Vain Stakes – 2021

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Eight three year old’s have accepted for a strong edition of the $200,000 Vain Stakes.  Five of them are first up while two others last met at Moonee Valley.  Snitzel is the leading sire with two runners.  The early favourite in the betting is the unbeaten colt Generation.  He won both his starts in the Autumn by over two lengths and has Victoria’s leading rider Jamie Kah in the saddle.  The second favourite is Ingratiating.  He too resumes here and was Group 1 placed in both the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper earlier in the year.

General Beau has three wins and a second from his five starts and will be partnered by Damian Lane.  Jigsaw drops 4kg in weight and gets the blinkers on for the first time.  Lightsaber won three in a row last preparation and could be suited if the pace is on up front.  Direct ran well at Moonee Valley first up, while Cecil Street Lad and Mr Mozart are the least experienced runners in the field having had just two starts each.

1. General Beau

Resumes.  He won the Blue Diamond Preview & Prelude here last preparation before finishing fifth in the Blue Diamond.  He wasn’t knocked around in a recent Flemington jump out.  One of the each way chances.

2. Lightsaber

Resumes here in his second preparation.  He progressed nicely from a Geelong maiden to Group 2 level in the Autumn.  These may be a bit sharp for him over the 1100m first up.

3. Ingratiating

Blinkers come off for this first up assignment.  He was a good second in the Blue Diamond before running third in the Golden Slipper.  His Sydney trials have been solid.  In the mix.

4. Jigsaw

Blinkers on.  Has race fitness on many of his key rivals.  He was a good winner here first up although did have the track pattern in his favour.  Slightly disappointing when third at Moonee Valley last start.

5. Generation

Unbeaten colt trained on the track by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.  In both wins to date he has settled up on speed and accelerated away from his rivals like a very nice horse.  He looks the one to beat here.

6. Direct

Was strong through the line when second to Rock Artist first up at Moonee Valley and like Jig Saw has a fitness edge on many of these.  Not sure he has the talent to win but consider for multiples.

7. Mr Mozart

Son of Snitzel trained by team Hawkes.  Doesn’t have the credentials of some of the others but is open to improvement and looks to get a nice run on the map.

8. Cecil Street Lad

Jumped out well leading into a good debut win at Sandown on July 14.  Poorly ridden last time.  Back to 1100m with the winkers on could help him.  Wouldn’t shock to see him run a race at a price.

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

Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 Spring Stakes 2021 (Morphettville 1200m)

Group 3 Up and Coming Stakes 2021 (Kembla Grange 1300m)