Rose Of Kingston Stakes – 2021

Track: Good-Slow Weather: Shower or two

There are sixteen acceptors plus one emergency for the $300,000 Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes.  Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr have two runners, as does Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde.  Five had their last start in the Let’s Elope Stakes on September 11.  Three others last ran in a benchmark 90 over 1400m at Caulfield.  The early favourite in the betting is the Group 1 winning mare Mystic Journey.  She was the best placed finished (2nd) of those who ran in the Let’s Elope Stakes.  The second favourite is Annavisto – she has finished in the placings in six of her seven starts over this distance.

Odeum won last years Group 1 Thousand Guineas before running second here in the Group 1 Empire Rose.  Instant Celebrity took out the Group 1 Sangster at Morphettville in May.  Still A Star is very consistent and strips fitter second up.  Vanna Girl draws the widest gate, while Ecumenical ran well at Caulfield last start.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Odeum

First up.  Talented mare who won the Group 1 Thousand Guineas last October.  She mixed her form in the Autumn but her best is clearly good enough to win this.

2. Instant Celebrity

Ran well in the Cockram Stakes first up, then was only fair when well fancied in the Let’s Elope last start.  One of the chances.

3. Mystic Journey

Was back and wide yet still kept coming to run second in the Let’s Elope first up.  Very encouraging run for a mare who has been struggling to find her best in recent times.  Any rain would only increase her chances.  Major player.

4. Paradee

Five year old mare with a strong winning strike rate.  She won the Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield in February, then ran fourth in the Australian Cup here.  Roughie with a chance.

5. Tokorangi

Former kiwi mare now with Michael Moroney.  She has been competitive at Group 1 level in New Zealand and gets Daniel Moor for this first up assignment.

6. Princess Jenni

Has had a lengthy spell since finishing last in the Perth Cup in January.  Would prefer to see her first up.

7. Still A Star

Tasmanian mare who has missed a place just once in seventeen starts.  She ran well first up in the Let’s Elope and has trialed well in between runs.  Expecting her to run well.

8. Ecumenical

Four year old mare trained in South Australia.  She ran a good second behind Annavisto at Caulfield last start.  In the mix again here.

9. Annavisto

Talented mare.  Ran a cracking second behind Turaath first up.  That horse subsequently beat most of these in the Let’s Elope.  Then lead and kicked to win at Caulfield.  Ready to peak here third up.

10. Snickerdoodledandy

Blinkers go back on for this daughter of Snitzel who won impressively here in June.  Back to Flemington could see her improve.

11. Vanna Girl

Another with the blinkers back on.  She was unlucky here at Group 2 level at the back end of last spring and did win first up last prep.  Capable but barrier 17 does not help her chances.

12. Bonvicini

Finished midfield in the Let’s Elope first up.  Strips fitter second up but needs to improve.

13. Barbie’s Fox

Fit and racing well but against easier company.  Prefer others.

14. Best Stone

New South Wales visitor who ran fourth in the Tibbie at a big price last start.  Knock out chance.

15. Shaik

Got going late in the How Now Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield on September 18.  Steps out to 1400m where she is one start for one win and gets Jye McNeil.  Roughie with a chance.

16. Love Sensation

Hasn’t been beaten far in her two runs back from a spell including last start when fourth in the Let’s Elope.  Drawn well in barrier eleven.  Could be ready to peak third up.

17. Pride Of Jenni – 1st Emerg

Four year old mare trained by Symon Wilde.  She finished fifth first up at Caulfield in benchmark 78 grade.  Happy to see her again before backing.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
9. Annavisto	7. Still A Star
3. Mystic Journey	3. Mystic Journey
7. Still A Star	9. Annavisto
1. Odeum	15. Shaik

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	7. Still A Star
2nd	17 Pride Of Jenni	0.1 length
3rd	3 Mystic Journey	0.85 length
4th	14. Best Stone	1.85 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratchings: 13. Barbie’s Fox