San Domenico Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft 5 – Good 4 Weather: Sunny.

Twelve runners have accepted for the $200,000 Group 3 San Domenico Stakes and there have been no early scratchings. The Annabel Neasham stable two runners entered for the event, whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Best of Bordeaux has opened a dominant early favourite at $2.40. Had a tremendous first preparation which had him winning the Canonbury Stakes and the Silver Slipper before a gallant second in the Group 1 Golden Slipper. Since then he has been bought into by Coolmore and had two nice trials and a booking of James McDonald.

Nettuno is on the next line of betting at $6.50. He is making his NSW debut on the back of an undefeated first preparation in QLD for the Tony Gollan stable, which ended up a Group 3 win in the Ken Russell Memorial Classic on the Gold Coast.

Spacewalk rounds out the top three in betting at $8.00. He was luckless last start when going down in the Rosebud to Zoukerino but he has unfortunately drawn a poor gate here.

1. Best of Bordeaux (9)

Returning after 161 days. Terrific first preparation winning the Canonbury Stakes and the Silver Slipper before a gallant second in the Group 1 Golden Slipper. He is the class runner of the race, gets J-Mac aboard, and will cruise to the front. Looks hard to beat.

2. Swiss Exile (7)

Returning after 91 days. Trialled brilliantly in preparation for this. Has finished in the top 3 in 5 of his 6 starts, winning the Group 2 Spirit of Boom Classic and placing in the Sires’ Produce. Definitely over the odds and can give this a big shake.

3. Promitto (5)

Returning after 182 days. Won the Skyline Stakes last preparation in heavy conditions to remain undefeated. Stable and jockey both confident of a solid preparation coming up. Drawn well but happy to watch and see how he goes.

4. Rise of the Masses (8)

Returning after 161 days. Won the Pago Pago Stakes last preparation before running poorly in the Golden Slipper. Had two trials in the preparation for this and if you take away the Golden Slipper run, he is very consistent. Should run a bold race.

5. Nettuno (6)

Returning after 112 days. Undefeated first preparation in QLD for the Tony Gollan stable, which ended up a Group 3 win in the Ken Russell Memorial Classic on the Gold Coast. Drawn well, maps well, and gets Hugh Bowman aboard. A win wouldn’t surprise.

6. Sebonack (12)

Disappointing last start in the Rosebud. Gets the winkers on first time. Would need to improve majorly to be a factor.

7. Zoukerino (1)

Impressive winner of the Rosebud to remain undefeated. Will need to reach another level to win this from the inside draw but I think he can improve.

8. Cannonball (2)

Finished fourth on resumption to Giga Kick in the Vain Stakes. Drawn well here but I have a few in front of him.

9. Spacewalk (11)

Should have arguably won the Rosebud when veering off the track in the closing stages. Poor draw here but if Collett can remain close to the field, I see no reason why he can’t fight out the finish once again.

10. Sweet Ride (3)

Can’t have on his recent form.

11. Buenos Noches (10)

Entered for Gosford on Friday also. Decent win on debut at Canterbury. Drawn poorly for a big step in grade.

12. Ebhaar (4)

The lone filly in the race. She finished fifth in the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield against her own sex. She rates up to these but hasn’t shown her best since debut.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
1 Best of Bordeaux	1 Best of Bordeaux
2 Swiss Exile	5 Nettuno
7 Zoukerino	7 Zoukerino
9 Spacewalk	3 Promitto

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	10 Sweet Ride
2nd	5 Nettuno	1.47 lengths
3rd	2 Swiss Exile	1.62 lengths
4th	9 Spacewalk	3.3 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: 6. Sebonack, 12. Ebhaar.