurythmic. Comfort Me was 3rd in the Eurythmic, while Dom To Shoot resumes here after 22 weeks. The other runners are currently $11 or longer.

1. Valour Road (13)

This 8YO is the oldest runner this year and is racing in fine form. He finished a close 2nd in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 21st October after winning the Idyllic Prince Stakes when resuming from a long spell. He was runner-up in this race in 2021. Strong chance.

2. Trix Of The Trade (8)

One of 2 runners sired by Trade Fair (the other is Startrade). He resumed for 2.9 lengths 9th in the Eurythmic after being held up in the concluding stages. Place chance.

3. Massimo (11)

He has won this race for the past 2 years and it hasn’t been won by the same horse 3 times since Tarquin in 1897, 1898 and 1900. Resumed for a length 4th in the Eurythmic. This is his best distance. Place claims.

4. Marocchino (10)

Won the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes by 0.8 lengths over 1400m at Ascot on 4th November last start at 100 to 1. Carries 2kg less here. He has 9 wins at this track and is a major chance again.

5. Comfort Me (7)

One of 5 runners sired by Playing God (the others are Bustler, Alaskan God, God Has Chosen and Currimundi). He reumed for 3rd in the Eurythmic and goes well second-up. Genuine chance.

6. Dom To Shoot (9)

Resumes here after 22 weeks. Placed in a Belmont trial but usually needs his first-up run.

7. Startrade (5)

One of 2 runners for Daniel Morton (the other is Alaskan God). Has only beat one home in both rune this preparation. Looking elsewhere.

8. Last Of The Line (2)

Resumed for 3rd in the Asian Beau last Saturday. Normally runs well second-up. Could surprise.

9. Bustler (3)

This 4YO is the youngest runner this year. He resumed for 7th in the Eurythmic Stakes with good closing splits from back and wide. He goes well at this track and distance and can figure in the finish.

10. Alaskan God (12)

One of 2 runners for Daniel Morton (the other is Alaskan God). His last start was 2.9 lengths 7th in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings over 2520m at Flemington on 7th October. This is  massive drop in distance. Prefer others.

11. God Has Chosen (4)

Finished 11th in the Eurythmic when resuming. Gets blinkers on for the first time. Unlikely.

12. Currimundi (6)

Having his first black type run. Made some ground late when resuming over 1200m at Ascot on 28th October. Place chance.

13. The Velvet Queen (1)

The only mare in the race this year. Resumes after 26 weeks and raced well in the autumn. Not the worst.

1. Valour Road (13)

This 8YO is the oldest runner this year and is racing in fine form. He finished a close 2nd in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 21st October after winning the Idyllic Prince Stakes when resuming from a long spell. Strong chance.

2. Trix Of The Trade (8)

One of 2 runners sired by Trade Fair (the other is Startrade). He resumed for 2.9 lengths 9th in the Eurythmic after being held up in the concluding stages. Place chance.

3. Massimo (11)

Resumed for a length 4th in the Eurythmic. This is hos best distance. Place claims.

4. Marocchino (10)

won the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes by 0.8 lengths over 1400m at Ascot on 4th November last start at 100 to 1.

5. Comfort Me (7)

One of 5 runners sired by Playing God (the others are Bustler, Alaskan God, God Has Chosen and Currimundi).

was 3rd in the Eurythmic

6. Dom To Shoot (9)

resumes here after 22 weeks.

7. Startrade (5)

One of 2 runners for Daniel Morton (the other is Alaskan God).Was slowly away and didn’t warm up until late when resuming for 4 lengths 8th in the Crawford Stakes. Can improve second-up.

8. Last Of The Line (2)

Ran on strongly from the back of the field for 4th in the Crawford stakes. Could surprise.

9. Bustler (3)

This 4YO is the youngest runner this year.

resumed for 7th in the Eurythmic Stakes with good closing splits from back and wide

10. Alaskan God (12)

One of 2 runners for Danil Morton (the other is Alaskan God).

11. God Has Chosen (4)

He resumed for 3rd in the Crawford Stakes with good closing splits. Seven of his 10 wins have been at Ascot. In the mix.

12. Currimundi (6)

He hasn’t started for 51 weeks when he finished 5.5 lengths 10th in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes over 1100m at Ascot on 12th November 2022. Place in a recent trial at Lark Hill and gets the inside draw and William Pike. Place chance.

13. The Velvet Queen (1)

The only mare in the race this year.

This 8YO is the oldest runner in the race this year. He’s had 5 starts this campaign without winning, but hasn’t finished worse than 4th. Has placed in 7 of 10 at Ascot and goes well at the distance. Place hope.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
4 Marocchino
1 Valour Road
9 Bustler
5 Comfort Me

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Valour Road
2nd	6 Dom To Shoot	0.74 lengths
3rd	5 Comfort Me	1.13 lengths
4th	3 Massimo	2.85 lengths

The track was rated as  Good 4.

There were no scratchings.