Show County Quality – 2020

Track: Slow   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 11 runners for the $160,000 Show County Quality and 7 of them are resuming from a spell. The early favourite is four-year-old Funstar who was second in the Group 1 Surround Stakes and the Group 1 Coolmore Legacy and won the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes last campaign . Second favourite is Special Reward who won resumes after 24 weeks and won two consecutive Group 3 races at the end of last campaign. Third favourite is Roheryn who ran 2nd in the July Sprint over 1100m last outing.

Wild Planet resumes and ran 2nd in a recent trial.  Inanup has had 2 wins and a second place since resuming, all on heavy tracks. Probabeel resumes from a 19 week spell and can handle all types of going. I Am Superman has had two good trials recently, while Southern Lad has a solid record at this distance.  Signore Fox and Looks Like Elvis are currently 30 to 1 or longer.

1. Le Romain

This eight-year-old won this race in 2018 and came 2nd in 2016. He is the oldest runner in the race but his performance in two recent trials suggest he will be ready to go first-up from an 18 week spell. He has won or placed in 9 of his 11 first-up starts and is nicely drawn in the inside barrier. He could make his presence felt and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him place.

2. Special Reward

With 8 wins and 2 places from 14 starts he has an enviable strike rate. At the end of last campaign he won the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes over 1200m then the Newcastle Newmarket over 1400m. He resumes here after 24 weeks and has had 3 lead-up trials. One of the main hopes.

3. Funstar

This mare was scratched from the Winx Stakes to run in this instead. She placed in two Group 1 races (Surround Stakes and Coolmore Legacy) and won a Group 2 in her 4 races last campaign. She should fight out the finish and I expect her to win.

4. Probabeel

This Savabeel mare is back from a 19 week spell and has had two trials. She is better over further but will go well first-up and could place.

5. Signore Fox

He is a horse I find hard to follow. For three races in a row he finished in the tail of the field then after a 6 week freshen he won the Listed Ramornie Handicap at odds around $20. He has had a six week freshen again so maybe that is a key to him. but my money won’t be on him.

6. Wild Planet

Resumes from a 19 week spell and has won once when fresh. Placed in a Rosehill trial on 4 August and is not the worst.

7. Looks Like Elvis

This horse is more of a miler which is why he is the outsider of the field. He is first-up from a 34 week spell and is having his first start for a new trainer. He is a very honest runner who frequently runs a place but I prefer to watch him go around in this.

8. Inanup

One of those horses who might have webbed feet as he has three wins and two second places from 6 starts on heavy going. He won over 1200m at Rosehill on 11 July, then won over 1100m at Randwick on 1 August (both on heavy going). One of the main chances.

9. I Am Superman

Resumes after 21 weeks and after four starts in Australia his best performance has been 4th over 1300 at Rosehill in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup. Both trial performances have been promising but is another horse I prefer to watch how he goes.

10. Roheryn

This Godolphin runner is having his first attempt at a Black-type race. After an 1100m win at Rosehill in July and a close 2nd in the July Sprint over 1100m at Rosehill in July, he looks ready for this and could manage a place.

11. Southern Lad

In five recent runs he was come 2nd twice, 3rd twice and 5th once. He is very consistent without winning and may find this too tough but will run his usual honest race.

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

Jo’s Tips
3 Funstar
2 Special Reward
8 Inanup
4 Probabeel

Click here for:

Winx Stakes – 2020

Silver Shadow Stakes – 2020

Toy Show Quality – 2020

Carlyon Stakes – 2020

Mitchell McKenzie Stakes – 2020