3 minute read

Nearly a decade ago now the Pattern Committee allocated another mares race Group One status to be run just two weeks after the Coolmore.

When this came into effect, in some ways the class has shown up with some trainers aiming at this more than the other race because of the WFA conditions.

Now it was moved into the Championships and over the mile at Randwick.

PROFILING THE RACE

o Drawing too wide is a big no no but midrange barriers have been OK.

o Not a great race to be leader in - most gals have come from well back and swooped over them.

o First run in 1972, 3yo fillies have won the race 12 times.

o Absolutely sensational race for the favourites - 2003 was the last double figure winner prior to Diamond Drille and then Amanpour.

o Naturally Crown Lodge and Gai Waterhouse have dominated this race given their position in Sydney racing over the last 20 years.

o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 4yo (6 times)

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $9 (but much less without Diamond Drille/Amanpour)

o Breakdown of winners - 8 mares & 2 fillies.

o Races that the winner ran in prior - Coolmore Classic (4), Canterbury Stks (2), Golden Rose (1), Futurity Stks (1), Emancipation Stks (2).

RECENT WINNERS

2015 – AMANPOUR 4m (Northern Meteor x Newscaster) ($21)

Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse

Barrier: 3, Weight: 57.0kg, Gross Time: 1:37.77

Margin: 1.8L, Track: Slow (7), Starters: 15

2nd: Catkins (57.0kg), 3rd: Noble Protector (57.0kg)

Review: Gai Waterhouse has owned this race and she did it again. She had three in the race and it was the other two who were G1 winners but on a day when leaders were enjoying things, this mare went straight to the front.

She had run well in the Emancipation but the slower track and the fact she was going forward helped her.

There were some excellent runs in behind including Noble Protector who was four wide the trip and was coming on the line very hard. Northern Meteor can get a good horse.

2014 – DIAMOND DRILLE 4m (Al Maher x Damzelle Pedrille) ($41)

Jockey: Tommy Berry, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse

Barrier: 2, Weight: 57.0kg, Gross Time: 1:35.85

Margin: 0.2L, Track: Slow (6), Starters: 9

2nd: Gypsy Diamond (54.5kg), 3rd: Red Tracer (57.0kg)

Review: Tommy Berry had been through more than anyone could bare. And since his brother’s death, he hadn’t ridden too many winners – how could you offer fault under those circumstances.

But in the Queen Of The Turf he scored a G1 on a mare at big odds. She did love the mile but against this field it was a surprise. Gai had also had a slight run of outs so everything came together. Solicit set the speed and they ran along.

All the well performed mares were nearby but Berry had her out the back. She was off the bit turning however things got rolling for her and when the leaders caved in, she swept up outside Gypsy Diamond who got inside races.

Post race Berry let it all out as he said Nathan finally ‘won’ his first G1. He would double up later in the day in the Sydney Cup.

2013 – APPEARANCE 4m (Commands x Disguise) ($10)

Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Guy Walter

Barrier: 6, Weight: 57.0kg, Gross Time: 1:30.73

Margin: 0.5L, Track: Slow, Starters: 11

2nd: Red Tracer (57.0kg), 3rd: Streama (57.0kg)

Review: Appearance managed to do something that had never been done before. No girl had won the Myer Classic/Coolmore Classic/QOTT treble and given she started 40s, 10s & 9s it was even more of a surprise.

This race was possibly won at the barrier draw, or lost maybe. More Joyous drew inside and on a wet track got dictated to as Bowman on Streama kept her enclosed. She got off the fence at the 600m but then met a strait jacket.

Unable to take any gaps despite shouldering out, it was left to McEvoy on the mare to work home unimpeded. The wet trackers lined up behind her.

Previous Winners Queen of the Turf Stakes

Year		Horse		Trainer		Jockey		Weight		Second		Weight		Third		Weight
2015		Amanpour		G Waterhouse		K McEvoy		57.0		Catkins		57.0		Noble Protector		57.0
2014		Diamond Drille		G Waterhouse		T Berry		57.0		Gypsy Diamond		54.5		Red Tracer		57.0
2013		Appearance		G Walter		K McEvoy		57.0		Red Tracer		57.0		Streama		57.0
2012		More Joyous		G Waterhouse		N Rawiller		57.0		Miss Keepsake		57.0		King's Rose		57.0
2011		More Joyous		G Waterhouse		N Rawiller		57.0		Melito		57.0		Happy Hippy		57.0
2010		Typhoon Tracy		P Moody		L Nolen		57.0		Illuminates		57.0		Montana Flyer		57.0
2009		Neroli		P Snowden		D Beadman		57.0		Hot Danish		57.0		Imananabaa		57.0
2008		Forensics		P Snowden		D Nikolic		54.0		Perfect Drop		56.5		Occurrence		54.0
2007		Divine Madonna		M Kavanagh		G Boss		56.5		Cheeky Choice		53.5		Beauty Watch		56.5
2006		Mnemosyne		J Hawkes		D Beadman		53.0		Regal Cheer		53.0		Shania Dane		55.5