Empire Rose Stakes Tips - Runner-by-Runner Guide to the fillies and mares Group 1
- Runner-by-Runner Guide to the Empire Rose Stakes
- Who will take out the Flemington Group 1?
- Princess Grace tops our selections
One of the most prestigious races for the fillies and mares during the spring carnival is the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes run at Flemington over 1600m.
Run under weight-for-age conditions, the race was first run in 1988 and has been won by some champion females including Typhoon Tracy (2009) and Melody Belle (2019).
We’ve gone through every single runner below and offer our top four selections with odds from Betfair.
1. Alcohol Free (5)
The now five-year-old mare was transferred to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable during the autumn and she started favourite on debut in the Coolmore Legacy at Randwick where she was well beaten.
In fact, she is still yet to win a race in Australia from four attempts.
She was excellent last weekend in The Invitation where she almost pinched the race and went down by half a length behind Espiona.
If she can repeat that effort, she’ll go close especially considering her good draw in barrier five.
2. Princess Grace (12)
Her first three runs this prep were all at the highest level of racing and she was only narrowly denied in both the Winx Stakes and Memsie.
While she was beaten as the short priced favourite here at Flemington last start at Group 2 level, she is clearly racing well and is one of the leading contenders.
3. Hope In Your Heart (1)
Has failed to win in three starts so far this prep but was beaten less than two lengths in both the Group 2 Tramway and Group 1 Epsom Handicap.
She has been somewhat of a headache for punters as she has shown a lot of potential and natural talent but seems to find a way to get beaten.
The step back to her own sex will be of benefit and if she can get some luck, she’s capable of producing a rating high enough to be competitive.
4. Atishu (8)
Proved her class with a dominant win in the Group 1 Coolmore during the autumn, beating her nearest rival by 2.5 lengths.
She finished second behind the very smart Espiona two back at Group 2 level and will be nearing peak fitness now at her fourth run.
5. Hinged (13)
Settled close to the speed first up in the Winx Stakes when fighting on well to go down by just a length behind Fangirl.
Her last two runs have been less than impressive and she will need to find her best form to be competitive here.
6. Fox Frida (6)
Closed out her last campaign by finished within 1.5 lengths of the winner in the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm.
She is a mare that consistently gives her all but is better suited a level down from this in my opinion.
7. Renaissance Woman (14)
Showed a good turn of foot to take out the Group 3 Angst Stakes at Randwick two back and was only narrowly denied last weekend in the Craven Plate.
She failed to feature at her only start here at Flemington in the Group 1 Oaks this time last year but this is a track that should suit her style as she needs some time to fully wind up.
I’m concerned she is not brilliant enough to be winning a race of this quality but she is racing well at the moment.
8. Barbie’s Fox (16)
Looked the winner for all money at Caulfield last start but Wishlor Lass kicked late to beat her by a nose.
That horse has since come out and won again on Cox Plate day which franks the form.
The barrier is a concern but she is a mare that is racing really well and could feature with some luck in running.
9. Wrote To Arataki (10)
Has placed in three of four so far this prep including a win in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield last time out.
Dean Yendall closed the mare over to lead in that race which proved a winning move and he retains the ride in this event.
She’ll need to take another step forward to compete at this level but is one that looks over the odds at her current price.
10. Pride Of Jenni (17)
Gave Amelia’s Jewel something to chase two back in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes at The Valley before going down by under a length.
She is a mare that needs to dictate terms out in front which I envision her doing in this but she lacks the class to beat these.
11. Deny Knowledge (7)
Closed out last campaign by winning at Geelong by a huge 10 lengths over 2200m.
Won a benchmark 100 at The Valley first up but has failed to feature in three subsequent runs.
12. Life Lessons (15)
The Peter Moody trained mare has been excellent in all three runs so far this prep and she caused a boilover by beating Princess Grace in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston here at headquarters last start.
She has finished in the top two in seven of her 11 career starts and although this is her first go at group 1 level, and over 1600m, she deserves her chance.
13. Shuffle Dancer (2)
The second of Moody’s chances in the race and another that is racing well.
Wasn’t beaten far in the race won by her stablemate Life Lessons at Flemington and was then narrowly denied at group 2 level last start.
Is another that has her first start at group 1 level but has drawn well and looks over the odds.
14. Wishlor Lass (11)
There is no mare in better form coming into this race than Wishlor Lass who has won her last three in a row to earn a shot at Group 1 glory.
She is a very progressive type who gives her all every time she gets to the races and she showed her professionalism at The Valley last Saturday when scoring by 1.25 lengths at Group 3 level.
This is another step up in class but she has responded every time she’s been given a task.
15. Ausbred Flirt (9)
Won a benchmark 88 at Randwick to kick start this campaign before going down by less than a length behind Renaissance Woman at Group 3 level.
Only got clear late in the piece in The Invitation last weekend and can improve on that run.
Not sure she’s up to winning this event but can run well.
16. More Secrets (4)
Closed out her autumn campaign with a placing in the Group 1 Coolmore Legacy proving she is a mare with ability who can mix it at the top level.
Both runs this prep have been solid and she has a win and a third from two attempts third up from a spell.
Over the odds.
17. Jennilala (3) Emergency
Has placed in six of eight career race starts including a third in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.
Will need one to come out to gain a start.
Verdict
SELECTIONS
1st: No. 2 Princess Grace
2nd: No. 3 Hope In Your Heart
3rd: No. 1 Alcohol Free
4th: No. 14 Wishlor Lass
1st: No. 2 Princess Grace
2nd: No. 3 Hope In Your Heart
3rd: No. 1 Alcohol Free
4th: No. 14 Wishlor Lass
Princess Grace
To Win
@11/2 - 2 Units
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