Quality five-year-old mare ESPIONA leads the betting for the $1.5 million Group 1 All Aged Stakes over 1400m at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday.
Trained under the guidance of Chris Waller, ESPIONA was last seen finishing sixth in the G1 TJ Smith over 1200m two weeks ago, encountering bad luck. On that occasion, she was hampered at the 500m mark before being significantly held up for clear running from the 400m until passing the 150m, where she finished strongly, falling short by less than a length.
ESPIONA has demonstrated a strong affinity for the seven-furlong distance, boasting five wins and a third from eight attempts. Therefore, the increase in distance this week augurs well for her chances.
Meanwhile, her jockey, Nash Rawiller, seeks his third All Aged victory after his wins on Bentley Biscuit (2007) and Hana’s Goal (2014).
Additionally, trainer Chris Waller is also pursuing his third All Aged victory, having previously won in 2009 with Danleigh and in 2021 with Kolding.
Amelia’s chasing the Quokka Jewel
Western Australia’s richest race, the $5 million The Quokka, returns for its second year, featuring quality mare AMELIA’S JEWEL potentially contesting her final race under trainer Simon Miller in the 1200m event before heading east.
AMELIA’S JEWEL is second-up in the slot race following an impressive first-up performance over an unsuitable 1100m in the G3 Roma Cup earlier this month, where she stormed home late into second place. Finishing second in this race last year despite a wide draw, AMELIA’S JEWEL faces a similar challenge this year, starting from gate 12. Last year’s Quokka winner, the Bjorn Baker-trained OVERPASS, returns to defend the title and has drawn favourably in barrier six.
Meanwhile, Ciaron Maher-trained BELLA NIPOTINA, who finished third in this race last year, also faces a tough task starting from gate 13, but she possesses the class to overcome the hurdles.
