Queen Of The Turf Stakes Tips - Fangirl the one to beat in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes

The race favourite after the barrier draw is the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl, who has also accepted for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m). 

She will be out to make it a hat-trick of wins in the race for Waller, who saddled up Atishu (2023) and Zougotcha (2024). 

Fangirl has finished runner-up in consecutive Group 1 races with those coming behind Via Sistina in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) and Gringotts in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m). 

Her stablemate, Atishu, is among the main fancies again this year, while Stefi Magnetica backs up after her victory in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) last weekend. 

The four-year-old switches to weight-for-age and will be asked to carry more weight. Other notable runners include the talented Lazzura, who is aiming to become the first three-year-old to win the Queen Of The Turf since 2018, and last-start winners Grinzinger Belle and Lekvarte, who add further depth to the field. 

Speed to come from Grinzinger Belle, who claimed the Sunline Stakes (1600m) at her most recent start. Sounds Of Heaven can tuck in just behind, while Amelia’s Jewel, Our Gold Hope and Lazzura might have to push up from their respective barriers. Stefi Mangentica will look to tuck into a midfield position, while Atishu, Fangirl and Lekvarte are among the likely backmarkers. 

Fangirl is a clear top pick in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes. The dangers are Stefi Magnetica and Atishu, who drops from the 2000m in the Australian Cup. That has been a formula that has worked for the stablemate but in three previous meetings between the two, Atishu has never finished in front of Fangirl. Stefi Magnetica has also finished behind Fangirl the two times they have met. Form this prep has been first class as always with a win ahead of, and a narrow loss behind, the champion mare, Via Sistina, before she was wide no cover the trip when just missing behind Gringotts in the George Ryder Stakes. The daughter of Sebring will be right at her peak for this and ticks plenty of boxes with James McDonald to ride from barrier 6. 

Grinzinger Belle can be considered at the each-way quote. The Victorian went 10.9 lenghts faster than standard benchmark when winning at Moonee Valley last time, which is the secnd best last start figure of any runner, behind what Atishu produced in a strongly run Australian Cup. She has the ability to sustain a solid cruising speed and comes into this third up. She was well beaten by Atishu in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) last spring but had to work hard early that day and was fourth up. Her peak on figures came when third up last time when defeating Private Legacy over the 1600m at Caulfield. Expect her to be in it for a long way.