Ballot-free entry into the 2022 Cox Plate goes on the line in Saturday’s Group 2 Feehan Stakes at The Valley!
This is always an exciting meeting, rich with strong races and black type talent, and there are nine winners to be found.
I’ve run the rule over every race, and you can find my complete 2022 Feehan Stakes Day Tips below.
Elegant Diva was excellent on debut and can record another win on Feehan Stakes Day.
The Written Tycoon filly was prominent throughout in the Geelong maiden and extended to record an easy win.
She’ll only improve for that effort and will be ridden by Jamie Kah.
Midnight Blue is another second-up galloper that rates as a key winning chance at The Valley this week.
The former West Australian ended his summer prep with a smart win in the Group 2 Perth Cup, but clearly needed his first back this time when fourth, beaten nearly five lengths by Jimmy The Bear at Caulfield.
That horse has since finished third in black type company, and I am expecting plenty of improvement from this bloke.
Shalaman finished second, beaten less than a nose in the McKenzie Stakes here a fortnight ago, and this looks a perfect opportunity to go one better.
The Shalaa colt broke his maiden first-up at Cranbourne this time and has finished second at each of his last two, both here at The Valley.
He steps out this week in peak order and is drawn to receive every chance.
Certainly not the strongest edition of the Feehan Stakes in recent memory and only six gallopers are engaged.
Mr Brightside has opened our Feehan Stakes betting favourite following an impressive fresh effort and win in the PB Lawrence Stakes, but the $1.85 about him at publish is under in my opinion and I am going to take him on.
Forgot You looks to be the forgotten runner, and the $13 about him at publish looks great value.
The Savabeel entire races consistently last time in without winning, running fourth in the Australian Guineas and third in the Rosehill Guineas most notably.
Importantly, he is three from three at The Valley, and something like this doesn’t look beyond him.
The McEwen Stakes field is also small, but the depth of talented engaged suggests it will be the race of the day.
There is a case to be made for nearly all of them, but with so much early pace engaged, I think that a horse like Away Game can finish over the top of them.
She’s one of the country’s most well-credentialed horses that is yet to record a Group 1 win, but she has remained a consistent performer at the highest level for many seasons.
Craig Williams should be able to find a nice position from the rails draw and with even luck, she can deliver on the $7.50 quote that is available at publish.
The Atlantic Jewel Stakes is one of the harder races to analyse and there is a case to be built for plenty.
That being said, I think that Troach’s fitness edge could be key, and she is drawn to receive every chance from Barrier 5.
The Epaulette filly recording a comfortably win over 1100m at Rosehill two starts back, and she boxed on well to fill the minors behind Zoukerina in The Rosebud last time out.
With even luck, I think this looks a lovely bit of black type for her.
The consistent Ranges can win the Chautauqua Stakes.
Simply put, Ranges doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and he has recorded two wins and three placings from his five starts back this time, all in black type company.
He returned from a freshen-up to finish second behind Uncommon James in the Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield last month, and he’ll only be better in this contest.
So Si Bon can win the penultimate race on Feehan Stakes Day.
The enigmatic galloper has returned to the races in form this is typically of his career – some weeks he’s well and truly on, other weeks he’s an absolute headscratcher.
He has improved with each of his last two starts, however, and a repeat of his most-recent performance behind Jimmy The Bear at Caulfield would probably be enough to win this.
I’m going to give He’s Our Bonneval the chance to bounce back in the last at The Valley on Feehan Stakes Day.
He’s Our Bonneval was an impressive winner on debut in Australia back in June, and he followed up that effort with another credible performance for third in BM100 company.
He was well beaten by the likes of Lyrical Lad over a mile at Flemington last time out, but he gets some relief in the weights this week and certainly has the class to win.