The time-honoured Futurity Stakes, now worth $750,000, is the second of three Group 1’s to be held at Sandown Lakeside Racecourse on Saturday. Superstar sprinters, milers and even some of the country’s greatest stayers have taken out the 1400m weight-for-age feature in years gone by and a quality field has been assembled yet again on what should be a cracking days racing, highlighted by the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes for the two-year-olds.
Looking at the market, Dabble has I’m Thunderstruck at the top, despite his first up defeat. He’s currently a $3.20 chance, just ahead of Alligator Blood at $3.80, who resumes here from a spell. Doncaster winner, Mr Brightside, is on the next line at $5.50 along with Nugget at $6.00.
As punters, we know anything can happen in horse racing and these small fields can become very tactical affairs. 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 2023 Futurity Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. I’m Thunderstruck (3) – $3.20F
Jockey – Jamie Kah 59kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
Did more than enough first up in the CF Orr coming off the back of a slow tempo and running some good late sectionals. Stays at 1400m where the tempo will more than likely be pedestrian again. All Star Mile is his main goal but will take plenty of beating if the race sets up in his favour.
2. Alligator Blood (4) – $3.80
Jockey – Blake Shinn 59kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Guess who’s back on Saturday❓⁉️
ALLIGATOR BLOOD returns in the G1 Futurity Stakes @MelbRacingClub! 🐊🩸
Who is excited for the return of the G1 Champions Mile winner? 🙋@FlemingtonVRC @GaiWaterhouse1 @davecama pic.twitter.com/E1X7RCi77U
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) February 22, 2023
Dual Group 1 winner in the Spring who resumes here off the back of a couple of solid hitouts at the trials. He’s a three time winner first up and has a fantastic 1400m record. Should find the front in the small field here which gives him a massive tactical advantage. The one they have to run down.
3. Mr Brightside (5) – $5.50
Jockey – Craig Williams 59kg
Trainer – Ben & JD Hayes
Really got home hard first up in the CF Orr clocking some good late splits. Has a far better second up record and is a winner at this track. Capable of landing a bit closer from the good draw and has to be respected.
4. Laws Of Indices (8) – $14
Jockey – Ben Melham 59kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Ridden on speed fist up in the Apollo Stakes and was a bit lacklustre to the line. Should be improved by that run and was good in the Spring, racing the Melbourne way of going. If he can repeat his Hong Kong Mile run he’s in with a chance but he has to be taken on trust.
5. Aegon (6) – $17
Jockey – Michael Dee 59kg
Trainer – Andrew Forsman
Got back and saved ground along the inside first up in the CF Orr to finish just on the heels of the placegetters. Won three from four second up and was close up in the Cantala behind Alligator Blood in the Spring. Not out of it.
6. My Oberon (7) – $11
Jockey – Ethan Brown 59kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Former British galloper who erupted onto the scene with a brilliant win first up in the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley last prep. He then finished 1.8L off Alligator Blood in the Cantala and was spelled. Winner of four from six fresh who clearly has a stack of potential. May pay to watch the market.
7. Mr Mozart (1) – $18
Jockey – Damien Oliver 59kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
🔥 It’s a small, but hot field for the G1 Futurity Stakes:
1. I’m Thunderstruck (3)
2. Alligator Blood (4)
3. Mr Brightside (5)
4. Laws Of Indices (8)
5. Aegon (6)
6. My Oberon (7)
7. Mr Mozart (1)
8. Nugget (2)#Sandown pic.twitter.com/YkZ0YdYkjF— bet365 AUS (@bet365_aus) February 22, 2023
Should’ve won first up at Randwick in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes. Has been somewhat thrown in the deep end here, going straight to Group 1 WFA. Will roll forward from the inside draw and give a sight, but others look to have stronger form lines.
8. Nugget (2) – $6.00
Jockey – John Allen 59kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Gave Detonator Jack the fright of his life before winning three on the bounce. First go at Group 1 WFA last start in the CF Orr and he went super. Will get a good run behind the speed here and can figure in the finish once again.
Final Word
Just eight runners are set to do battle for Group 1 glory here in what will most likely become a tactical affair. All runners are under the $20 mark and their form suggests there isn’t a lot between them.
Despite the likelihood of a slow tempo, I’m happy to land on I’m Thunderstruck. He was good from the back first up in the CF Orr off a slow tempo and feel with that run under the belt, he might just have too much class for his rivals here.
The second elect in the market, Alligator Blood, looks the likely leader and main danger. His form has really turned a corner in the past 12 months and he’s had two solid hitouts in preparation for this. He’s a tough customer to get past and as already discussed, he’s got a big tactical advantage here.
Former Europeans Nugget and My Oberon command plenty of respect in the small field. Both have a brilliant turn of foot and are blessed with a stack of ability. And Doncaster winner, Mr Brightside, can’t be left out of contention after a brilliant return in the CF Orr.
Futurity Stakes Tip
1. I’m Thunderstruck – Win ($3.20)
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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
