The Vanity – 2021

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

Nine three year old fillies have accepted for this years running of the $160,000 Vanity Stakes.  There are no early scratchings.  Six of them are last start winners.  The early favourite is the lightly raced Zou Dancer.  She has had seven weeks between runs after kicking clear to win by 1.8 lengths here on December 19.  The second favourite is Island Joy.  The Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra trained filly broke a run of outs when bolting clear to win by 4.3 lengths at her last start.  Personal is the reigning VRC Oaks winner and the highest rater in this years race.  She resumes from a 100 day spell.

Vespertine showed a good turn of foot to win at Caulfield last start and is rock hard fit.  Salto Angel is one of the two Danny O’Brien runners in the race.  She finished runner up to Personal in the VRC Oaks.  Thunder Peak took advantage of a strong pace at Sandown last start and is another that is rock hard fit.  A Pinch Of Luck will have derived good benefit from her first up run at Sandown.  Starelle is still a maiden but has placed at Group 2 level.  Longduan is the rank outsider in the betting.

1. Personal

Personal finished 2nd in the Thousand Guineas and then 2nd in the Wakeful Stakes before bolting in, in the VRC Oaks.  This is short of her best distance and she has plenty of weight but she has class on her side.

2. Island Joy

Island Joy is taking the big step up from benchmark 70 racing to Group 3 level.  She was unlucky two starts back at Caulfield and then produced an incredible form turn around to win a benchmark 70 here by 4.25 lengths.  A repeat performance of that puts her right in the mix.

3. Vespertine

Showed a good turn of foot to swoop down the outside at Caulfield and win against weaker opposition.  Would need to go to a new level to be a factor here.

4. Zou Dancer

This daughter of Zoustar has had a let up since sitting outside the leader and kicking clear to win by 1.75 lengths on December 19.  She travelled strongly in a recent trial and looks a serious talent.

5. Salto Angel

Consistent filly who has finished second at 4 of her last 5 starts, including in the VRC Oaks.  Like Personal, this is short of her pet distance but look for her hitting the line hard.

6. Starelle

This daughter of More Than Ready mixed her form last preparation.  Prefer to see her first up.

7. Thunder Peak

Found a suitable race at Sandown last time and won well.  Like many of these she faces a big class rise on Saturday.

8. A Pinch Of Luck

Lightly raced filly trained by Matt Laurie.  She raced in restricted room at Sandown first up and boxed on okay.

9. Longduan

Broke her maiden last start after a string of second placings.  Can find the lead here but is outclassed.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
4. Zou Dancer	4. Zou Dancer
2. Island Joy	2. Island Joy
1. Personal	5. Salto Angel
3. Vespertine	1. Personal

Group 1 Lightning Stakes (Flemington 1000m)

Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (Flemington 1400m)