Vo Rogue Plate – 2021

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There were 18 acceptances for the $300,000 Vo Rogue Plate but Smart ‘N’ Sexy is an early scratching leaving 17 runners. Eight of the runners had their last start in the Listed Gold Edition Plate over 1200m at Doomben on 19 December and three of the fillies had their last start in the Listed Mode Stakes over 1200m on 5 December. There are five fillies in the race. Two of the runners are sired by Not A Single Doubt (Gotta Kiss and Fleet Dove), two by Spirit Of Boom (Safework and Boombrasstic) and two by Better Than Ready (Apache Chase and Paredo). Trainer Kelly Schweida has three runners.

The early favourite is the filly Gotta Kiss who has three wins and five places from 10 starts and ran 2nd in the Group 1 JJ Atkins Plate as a two-year-old. Second favourite is Palladas who won a 3YO Handicap over 1400m at Eagle Farm by 2.75 lengths last outing. Third favourite is Portland Sky who hasn’t raced for 10 weeks since winning the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes over 1200m at Moonee Valley.

Starosa has won three of her nine starts and was held up and should have finished closer when 4th in the Mode Stakes last start.  Paredo ran 3rd in the same race and has two wins and two places from her six career starts. Oscar Zulu won his last start over 1300m at Rosehill on 5 December, while Rogue Rocker came from well back in the field for 5th in the Gold Edition 3YO Plate last start.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Our Playboy

Won the Group 3 Vain Stakes back in August but his three runs since have been disappointing.

2. Portland Sky

Hasn’t raced for 10 weeks since winning the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes over 1200m at Moonee Valley. He has won two of his four starts and is one of the chances.

3. Safework

Has only one win from 13 starts and may struggle here.

4. Magic Conqueror

Has won three from seven starts this campaign. Not the worst.

5. Thunder Mania

Ran 6th in the Gold Edition 3YO Plate and will fins this harder.

6. Oscar Zulu

Won his last start over 1300m at Rosehill on 5 December.

7. Apache Chase

Ran 3rd in the Gold Edition and could run a place.

8. Palladas

Won a 3YO Handicap over 1400m at Eagle Farm by 2.75 lengths last outing. Should run well.

9. Batangas Entry

Has placed twice at this distance and is not the worst.

10. Black Duke

Has won one of seven and is aiming too high.

11. Boombrasstic

Taking a big rise in grade.

12. Rogue Rocker

Came from well back in the field for 5th in the Gold Edition 3YO Plate last start.

13. Gotta Kiss

This Not A Single Doubt filly trained by Steven O’dea has three wins and five places from 10 starts and goes well at this track. She resumed from a 24 week spell for 1.6 lengths 4th over 1000m at Sunshine Coast on 21 November, then came from well back to finish 3 lengths 2nd behind Isotope in the Listed Mode Stakes on 5 December. The set weight conditions and the extra distance suits and she should win.

14. Starosa

Has won three of her nine starts and was held up and should have finished closer when 4th in the Mode Stakes last start.

15. Fleet Dove

Could surprise

16. Dawn Passage  –  SCRATCHED

17. Plutocrat

This is too hard.

18. Paredo

Ran 3rd in the Mode Stakes and has two wins and two places from her six career starts.

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

Jo’s Tips
13 Gotta Kiss
8 Palladas
2 Portland Sky
5 Thunder Mania

Group 3 Standish Handicap 2021 (Flemington 1200m)

Listed Bagot Handicap 2021 (Flemington 2800m)

Listed Christmas Classic 2021 (Canterbury 1200m)

Group 2 Perth Cup 2021 (Ascot 2400m)