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2023 Surround Stakes Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

The three-year-old fillies take centre stage in the Group 1 Surround Stakes, which kicks off a feature race doubleheader at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Named in honour of the lone Cox Plate winning filly, Surround, the 1400m contest, now worth $600,000, has brought together a very strong line up, headed by Godolphins last start Group 2 winner, In Secret.

She’s currently a $2.10 chance with Dabble off the back of that win, with Zougotcha the only one within cooee of her in the market at $5.00. Lightly raced filly, Sunshine In Paris, is on the next line at $9.00 and rounds out those in single figures.

However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and there’s a host of well performed fillies in this race outside the favourite. 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 Surround Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. In Secret (4) – $2.10F
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 56kg
Trainer – James Cummings

Was a bit tardy into stride first up here at Randwick, but was aided by a cool ride by Nash Rawiller and proved too strong for her rivals in the Group 2 Light Fingers. Gets to 1400m second up here which looks ideal and has come up with a peach gate. Bowman goes on for Rawiller who is suspended which is not a huge loss, if any at all, and she looks the one to beat again.

2. Fireburn (13) – $18
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 56kg
Trainer – Gary Portelli

Dual Group 1 winner as a two-year-old who resumed in the Light Fingers behind In Secret. She got back with cover on that occasion and made steady ground to the line. The extra furlong is a plus here and with natural improvement can figure somewhere in the finish again.


3. Zougotcha (11) – $5.00
Jockey – James McDonald 56kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Talented filly who really hit her straps last prep, claiming two Group 2’s and the Group 1 Flight Stakes here at Randwick. She resumed last prep with a comfortable win over In Secret and has trialled up well in preparation for her resumption here. If she can get a bit of cover from the tricky draw she can pose a big danger to the favourite.

4. Madame Pommery (6) – $19
Jockey – Brett Prebble 56kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Group 1 1000 Guineas winner who really attacked the line well first up behind In Secret. She ran Zougotcha to a half length second up last prep here at this track/ trip and she’s drawn favourably in barrier six. Looks great each-way value at the double figure odds.

5. Sheeza Belter (9) – $18
Jockey – William Pike 56kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden

Showed plenty of early speed first up in the Light Fingers and held on ok to finish midfield. Not sure they’ll adopt the same tactics in this but the step up in trip should certainly benefit her. Her Randwick record is of some concern but she has the ability to be competitive nonetheless.

6. North Star Lass (12) – $19
Jockey – Tim Clark 56kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Sat wide without cover first up in the Light Fingers and showed a bit of ticker to be beaten just under two lengths. She’s a winner second up and here at Randwick and will no doubt be sent forward early from the wide draw. If jockey Tim Clark can obtain a couple of easy sectionals mid race she’ll be in it for a long way.

7. Revolutionary Miss (7) – $23
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 56kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden

Got back and made some good late headway, despite not having the clearest of runs, first up in the Light Fingers. She’s always shown plenty of ability and that run hinted she may be back somewhere near her best. Should get a nice run from the draw and the 1400m is no issue. Overs.


8. Sunshine In Paris (3) – $9.00
Jockey – Ryan Maloney 56kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham

Went from winning a BM78, to running In Secret to a neck last start in the Group 2 Light Fingers. Ultimately has to step up again here but has done nothing wrong in her short career to date. Drawn to get a cosy run behind the speed and Ryan Maloney has the benefit of having had a ride on her now. Not totally convinced she will run a strong 1400m but looks one of the main hopes on paper.

9. Cinderella Days (1) – $26
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 56kg
Trainer – Joseph Pride

Led and gave a huge sight last start in the Light Fingers, only to be run down late and beat 0.6L. Will be looking to adopt similar tactics here from the rails draw and will most likely look the winner again early in the straight. The last furlong will be her biggest test.

10. Wolverine (10) – $61
Jockey – Dylan Gibbons (a) 56kg
Trainer – Kris Lees

Former Kiwi filly who was placed in the Group 2 Tea Rose behind Zougotcha last prep. Resumed, like many of these did, in the Light Fingers where she was trapped wide and copped a check late in the race. Extra furlong will help here but she may need one more before we see her best.

11. Ruthless Dame (8) – $13
Jockey – Tyler Schiller (a) 56kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Won two from two her first prep, including the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington before an eye-catching first up run behind Jacquinot at Sandown. Fair to say she probably wins that race in another two strides and Jacquinot has since gone on to claim Group 1 victory against the older horses. Her recent trial at Rosehill was solid and she looks a key contender here.

12. A Lot More Love (2) – $41
Jockey – Regan Bayliss 56kg
Trainer – Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou

Made some late ground in the Light Fingers first up after an eye-catching barrier trial. Step up to seven furlongs is a big plus and she’s been competitive against the likes of Golden Mile and Matcha Latte, which bodes well for this. Not sure where she ends up from the low draw, as she likes to get back, but with some luck can run on into a minor placing at big odds.


13. Razeta (5) – $41
Jockey – Chad Schofield 56kg
Trainer – Kris Lees

Got back and held her ground first up in the Light Fingers. Another who will appreciate the rise in trip and has come up with a good barrier. Only has to find a couple of lengths to be very competitive here and may represent some good value.

Final Word

Despite In Secret having a vice grip on the market, this year’s Surround Stakes looks a fairly even race. Only three lengths covered the majority of the field in the Group 2 Light Fingers, which is the key form reference here, and there were some tidy runs in that race.

One of those runs I speak of was Revolutionary Miss. She got back and made some good late ground, despite not having the clearest of paths late, to be beaten just 1.5L. That run suggested she has come back in good order and the 1400m suits from the good draw. She started $4.60 in the Group 1 Blue Diamond as a two-year-old, where was beaten a whisker and finished second in the Group 1 1000 Guineas last Spring. Suggest more a place bet but looks big overs.

In Secret the danger. She was slow out but still proved too strong in the Light Fingers, despite the narrow margin. She’s drawn sweetly here second up and ran second in the Group 1 Golden Rose at her only go at seven furlongs.

The Chris Waller trained Madame Pommery is another who looks good each-way value in this race. She also was good from the back first up in the Light Fingers and will appreciate the step up in trip.

Her stablemate, Zougotcha, resumes after an impressive preparation which saw her go three from three and take out the Group 1 Flight Stakes. She must be respected, as must Ruthless Dame who comes through different form lines and looks a good hope. She chased home Jacquinot in good style first up but comes into this second up off a long break which is a query.

Surround Stakes TipLogo

7. Revolutionary Miss – Each-way ($23/$5.00)

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

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2022 Surround Stakes Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

The Surround Stakes is a Group 1, set weights race for 3yo fillies, held at Royal Randwick over 1400m. Named in honour of the lone 3yo filly to win a Cox Plate, Surround, the $600k feature is a key target for many fillies on the Sydney Autumn calendar.

Some notable winners in recent years have been Toowoomba-trained filly, Gold Edition (2007), Gai’s champion mare More Joyous (2010) and First Seal, who defeated, yes you read correctly, defeated Winx in this race in 2015. This year’s race looks to be a ripper, providing the weather gods are kind, with a capacity field of quality fillies lining up. 

Looking at the market, leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has a strong hand in the race. Sportsbet has his star filly Espiona a $2.20 favourite, ahead of stablemate Fangirl at $4.20. It’s double figures the rest, headed by Jamaea at $12.


However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and it’s a race like this that can throw up any sort of 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 Surround Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. Yearning (2) – $26 – Scratched

Jockey – William Pike 56kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes

G1 1000 Guineas winner resuming. Handles the wet and has had the benefit of two trials. Capable of running a big race fresh here.

2. Never Been Kissed (9) – $26
Jockey – Regan Bayliss 56kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Maiden to G1 winner last prep. Untried on heavy ground, but has to be respected on what she’s produced thus far. Given a strong hit out in her latest trial. Can race well fresh.

3. Fangirl (16) – $4.20
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 56kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Upset the stablemate and favourite Espiona first up in the G2 Light Fingers Stakes here at Randwick. That effort was no fluke. The gate (16) probably forces Bowman to ride her cold again, but if she can get through the track, there is no reason why she can’t win again.

4. Four Moves Ahead (18) – $21
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 56kg
Trainer – John Sargent

Disappointing first up in the Light Fingers, where she was in the market. Blinkers come off here to help her relax better, and she’s 1 for 1 on the heavy. Downfall is, she has drawn the car park.

5. Hinged (1) – $19
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 56kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Former Qld galloper who was good first up behind Fangirl. Got back and made good late headway on that occasion. Step up to 1400m is a plus and she loves the wet. Can figure in the finish here.

6. Jamaea (8) – $12
Jockey – Brock Ryan 56kg
Trainer – Robert & Luke Price

Good run first up in the Light Fingers, where she loomed to win at the furlong. Is yet to win past 1200m, and hasn’t seen a heavy track. Will get a good run from the gate, but I’m willing to risk her here.

7. Espiona (13) – $2.20F
Jockey – James McDonald 56kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Boom filly who was overturned by her stablemate, Fangirl, first up in the Light Fingers. She was odds on that occasion, but was far from disgraced. She raced wide and was exposed pre the turn by McDonald, and still fought strongly to the line. She brained her rivals last prep at Flemington, in her only go at 1400m. Bog track is the only query, but she has won on a soft6. If she handles the conditions, there is no doubt she is the one to beat.


8. Startantes (11) – $26
Jockey – Jason Collett 56kg
Trainer – Robert Heathcote

Consistent Qld trained filly who was good in the Light Fingers last start. Her late sectionals were good there, and the step up in trip is no problem. Has soft track form, but like many others here, the heavy going will be the testing material. Place hope. 

9. Zouzarella (17) – $18
Jockey – Chad Schofield 56kg
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman

Resumed with a strong 4th to Fangirl in the Light Fingers. Draws a bad gate here (17), which makes her task tough, and will need an 11/10 ride from Chad Schofield to be winning.

10. Heresy (6) – $21
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 56kg
Trainer – James Cummings

Another who resumed in the Light Fingers. Was good to the line there, suggesting the step up to 1400m will be beneficial. Draws to get a good run and can figure in the frame if she handles the wet.

11. Shihonka (14) – $31
Jockey – Rachel King 56kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Tough filly who has had a freshen up since two good runs in Qld. One of those was on a heavy10, where she finished 2nd in the G3 Vo Rogue Plate at Doomben. Her form is probably not quite up to some of these, but her ability to handle all conditions brings her into it.

12. Sweet Ruby (5) – $46
Jockey – Jay Ford 56kg
Trainer – Kim Waugh

Last start mile winner, in bm64 grade. Has had a trial since that run and draws well. Big step up here, but not the worst. 

13. Tilianam (10) – $91
Jockey – Tim Clark 56kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Plain first up in the Light Fingers. Only two wins have been 1000m. Bred to run 1400m, but from what we’ve seen on raceday that looks like an unknown. Untried in the wet. Happy to go around her.

14. Larkspur Run (15) – $41
Jockey – Glyn Schofield 56kg
Trainer – James Cummings

Got home well late first up at Caulfield behind the smart Artgentia. 1400m looks no problem going off that run. Has good wet form which is a big tick. Drawn wide here, but if ridden cold can finish off hard again. Chance at odds.

15. Ringarosa (12) – $61 – Scratched
Jockey – Keagan Latham 56kg
Trainer – Gary Portelli

Kembla Grange maiden winner two back. Struggled in a bm64 last time out. Has won on the heavy but needs to find a few lengths to be competitive here.


16. Hope In Your Heart (7) – $101
Jockey – Andrew Adkins 56kg
Trainer – Kerry Parker

Stablemate of Think It Over. Beaten in two goes bm72 grade this prep. Latest wasn’t a bad effort and is drawn well here, but needs to lift.

17e. Von Trapp (3) – $81 – Scratched
Jockey – Joshua Parr 56kg
Trainer – Mark Newnham

Well bred filly. Wasn’t disgraced first up in the Light Fingers. Ran a big race last prep in the G2 Tea Rose, this track/distance. If she gains a start, she is more than capable of measuring up.

18e. I’m Divine (4) – $91
Jockey – Tom Sherry 56kg
Trainer – Edward Cummings

Broke her maiden first up in good style. 1400m no issue, and has trialled since, beating Trekking. Plenty of upside, but maybe not here.

Final Word

Well it looks a race in two according to the market, and after doing the form, they do look the two fillies to beat. I speak of the Waller pair, Espiona and Fangirl, who fought out the finish of the G2 Light Fingers here a fortnight ago. Fangirl was able to nose out Espiona on that occasion, but with even luck in running here, Espiona looks poised to reverse the result. 


Of course, the wet track throws a spanner in the works, and there are a few horses that finished behind the top two in the market first up, that are capable of improving here. Arrowfield filly, Yearning, can run a big race fresh on the wet track. The Godolphin pair, Heresy and Larkspur Run, were good first up in their respective races and can figure in the finish, and Chris Waller’s third and least favoured runner, Hinged, is more than capable of getting the job done second up here in the wet.

As we saw in the Light Fingers, and again last week in the Hobartville Stakes, there isn’t a lot between the 3YOs at this time of year. I have no doubt Fangirl and Espiona are well above average fillies, but I’m going to go with Espiona on this occasion, as I think she can get the job done second up. Not sure I want to be taking even money on a bog track, but it’s hard to tip against her here. If you don’t want to put your hard earned on her at the short quote, I suggest a small trifecta with the above horses mentioned included. 

Best Surround Stakes Tip: 7. Espiona – Win ($2.20)

Next Best: Trifecta – 1st: 3, 7; 2nd 1, 3, 5, 7,10, 14; 3rd 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 ($40 for 100%)

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

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

Montefilia 03102020 7424 1024x683 1

2021 Surround Stakes Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

Can Victorian raider La Mexicana serve it up to the best fillies that Sydney has to offer in the 2021 Surround Stakes? Let’s take a look at each and every runner and find out…

1 – Montefilia – $12 👀🏆💰

Very classy filly who just peaked on her run in the VRC Derby but was outstanding in both the Flight Stakes and the Spring Champion Stakes where she knocked off a fair portion of this field. Will be better over longer and may need a run, but is super classy and is worth throwing in exotics and could still just win.

2 – Away Game – $9.50

Hasn’t been the same this preparation, her competition looks to have caught up with her now in their three-year-old season. Would have to find a few lengths to be in this.

3 – Dame Giselle – $5.00 👀🏆💰

I thought she did enough first up over the 1200m, the step up to the seven furlongs is okay and she will improve with more fitness. She’s taken care of a lot of this field before and will be right in the finish once again.

4 – Every Rose – $19

Had a dream run in the Light Fingers Stakes, and she’d have to have another birthday like that to win this one.

5 – Hungry Heart – $11

Never really delivered on her promise last preparation, with Dame Giselle and Montefilia taking care of her in every run last preparation in Sydney. If you’re a fan of hers, you are getting double figure prices here, but she will be better over the mile and at this stage is a non-winner.

6 – Forbidden Love – $14 💰

Was caught in a bit of traffic and had a less than ideal run in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on the Gold Coast, has been freshened and should be able to run a hole if things break her way and she improves from that run.

7 – Never Talk – $9.00

Keen to be against the Light Fingers Stakes form, so happy to leave her out of the numbers.

8 – Vangelic – $20

Lost a plate in running and was first up off a long spell, wouldn’t be surprised to see an improved performance, though the price is about right.

9 – La Mexicana – $6.50 👀🏆💰

Has been in outstanding form in Melbourne and brings a different form line to all of these as she chases riches in Sydney. Loses Jamie Kah but gains Aussie Tom, is in this up to her eyeballs and must go in everything.

10 – Thermosphere – $17

Hasn’t been suited both starts this prep but would need everything to go right, not sure she has the class of some of these.

11 – Elizabeel – $26

Another out of the Lightfingers we will be against.

12 – Joviality – $41

Admittedly is a massive price, but doesn’t look up to this at the moment.

13 – Philizzy – $101

Price tells the tale. No.

14 – Love Sensation – $51

Would need to start running now to have a chance.

15 – Miravalle – $31

Probably needs a few runs to be hitting her straps over further distance.

16 – Eight Diamonds – $91 💰

Good maiden win but flopped out of the gates at the Kenso last outing. Worse $91 shots around and it doesn’t take much to make her a winning result for you.

17e – Pippali – $201

No.

Tip: 3-9-1-16

👀 = Must Watch
🏆 = Big Winning Chance
💰 = Worth Including in Exotics

HorseWinPlace
1Montefilia (11)J: Hugh Bowman 56kg T: David Payne$11.00$3.50
2Away Game (14)J: Glen Boss 56kg T: C Maher & D Eustace$8.50$2.90
3Dame Giselle (9)J: Tommy Berry 56kg T: P & P Snowden$4.80$1.95
4Every Rose (16)J: Tom Sherry 56kg T: Mark Newnham$18.00$5.50
5Hungry Heart (17)J: James Mcdonald 56kg T: C J Waller$10.00$3.30
6Forbidden Love (3)J: Nash Rawiller 56kg T: R & M Freedman$12.00$3.80
7Never Talk (7)J: Jason Collett 56kg T: K A Lees$8.00$2.80
8Vangelic (8)J: Tim Clark 56kg T: G Waterhouse & A Bott$19.00$5.50
9La Mexicana (10)J: Tom Marquand 56kg T: A & S Freedman$6.50$2.40
10Thermosphere (5)J: Ms Rachel King 56kg T: James Cummings$17.00$5.00
11Elizabeel (13)J: Robbie Dolan 56kg T: J G Sargent$21.00$5.50
12Joviality (4)J: Brenton Avdulla 56kg T: C J Waller$34.00$7.50
13Philizzy (2)J: Andrew Adkins 56kg T: A J Cummings$81.00$18.00
14Love Sensation (1)J: Sam Clipperton 56kg T: K L Corstens$41.00$8.50
15Miravalle (6)J: Joshua Parr 56kg T: Mark Newnham$26.00$6.00
16Eight Diamonds (12)J: Jay Ford 56kg T: M, W & J Hawkes$41.00$8.50
17Pippali (15)J: Unknown 56kg T: J C Coyle$151.00$31.00