The Queen of the Turf Stakes title is on offer today with the best fillies and mares in the land battling over the mile. Join us from 2:00pm AEST for a full preview, live blog and post-race analysis of this Group 1 which is due to begin at 2:30pm AEST.
The market is headed by Chris Waller duo Red Tracer and Catkins. Waller has made a special effort in both mares’ campaigns to ensure they would not clash until today, and punters are unsure which way to lean.
They last met in the Group 1 Myer Classic in Melbourne, which was run under the exact same conditions and distance they find themselves in today.
On that occasion they dogged it out all the way to the line, only for Red Tracer to nab Catkins in the final strides while they were well clear of third. The key difference today is that Catkins is flying even higher than she was in spring.
It has been a near-perfect preparation for Catkins, who has won three of her four starts this campaign in emphatic style. Her only defeat came in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic, where a runaway Steps In Time opened up a huge gap in transit to hold off Catkins, who was super in third.
Although good, the run can be ignored because she beat Steps In Time earlier in the year in a properly run race. Catkins relished the wet ground with five runs for four wins and, more importantly, is undefeated on heavy going.
Like Catkins, Red Tracer is just as much of a wet-track specialist, which is why she is just as fancied in the markets. Her campaign has not been as good has some of her past lead-ups, but she is has started on heavy ground six times for five wins.
She struck traffic in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes to run on for third, while her run in the George Ryder didn’t give her justice. Returning to fillies and mares class, something she has dominated for the past two years, she is a huge winning chance having beaten just about every horse in this field before.
One major element which differentiates this race from its spring counterpart is the role of three-year-olds. Solicit deviates from her Oaks path due to the wet track, which co-trainers Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra thought would be too testing for the filly on a heavy track.
She therefore drops down in distance after an excellent run in the Group 1 Storm Queen Stakes where she ran second behind Lucia Valentina, who saved around eight lengths by cutting the corner.
Nevertheless, Solicit produced a mighty effort on the wet ground to confirm her abilities in the mud.
Gypsy Diamond joins her as another filly in the race. She’s been asked to back up off seven days after taking out the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes on Day One of The Championships. She won comfortably by two lengths and looked better in the wet than on dry, but backing up fillies tends to be fraught with danger.
Viadana and Recite cross the Tasman for a crack at today’s riches, but neither have form relative to earlier races in autumn. Both should have no problem handling the wet ground, but to take on superstar mares like Catkins and Red Tracer is a big ask.
The markets say this will be a two horse race and based on the quality of Catkins and Red Tracer, it is very difficult to argue otherwise.
The Queen of the Turf Stakes will jump at 2:30pm AEST.
Roar racing writers’ autumn tipping competition (five points if winning horse is tipped for first; three points if tipped for second; two for third and one for fourth):
Alfred Chan’s Tips – Roar Guru and today’s live blogger
1. Catkins
2. Red Tracer
3. Recite
4. Solicit
Justin Cinque – Roar Racing Editor
1. Catkins
2. Gypsy Diamond
3. Solicit
4. Red Tracer
Cameron Rose – Roar Expert
1. Catkins
2. Red Tracer
3. Solicit
4. Gypsy Diamond
Brad Durrant – Roar Guru
1. Red Tracer
2. Catkins
3. Gypsy Diamond
4. Solicit
Brent Ford – Roar Guru
1. Solicit
2. Catkins
3. Red Tracer
4. Gypsy Diamond
Points tally after Day 1 of The Championships
Brent Ford – 39
Justin Cinque – 30
Cameron Rose – 29
Alfred Chan – 22
Brad Durrant – 22
Mazie
Guest
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Sam James
Roar Guru
Rising Romance looks a little fitter today. She should take up a more forward position today.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Live blog of the Oaks here - http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/04/19/2014-atc-australian-oaks-preview-live-blog-results/
Sam James
Roar Guru
Can't fault Lucia Valentina's condition, she has come through her win nicely.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Zanbagh looks great in the mounting yard and like most of Guy Walter's horses, she is peaking for today's grand final.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Horses are parading in the mounting yard prior to the Group 1 Australian Oaks. Lucia Valentina is clear favourite following her dominant win in the Storm Queen Stakes at Rosehill.
Alfred Chan
Expert
So there we have it folks. Tommy Berry has caused a boilover by riding Diamond Drille to victory as a $41 chance, beating home Gypsy Diamond and Red Tracer. Sam Kelly takes over from here to guide us through the Group 1 Australasian Oaks.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Owner Greg Kolivos, "A very special win for Tom. "You couldn't ask for a better result for Tom. "This was always the plan. She (Gai) has bought her along perfectly. "We're over the moon."
Alfred Chan
Expert
Here's Tommy Berry. "Dad's here today with mum. He hasn't been to a Saturday meeting since the beginning so this is very special. "Nathan never got to ride a Group 1 winner but that was his. "I think there might have been a bit of Nathan's help."
Alfred Chan
Expert
Red Tracer is on the way down. She'll head to the breeding barn at the end of the season.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Very disappointing from Catkins who only finished midfield.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Here with Gai Waterhouse. "Tommy rode her a treat. I loved the way she balanced her. "I think everyone underestimates her." In other news, Gai Waterhouse is wearing a bird's nest as a hat.
Alfred Chan
Expert
That run came from nowhere. Diamond Drille somehow found dry ground on the outside to cruise over the top of Red Tracer. Very nice run by Gypsy Diamond too on the inside.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Tommy Berry rides Diamond Drille home and kisses the skys for Nathan.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Catkins extremely disappointing. She couldn't find a kick. Diamond Drille gets up at $41!
Alfred Chan
Expert
About to go now! And we're off in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes!!! Catkins jumps well from the inside, Gypsy Diamond missed it, Solicit out quickly to and driving through, Red Tracer tacking on third, Recite coming through the outside, Catkins retains the fence third behind Solicit and Recite, Red Tracer fourth behind Red Tracer, Solicit still leads from Recite and Catkins, Bowman pull Catkins off the fence, She's striding up, Catkins comes to the lead, Red Tracer moves to the lead, Red Tracer pulling away but Diamond Drille is coming strong, She's coming hard, Diamond Drille!!!! Diamond Drille has nabbed this from Gypsy Diamond who cut the corner and Red Tracer has boxed on for third.
Alfred Chan
Expert
A clear market mover.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Behind the gates now and about to start loading in. Catkins will be our $2.80 favourite ahead of Solicit at $4.80 and Red Tracer at $5.00.
Alfred Chan
Expert
One-way traffic. They're not coming for anything else.
Alfred Chan
Expert
It probably didn't come from one punter but that is a huge go.