2022 Queen of the Turf Stakes Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

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Wed 6th April 2022
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The Queen of the Turf Stakes is a Group 1 weight-for-age race, held at Royal Randwick Racecourse, on day two of ‘The Championships’. 

The $1m fillies and mares feature has become a staple on the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival calendar, and acts as a grand final for many fillies and mares. Last year’s race was taken out by Nettoyer, who crossed the line first at good odds.

As we check out the market for this year’s Queen of the Turf Stakes, Dabble has Godolphin mare, Colette, favourite at $3.90. Doncaster Handicap placegetter, Icebath, and unbeaten Victorian mare, Yonce, are both $6.50, and Vinery Stud Stakes winner, Fangirl, is next best at $10.

However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen, and this race has a habit of throwing a rough result. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Queen of the Turf Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. Colette (9) – $3.90F
Jockey – James McDonald 57kg
Trainer – James Cummings

Had excuses in the G1 Chipping Norton, before a much improved performance in the G1 George Ryder Stakes last start. She should get a nice trail from the gate, and handles all conditions. Perhaps the only negative on paper would be her 1600m/Randwick record, but putting that aside, she looks hard to beat in this field.


2. Lighthouse (12) – $11
Jockey – Jamie Kah 57kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Consistent mare who battled on well after a wide run in the Doncaster Handicap last Saturday. She finds herself at the Randwick mile again, and draws another tricky gate which isn’t ideal. Will need some luck from the draw but is capable of finishing in the money.

3. Icebath (15) – $6.50
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 57kg
Trainer – Brad Widdup

Finished hard to claim yet another Doncaster Handicap placing last Saturday. Gets similar conditions here, and if she can get some cover from the wide gate, will be very hard to hold out.

4. Shout The Bar (10) – $26
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 57kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Returned to form big time last start, when she donkey-licked her rivals in the G2 Sunline Stakes at The Valley. Has a poor record at Randwick, and this race looks more high pressure, but a repeat performance of last start would see her competitive here.

5. Hungry Heart (11) – $31
Jockey – March Zahra 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Resumed with a good run in the G2 Apollo eight weeks ago. Scratched from last Saturday’s Doncaster Handicap due to the state of the track. Looks likely the ducks will be out yet again, which may seal her fate if they decide to run.

6. Nimalee (3) – $26
Jockey – Damien Oliver 57kg
Trainer – Matthew Smith

Honest mare who wasn’t far away in the G2 Emancipation Stakes last start. Drawn to get a nice run behind the speed, and gets the services of Damien Oliver. Capable of running a drum at good odds.

7. Promise Of Success (4) – $14
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 57kg
Trainer – John O’Shea

Got the chocolates last start in the G2 Emancipation Stakes at Newcastle. Prior to that finished close up behind Forbidden Love and Lighthouse. Has the right form and is drawn well. If she gets the breaks at the right time, watch out for her lethal turn of foot late in the race.

8. Vangelic (13) – $41
Jockey – Tim Clark 57kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Battled on well last start in the G2 Emancipation Stakes. Rarely runs a bad race, but is yet to win at Randwick in 10 starts. Might find a few of these a bit too strong.


9. Annavisto (6) – $18
Jockey – Rachel King 57kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr

Bolted in first up at Flemington, before a solid run in the G2 Emancipation Stakes. Drawn to get a good run on speed, and shouldn’t be far away again here.

10. Quantum Mechanic (14) – $34
Jockey – Damian Lane 57kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr

Made good ground first up in G3 company, before finishing down the track at The Valley, in an unsuitable race. Finished 3rd in this race last year at big odds, has good form over a mile, and handles all conditions. Looks to be one of the better chances at odds.

11. Mirra Vision (2) – $41
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 57kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden

G1 runner-up two starts ago, before a disappointing last start effort in the G2 Emancipation Stakes. Is 1 for 1 at the Randwick mile, and draws the inside. If the track is not too heavy, she can’t be completely ruled out.

12. Steinem (17) – $20
Jockey – Tommy Berry 57kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Resumed with a good effort in G3 company over 1200m. She covered ground on that occasion and was strong late. Steps up to an ideal trip now, and handles all conditions. Will go back from the bad gate, but if the speed is on, she will be hitting the line hard.

13. Le Lude (18) – $81
Jockey – Brock Ryan 57kg
Trainer – John Thompson

Destroyed her rivals two starts ago in the G3 Aspiration Quality at this track/trip, before a well below par effort in the G3 Epona Stakes. Drops back to the mile here which is ideal, but has drawn the car park. Will need luck.

14. Yonce (1) – $6.50
Jockey – John Allen 57kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Unbeaten mare who deserves a shot at G1 level. Although she’s only been beating around in benchmark level in Victoria, her wins have been strong, both to the eye and on the clock. Will get a suck run from the inside gate, and if she gets a clear crack in the straight, can make it 7 from 7.

15. Fangirl (16) – $10
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 54.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Got the job done last start in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Newcastle last start. Drops back to the mile here, instead of taking on the Oaks, and takes on the older mares. She’s more than capable of measuring up, but the wide barrier makes her task that little bit harder. Willing to risk her in this.


16. Yearning (7) – $41
Jockey – William Pike 54.5kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes

Finished behind Fangirl last start in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes. She got a long way back on that occasion, and made good ground from an impossible to win position. Surprised she isn’t headed to the Oaks, but who am I to disagree with master trainer John Hawkes. She’s drawn well, and with the right run, can measure up here at big odds.

17. Barb Raider (8) – $31
Jockey – Craig Williams 54.5kg
Trainer – Jerome Hunter

Victorian visitor who strung two wins together before finishing 2nd to Shout the Bar last start. Has good form at the mile, and is drawn well here. The Hunter stable wouldn’t have brought her up for this if they didn’t think she was good enough. 

18. Never Been Kissed (5) – $34
Jockey – Regan Bayliss 54.5kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Led them up and was run down in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes last start at Newcastle. Is a G1 winner at the Randwick mile, and will most likely roll forward again here from the good gate. Will be rock hard fit and can give some cheek at big odds.

Final Word

A quality field of fillies and mares lineup here for this year’s Queen of the Turf Stakes. Godolphin mare Colette is a deserved favourite, and has the form on the board to win the race.

Victorian visitor, Yonce, is probably the most intriguing runner. She’s won 6 from 6 in Victoria, and is stepping up to G1 company here for the first time. She looks very smart, and should have no trouble measuring up in this.

Consistent mares Icebath and Lighthouse come out of last weekend’s Doncaster Handicap, where they both ran well. They’ve both drawn a bit awkward here and will need some luck, but can both win a race like this in suitable conditions.

Promise of Success, Quantum Mechanic, and Steinem look good winning chances at double figure odds. All three have the right form lines for this, and look primed to run well, and 3YO fillies Fangirl, and Yearning both look capable of measuring up against the older mares.


Looking at the speed map, the race looks as though it’ll be run at a pretty genuine tempo. With that said, I believe the runners midfield and worse, will get their chance to run on.

I’ve found it hard to come up with a clear on top selection. The favourite Colette looks the obvious, but I believe Steinem could represent some big value. Her first up run was a good lead up for this, and her form over the mile is good. The stable is flying, and if she can get some cover from the wide gate, she will be charging home at the tail end of the race.

It may be a good race to play a trifecta or first four, and sit back with a cold stubbie, or protein shake, whichever you may prefer.

Best Queen of the Turf Stakes Tip: 12. Steinem – Each-way ($20/$5.50)
Queen of the Turf Stakes numbers: 12-1-16-7

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

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

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.