Image: Steve Hart
In Secret is the short priced favourite in the Surround Stakes
A crack bunch of 3YO Fillies will do battle in the Group l Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, where In Secret dominates betting.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Surround Stakes.
2023 Surround Stakes Speed Map
Can only see two go forward horses here, and they are drawn wide apart. Cinderella Days draws inside and should hold up early, perhaps leading. North Star Lass is drawn wide and will be going forward, and given she is a GaiBott filly, I dare the intention will be to lead. In Secret should lob into a beautiful spot from the good gate.
2023 Surround Stakes Runner Preview:
1. In Secret: It’s hard to get away from In Secret. High class filly for James Cummings that resumed in the Light Fingers two weeks ago where Nash rode her with such confidence and only pushed the button very late, driving hard between runners to win impressively. Fitter, up to 1400m, class, runs on the board…it’s hard seeing anything other than a win for this star filly.
2. Fireburn: She seemingly had her chance in the Light Fingers and I do hope they keep her to 1200m-1400m. Anything further and she is no good. That said, I think the Golden Slipper curse has continued with her.
3. Zougotcha: Great to see Zougotcha back at the races. Chris Waller trained filly that resumes, having not raced since a brilliant win in the Flight Stakes where she lapped up the wet conditions best and saw out the mile strongly to get the win. She has looked strong in a couple of trials and although 1400m is short of her best, she will be one of the strongest at the end.
4. Madame Pommery: Resumed in the Light Fingers and was good from near last when a close up fourth to In Secret. I reckon she has eyes on the Coolmore Classic but a truly run 1400m, she’ll be one of the strongest at the end.
5. Sheeza Belter: Thought she did more than enough in the Light Fingers fresh. Pike rode her with intent, having her on speed, and she just tired late. That toughen up run for this, more patient steer, dry ground…I think she’s right in contention.
6. North Star Lass: Trialled up like a jet prior to resuming in the Light Fingers where she was on speed and was there to win but I thought she was on the plain side in the straight, so jury is out, but from all reports, she worked super on Tuesday morning.
7. Revolutionary Miss: Market said it was a prep run when first up in the Light Fingers and while she was never a threat, I thought she found the line pretty well. Like her up in trip…does she have the quality to measure up? I’m saying no.
8. Sunshine In Paris: Sunshine In Paris is a filly I have plenty of time for. On face value, Maloney rode her a treat in the Light Fingers. But I actually think she’s a much better filly when ridden cold and saved for one run. He rode her to win last time and it all but worked, just getting nabbed by In Secret. I think 1400m is fine, provided they ride her with a sit, and has the change up speed to be dangerous.
9. Cinderella Days: Progressive filly that hasn’t done much wrong in a short career. Resumed in the Light Fingers where she attempted to lead throughout and gave a strong kick to finish third to In Secret. I highly doubt she is up to this level but with her racing style, she is an outside place chance.
10. Wolverine: Somewhat of a forgive in the Light Fingers given she got badly chopped out in the straight so the run was inconclusive. Far from disgraced in the Spring behind most of these, I wouldn’t be totally penning her.
11. Ruthless Dame: Ruthless Dame could have stayed in Melbourne but the stable have had their eyes on this race for some time and she does command respect. She resumed in the Manfred at Sandown on Australia Day and was very good late in the piece behind Jacquinot. Tick over trial last week at Rosehill was good and for mine, she looks like she will eat up 1400m at Randwick. Right in the mix.
12. A Lot More Love: She’s the sleeper from the Light Fingers. She got back to last in the run and was never a threat, but the last 100m or so, I loved the way she found the line, beaten just under three lengths by In Secret. If she can settle closer in the run, gee I think she’ll run a big race.
13. Razeta: Market said she had three legs when resuming in the Light Fingers and ran accordingly, failing to fire a shot after getting every chance it seemed. Needs to improve big time to measure up, which I don’t think she will.
2023 Surround Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
Having $100 Win on In Secret. She’s the best filly in the race and confident she wins.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $3450
Group l Strategy Return: $1873.50
2023 Surround Stakes Odds
1. In Secret (4)
J: Hugh Bowman
T: James Cummings
2. Fireburn (13)
J: Brenton Avdulla
T: Gary Portelli
3. Zougotcha (11)
J: James Mcdonald
T: Chris Waller
4. Madame Pommery (6)
J: Brett Prebble
T: Chris Waller
5. Sheeza Belter (9)
J: William Pike
T: Peter & Paul Snowden
6. North Star Lass (12)
J: Tim Clark
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott
7. Revolutionary Miss (7)
J: Kerrin Mcevoy
T: Peter & Paul Snowden
8. Sunshine In Paris (3)
J: Ryan Maloney
T: Annabel Neasham
9. Cinderella Days (1)
J: Sam Clipperton
T: Joseph Pride
10. Wolverine (10)
J: Dylan Gibbons
T: Kris Lees
11. Ruthless Dame (8)
J: Tyler Schiller
T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
12. A Lot More Love (2)
J: Regan Bayliss
T: G Ryan & S Alexiou
13. Razeta (5)
J: Chad Schofield
T: Kris Lees
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