Matron Stakes 2023 Race Details
Race 5 at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday the 11th March 2023.
The Matron Stakes is a 1600 metre set weights plus penalties race for mares four-years-old and upwards run by the Victorian Racing Club in early March. It is held at Flemington as part of the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival. The total prize money is $200,000 this year.
You can read more about the race history, lead-up races, and past winners on the Matron Stakes page.
Matron Stakes 2023 Preview
Track: Good Weather: Fine
The scratching of Toregene leaves a field of ten for the Group 2 Matron Stakes. There are two key lead ups for this race, the Mannerism which was run at Sandown over 1400m two weeks ago and the Tressady which was run here three weeks ago. Barb Raider was fifth in the Mannerism and comes up favourite from Inspirational Girl who is resuming from a spell for new trainer John Leek Jnr.
Matron Stakes 2023 Runner by Runner
1. El Patroness
Won the ATC Oaks on very heavy ground last April. Resumed here over 1400m three weeks ago against the older horses finishing 7.7 lengths of Annavisto. Think she is looking for softer ground and more distance.
2. Inspirational Girl
The 202o Railway winner resumes for the new camp. She was very good in the Turnbull Stakes here last prep which has to read well for this and I love that they have given her three solid jump outs. Maps to get her chance from barrier 7.
3. Barb Raider
Has been met with strong market support early and I suspect the key reason for that is she gets back to Flemington where she has three wins from her four starts. Should lead or sit outside lead.
4. Excelida
Quality mare who was third in the Empire Rose this track and distance last prep. She closed off well for third after getting way too far back here last start. Like the booking of Zahra. Very solid each way chance.
5. Sirileo Miss
Was holding her ground first up through the line in the Tressady. Jumped out well prior and has a very good second up record. 1600m suits.
6. Elusive Express
Gets blinkers for the first time. She worked to the line solidly first up in the Tressady and I can see Blake Shinn giving her a gun steer from barrier 3. Certainly not hopeless.
7. Toregene – SCRATCHED
8. So You See
Has really mixed her form at her last four with two wins and two shockers. Not sure what to make of her. Risking.
9. Forbidden City
Was blocked for a run back to the inside in the Mannerism before easing off heels and working home strongly into third. Gets a big jockey change here but probably has to go back to last from the gate which doesn’t make it easy.
10. No Secret
I can’t have her up in grade off two Moonee Valley wins.
11. Pharoah’s Reign
Has been contesting benchmark races in NSW. That form has proven to be potent at times this Autumn but I’d be surprised if it holds up in this.
Matron Stakes 2023 Tips
The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.
Lewis Oliver’s Tips
|
Jo Jackson’s Tips | |
2 Inspirational Girl | 10 No Secret | |
6 Elusive Express | 4 Excelida | |
4 Excelida | 8 So You See | |
3 Barb Raider | 3 Barb Raider |
Previews for other races this week
Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic 2023 (Kembla Grange 1600m) – Friday
Group 1 Coolmore Classic 2023 (Rosehill 1500m)
Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 1500m)
Group 2 Ajax Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 1500m)
Group 2 Sky High Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 2000m)
Group 2 Magic Night Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 1200m)
Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 1200m)
Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 1500m)
Group 1 Newmarket Handicap 2023 (Flemington 1200m)
Group 2 Kewney Stakes 2023 (Flemington 1600m)
Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes 2023 (Flemington 1400m)
Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap 2023 (Flemington 1400m)
Listed Bunbury Cup 2023 (Ascot 2100m)
Listed Bunbury Stakes 2023 (Ascot 1400m)
Group 3 Black Opal Stakes 2023 (Canberra 1200m) – Sunday
Listed National Sprint 2023 (Canberra 1400m) – Sunday
Listed J.C. Roberts Stakes 2023 (Ascot 1800m) – Sunday
Listed Natasha Stakes 2023 (Ascot 2200m) – Sunday
Group 2 Adelaide Cup 2023 (Morphettville 3200m) – Monday
Listed Cinderella Stakes 2023 (Morphettville 1050m) – Monday
Listed Matrice Stakes 2023 (Morphettville 1200m) – Monday
Listed Morphettville Guineas 2023 (Morphettville 1600m) – Monday
Listed C S Hayes Cup 2023 (Morphettville 1600m) – Monday
Listed Canberra Cup 2023 (Canberra 2000m) – Monday
Listed Canberra Guineas 2023 (Canberra 1400m) – Monday
Matron Stakes 2023 Race Results
Result | Horse | Margin |
1st | 5 Sirileo Miss | |
2nd | 4 Excelida | 3.75 lengths |
3rd | 3 Barb Raider | 4.15 lengths |
4th | 1 El Patroness | 5.15 lengths |
The track was rated as Good 4.
Scratching: 7. Toregene.