Mona Lisa Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

With the early scratching of Alison of Tuffy, 13 runners remain for the $140,000 Mona Lisa Stakes and five of them are returning from a spell. The early favourite is Sebring mare Emeralds who won last start at Canterbury on a soft track and placed in a recent Randwick trial. Second favourite is Wandabaa who has a fantastic record of 7 wins and 5 places from 14 starts and been in the quinella at all five starts this campaign. Third favourite is topweight Miss Fabulass who resumes from a 14 week spell and has won two lead-up trials.

Yamazaki resumed for 4th in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality last start and has a good second-up record. Asiago returns from a 17 week break and finished mid-field in two lead-up trials. Heart Of the Oak finished 2nd when resuming as favourite on a heavy track at Rosehill and ran 2nd at her only start on this track. In Lighten Me has won twice from three starts this campaign and has a big weight drop. All other runners are currently 33 to 1 or longer.

1. Miss Fabulass

She resumes here from a 14 week break and has won both lead-up trials. The latest was by over 5 lengths at Beaumont Newcastle on 26 August. Back in March she ran 2nd in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic so has plenty of ability. She comes to hand quickly and is one of the main chances.

2. Asiago

This Godolphin mare resumes here and seems to go best when second-up. She only finished in the middle of the pack at both lead-up trials, but is already a winner of two Group 2 races.

3. Missybeel

She finished last preparation with a narrow win in the Group 3 Epona Stakes and has gone well in both of her lead-up trials. She has been to this track 3 times before for a win and 2 places and is capable of placing again.

4. Wandabaa

With  a fantastic record of 7 wins and 5 places from 14 starts including 3 wins and 2 second places from 5 starts this campaign.this mare has to be one of the main winning chances. She finished 2nd over 1200m at Rosehill last start and is on a six day back-up.

5. Maid of Ore

Resuming from a 22 week break, this Canberra-trained mare was placed in two Listed races last campaign. She has trialled at Canberra and has won first-up on one occasion. Not the worst.

6. Yamizaki

She resumed from a spell for 4th in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality last start and has a good second-up record. Rough chance.

7. Emeralds

James McDonald sticks with this mare after she won last start at Canterbury on a soft track. She was placed in a recent Randwick trial and should fight out the finish.

8. Freehearted

This seven-year-old has drawn the widest barrier, which is a concern. She has never won beyond 1200m so I am content to just watch her go around.

9. In Lighten Me

She has won twice from three starts this campaign and drops 5.5kg from her last start win over 1250m at Kensington on 26 August. Could run well.

10. Heart Of The Oak

Finished 2nd when resuming after 18 weeks when favourite on a heavy track at Rosehill. She ran 2nd at her only start on this track and is capable of running a place again.

11. Pierrless

Having her first run for a new trainer, she resumes after 16 weeks. Won her latest trial by 2 lengths at Randwick and is not the roughest.

12. Alison of Tuffy  – SCRATCHED

13. Ondo Pasa

This seven-year-old has only won 8 of her 62 races, but 3 of them have been on this track as she is one of two Wyong-trained mares in the race. She is going well this preparation and is a sneaky chance.

14. Mosht Up

The other Wyong-trained mare, she has had 4 runs on the track and has placed in three of them. This is too hard.

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

Jo’s Tips
4 Wandabaa
7 Emeralds
1 Miss Fabulass
10 Heart Of The Oak

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings were 12. Alison of Tuffy.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	2. Asiago
2nd	4. Wandabaa	1 length
3rd	3. Missybeel	1.5 length2
4th	6. Yamakazi	2 lengths