Theo Marks Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft  Weather: Sunny on Race Day

Fourteen runners have accepted for the $250,000 Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes and there have been no early scratchings. The Chris Waller stable has five runners entered for the event whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Mr Mozart has opened up the early favourite at $3.70. He finished off last preparation with three straight wins, winning the Phar Lap Stakes, Doncaster Prelude, and the Hawkesbury Guineas. Two trials this time in and should be ready to go first up.

Ellsberg is on the next line of betting at $3.80. He brings in an unbeaten first-up record after winning the Group 3 Liverpool Cup last preparation. Two nice trials have him ready for this first-up.

Jamaea rounds out the top three in the betting at $8.00. She got a fair way back in the Toy Show Quality before hitting the line well behind Zapateo, finishing 2.8 lengths off her in second. Likely to get back from the once again which can be dangerous from the draw.

1. Kementari (6)

Returning after 98 days. He has a fantastic record first-up and handles the soft going. He is also entered for Flemington, but if he runs here, I see no reason why he can’t be in the finish.

2. Kolding (2)

Returning after 91 days. At his age, he is probably wanting further, as he showed last preparation. Prefer others.

3. Ellsberg (5)

Returning after 105 days. Unbeaten first-up and has a great record at Rosehill. He has drawn ideally to sit just off the leaders, and he looks like a solid top-four chance.

4. Mr Mozart (3)

Returning after 133 days. Had a tremendous end to last preparation and has had two trials in readiness for this. Stats first-up are just okay and he probably wants a touch further.

5. Kiku (14)

Returning after 77 days. She is probably looking for further, but she should be hitting the line well as she will likely get back from the wide draw.

6. Bigboyroy (8)

Returning after 91 days. Place chance at best.

7. Rustic Steel (11)

Returning after 120 days. Has trialled up nicely following a successful preparation. Should be ready to go first up, though this looks tough.

8. Brutality (7)

Returning after 127 days. Blinkers off like the stable did at the start of his last three preparations. Wait for another day.

9. Atishu (10)

Returning after 77 days. Started last preparation poorly but picked it up after getting out to a mile. Happy to oppose first up.

10. Jamaea (4)

Got too far back last time out and is likely to get back again, which isn’t ideal from the barrier she is in. She will hit the line once again providing she gets luck, and I think she is a solid place chance.

11. Tycoonist (12)

Returning after 91 days. Won in Listed grade last preparation but the race played into his hands. A poor draw here and I can’t see him running a place.

12. Prime Candidate (1)

Was massive in the Show County, only beaten in the end by Showmanship.  Drawn ideally to head to the front again and if he can get a break in the run, he could be hard to go with. Place chance at best.

13. Chat (13)

Won this race last year. Didn’t show a lot first up and has been entered for Flemington as well. Can’t have.

14. Fourhometwo (9)

Returning after 133 days. Prefer others.

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

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
3 Ellsberg	1 Kementari
1 Kementari	3 Ellsberg
12 Prime Candidate	9 Atishu
10 Jamaea	10 Jamaea

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	5 Kiku
2nd	4 Mr Mozart	0.31 length
3rd	12 Prime Candidate	0.52 length
4th	10 Jamaea	0.64 length

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 8. Brutality, 13. Chat, 14e. Fourhometwo.