Tramway Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft  Weather: Shower or two.

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

Zaaki has opened the dominant $1.80 favourite. He didn’t finish outside of the top three in five starts last preparation, which was highlighted by his 1.2 length win in the All-Star Mile and his win in the Hollindale Stakes. He will be looking to defend his title after winning this race by 1.5 lengths last year.

Profondo is on the second line of betting at $6.50. He returned in good order after running a solid third, despite being wide without cover in the Winx Stakes. They accepted this over the Chelmsford Stakes, so they must think they are a chance.

Converge rounds out the top three at $7.00. This is a tough race to resume, for a horse who has only had one start against older horses, which didn’t pan out. He has had two nice trials and should be thereabouts.

1. Zaaki (5)

Returning after 98 days. Goes well fresh and is coming into this on the back of two trials. Won this race last year so distance is no issue but with bigger fish to fry, maybe he goes well here without winning. Classy animal and a win wouldn’t surprise me.

2. Kolding (8)

Returning after 84 days. He is far from his old self. Can’t have.

3. Converge (10)

Returning after 154 days. Only the second time taking on the older horses. Has had two nice trials in preparation for this. Can’t have against some of these.

4. Profondo (2)

Returned in good order after running a solid third, despite being wide without cover in the Winx Stakes. Hasn’t put it together since the start of his career but he looked good this time in. Big chance.

5. Character (6)

Resuming after 112 days. Has won over this distance before first up in weaker grade. Will be wanting further.

6. Yonkers (4)

Returning after 84 days. Generally goes okay first-up but 1400m does look a touch short. He meets some historical requirements for the race and I think he is a solid place chance.

7. Nimalee (11)

Ordinary in the Missile Stakes. This race doesn’t usually favour mares and her recent form doesn’t match up against these.

8. Bigboyroy (1)

Returning after 84 days. He generally runs well fresh but looks outclassed against some of these.

9. Yearning (3)

Returning after 159 days. This is his first time taking on the older horses, so I would prefer to watch but I can’t have him in the top four.

10. Prime Candidate (7)

Has a massive fitness edge of rivals but I can’t have him here.

11. Icebath (9)

Coming back from a Group 1 race where she was plain. Gets the blinkers back on and drops 4kg back to set weights, but I don’t think she is good enough for this one.

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

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
4 Profondo	1 Zaaki
1 Zaaki	4 Profondo
6 Yonkers	7 Nimalee
3 Converge	2 Kolding

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Zaaki
2nd	11 Icebath	1.81 lengths
3rd	7 Nimalee	2.43 lengths
4th	4 Profondo	3.68 lengths

The track was rated as Heavy 9.

Scratchings: 2. Kolding, 8. Bigboyroy, 9. Yearning, 10. Prime Candidate.