The Empire Rose Stakes, run over 1600m at Flemington Racecourse, is a Group 1 weight-for-age race for fillies and mares. The mile feature has continued to grow in size and stature since its first running in 1988 and is now a key race on the Flemington cup week carnival. Godolphin mare, Colette, flashed home to beat Mystic Journey in last year’s Empire Rose with Damien Oliver in the saddle.
Looking at the market for this year’s race, Dabble has star NZ mare, La Crique, a short priced favourite at $2.40, off the back of a dominant win across the ditch. Fellow Kiwi, She’s Licketysplit is currently the only other runner in single figures at $7.00, while Nimalee is listed at $10.
However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and New Zealand form can be tough to line up. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Empire Rose Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Icebath (5) – $13
Jockey – Craig Williams 57kg
Trainer – Brad Widdup
Blew the start last week in The Invitation and finished off ok. Finished second at this track/trip last year in the Cantala Stakes behind Superstorm. Has two recent second placings behind Zaaki and Anamoe which reads well here but is becoming very costly for loyal followers. Take on trust.
2. Nimalee (2) – $10
Jockey – Damien Oliver 57kg
Trainer – Matthew Smith
*This horse has since been scratched.*
Finished midfield in the Epsom two back before an honest effort last time out in The Invitation. Should land a sweet spot from the inside draw and be in it for a long way. Each-way chance.
The Empire Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) re-draw has taken place.
Winners: Icebath, Nimalee, Kissonallforcheeks, Palaisipan, Elusive Express
Losers: Chaillot, Hinged pic.twitter.com/5CcxxMvwW8
— ANZ Bloodstock (@anz_news) October 26, 2022
3. Kissonallforcheeks (12) – $21
Jockey – William Buick 57kg
Trainer – Nick Ryan
Former West Aussie who was a good winner here three starts ago in the Lets Elope. Was back and wide last start and never really got into it behind Chain Of Lightning. Will need luck again from the wide draw but loves Flemington and is capable of bobbing up in a race like this on her day.
4. Kiku (7) – $23
Jockey – Jye McNeil 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Terrific win in the Theo Marks first up before a complete forget in the Epsom, where she pulled up with excuses. Should get a nice trail behind the speed here and will be strong late. Place chance.
5. Excelida (6) – $31
Jockey – Michael Dee 57kg
Trainer – Ben & JD Hayes
Honest mare who was good winning here two back before finishing midfield in the Tristarc last time out. Probably wasn’t in the best going on that occasion and gets the blinkers on here for the first time. Has a good record at the mile, drawn well and can finish in the placings at big odds.
6. Mirra Vision (18) – $41
Jockey – Joshua Parr 57kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Another mare who gets blinkers for the first time here. Form on paper doesn’t read too crash hot but her runs have been better than they appear and she loves the sting out which she should get here. On the other hand the gate is no help and will need luck.
7. Palaisipan (11) – $13
Jockey – Damian Lane 57kg
Trainer – Chris Munce
Qld mare who continues to deliver when the bar is raised. Good last start behind Chain of Lightning at Caulfield. Gets to the mile now which is some query and her form is better on bone dry tracks. Might find this her biggest test to date.
A botched barrier draw has caused controversy ahead of Saturday’s Group One Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington. https://t.co/5zYfOfGqUb @7horseracing #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/RRPJSXS7kC
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) October 26, 2022
8. Chaillot (14) – $51
Jockey – Daniel Moor 57kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
Made some late ground last start against the pattern of the race. Should be ready to fire third up here and can run some electrifying sectionals when on song. Needs to improve on recent efforts but is capable of doing so if the race is run to suit.
9. Belle Plaisir (4) – $19
Jockey – Barend Vorster 57kg
Trainer – Tony & Calvin McEvoy
Made good late ground last start in The Invitation last Saturday at Randwick. Good prior at Caulfield behind Sirileo Miss. Drawn well here, is a three time winner at the mile and loves soft ground. Gets plenty of ticks for a horse that’s 20/1.
10. Hinged (16) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – Brett Prebble 56.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
SCRATCHED
11. Fangirl (1) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – John Allen 56.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
SCRATCHED
12. Yearning (15) – $18
Jockey – Damien Thornton 56.5kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
Ran super first up behind Kissonallforcheeks before another nice effort second up. Should be primed for this third run back and out to 1600m. Will drift back from the wide draw and should be strong to the line. In the mix.
13. Daisies (3) – $21
Jockey – Mark Zahra 56.5kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
Huge win in the Stocks Stakes two back before an even effort last time, where the race didn’t pan out in her favour. Gets the shades on for this and will spend no petrol in the run from the gate. Can figure in the finish if she gets luck in the straight.
14. La Crique (10) – $2.40F
Jockey – James McDonald 56.5kg
Trainer – Simon & Katrina Alexander
How about this girl?
La Crique so bright and alert during her afternoon pick with trainer Katrina Alexander today.
Kiwi mare set to fly in Saturday’s G1 Empire Rose Stakes @FlemingtonVRC with @mcacajamez getting a trackwork feel at Mornington on Wednesday.@alexande1_simon pic.twitter.com/iupAKQP9zP
— Aidan Rodley (@AidanRodley) October 24, 2022
Star Kiwi mare who destroyed her rivals last start at Matamata in the Arrowfield Stud Plate. The second horse has since won a G1 by 5.3L. Looks one of the better horses to cross the Tasman in recent years and should get a nice trail from the middle draw with McDonald on. If the track is good/soft she should be too good, but if it’s heavy, it brings others into the race.
15. Elusive Express (9) – $41
Jockey – Ben Melham 56.5kg
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman
Runs this prep have been solid without setting the world alight. Won the Edward Manifold her only go this track/trip but needs to find a few lengths if she’s to keep that record intact.
16. She’s Licketysplit (8) – $7.00
Jockey – Dean Holland 49kg
Trainer – Andrew Forsman
A 3YO filly who raced keen on a Heavy10 surface and was solid behind Madame Pommery last start. Bolted in this track/trip prior to that. Has plenty of ability and they’ll certainly know she’s there with 49kg on her back. Can win if there’s a chink in the favourite’s armour.
17e. My Whisper (17) – $23
Jockey – N/A 56.5kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Got back in the winners stall last Saturday at Moonee Valley. Unbeaten in two goes at the mile but this is tougher and the carpark draw is no help.
18e. Atishu (13) – $41
Jockey – Brett Prebble 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Bombed the start, as she can do, last start and ran on ok behind Ellsberg in the Five Diamonds Prelude. Form prior was solid. Has a good record on soft tracks and should be well suited here at Flemington. Can run a race at odds.
Kiwi mare Atishu prepares for Saturday’s G1 Empire Rose Stakes @FlemingtonVRC @_GoRacing @TAB_Racing pic.twitter.com/7YWqYIlg45
— Aidan Rodley (@AidanRodley) October 24, 2022
19e. Pride Of Jenni (19) – $26
Jockey – Zac Spain 57kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Led them up and held on well behind Chain Of Lightning last start. Was well beaten in this race last year and has drawn the car park here. Not overly keen on her chances.
20e. Cliff’s Art (20) – $91
Jockey – Craig Newitt 57kg
Trainer – Matthew Smith
Was sent out at big odds but ran a huge race last start in the Tristarc. Three time winner over 1600m but would need to, at the least, run up to her last run to be competitive and the outside alley all but seals her fate.
Final Word
This year’s Empire Rose looks to be dominated by the Kiwis. Star mare, La Crique, will make her Australian debut, whilst 3YO sensation, She’s Licketysplit, looks to continue her good run of form here in Melbourne.
Impossible to tip against La Crique. I’ve followed her since day dot in NZ and have been super impressed with her, especially when she gets to a mile and beyond. She’s drawn well here and gets the man of the moment, James McDonald, on board. She’s unbeaten on soft tracks and it will take a good horse, or a lot of bad luck, to change that statistic.
With 49kg on her back, She’s Licketysplit, looks the danger to me. She was dominant in the Edward Manifold two back before racing wide and keen last start in the Thousand Guineas. Will appreciate a genuine tempo here and back to the big stretches of Flemington.
The best roughie in the race looks to be Yearning. She was very good in the Lets Elope first up before another sound effort last start. The 1600m at Flemington is a big tick and she races well on soft ground.
Icebath is becoming very costly but it’s hard to overlook her recent placings to Zaaki and Anamoe. She’s drawn well and can easily measure up. Include Excelida and Belle Plaisir in exotics.
Empire Rose Stakes Tip
14. La Crique – Win ($2.40)
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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
