Ottawa Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft Weather: Overcast

A full field of sixteen runners plus four emergencies have accepted for this years race. Only seven of the runners have had a race before with two running in the Inglis Banner over 1000m at Moonee Valley on 22 October, two in a 2YO Maiden Plate over 1000m at Ballarat on 15 October, two in a 2YO Maiden Plate over 900m at Murray Bridge on 14 October and one in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes over 1000m at Flemington on 1 October. Trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr), Chris Bieg, James Cummings, Tony & Calvin McEvoy and Annabel Neasham have two runners each. Two runners are sired by Russian Revolution and two by Zoustar.

The early favourite is Spicy Margs who is having her first race start and is untrialled. She has drawn barrier 1. Second favouritism is shared between Charm Stone who finished 1.5 lengths 3rd in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes on debut, and Empress Of Wonder who is another first starter and won a Warwick Farm trial on 18 October.

La Demoiselle is another first starter who is untrialled. Abstruse is from the Godolphin stable and is also untrialled. Capulet is one of two untrialled fillies from the McEvoy stable. Zousuko and Remedies are also starting for the first time without a trial. The other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Optume (14)

Pierro filly trained by Ben & JD Hayes. Chased hard the entire straight for 1.7 lengths 3rd in the Inglis Banner at her only start. Has the benefit of race experience.

2. Charm Stone (12)

One of two runners for Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr).  She finished 1.5 lengths 3rd in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes on debut. One of the chances.

3. Harleen (3)

One of two runners for Chris Bieg.  She was a 1.8 length winner of a 2YO Maiden Plate over 900m at Murray Bridge on 14 October. The only runner with a win so has to be in the mix.

4. Count Your Pennies (13)

Battled on steadily for 4.7 lengths 5th in the Inglis Banner.

5. Hell Queen (4)

Started favourite and just missed for 0.2 length 2nd in a 2YO Maiden Plate over 1000m at Ballarat on 15 October.

6. Dubenenko (2)

Finished 3.4 lengths 4th behind Harleem over 900m at Murray Bridge on 14 October and is from the same stable. She is one of two fillies in the race sired by Russian Revolution (the other is La Demoiselle).

7. Prancingintherain (7)

Finished 3rd in the same race as Hell Queen over 1000m at Ballarat on 15 October.

8. Abstruse (10)>

One of two runners for James Cummings. First starter and untrialled. Jamie Kah to ride.

9. Angelique (15)

First starter and untrialled. Drawn wide.

10. Capulet (17)

One of two untrialled fillies from the McEvoy stable. Watch the betting.

11. Celestial Storm (8)

One of two fillies in the race sired by Zoustar (the other is Zousuko). Finished 2nd in a 1000m trial at Moe on 18 Ocotber. Not the worst.

12. Empress Of Wonder (20)

One of two first-starters from the Annabel Neasham stable. She won a Warwick Farm trial on 18 October so has to be a chance. Has drawn the outside barrier.

13. La Demoiselle (9)

From the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable. Another first starter who is untrialled.

14. Lindelago (18)

The second of the Neasham runners and has also drawn very wide. Came 2nd in a recent trial.

15. Spicy Margs (1)

Having her first race start and is untrialled. She has drawn the inside barrier and is the favourite in the early betting market. Must have potential.

16. Tabata Set (6)

From the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable. Has had two trials and won the latest by 1.5 lengths. One to keep an eye on.

17. Zousuko (16)

First starter and untrialled.

18. Furosshi (19)

First starter and untrialled.

19. Remedies (5)

First starter and untrialled.

20. Neutralism (11)

First starter and untrialled.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
2 Charm Stone	2 Charm Stone
12 Empress Of Wonder	15 Spicy Margs
8 Abstruse	12 Empress Of Wonder
15 Spicy Margs	19 Remedies