Mona Lisa Stakes – 2021

Track: Soft   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 15 runners for the $140,000 Mona Lisa Stakes and three of them had their last start in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality on 21 August. There are two four-year-olds, 10 five-year-olds and three six-year-olds. Seven of the runners are trained by John – John Thompson has three runners, John O’Shea has two runners and John Sargent and John Ramsay both have a runner each. Chris Waller has two runners.

The early favourite is Great News who is one of the two Wyong-trained runners and she resumed for a close 2nd in the Toy Show. Second favourite is More Prophets who was a last start winner at Randwick. Third favourite is Charleise who has three wins and three 2nds from her last six starts.

All Saints’ Eve resumes from a 16 week spell and comes to hand quickly.  Starla has won her last two starts at Rosehill then Randwick. Elizabeel resumed for 3.8 lengths 11th when resuming and goes well second-up, while Bring The Ransom comes off a win over 1400m at Kembla Grange last start.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. All Saints’ Eve

One of two runners for John O’Shea. Resumes from a 16 week spell and comes to hand quickly.

2. Charleise

Drawn perfectly in barrier 1. Has three wins and three 2nds from her last six starts.

3. Great News

Trained by Kim Waugh at Wyong, she resumed for a close 2nd in the Toy Show.

4. Outback Diva

Drawn the outside barrier.

5. Starla

One of two runners for Chris Waller she has won her last two starts at Rosehill then Randwick.

6. Bring The Ransom

Comes off a win over 1400m at Kembla Grange last start.

7. Le Lude

One of three runners for John Thompson.

8. Vitesse

This six-year-old Snitzel mare from the Waller stable has six wins and 12 places from 39 starts.

9. Best Stone

Can handle soft and heavy going.

10. Elizabeel

Resumed for 3.8 lengths 11th and goes well second-up

11. Le Gai Soleil

Has five wins and a place from 12 starts. Not the worst.

12. More Prophets

Was a last start winner at Randwick and is one of the John Thompson runners.

13. Zorocat

this four-year-old has three wins and seven places from 13 starts and could place.

14. Bright Rubrick

Trained by John Ramsey at Scone she won the Bengalla Cup at Muswellbrook on 31 July, but this is much tougher.

15. Hyannis Port

Lightly-raced five-year-old with two wins from 10 starts.

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

Jo’s Tips
12 More Prophets
3 Great News
2 Charleise
5 Starla

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 1. All Saints’ Eve, 13. Zorocat.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	12. More Prophets
2nd	6. Bring The Ransom	0.22 length
3rd	3. Great News	0.81 length
4th	4. Outback Diva	1.32 lengths