Leon Macdonald Stakes – 2021

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of nine runners remaining for the $107,250 Leon Macdonald Stakes following the early scratchings of King Of Hastings and Beau Rossa. There are six geldings and three mares , and five runners are first-up while two are second-up. Will Clarken has three runners. The early favourite is three-year-old  Ironclad who resumes here after winning all four starts last campaign, including two Listed races. Second favourite is Second Slip who resumed from a 20 week spell with a 0.75 win over 1100m at Caulfield last start. Third favourite is Ritratto who resumed for 3rd in the Group 3 Spring Stakes a fortnight ago..

Specialism has a win and two places from her three starts this campaign.  Sesar resumes after more than a year but has had multiple trial runs. Extreme Thrill has a win and two places from four starts this campaign. Bertwhistle resumes after 43 weeks and is a staying mare. Chapel City is another who hasn’t raced in over a year, while Eperdument is first-up after 21 weeks.

1. Ironclad

This five-year-old Dubawi gelding trained by Will Clarken has six wins and two places from 12 starts, and won all four races last campaign. He won the Listed C.S> Hayes Cup over 1600m at Morphettville on 8 March, then won the Listed Golden Mile over 1600m at Bendigo on 27 March before a 22 week spell. Resumes here and won a Balaklava trial as a lead-up. One of the main chances.

2. King Of Hastings  – SCRATCHED

3. Sesar

This six-year-old Sebring gelding hasn’t raced for more than a year but has had multiple trial runs.He is having his first race for trainer Dean Saxon at Millicent and is one to keep an eye on.

4. Chapel City

Another runner who hasn’t raced in over a year, He won the Group 3 R A Lee Stakes over 1600m at Morphettville back in May 2020, so has some ability.

5. Second Slip

Trained by Will Clarken and ridden by Todd Pannell, this Alamosa gelding has six wins and four places from 18 starts. He resumed from a 20 week spell with a 0.75 win over 1100m at Caulfield last start with Jamie Kah in the saddle. Should be in the finish.

6. Ritratto

This five-year-old Fiorente gelding resumed for 3rd in the Group 3 Spring Stakes a fortnight ago. Goes well at this track and can place.

7. Extreme Thrill

He has a win and two places from four starts this campaign and goes up in distance. Not the worst.

8. Beau Rossa – SCRATCHED

9. Eperdument

This seven-year-old Americain mare is first-up after 21 weeks. May need the run.

10. Bertwhistle

At nine-years-old this mare is the oldest runner in the race. She resumes after 43 weeks and normally needs a run or two to show her best.

11. Specialism

She has a win and two places from her three starts this campaign and has to be considered.

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

Jo’s Tips
1 Ironclad
5 Second Slip
6 Ritratto
4 Chapel City

Group 1 Memsie Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 The Heath 1100 2021 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality 2021 (Kembla Grange 1400m)

Group 3 San Domenico Stakes 2021 (Kembla Grange 1100m)

Group 3 Premier’s Cup 2021 (Kembla Grange 2000m)

Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes 2021 (Belmont 1300m)

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratchings: 2. King Of Hastings, 8. Beau Rossa.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	5. Second Slip
2nd	6, Ritratto	2.5 lengths
3rd	7. Extreme Thrill	2.9 lengths
4th	3. Sesar	4 lengths

Ironclad pulled up lame.