WH Stocks Stakes – 2021

Track: Slow? Weather: Showers

Thirteen mares have accepted for the $300,000 Group 2 W H Stocks Stakes.  Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young have a strong hand here with three runners.  Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr have two runners.  The key lead up race is the Lets Elope Stakes, seven ran in it.  The early favourite in the betting is Quantum Mechanic.  She won the Group 2 Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley in March and strips fitter here second up.  The second favourite is Butter Chicken.  She is the least experienced runner in the race but also the one with the most upside.  She won a maiden impressively at Pakenham at her only other second up run.

So You Assume has won her last two starts.  Rich Hips was the best placed finish (5th) of those who ran in the Lets Elope.  Only Words travelled well first up but didn’t see daylight until the concluding stages.  She gets Craig Williams on here.  Ripper Rita finished third in the Australasian Oaks in the Autumn.  Impecunious is Group 1 placed.   Magna Bella ran third in Adelaide last start, while Miss Guggenheim bolted in at Mornington on September 9 against easier opposition.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Quantum Mechanic

Had a terrific autumn winning the Sunline Stakes here before going onto be Group 1 placed in the Coolmore Legacy Stakes at Randwick.  Normally improves second up.  One of the chances.

2. Rich Hips

Mare with a powerful finish on her day.  She worked home okay in the Let’s Elope second up.  Ready to peak third up?

3. Don’ttelltheboss

It seems like she has been up for ever but continues to race well.  Was unlucky not to be in the finish here two back.  Don’t discount.

4. Magna Bella

Six year old trained in South Australia.  Her form around the likes of Groundswell and Ecumenical reads fairly well for a race like this.  Roughie with a chance.

5. Horse For Higher

Blinkers go back on but she is lacking the class to win here.

6. Kiss And Cry

Damian Lane and Michael Kent team up with Kiss And Cry.  She hasn’t won for a long time and is yet to run a place here.  Not for me.

7. Ripper Rita

Boasts a win over Beau Rossa at Caulfield earlier in the year.  Also finished third in the Australasian Oaks beaten less than a length.  Not sure what to make of her first up effort.  She found a great spot in the Lets Elope and weakened out.  Her best would put her in the mix.

8. Only Words

Chris Waller trained four year old.  Won The Roses at Doomben on May 22.  Travelled well but never got a crack at them first up in the Lets Elope.  Likely improver.

9. So You Assume

Improving four year old mare.  She bolted in by four lengths at Moonee Valley two starts ago before winning again at Caulfield.  Is six weeks between runs into this.  Each way claims.

10. Tyche Goddess

Won the Group 3 Auraria at big odds at Morphettville earlier in the year and worked home okay first up.  Gets Oliver but may be looking for further.

11. Impecunious

Was Group 1 placed in the Vinery in April.  Found the line okay second up at Flemington.  Fitter now and may appreciate softer ground.  In the mix.

12. Butter Chicken

Promising mare trained by Grahame Begg at Caulfield.  She trialed up well before a good first up effort in the Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington.  Suspect we will see her at her best at 2000m and beyond but class may carry her a long way here.

13. Miss Guggenheim

Showed plenty of promise early in her career then lost her way there for a bit.  Found form again last start bolting in at Mornington off a wide run.  Should be peaking here third up and is drawn well.  Consider for multiples.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
9. So You Assume	8. Only Words
12. Butter Chicken	12. Butter Chicken
1. Quantum Mechanic	9. So You Assume
7. Ripper Rita	13. Miss Guggenheim

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	9. So You Assume
2nd	4. Magna Bella	1.5 lengths
3rd	1. Quantum Mechanic	1.6 lengths
4th	8. Only Words	1.7 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratching: 3. Don’ttelltheboss.