Scarborough Stakes – 2020

Track: Heavy         Weather: Rain

Eleven fillies have accepted to run in this years $160,000 Scarborough Stakes.  At this stage there are no scratching’s but with the possibility of a heavy track that could change.  Chris Wallers impressive last start winner September Run is the early favourite in the race.  Swats That was runner up to September Run at Flemington and is second favourite and will be fitter for this.  Dirty Thoughts makes her own luck close to the speed and in form Jockey Jamie Kah takes the ride on her.

Raison D’etre will make her way down from Sydney, she won her only start on a heavy track with ease.  Mileva is unbeaten and comes over from South Australia, its not uncommon to see the South Australian three year olds measure up in Melbourne at this time of year.  Pretty Rossa debuted on her home track at Mornington and could not have been more impressive sitting outside the leader and strolling in, the runner up there won at Sale on Thursday.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Swats That

Swat’s That impressed at the jump outs before travelling sweetly and running second in the race won by September Run.  That signaled she is in for a good prep.  Her only start on a heavy track she failed, but that was in the Golden Slipper.  There may have been excuses on that occasion but it has to be a question mark going into this.

2. September Run

September Run was ridden cold and produced a big finish at Flemington to take out the listed Cap D’Antibes, it was hard not to be impressed with what she did there.  Yet to be tested on a Heavy track but she is two from three on the soft.  Looks the one to beat.

3. Dirty Thoughts

Jamie Kah replaces Daniel Moor to ride Dirty Thoughts.  She keeps improving this filly and makes her own luck from the front.  We know she handles the conditions as she won on a bottomless track here last month.  No reason why she wont run well again here.

4. Diala

Diala has had three Flemington jump outs in readiness for this race but it is a big test first up on a heavy track.

5. Supreme Idea

There has been a trickle of early money for Supreme Idea.  She comes through the Cap D’Antibes where she raced on speed and finished fifth.  I found it hard to see her turning the tables on September Run and Swats That.

6. Mileva

An unbeaten filly who makes her way across from South Australia.  She looks to have plenty of speed and was strong in her resuming run after getting pestered in front by the other favourite Quietly Discreet – that horse has since won a race by four lengths.  First try at 1200m & a wet track are the question marks.

7. Raison D’etre

A slow recovery rate may have been the reason for this daughter of Exceed and Excels average second up performance.  She has proven she can handle the heavy going and the James Cummings stable must be respected.

8. Money in my Pocket

Money in my Pocket has done nothing wrong this preparation, winning two from two in the country.  This is a much bigger test but I like the booking of in form hoop Damian Lane.

9. Highly Discreet

Resumes in her second preparation.  She has had two jump outs in readiness for this but again this is a tough race first up and she is yet to prove herself in this class.

10. Pretty Rossa

The Matt Laurie Stable is flying at the moment and he looks to have another talented three year old in Pretty Rossa.  Much to good for her rivals first up on her home track at Mornington.  A big step up from maiden company but we have seen in recent weeks lightly raced horse have the ability to progress quickly to black type racing.  Would not shock.

11. Gypsy Choice

Gypsy Choice started big odds and was well beaten in the Cap D’Antibes.  Hard to recommend based on that.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
2. September Run	2. September Run
1. Swats That	1. Swats That
6. Mileva	3. Dirty Thoughts
3. Dirty Thoughts	10. Pretty Rossa

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1. Swats That
2nd	9. Highly Discreet	2 lengths
3rd	3. Dirty Thoughts	2.1 lengths
4th	8. Money In My Pocket	4.8 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5

Scratchings: 2. September Run, 11. Gypsy Choice.