Tattersalls Tiara Tips - Familiar names to fire in final Group 1 of the Australian racing season

Leading the market is Firestorm, trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, who has to overcome a wide draw in a full field of 17. Waller is chasing a record-breaking 20th Group 1 of the season, while McDonald eyes his 22nd major.

Queensland’s in-form mare Floozie is gunning for her fifth consecutive win. Trained by Tony Gollan and boasting elite bloodlines as the daughter of Group 1 winner Catchy, Floozie’s progression through the grades has been expertly managed, culminating in a dominant Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes victory. 

With her powerful turn of foot, proven record at the track and distance, and a favourable barrier draw, Floozie looms as a major player.

But she won’t have it easy, with classy challengers including Grinzinger Belle and Zaszou ready to strike. Grinzinger Belle, fresh off a strong campaign that included a Group 2 Sunline Stakes win, remains in the care of Danny O’Brien despite a $1.45 million sale to Yulong Investments. With Tim Clark aboard, she’s a genuine threat. 

Meanwhile, Zaszou made a statement with a slashing Listed win in the Helen Coughlan Stakes and has sharpened up further since, giving trainer Phillip Stokes confidence in her each-way claims. She already boasts form over key rivals and gets in with a sneaky chance from her solid draw.

Tashi has finished runner-up at her past three starts and will be looking to overcome the bridesmaid tag. She closed off strongly behind Floozie last time. A capacity field of 17 gallopers will be in action with five emergencies looking to sneak into the field. With fine weather in the lead up to raceday, Eagle Farm is expected to provide a Good surface. 

Tempo looks genuine with Grinzinger Belle likely to bowl along in front, while Bubba’s Bay, Adiella and Coco Sun shouldn't be too far away. Just Feelin’ Lucky is the third emergency and also likes to go forward but may struggle to sneak into the field. Floozie draws barrier 9 and will look to land front half. She might come into barrier 6 after the removal of emergencies. Firestorm will jump from barrier 14 if all the emergencies don’t gain a start. She is likely to settle back with McDonald in the saddle. Tashi and Zaszou are likely to land second half from their respective barriers. 

Going with Firestorm in the Tattersalls Tiara. The Chris Waller galloper was rolled by Floozie last time in the Dane Ripper Stakes but should have improvement to come at what will be her second run off a 10-week break, while the 1300m may have been just a tad short, given she was fresh. She was hampered on a couple of occasions in the early stages and was back on a slow tempo before working home solidly. Earlier this year, the daughter of the Japanese sire, Satono Aladdin, improved 10 lengths on benchmark figures when second up to finish a very narrow runner-up at Group 1 level in the Coolmore Classic (1500m). No huge concerns with the wide barrier with Grinzinger Belle to inject some tempo this time around, while McDonald lurks in the saddle. 

Arctic Glamour might be worth something at the each-way quote in the feature. She is another that comes out of the Dane Ripper and was first up into that race, drawing poorly before getting back early on. She produced the fastest 600m-400m split in a bid to gain ground but the race shape went against, while the lack of fitness told in the end, finishing 11th, beaten over four lengths. She is capable of second up improvement and is generally strong late in her races. The daughter of Frosted should come into barrier 8 after the removal of emergencies and can tuck in slightly closer, while the slight step up in distance also suits.