The Kosciuszko – 2022

Track: Soft – Heavy   Weather: Sunny

Eighteen runners (four of which are emergencies) have accepted for the $2,000,000 Kosciuszko and there have been no early scratchings.

It is quite a unique Kosciuszko this year with the last three winners Art Cadeau ($12.00) 2021, It’s Me ($4.60) 2020, and Handle The Truth ($6.50) 2019 all returning to try to become the first dual winner of the country horse event.

Of the remaining runners, Fender ($19.00), Anethole ($11.00), and Spiranac ($23.00) are the only horses to have run in the race previously with only Spiranac running a placing of those three in 2021.

1. Art Cadeau (3)

Heading into this race first up after 126 days. He has only missed the top three first-up once in his career and won this race first-up last year. Hard to dismiss his chances

2. Handle The Truth (6)

He won this race in 2019, ran fourth in 2020, and second in 2021. Ran a solid third behind Eduardo in the Concorde Stakes before finishing well back in the Shorts. Big chance again.

3. Front Page (4)

First-up into this race after 127 days. Generally goes well fresh and he was well backed when scratched from this race last year. Chance.

4. Mnementh (12)

First up after 119 days. His fresh record is fair and he has had one trial in the lead-up to this, winning it by over seven lengths. The stable will have him ready.

5. Another One (1)

First up after 163 days. His fresh record is also fair and he has had two trials in the lead-up to this. Drawn ideally and should be thereabouts.

6. Far Too Easy (7)

He was decent first-up before winning a race on the Gold Coast convincingly. He has since trialled well at Eagle Farm. Perfect draw and should give this race a shake.

7. Fender (14)

Generally runs well regardless of what is thrown at him but this year has a lot of depth and his lead-in has just been okay. His best can win but I have others ahead of him.

8. It’s Me (5)

Won well in Brisbane before contesting the Sheraco Stakes where she smashed the line. With a stone bruise putting her in doubt, it’s hard to back her with confidence. If she was 100%, she wins this.

9. Cavalier Charles (9)

Can string some nice runs together but he isn’t up to these.

10. Anethole (11)

Savaged the line behind Nature Strip in the Shorts, running the quickest closing sectionals of the entire meeting. I expect him to sit midfield throughout and he will need some luck but there is talent there.

11. Spiranac (8)

Ran third in a benchmark 78 first-up. He ran third in this race last year whilst copping some bad luck and gets a chance at redemption here. Drawn well and just needs luck to be in the finish again.

12. Commando Hunt (10)

He has run two placings in the lead-up to this and he should be very competitive here third-up. He handles all conditions and is drawn to be thereabouts. As long as they don’t get too far back on him, he should go close.

13. Talbragar (2)

Undefeated galloper who enters this race after a 47-day freshen up. He is unproven against these quality horses but he handles all conditions, is drawn ideally, and is very well-bred. He isn’t the worst at a big price.

14. Le Melody (13)

Another who is unproven against the better horses but brings in some nice formlines. The gate is the query, so happy to watch.

15e. Irish Songs (0)

Can’t have him here if he gets a run.

16e. Ten Bells(0)

Unlikely to get a run.

17e. Testator Silens (0)

Unlikely to get a run.

18e. Know Where To Look (0)

Unlikely to get a run.

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

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
3 Front Page	6 Far Too Easy
11 Spiranac	2 Handle The Truth
4 Mnementh	1 Art Cadeau
13 Talbragar	3 Front Page

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3 Front Page
2nd	6 Far Too Easy	0.84 length
3rd	7 Fender	2.18 lengths
4th	9 Cavalier Charles	2.62 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 7.

Scratchings: 8. It’s Me, 15e. Irish Songs, 16e. Ten Bells, 18e. Know Where To Look.