Ming Dynasty Quality – 2022

Track: Soft  Weather: Sunny on Race Day

Seventeen runners have accepted for the $200,000 Group 3 Ming Dynasty Handicap with three of those being emergencies, and there have been no early scratchings. The Chris Waller stable has six runners entered for the event, the Ryan/Alexiou stable has two runners entered whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Golden Mile and Conqueror have opened the joint-favourites at $4.60. Golden Mile ran a nice race in the Up & Coming Stakes behind Kibou, finishing 2.1 lengths back in second whilst managing to beat the rest of the field by 3.6 lengths. Conqueror was meant to also run in the race but he was scratched at the gates and instead was trialled, which has been his second trial since his last start second.

Zou Tiger rounds out the top three in the betting following his big win in midweek maiden grade on his return. He was much too good for his opposition, winning by 3.7 lengths in an impressive display.

1. Williamsburg (16)

He was quite poor on resumption in the Up & Coming Stakes. Hard to back him off that display and the wide draw here.

2. Rise of the Masses (5)

He was poor in his resumption in the San Domenico Stakes. Gets the tongue-tie the first time and maps well. Hard to take with confidence.

3. Brosnan (4)

Returning after 91 days. He has had one trial in preparation for this. Last preparation he really didn’t perform well on the wet tracks and ran much better races on top of the ground. With the track unlikely to get out of the soft, I can’t back him to win with confidence but as long as the track improves, he is a solid place chance.

4. Basquiat (10)

He is entered for Flemington as well. His run first up in the Up & Coming Stakes was good without being great, finishing almost six lengths back in third. He gets the blinkers on for the first time and James McDonald sticks with him, so you have to respect his decision.

5. Golden Mile (2)

Superb in the Up & Coming Stakes, finishing second by 2.1 lengths. Will improve nicely from that run, draws well despite getting back a touch, and Sam Clipperton sticks with him. He should be fighting out the finish.

6. Ringmaster (11)

Finished a distant 6.5 length fourth in the Up & Coming Stakes. Visors go on and blinkers come off for the first time, but it looks like the stable is preferring to send him to Flemington.

7. Grace’s Secret (17)

Finished a distant last on resumption in the Silver Shadow Stakes. She has had a trial since but she is hard to have from the widest barrier.

8. Magic (6)

Still a maiden and couldn’t get the job done in a much easier race last start. Stable has put the blinkers on for the first time in a hope of getting the best out of him. Take him if you like him, but I don’t trust him.

9. Flag of Honour (7)

Resuming after 56 days. He had two nice wins in the winter before having a freshen-up and a trial. He has drawn nicely but this is a big step from what he took on last start. I am very keen to see how he performs, and he could be a smokey at good odds.

10. Osipenko (8)

Resuming after 84 days. He won well first up last preparation before finishing second to the talented Kibou. He has had two trials in preparation for this one and he has drawn a nice gate should they want to use it. He is entered for Flemington, so keep an eye on where he goes, but he will be thereabouts.

11. Zou Tiger (13)

Solid win first up in maiden grade at Kensington. This is a big step up, he has drawn ordinary and James McDonald has jumped off. Prefer to watch.

12. Conqueror (3)

Was scratched at the gates in the Up & Coming Stakes. Has since trialled and they have decided to add the lugging bit, pre-race earmuffs, and a barrier blanket to try and help him. It’s almost been a month since his last run now, so it’s hard to have him with confidence but he has drawn well and a win won’t surprise.

13. Northern Beaches (9)

Broke his maiden status last start at Canterbury. He is entered for Flemington as well. Could run a cheeky race dropping 6kg from last start.

14. Matcha Latte (1)

Broke his maiden status last start at Kensington. This is much harder and I can’t have him here.

15e. My Truth (14)

Can’t have here.

16e. Manzoice (12)

A nice winner last start but he is also entered for another race on the day.

17e. Miss Thatcher (15)

Entered for the Highway earlier in the day. Can’t have it in this.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
9 Flag of Honour	5 Golden Mile
10 Osipenko	11 Zou Tiger
5 Golden Mile	10 Osipenko
3 Brosnan	12 Conqueror

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	5 Golden Mile
2nd	14 Matcha Latte	3.26 lengths
3rd	4 Basquiat	3.56 lengths
4th	9 Flag Of Honour	3.94 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 6. Ringmaster, 7. Grace’s Secret, 10. Osipenko, 13. Northern Beaches, 15e. My Truth, 17e. Miss Thatcher.