2022 Futurity Stakes Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

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Thu 24th February 2022
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The Futurity Stakes is a 1400m WFA Group 1 race worth $750k, and is held on Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield. First run way back in 1898, the race is nowadays used by many horses as a lead up race to the $5m All Star Mile, held at Flemington in March. 

Some notable winners of the race have been Phar Lap (1930), Bernborough (1946), ‘The Goondiwindi Grey’ Gunsynd (1972) and Manikato who won the race on four occasions (1979, 1980, 1981 and 1983). This year’s race has brought together a small, but competitive field.

Looking at the market, Sportsbet has last start CF Orr winner, Tofane, favourite at $2.70 ahead of I’m Thunderstruck at $3.90. Mo’unga, who resumes from a spell here, is on the next line of betting at $4.80 and Sierra Sue is a $10 chance.


One thing we know with horse racing is that anything can happen and small fields can become very tactical affairs. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Futurity Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. I’m Thunderstruck (7) – $3.90
Jockey – Jye McNeil 59kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr

Golden Eagle winner at the end of last prep who resumed in the CF Orr behind Tofane. As expected, he got back on that occasion and was never given much hope the way the track was playing. In saying that, he got to the line well and his late sectionals were strong. Will drift back from the gate again here, but providing the track is racing fair, he is more than capable of getting the chocolates second up.

2. Streets of Avalon (6) – $23
Jockey – Brett Prebble 59kg
Trainer – Shane Nichols

Was simply outsprinted fresh, when finishing 5th to Oakleigh Plate favourite Marabi. Steps up to the 7 furlongs here which is a positive and he likes Caulfield, but feel he may need one more run to show his best.

3. Mo’unga (4) – $4.80
Jockey – Jamie Kah 59kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham

Talented entire who resumes here and has an excellent fresh record (4:3-0-1). Brings some very strong form to the races here, and has had a couple of quiet trials in preparation for this. Has to be respected in a field like this, and could easily put pay to them if things fall his way.

4. Tofane (3) – $2.70F
Jockey – Mark Zahra 57kg
Trainer – Michael Moroney

Was good to our followers first up, when she blew her rivals away in the G1 CF Orr Stakes. Back to the scene of the crime here, and it’s hard to knock her on what she produced on that occasion. Two time winner second up, and is drawn to get a good run yet again. Hard to beat.

5. Sierra Sue (1) – $10
Jockey – John Allen 57kg
Trainer – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young


Resumed with a good effort in the CF Orr behind Tofane. She was strong to the line there and has a good second up record. Her win in the G1 Rupert Clarke last prep at this track/distance was excellent and she gets a chance to hit back hard here.

6. Turaath (2) – $12
Jockey – Damian Lane 57kg
Trainer – Maddie Raymond

Has had two runs back this time in, the latest of those, a strong 3rd to Marabi in the G2 Australia Stakes. Steps up to her pet trip (1400m) here, can race handier to the speed and should be ready to peak third up.

7. Extreme Flight (5) – $14
Jockey – Damien Thornton 55.5kg
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman

3YO colt who resumed in the G2 Rubiton Stakes a fortnight ago. He got back and ran some of the best late sectionals on the day there. The step up to 1400m is a big tick and he is a winner at Caulfield. The big question is, whether or not he can measure up just yet at WFA, but going off his fresh run he won’t be far away from the action here.

8. Mr Mozart (8) – $46
Jockey – Damien Oliver 55.5kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes

Resumed in the same race as fellow 3YO colt Extreme Flight, where he was just fair. Has a poor record at Caulfield, but does get the services of D Oliver and the step up to 1400m looks in his favour. Has a win over Artorius last prep, which he would need to reproduce to be competitive here.

Final Word

A small, but tricky affair here where tactics will play a major role in the final result. Last start G1 winner Tofane is hard to look past, as she has clearly come back well and makes her own luck in running. I’m Thunderstruck was good against the pattern in that race won by Tofane, and will be looking for vengeance here, as will bonny mare Sierra Sue, who was also good in defeat on that occasion. 


The X-factor in the race is probably Mo’unga, who resumes here from a spell. He won the Winx Stakes first up last prep defeating eventual Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant and a host of other top line performers. Warrnambool trained mare, Tuuraath, will be ready to peak third up and 3YO colt Extreme Flight can easily measure up. 

With that said and done, I’ve settled on I’m Thunderstruck. As mentioned, his first up run was good against the pattern, and he should get a stronger tempo here, on a more even track. With those factors hopefully in his favour, he will be able to produce his customary turn of foot we’ve come to know him for and leave his rivals thunderstruck!

Best Futurity Stakes Tip: 1. I’m Thunderstruck – Win ($3.90)

If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Futurity Stakes page for all your punting needs!

*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Sportsbet.

Tom has had a passion for the racing industry from the time he could talk. Wether it was at school, on smoko or in his own spare time, he always had his head in the form guide.He has worked hands on in the industry for years for some of Australia’s most highly regarded trainers. As a track rider, he has put the polish on some of the best horse flesh to grace the turf in recent years including the grey flash, Chautauqua, Golden slipper winner, Mossfun and sprinter-turned-sire, Deep Field to name a few.Tom has recently hung up the boots to focus solely on his punting and tipping services. With the objective of finding plenty of winners and value in the marketplace, you’ll be sure to have a fat wallet following his feature race previews.