Lough Neagh Stakes – 2022

Track: Good Weather: Good

A wide open affair. Holyfield is favourite and was nailed on the post last run by Emerald Kingdom in the Tatts Recognition Stakes. They meet again here and both look good chances. Vinco is just going along fairly this prep but should be ready to peak. Rubamos maps for a nice run in transit and can win while Ucalledit gets barrier 1 and is shooting for a hat trick in this. Its form stacks up nicely. The pace should be solid.

1. Emerald Kingdom (7)

Not much between Emerald Kingdom and the favourite. It nailed Holyfield on the line last start in the Listed Tatts Recognition Stakes and is right in the mix against this lot. Ran 2nd in this race in 2020. Flies at Eagle Farm and loves good footing, great chance.

2. Holyfield (5)

Holyfield is racing very well this prep. It comes out of the Tatts Recognition Stakes and was nabbed on the line by Emerald Kingdom. It can run well again here from the nice draw and deserves to be well in the market.

3. Master Jamie (4)

Master Jamie knows how to win with 17 wins from 44 career starts. It loves racing on this track, goes well 2nd up and should be leading these up. The $31.00 seems enormous.

4. Vinco (6)

Ready to improve in this. It has been a luckless prep thus far and Vinco should be getting a nice run in transit from the draw. The Gollan yard are in excellent form and this race is within reach.

5. Smart Meteor (2)

Not hopeless at odds in this . Maps Kindly from the draw and flies 2nd up fresh. Getting out to the 1400s should suit and Smart Meteor did run well 2nd up last prep. This race is within reach.

6. Ucalledit (1)

Brings in some really good form to this race and shooting for a hat trick The map has it getting all the favours from barrier 1 and this race is well and truly within reach. Well tried in early markets and will take some holding out.

7. Rubamos (3)

Rubamos is building a handy record with 6 wins from 20 starts. It amps Kindly from the draw, has been racing well this prep and should enjoy the good ground. Hard to beat and the $11.00 is over the odds.

8. Animate (8)

Needs to lift but does have a good second up record. Not hopeless at odds, respect any market moves.

9. Rainbow Connection (9)

Has been racing consistently this prep and looks back on track. Kyle Wilson-Taylor is in good form, Rainbow Connection is 1/1 at the track and if it can overcome the wide draw it is right in this race at handy odds.

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

Bryce’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
6 Ucalledit	2 Holyfield
3 Master Jamie	6 Ucalledit
2 Holyfield	1 Emerald Kingdom
1 Emerald Kingdom	9 Rainbow Connection

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	6 Youcalledit
2nd	7 Rubamos	1.92 lengths
3rd	2 Holyfield	2.96 lengths
4th	9 Rainbow Connection	3.41 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 5. Smart Meteor, 8. Animate.