Matriarch Stakes – 2021

Track: Soft Weather: Showers

Fifteen mares have accepted for the $300,000 Group 2 Matriarch Stakes.  Chris Waller has three runners and Team Hayes have two.  Four had their last start in the Tesio Stakes, four ran in the a set weights and penalties race at Moonee Valley and two others had their last run in the Sale Cup.  The current favourite in a wide open betting race is Nimalee.  She backs up after a good fourth here in the Empire Rose over 1600m last weekend.  Next in the betting is Mimi’s Award.  She won the Group 3 South Australian Fillies Classic in May and has been met with some strong support in the early betting.

Only Words impressed with a last start victory at Moonee Valley.  Ghodeleine has won three times this preparation and is well drawn in barrier five.  Starelle is another who is well drawn and gets back onto her home track with Damian Lane in the saddle.  Bonvicini is an early firmer after a strong finish in the Sale Cup.  Zayydani has been building nicely and has strong form lines.  Princess Jenni strips fitter third up.  Our Intrigue won the Port Macquarie Cup two starts ago.  Vanna Girl was unlucky in this race last year, while Charms Star has a Group 1 placing to her name.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Nimalee

Five year old daughter of So You Think.  Backs up after a good fourth in the Empire Rose last Saturday.  She was also close up in the Group 2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 25.  Think she is looking for this trip now.  Key winning chance.

2. Only Words

Quality mare from the Chris Waller yard.  Was very unlucky in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes in September.  Strong last start winner of a 2040m mares race at Moonee Valley.  Will need a good ride from barrier 14 but has the right man in the saddle (Brett Prebble).

3. Starelle

Has had three runs back from a spell and has hit the line well in all of them.  Has drawn perfectly in barrier six for Damian Lane.  Looks set to peak here fourth up on her home track.  Each way chance.

4. Princess Jenni

Has six wins and three placings from twenty four starts.  Travelled into the race nicely at Moonee Valley last start but was only fair to the line the last 400m.  Fitter again here and gets Nash Rawiller who is riding well.

5. Mimi’s Award

Big improver second up at Caulfield.  Worked home well there on a tough day to make ground.  This is a much stronger race but she was a Group 3 winner in Adelaide last preparation and has upside.

6. Ecumenical

Morphettville winner at the start of this preparation, then was a good second behind Annavisto at Caulfield.  Has struggled in her three runs since.  Prefer others.

7. Our Intrigue

Won the Port Macquarie Cup two back.  Bias was against last start at Moonee Valley.  Must respect the Waller and McDonald combination!

8. Zayydani

Brings a different form line.  Has not been far away from Floating Artist at her last two.  That horse ran fourth in the Melbourne Cup.  Races well here.  Looks over the odds at $12.

9. Vanna Girl

Was very unlucky in this race last year.  Doesn’t appear to be going as well this time around.  Needs to improve.

10. Ghodeleine

Mare in form!  Was a terrific run in the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley two back.  Won the Moe Cup last start off a tough run.  Don’t discount.

11. Le Lude

Sydney sider who was second behind Only Words at Moonee Valley last start.  In the mix.

12. Bonvicini

Ran home well out wide in the Sale Cup last start.  2000m suits and is ready to peak fourth up.  Each way claims.

13. Barbie’s Fox

Has been up for a long time but is fit and continues to race well.  Second in the Sale Cup at her most recent run.  Place hope.

14. Charms Star

Another of the Waller runners.  Was second in the Queensland Oaks in June.  Dropped out to finish last in the Caulfield Cup at her last start.

15. Mahashakti

Strong winner of the Pinker Pinker plate at Cranbourne two starts ago.  Well fancied at Moonee Valley last time and weakened out.  Wouldn’t shock to see her bounce back.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
5. Mimi’s Award	8. Zayydani
1. Nimalee	1. Nimalee
8. Zayydani	3. Starelle
2. Only Words	4. Princess Jenni

Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes 2021 (Flemington 2000m)

Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic 2021 (Flemington 1200)

Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2021 (Flemington 2600m)