Sir John Monash Stakes – 2021

Track: Good-Soft Weather: Fine

A field of twelve have accepted for the $160,000 Sir John Monash Stakes – three of them ran in this race last year.  Two had their last start in the Oam Sprint at Flemington and two others ran in the Golden Topaz during the Swan Hill carnival.  Five are trained interstate while two others are first up.  The early favourite in the betting is the Bjorn Baker trained Malkovich.  The three year old son of Choisir has won his last two starts at Randwick and Caulfield and has a strong record over the 1100m.  Next in the betting is Villami.    Like many Ryan and Alexiou trained horses she is a first up specialist and looks likely to come across and lead them here.

Virdine will be attempting to go one better after finishing second in this race last year.  Order Of Command was Group 1 placed last preparation and has a good first up record.  Red Can Man maps to get the run of the race and will take good improvement from his first up run at Flemington, while William Thomas is on the quick back up after finishing third at Flemington last week.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Viridine

Six year old gelding trained by James Cummings.  He is a Group 2 winner and finished second in this race last year.  He ran third in the June Stakes at Randwick last start and wasn’t disgraced in the Group 1 Goodwood prior.  Races well here and is drawn perfectly in barrier seven.  Each way claims.

2. Tactical Advantage

Has been given six weeks and a trial since a disappointing run first up at Randwick.  Hard to recommend off that.

3. Order Of Command

First up.  He finished second in the Group 1 Galaxy in March over this distance and has jumped out well leading into this.  The only query with him is where he gets to in the run?

4. Ashlor

Finished fourth behind Jungle Edge and Viridine in this race last year and then was competitive in Group 1 company at Moonee Valley.  Not sure he is going as well this time in though and his track/distance stats are poor.

5. William Thomas

Backs up after running a solid third in the All Victorian Sprint Series Final last week at Flemington.  Should be peaking now and is in the mix.

6. Red Can Man

Former Western Australian galloper who was heavily supported first up at Flemington.  He weakened to run seventh but may be able to improve here getting onto firmer ground.  Should also get a gun run in transit.

7. Inn Keeper

A good winner of the listed Wangoom two starts ago but only fair at Swan Hill last time.  Place chance at best.

8. I Am Someone

Good against the pattern at Sandown two starts ago and did run well in this race last year when third behind Jungle Edge.  Consider for the multiples.

9. Dexelation

Dexelation is fit and racing well.  Latest, he ran on well from the back to finish second in an open sprint race at Swan Hill.  Has a place chance here.

10. Malkovich

The race favourite.  He is trained at Warwick Farm by Bjorn Baker and was a good winner here last start in open class, prior he won at Randwick.  He is flying, gets Jamie Kah for the first time and is capable of making it three in a row.

11. Propelle

Honest mare who finished second behind Absolute Flirt here last start.  Ready to peak third up however she is lacking the class of some of these and has never won in ten previous attempts at the distance.

12. Villami

Another of the Sydney trained gallopers.  She has won three of four first up and her recent trials have been good.  She has a touch of class and is capable of winning this fresh.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
10. Malkovich	1. Viridine
12. Villami	12. Villami
1. Viridine	10. Malkovich
5. William Thomas	6. Red Can Man

Group 3 Winx Guineas 2021 (Sunshine Coast 1600m)    –  Sunday

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 8. I Am Someone.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	6 Red Can Man
2nd	10 Malkovich	0.3 length
3rd	12 Villami	1.6 lengths
4th	9 Dexelation	2.5 lengths