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Historical Analysis of the George Main Stakes

GEORGE MAIN STAKES - G1 1600m

So many top class horses have tasted success in the George Main Stks for us to know just how good a race it is. The last ten winners share over 40 Group One wins. They were clearly some of the best WFA stars Sydney has produced in years. Why don’t we have a reminder of just how good they really were?

PROFILING THE RACE

o The George Main had been a 3yos benefit when good ones run. Between 1984 and 2001 nine 3yos were successful (9 out of 18). Strangely none have won since Viscount.

o History says you basically have had to run in the Theo Marks Quality at Rosehill or the Warwick Stakes to play a part here.

o Miniscule field sizes have meant barrier draws were inconsequential.

o Last mare to win was Ma Chiquita in 1986 before More Joyous and then Streama.

o Only three times in the last decade has the Epsom winner run in the George Main.

o Last 10 Years Most Prevalent Age of winner - 5yo (4 times)

o Last 10 Years Average Price of winner - $8.50 ($4.50 without Road To Rock)

o Breakdown of winners - 6 geldings, 1 entire & 2 mares

o Races that the winner ran in prior - Theo Marks Stks (4), Tramway Hcp (2), Cameron Hcp (1), Warwick Stks (1), Spell (1)

RECENT WINNERS

2013 - STREAMA 5m (Stratum x Pensiamo) ($8.50)

Jockey: Blake Shinn, Trainer: Guy Walter

Barrier: 6, Weight: 57.0kg, Gross Time: 1:34.78

Margin: 0.2L, Track: Dead (4), Starters: 9

2nd: Royal Descent (56.5kg), 3rd: Veyron (59.0kg)

Review: Mares do not have a great recent history in the George Main but here they quinellad the race with just two entered. Not run overly quickly, Blake Shinn had her outside the leader Veyron. On a fair Randwick track, the back markers tried to make ground but it was left to Royal Descent to chase hardest. Guy Walter’s girl held her off and won her third G1 at headquarters but her first against open age and sex.

2012 - SHOOT OUT 6g (High Chaparral x Pentamerous) ($4 fav)

Jockey: Hugh Bowman, Trainer: Chris Waller

Barrier: 4, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 1:36.40

Margin: 0.3L, Track: Good, Starters: 8

2nd: Rangirangdoo (59.0kg), 3rd: Secret Admirer (57.0kg)

Review: Not many times in Australia are trainers prepared to go first up at the mile but Chris Waller had a big team in. There was no pace on but with Somepin Anypin and Rangirangdoo on speed but the boomed 3yo All Too Hard missed the kick as per normal. Shoot Out got off the fence at the 500m and came at his stablemate, just getting him late.

2011 - SINCERO 4g (Umatilla x Yours As Always) ($2.10 fav)

Jockey: Chris O’Brien, Trainer: Stephen Farley

Barrier: 8, Weight: 58.5kg, Gross Time: 1:28.57

Margin: 0.3L, Track: Good, Starters: 8

2nd: Ilovethiscity (58.5kg), 3rd: Triple Elegance (58.5kg)

Review: While the field wasn’t a high WFA standard (and remember it was 1500m at Rosehill due to grandstand troubles), it didn’t detract from the performance. He was set a task as others pushed up and trapped three wide. O’Brien didn’t panic and held him together. On the point of the bend, he had Ilovethiscity outsprint him and put a ½ length on him. However Sincero fought back and made up the length quickly.