The Tancred Stakes headlines another enormous day of racing at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday and a fittingly strong field of stayers has been confirmed.
Several of these horses were prominent in betting for last year’s Melbourne Cup and while none were able to beat Vow And Declare, they remain some of the best stayers in work in Australia and we’re set for outstanding edition of the Tancred Stakes, as a result.
Tancred Stakes – Winner
No. 2 Mustajeer – Bet Now: $8.50
Mustajeer has returned two excellent efforts since he returned from a spell and the Tancred Stakes looks a perfect feature for him. The former Brit found form around some of the world’s best stayers last year and won the famed Ebor Handicap at York before transferring to Kris Lees’ yard. He raced well to finish sixth in the Caulfield Cup and while he didn’t go a yard in the Melbourne Cup, his first-up Parramatta Cup win and second in the Group 3 Sky High last start suggested that he’s really come on. Out to a mile and a half is ideal and he’s drawn to receive a lovely run from barrier 2.
Tancred Stakes – 2nd
No. 9 Verry Elleegant – Bet Now: $2.00
Verry Elleegant is another horse who has returned to the track in top condition this time and I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish of the Tancred Stakes. The Zed mare realised her top-line potential when a smart winner of the Vinery Stud Stakes at this meet last year and while she continued to race well in spring, she wasn’t about to add another Group 1 to the mantle. She’s improved with each of her three starts this time and looked to have the Ranvet Stakes won last week before being pipped by Addeybb, but getting out to a mile at this point of her prep looks ideal and I can’t see the short back-up being a problem.
Tancred Stakes – 3rd
No. 5 Mirage Dancer – Bet Now: $12.00
Mirage Dancer has returned three competitive efforts this campaign and is yet another horse in the Tancred Stakes field that will relish the rise in trip. The Frankel entire ran third in the Caulfield Cup on debut in Australia and finished midfield in the Melbourne Cup. He understandably finished at the tail of the field in the Neds C.F. Orr Stakes when resuming but flew home to finish third in the Peter Young and was last seen finishing sixth in the Australian Cup. He’ll have conditions to suit and options from the rails draw.
Tancred Stakes – 4th
No. 1 Avilius – Bet Now: $5.50
He hasn’t quite hit the heights that we’re all used to, but he also just doesn’t run a poor race and Avilius is up to racing well in the Tancred Stakes again. The Pivotal gelding won the Ranvet and this in succession last year and added the George Main most notably in spring, and he should be at peak fitness for what will be his fifth autumn start in the Tancred Stakes. Hugh Bowman takes the ride from barrier 4.
Tancred Stakes Tips
- 2 Units E/W #2 Mustajeer
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below