It’s one of four Group 1 races at Flemington on Derby Day, but there is a genuine case to be made for nearly every filly and mare in the Empire Rose Stakes field, and it is probably the most open feature on the card.
Tasmanian hero Mystic Journey will take her place at the 1600m mark alongside names like Nettoyer, Pretty Brazen, Missile Mantra and Thousand Guineas winner Odeum, and we are set for an outstanding contest.
Empire Rose Stakes – Winner
No. 1 Mystic Journey – Bet Now: $4.50
Mystic Journey takes winning form into the Empire Rose Stakes and importantly, gets back to her favourite conditions – a mile at Flemington on Saturday afternoon.
The Needs Further mare’s career has been well documented, but obviously the two stand out performances came here last year when she won the Australian Guineas and the All-Star Mile back to back.
She required her first couple of runs back this time to find form, but she was very impressive in the Stocks Stakes at The Valley last time, and she’s drawn to receive a lovely run on Saturday from barrier 5.
Empire Rose Stakes – 2nd
No. 8 Missile Mantra – Bet Now: $26.00
She hasn’t quite been at her best this preparation, but Missile Mantra has continued to improve and strip fitter with each start, and I think that she can run a cheeky race in the Empire Rose Stakes.
The Smart Missile mare has been a good horse for the Snowden stables since making her debut as a two-year-old, and she went within a whisker of winning the Group 1 Thousand Guineas over a mile last spring.
I thought there was a lot to like about her run for third in the Rose Of Kingston Stakes two back and she just tired late when finishing a half-length from the winner in the Ladies Day Vase last time out.
She looks to be at peak fitness for this contest and can fight out the finish.
Empire Rose Stakes – 3rd
No. 12 Odeum – Bet Now: $3.60
I simply cannot find a reason why Odeum won’t be in the finish of the Empire Rose Stakes.
The Written Tycoon filly has obviously been excellent this prep, and she is seeking a third-consecutive win after saluting in both the Prelude and the Thousand Guineas most recently.
She is drawn to receive a dream run, she gets in incredibly at the weights as a three-year-old (49kgs) and fillies have a terrific record in this race recently – I just wonder if a couple of these older mares have her measure at this point of her career.
Empire Rose Stakes – 4th
No. 4 Pretty Brazen – Bet Now: $14.00
Pretty Brazen is as tough as they come, and she can run another bold race in the Empire Rose Stakes.
The four-year-old daughter of Brazen Beau has raced well during each preparation so far, but she has definitely gone to another level this time, and won the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes before filling the minors behind Behemoth in the Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, most notably.
She is another horse that is at peak fitness for the Empire Rose, she has drawn an absolute peach in barrier 6, and he best is certainly good enough to win.
Empire Rose Stakes Suggested Bets
- 3 Units straight out #1 Mystic Journey
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections above