San Domenico Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are only six runners for the $160,000 San Domenico Stakes, and five of them are first-up from a spell, while the other resumed in the Listed The Rosebud on 8 August. The early favourite is Anders who has won his last three starts in a row including The Rosebud. Second favourite is Doubtland who has two wins from two starts. The first two horses in the betting are both Not A Single Doubt colts. Third favourite is Peltzer, the only filly in the race, with three wins from three starts.

Mamaragan was impressive winning the Group 2 Skyline Stakes on debut before 3rd in the Group 1 Golden Slipper, then failed as favourite to finish 3rd in the Group 1 ATC Sires Produce on a heavy track. Every Rose won the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes at her first start and has won two lead-up trials. Osamu is still a maiden but has two 2nd places from his 4 starts, including 2nd in the Skyline Stakes.

1. Mamaragan

He was impressive winning the Group 2 Skyline Stakes on debut before 3rd in the Group 1 Golden Slipper, then failed as favourite to finish 3rd in the Group 1 ATC Sires Produce on a heavy track. He was 2nd in a recent trial and I expect him to be a major contender.

2. Doubtland

On debut he won by 1.8 lengths over 1100m at Kensington, then he sprinted quickly to the front and raced away for a 4 length win in the Group 3 Kindergartern Stakes over 1100m at Randwick. He was placed in a trial where he wasn’t pressured and could well keep his unbeaten record intact.

3. Anders

This youngster finished last campaign with two wins, then resumed for a huge 4.8 length win in The Rosebud on a heavy track over this course and distance. He is the only runner who is not first-up and will be hard to beat.

4. Every Rose

She won the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes by 1.3 lengths at her first start, then had two 2nd placings before 4.4 lengths 9th in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic and then finished well back in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes before spelling. She has won both her lead-up trials from her 27 week spell and should perform well fresh.

5. Peltzer

This So You Think colt has a career record of 3 wins from 3 starts, and his winning margins have increased from 1.3 lengths to 1.8 lengths then to 4 lengths. He has had 14 weeks off and won a trail on 18 August. He is a lovely type and I expect he will fight out the finish.

6. Osamu

The only maiden in the field. he has had two 2nd places from his 4 starts, including 2nd in the Skyline Stakes. Not expecting him to win.

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

Group 1 Memsie Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 The Heath 1100 2020 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1200m)

Listed Heatherlie Handicap 2020 (Caulfield 1700m)

Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap 2020 (Rosehill 1400m)

Group 3 Premier’s Cup 2020 (Rosehill 1900m)

Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes 2020 (Morphettville Parks 1400m)

Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes 2020 (Belmont 1300m)

The track was rated as Good 4

Scratchings were – nil