Every Spring Group 1 Winner
Verry Elleegant (Photo: Punters.com Getty Images)
Anyone like darts? I’m gonna throw a few at the board and see how many nail the bullseye. I’ve gone through the markets for 28 of the spring Group 1 races and tried to find all 28 winners.
Is 20 a pass mark? Or is 1 a pass mark?
The spring carnival has unofficially begun with Group 1 races on both sides of the Victoria/New South Wales border underway in what promises to be a magnificent few months of racing.
Sure, we again will have little to no crowds and the exploits of a few bonehead jockeys have taken some significant shine off the racing but I prefer focus on the positive aspects that are lying in wait…
Imma try find us a winner for the 28 Group 1’s at all of the major race tracks from now until the middle of November.
MAKYBE DIVA STAKES: Behemoth $5.50
He seemed a 1400m type but jockey Brett Prebble said the big horse was looking for further ground. He will face a couple more stars in the Makybe Diva but he’s comfortably good enough to handle them.
GEORGIE MAIN STAKES: Mo’unga $8
I’ll take the price difference for this guy versus the short quotes for Verry Elleegant and Zaaki. He’s a two-time Group 1 winner already and adding another is a huge chance.
RUPERT CLARKE STAKES: Tofane $17
A riding move was the major difference between her and Behemoth in the Memsie, but she’s a quality 1400m mare who presents some value against the rest.
MOIR STAKES: Eduardo $11
An on speed fighter with proven form at the level is exactly what you need to win a Moir. Eduardo is the perfect type and trainer Joe Pride is in excellent training form.
GOLDEN ROSE: Anamoe $4
Whenever you take $4 about a futures bet, you are taking a big risk. But, such is the talent Anamoe possesses, it’s a price worth taking for a race he should be a massive chance in.
UNDERWOOD STAKES: Inspirational Girl $13
Another of the Bob Peters army of performers from the west. Inspirational Girl has the talent of a Group 1 mare. She won the Railway over in W.A. and was an eye-catching fifth resuming the Memsie Stakes. Her first eastern seaboard run proved she was more than up to racing on this side of the country.
EPSOM HANDICAP: Criaderas $26
A handy Lonhro 5YO with just 10 career runs but four nice wins. His Golden Eagle 8th was better than the paper reads and for a big price, he’d be worth a place as you know the Blue Army will have him on song.
THE METROPOLITAN: Incentivise $8
Such a talented up and coming staying type. Will get the services of Brett Prebble with NSW jockeys unable to arrive. The former Queenslander is 6 from 9 in his career but will face much stiffer competition during a Victorian spring.
TURNBULL STAKES: Verry Elleegant $5
A brutal mare with tenacity and champion-like qualities. An eight-time Group 1 winner with $8 million in the sky rocket. You’d be foolish to think she will not be adding to that phenomenal resume.
FLIGHT STAKES: Zouzarella $14
A dashing debut win at Moonee Valley has punters trying to find out where she’s going so they can get the big odds. Whether this race at a mile comes up too quick, I’m not sure, but she’s an obvious talent and could easily end this spring as a Group 1-winning filly.
SPRING CHAMPION STAKES: Captivant $8
The talented Capitalist colt is a Group 1 winner at Randwick. His stud career is in the works so they may manage his path carefully but you’ve got to think he’s in for a big spring and will likely claim a big race.
CAULFIELD STAKES: Colette $13
She’s too good not to have winning something big. An Oaks winner and Golden Eagle champ, the Godolphin mare is an absolute weapon on a soft track. So whenever you see her engaged with a bog track, just get on.
TOORAK HANDICAP: Probabeel $11
Anything this mare goes in, she will be among the favourites. The challenge is working out which races she’s aimed up at. Any Toorak brings together a nice crop but she’s as good as we have over the eight furlongs.
CAULFIELD GUINEAS: Sword of State $17
I was tipped him from a smart New Zealand form man and he duly saluted. His Aussie campaign never happened at two, but that could stand him in great stead as an older horse. He’s no spoil, but could be a genuine Group 1 talent.
THOUSAND GUINEAS: Mac N Cheese $21
I backed a winner and saw an ad advertising mirco-shares in this talented filly, so I thought why not!? She’s highly rated at McEvoy Mitchell and is already a stakes winner after just a few runs. Hopefully she gets to the race in form and we get a run for our money.
THE EVEREST (Non-Group 1, but it should be): Artorious $21
The slashing win in the Blue Diamond launched him onto the Group 1 landscape. He returned with a ‘back me next run’ performance in the McNeil Stakes. It’s uncertain whether he gets an Everest slot, but he’d give them a real fright in the 17m event.
CAULFIELD CUP: Twilight Payment $21
The reigning Melbourne Cup champ is likely to return to Australia, but there’s some chance he aims up at the Caulfield Cup instead. He’s been in his usual gritty form, winning in Europe recently so another front running Cup victory could be on the cards.
MANIKATO STAKES: Ingratiating $14
The talented Godolphin youngster returned with sizzle winning the Vain Stakes at Caulfield. He performed magnificently in the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper as a baby and he looks a speed demon in the making - especially around The Valley.
COX PLATE: Young Werther $51
He exploded onto the scene, looking like a staying star as a younger horse before hitting the skids. Placed in two Derbies, the 2040m of the Cox Plate may be too short for him but you’ve got to think Danny O’Brien will have him aimed up at something major.
EMPIRE ROSE: Hungry Heart $18
The Chris Waller-trained mare burst onto the scene and shoed her immense potential early days. She claimed her maiden Group 1 at Randwick for the ATC Oaks. The 4YO is already among the best mares going and an Empire Rose over a mile would be a suitable target.
COOLMORE STUD STAKES: Anamoe $8
With the way stable mate Ingratiiating returned, you’ve got to think Anamoe would be at least on an even level. His two-year-old season was fantastic, winning a Group 1 and placing in another couple.
VICTORIA DERBY: Three Kings $26
A talented T & C McEvoy colt whose had five starts, winning a couple. He won at listed level. His Sires Produce run says 7th of 10 in the race book but he was only beaten a few lengths and wants more ground.
CANTALA STAKES: Superstorm $11
Former West Australian who possesses high talent just like the rest of the Bob Peters-bred horses who have raced in the east. Superstorm has already put in some excellent performances in high level races and a Group 1 over the mile seems up his alley.
GOLDEN EAGLE (Non-Group 1, but it should be): Aegon $17
The Kiwi returned in excellent fashion, slashing into 4th in the Memsie Stakes. He’s untapped and a path towards the rich race for four-year-olds would be a wise move for a New Zealander who often races for far less prize money than he should be.
MELBOURNE CUP: Il Paradiso $26
Under the guidance of Aidan O’Brien, this precocious talent was a tragedy beaten in the 2019 Melbourne Cup. He’s on the comeback trail for Chris Waller - who may be ready to claim Melbourne Cup glory.
VRC KENNEDY OAKS: Adele Amour $51
This filly was a gritty on-paced winner at Sandown on August 18. She showed a tenacious spirit and John Sadler openly admits he has plenty of time for this daughter of Sebring. At $51, I am happy to have a throw at the stumps.
MACKINNON STAKES: Probabeel $14
This Kiwi mare is a sublime talent who has seasoned into a powerful and classy mare. 2000m at Flemington to end Cup week is the perfect way for Probabeel to close out her spring.
VRC SPRINT CLASSIC: Masked Crusader $5
Some seasoning in big sprints should have him ready to rock and roll for this. His devastating turn of foot could see him swoop on the VRC Sprint up the straight at Flemington.