Tea Rose Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft  Weather: Partly Cloudy.

Fourteen runners have accepted for the $250,000 Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes and there has been one early scratching. The Chris Waller stable and the Waterhouse/Bott stable have three runners entered for the event each, the Kris Lees stable, Team Snowden, and the John Sargent stable have two runners entered each, whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Zougotcha has opened the early favourite at $2.60 following her nice win in the Silver Shadow. She has trialled since and should be raring to go over 1400m.

North Star Lass is on the second line of betting at $5.00. Her win in the Furious Stakes was full of grit despite being aided by the track bias on the day. Gai Waterhouse has declared her in classic Gai Waterhouse fashion, so it’ll be interesting to see if she lives up to the hype.

Willinga Beast rounds out the top three in betting at $6.00. She was ultra-tough in the Furious Stakes behind North Star Lass, and despite not handling the track conditions, she ran a solid second.

1. North Star Lass (3)

She was brilliant in the Furious Stakes albeit with the track bias being in her favour. She showed some tremendous grit and looks to get a nice lead once again, without any company. She has a decent draw and should be hard to catch once again.

2. Wolverine (13)

Ran tremendously well in the Silver Shadow from a fair way back but she again has drawn poorly. She has had one trial in preparation for this but she will need a good ride and some luck to win.

3. Paris Dior (11)

Ran okay in the Furious Stakes but the pattern just didn’t suit her. She should improve from the run and the track improvement will help. She will need some luck from the draw though.

4. Willinga Beast (8)

She looked the winner in the Furious Stakes before North Star Lass kicked back and won. They claimed she didn’t handle the track conditions so this weekend will suit her better. Drawn similarly to last start but I think they will settle a touch further back this time to enhance her chances.

5. Zougotcha (5)

She was impressive on resumption in the Silver Shadow stakes, winning by just over a length. She has had one trial since to keep her fitness up and she has drawn nicely here. I am expecting her to be a force once again.

6. Seven Veils (6)

She was a bit plain in the Furious Stakes but I am willing to ignore that run due to the conditions and track bias on the day. We should see an improved run here. She has also entered for Caulfield, so be wary of that.

7. Russian Conquest (7)

SCRATCHED

8. Grace’s Secret (10)

She was ordinary in the Silver Shadow and has since trialled due to her poor performance. I can’t have her here.

9. Pantonario (2)

She broke her maiden status at Kembla in nice fashion following a string of placings in much harder races. She has drawn nicely and should follow the stablemate throughout. She could surprise a few here.

10. Madame Pommery (14)

She wasn’t suited to the conditions and bias in the Furious Stakes. She has drawn horribly here and just as poor in Melbourne. I can’t see her making an impact.

11. Celestial Spirit (12)

She is entered for Caulfield as well as here, though this looks too tough for her.

12. Renaissance Woman (1)

First up after 63 days. Won a maiden last preparation before running boldly in an open two-year-old race. Looks outclassed.

13. Ningaloo Star (4)

Has run into issues over her two starts this preparation in weaker grades, this looks a step too far.

14. Byron Belle (9)

Looks outclassed here.

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

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
1 North Star Lass	5 Zougotcha
5 Zougotcha	1 North Star Lass
3 Paris Dior	3 Paris Dior
2 Wolverine	4 Willinga Beast

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	5 Zougotcha
2nd	10 Madame Pommery	0.44 length
3rd	2 Wolverine	1.79 lengths
4th	1 North Star Lass	2.65 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 7.

Scratchings: 3. Paris Dior, 7. Russian Conquest, 11. Celestial Spirit.