Melvista Stakes – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 14 geldings and one colt for the $125,000 Melvista Stakes. Nine of them had their last start in the Listed J.C. Roberts Stakes over 1800m on 12 March, two in an 1800m Ascot Class 1 on 16 March and the other four came through different races, Four trainers have two runners each – Steve Wolfe, Adam Durrant, Fred Kersley and Daniel & Ben Pearce. Sire Awesome Rock is represented by three runners while Rommel and Blackfriars have two runners each.

The early favourite is Alaskan God who has won three of his four starts with the last two both over 1800m. Second favourite is Trix Of The Trade who won his first four starts this campaign including the Listed Western Australia Breeders Classic, Listed Challenge Stakes and Listed Lex Piper Stakes before being overhauled near the post for 2nd in the Listed JC Roberts. Third favourite is Rokanori who has won three from three and beat Trix Of The Trade last start.

Henchard finished 3rd in the Lex Piper then 3rd in the JC Roberts.  Pale Rider won an 1800m Graduation Handicap (1MW) at Ascot last start, while Hear Me Sing was 2nd in the Lex Piper then 4th in the JC Roberts.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Trix Of The Trade

This Trade Fair gelding trained by Colin Webster has seven wins and two places from nine starts meaning he’s never missed the quinella. He won his first four starts this campaign including the Listed Western Australia Breeders Classic, Listed Challenge Stakes and Listed Lex Piper Stakes before being overhauled near the post for 2nd in the Listed JC Roberts. Jockey Troy Turner has won this race before on Phenomenons in 2009. Will be in the finish.

2. Rokanori

One of three runners sired by Awesome Rock (the others are Outspoken Lad and Lautre) he is the only colt in the field. He is unbeaten in three starts and got there in the final strides to beat Trix Of The Trade in the JC Roberts. Trainer Grant Williams has won two of the last three editions of this race with Regal Power in 2019 and Western Empire in 2021. Jockey Patrick Carbery has also tasted success in this race aboard Brother Mak in 2010 and Who Dat Singa in 2016. Expect Rokanori to run well again.

3. Hear Me Sing

One of two runners for Steve Wolfe. Was 2nd in the Lex Piper then 4th in the JC Roberts. Jockey Shaun McGruddy won on Boom Time in 2015. In the mix if he can get the distance.

4. Pale Rider

This son of Rommel won an 1800m Graduation Handicap (1MW) at Ascot last start where he was heavily backed against the older horses. He ran om strongly to arrive on the line and looks as if the 2200m won’t be an issue. Has two wins and three places from nine starts and is capable of getting into the money.

5. Henchard

One of two runners for Adam Durrant and one of two runners sired by Blackfriars (the other is Black Fantasy). Finished 3rd in the Lex Piper then 3rd in the JC Roberts. Has drawn the outside barrier which isn’t an issue at this distance. Place chance.

6. Bandalera Beau

Sired by Rommel, as is Pale Rider. One of two runners for Fred Kersley who has won this race with Shirazamatazz in 2003 and Ihtsahymn in 2014. Jockey Steven Parnham has also won before on Ihtsahymn, Finished well back in the Lx Piper and JC Roberts, and hasn’t won or placed in three visits to Ascot. Looks safely held.

7. Almaher Man

The second of the Kersley runners. He has one win from 7 starts but has finished well back in the six races since. Finished last in the JC Roberts where he struggled in the straight. This looks too hard.

8. Let’sdeal

This Dundeel gelding is the second of the Steve Wolfe runners. He has two wins and two places from six starts but hasn’t won at Ascot. Rough chance.

9. Black Fantasy

One of two runners for Daniel & Ben Pearce who won this race with Money Maher in 2018. Also one of two runners sired by Blackfriars (the other is Henchard). He has placed at all three runs this campaign. Not the worst.

10. Alaskan God

The early favourite for the race who has won three of his four starts with the last two both over 1800m at Ascot. He hasn’t raced at Listed level before but has to be one of the main chances.

11. Outspoken Lad

He has two wins from five starts and is one of the three runners sired by Awesome Rock along with Rokanori and Lautre. Won by 2.3 lengths over 1600m at Ascot on 23 February before grinding home for 2.6 lengths 5th in the JC Roberts. Rough chance.

12. Lautre

One of the Awesome Rock trio who has won his last two races – a 2.4 length win in an 1800m maiden at Pinjara, then a 1.3 length win in a Class 1 over 1800m at Ascot. Looks a horse on the improve and has drawn ideally in barrier one. Place chance.

13. Disengo

The second of the Adam Durrant runners. He finished 2.9 lengths 3rd behind Lautre last outing. This looks too hard.

14. Vevinsky

He has one win and three places from 10 starts and finished 8.3 lengths 10th in the JC Roberts. Not here.

15. Tell Nothin’

This Star Witness gelding is trained by Julie Mitchell at Ascot and has a win a a place from six starts. Jockey Jason Whiting won this race on Lethal Jones in 2012. Tell Nothn’ fiinshed last in the Lex Piper Stakes at his latest start. Prefer to watch.

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

Jo’s Tips
1 Trix Of The Trade
10 Alaskan God
2 Rokanori
4 Pale Rider