Winter Stakes – 2022

Track: Heavy Weather: Shower or two.

Fifteen runners have accepted for the $160,000 Listed Winter Stakes with two of them being emergencies and there have been one early scratching. The Chris Waller stable has three runners engaged, the Richard and Will Freedman stable has two runners engaged,  meanwhile, the rest of the trainers just have one entry each.

Taksu has opened up the $3.50 favourite in a wide-open race following his all-the-way win in the Listed Civic Stakes. He is going to be meeting some of his opposition worse off at the weights after the win. Jojo Was A Man has been impressive in weaker races and is looking for three wins in a row. He has opened up the second favourite following back-to-back wins in benchmark 78 company.

Chief Altony is on the third line of betting as trainer Alexander Rae looks to take advantage of the wet tracks north of the border. Much like Jojo Was A Man, Chief Altony has been performing well in weaker races and is looking at adding a Listed win to his resume. He will be sweating on a run in the main event being the second emergency.

1. Tamahere (2)

SCRATCHED

2. Oscar Zulu (15)

Unlucky not to win the Civic Stakes after being held up near the 200m mark. Only goes up 1kg from that run, meets the favourite 1.5kg better off and he loves these conditions. Drawn wide but that won’t be bad at this time of the day and the booking of Hugh Bowman is ideal.

3. Taksu (3)

Winner of the Civic Stakes. Drawn well again, loves the conditions, and looks to get a comfortable run in front. He will take beating.

4. True Detective (7)

Held up at the 200m mark in the Civic Stakes and failed to pick up when finishing ninth. He will love the conditions and is drawn beautifully. Could be a smoky at the price.

5. Monegal (9)

35 days between runs after a trip to Brisbane. Despite loving the conditions, all of her best form is at Rosehill over further.

6. Cliff’s Art (13)

A nice winner last start in an open mile race but she hates the wet, and has been entered for a race in Brisbane also.

7. Edison (14)

Yet to do anything major since changing stables to Nick Ryan but he doesn’t mind the wet should they choose this race over the other race he is entered for at Caulfield.

8. Grove Ferry (10)

Just fair in the Civic Stakes. Will appreciate getting the toe into the ground but Tim Clark jumping off doesn’t give me any confidence.

9. Schwesterherz (12)

First-up after 279 days. Making her Australian debut. Listed winner overseas who won’t mind the going, though she is also entered for another race south of the border. Would prefer to watch her first-up with her better runs being over a touch further.

10. Love Tap (4)

Can’t have based on his first-up run.

11. Kingsheir (5)

Despite being poor last start in much weaker company, he gets a nice weight drop. Can’t have him here though.

12. Jojo Was A Man (6)

Going for three in a row. Been very good against weaker opposition but his better form is on top of the ground, which he won’t get Saturday.

13. Agreeable (11)

Ran a big race last start despite being three-wide the trip over the 1400m at Flemington. Despite that 1.5 length third placing, this is a lot harder.

14e. New Arrangement (8)

Can’t have.

15e. Chief Altony (1)

Might run a bold race if they get a run but this is much harder than anything he has contested. Better suited to the other race entered on the same day here at Randwick.

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

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
2 Oscar Zulu	12 Jojo Was A Man
3 Taksu	15 Chief Altony
4 True Detective	2 Oscar Zulu
15 Chief Altony	3 Taksu

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3 Taksu
2nd	12 Jojo Was A Man	0.09 length
3rd	15 Chief Altony	2.61 lengths
4th	2 Oscar Zulu	2.92 lengths

The track was rated as Heavy 9.

Scratchings: 1. Tamahere, 6. Cliff’s Art, 7. Edison, 8. Grove Ferry, 9. Schwesterherz, 14. New Arrangement.