The barrier draw for the final Group 1 of the season, the $700,000 Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, has been woefully unkind to race favourite, the thriving six-year-old mare BELLA NIPOTINA.
BELLA NIPOTINA has drawn horribly in barrier 17 (although this will move in to 15 with emergencies out) in her quest to cap off a brilliant Queensland winter carnival. Her campaign has included runner-up spots in the Stradbroke and Kingsford Smith Cup, following her sizzling victory in the Doomben 10,000—all at Group 1 level. Now back in her own sex division and at set weights, BELLA NIPOTINA is well-placed to claim her third Group 1 victory.
The only other runner in single figures in the betting is C’EST MAGIQUE, trained by Chris Waller. This mare recently transferred to Waller’s stable and won her first run for him in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes. Waller is a two-time winner of the Tattersall’s Tiara and will be hoping C’EST MAGIQUE can become the first mare since Invincibella (also trained by Waller) in 2019 to complete the Dane Ripper Stakes – Tattersall’s Tiara double.
Iknowstar can shine in the Tatt’s Mile
The $160,000 Listed Tattersall’s Mile at Eagle Farm on Saturday could go the way of four-year-old gelding IKNOWASTAR, trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by jockey Tim Clark.
IKNOWASTAR has been ultra-consistent this preparation, with five starts resulting in one win and four placings since his campaign kicked off in late March. Last start, the bold front-running type was only caught late in the concluding stages, finishing 0.75 lengths behind the winner in third place in the Listed Wayne Wilson Stakes over 1600m at this track.
Punters can always expect a good run for their money with IKNOWASTAR, given his predictable racing pattern. With top front-running jockey Tim Clark remaining in the saddle, a well-timed ride could see him bounce back to his winning ways.
Chollima seeks redemption at Belmont
At Belmont, three-year-old filly CHOLLIMA looks well-placed to bounce back to her winning ways in the $80,000 Ratings 66+ Handicap over 1600m.
CHOLLIMA has shown promising ability in her eight-start career, securing three wins and two second-place finishes. She is coming off a run that was better than it appears on paper, finishing seventh. She was slow into stride, losing 2 lengths at the start, and had to be steadied near the 1000m mark. She was crowded and restrained approaching the 200m but was only beaten by 3.5 lengths in the end.
CHOLLIMA tries the mile for the first time in her career this weekend, but she appears ready for it. A kinder barrier draw than some of her more fancied rivals could also hold her in good stead to be a better winning chance under jockey Brad Parnham.
