Sheraco Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft  Weather: Sunny on Race Day

Thirteen runners have accepted for the $250,000 Group 2 Sheraco Stakes and there have been no early scratchings. Team Snowden stable has two runners entered for the event, whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Shades of Rose has opened up the early favourite at $3.10. Going for four wins in a row following her five-length victory at this track and distance in a much weaker grade.

Espiona is on the next line of betting at $3.50. She is had a mixed preparation in the Autumn but finished it off with a solid win in the James H B Carr Stakes. She has had just one trial in preparation for this and James McDonald is off the favourite for her.

Bella Nipotina rounds out the top three in betting at $8.50. She won the Carlyon Stakes nicely first up and will be looking to bring that form back to Sydney.

Fituese will be looking to go one better than last year when she finished second to Entriviere, and she is currently $16.00 in the betting.

1. Startantes (9)

Returning after 77 days. She is coming into this race on the back of just the one trial and generally hit the line really well first up but gets better as the preparation goes on.

2. Bella Nipotina (12)

Not a fan of her draw here and I think she will have to have a 10/10 ride to win. Last time she was at Randwick she won the Sapphire Stakes impressively. Place chance.

3. Electric Girl (2)

Was plain first up in a tough race. This looks harder. Can’t have.

4. Palaisipan (10)

Returning after 77 days. Goes well fresh but will likely have to get back from the draw. Hugh Bowman trialled her in Sydney and rides her race day, so she must be low flying. Will need luck, but she looks like a nice place chance.

5. Fituese (1)

Was just fair first up but was no match against the opposition. This is much harder. I can’t have her here.

6. Espiona (8)

Returning after 147 days. She is a classy mare who had a mixed preparation in the Autumn. James McDonald is off the favourite for her, and she has had just the one trial this time in. The draw is okay and will likely need some luck but she is all class and I expect her to be thereabouts once again.

7. Tycoon Evie (11)

Returning after 63 days. First start for her new stable. Has drawn ordinarily and I am happy to just watch her and see how she goes.

8. My Whisper (6)

Returning after 133 days. Has done all of her racing in Victoria and South Australia. This is a tough ask first up but she has shown some ability. Place chance.

9. It’s Me (4)

She was a big winner first up in much weaker grade at Eagle Farm. This will be a run to show the world she is back and can run well behind the better mares, so she can nab a Kosciuszko spot.

10. Shades of Rose (13)

Deserved favourite on recent form and her 5-length win in a weaker grade was outstanding. She loses James McDonald and has drawn the widest gate which isn’t ideal, I think she can run well but a win would really surprise me.

11. Pippali (3)

Returning after 119 days. Prefer others.

12. Sky Command (7)

Solid first-up behind Zapateo in the Toy Show Quality, despite racing wide without cover. Drawn similarly here and can run a cheeky race.

13. Sneaky Paige (5)

Been running well in weaker grades but this looks too tough.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
6 Espiona	10 Shades Of Rose
12 Sky Command	6 Espiona
2 Bella Nipotina	2 Bella Nipotina
4 Palaisipan	1 Startantes

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	10 Shades Of Rose
2nd	3 Electric Girl	0.02 length
3rd	4 Palaisipan	0.94 length
4th	9 It’s Me	0.99 length

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 2. Bella Nipotina.