Festival Stakes – 2022

Track: Good  Weather: Mostly Fine

Fifteen runners have accepted for the $200,000 Festival Stakes and there have been no early scratchings.

Mirra Vision ($6.00) and Kiss Sum ($6.00) have opened joint favourites in this wide-open affair. Mirra Vision narrow missed last time out at Flemington when she was run over late by Icebath in the Empire Rose Stakes. Kiss Sum on the other hand brings a different form line after running fifth in the Silver Eagle before finishing a long last in the red-hot Cantala Stakes.

Coal Crusher ($7.00) rounds out the top three in the betting after leading the entire way at Newcastle in a benchmark 88, winning by 1.2 lengths with 61kg on his back.

1. Sunshine Rising (8)

First up after 671 days is a former Hong Kong galloper Sunshine Rising (known as Rising High in Hong Kong). Hard to have after such a long break but his form in Hong Kong can win this. Happy to watch his return.

2. Kirwin’s Lane (11)

Won the Ladies’ Day Cup at Hawkesbury last time out following two fourths in his starts prior. This is a lot harder and he has drawn awkwardly. Prefer others.

3. Lion’s Roar (10)

Last start he was first up in over a year and he was wide throughout when finishing a fair way back. He should come on nicely from that but happy to wait a bit longer before putting him in the numbers.

4. Skyman (13)

Ran okay first up when 4.1 lengths off the winner in seventh in the Hunter. Should come on nicely but he has drawn nicely and will need a peach of a ride from James McDonald to figure.

5. Mirra Vision (12)

Narrowly missed last time out in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes. Entered for a mare race in Melbourne as well on Saturday but has drawn just as poor there as she has here. She will need some luck but her best can win this.

6. Kubrick (9)

First up after 140 days. Can’t have him here first up.

7. Coal Crusher (7)

Won impressively last start at Newcastle when leading the entire way to salute by just over a length. This is a lot harder but he has drawn nicely and maps to get a soft lead. Fitness will be no issue and I expect another bold run.

8. Charleise (1)

She finished 2.75 lengths off Sheeza Belter in the Hot Danish Stakes last time out. She is entered for an easier race in Melbourne on Saturday, so they could head there. She has the form to run a bold race.

9. Cliff’s Art (5)

Can’t have on recent form.

10. Kiss Sum (14)

He ran fifth in the Silver Eagle before finishing a long last in the red-hot Cantala Stakes. This is a lot easier for him and he should be peaking in fitness now as well. Should be thereabouts with luck from a poor draw.

11. Cisco Bay (2)

Came from well back two runs ago to win over the Randwick mile before doing something similar in his next start, but left the run too late to finish a tight second in the Big Dance. He has drawn well and should run a decent race, though he is yet to win at Rosehill in seven starts which is a concern.

12. Jojo Was A Man (3)

Forget his first up run as he was wide throughout and wound up having respiratory problems. Based on his form last preparation, he should be able to run a bold race and he has drawn ideally whilst mapping perfectly. Shouldn’t be far away.

13. Divine Magic (4)

Made Australian debut at Rosehill in the Hot Danish Stakes where she finished 3.2 lengths back in seventh. Prefer to watch.

14. Dajraan (15)

First up after 70 days. Two nice trials in preparation for this but he has drawn the car park. Prefer others.

15. Loch Eagle (6)

Not up to these.

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

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
7 Coal Crusher	7 Coal Crusher
5 Mirra Vision	5 Mirra Vision
11 Cisco Bay	4 Skyman
10 Kiss Sum	2 Kirwan’s Lane

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	14 Dajraan
2nd	5 Mirra Vision	0.89 length
3rd	2 Kirwan’s Lane	1.31 lengths
4th	1 Sunshine Rising	2.15 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratchings: 6. Kubrick, 9. Cliff’s Art.