Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes Preview and Tips

By David on September 4, 2009

Randwick’s Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes is a big name puller this week, with several big names. The $150,000 race has a reasonably small field, with only 10 runners after Dreamscape was scratched.

Several big names have won the Chelmsford Stakes, including Lonhro, Pasta Express and last year’s winner, Gallant Tess. The Chelmsford is traditionally a good lead up race to the Group 1 George Main Stakes at Randwick in three weeks time.

O’Lonhro ($2.80 with Betfair) will start as the favourite, and looking at his recent form it is easy to see why. He impressed in his first taste of group racing two weeks ago, where he narrowly lost to Trusting in the Warwick Stakes. His sire, the great Lonhro, won this race twice, so the race may become a bit of a family favourite.

Not too far behind him is Court Command with odds of $4.50. He finished 5^th in the Warwick Stakes, but won before that. He will be looking to win his first group race since May this year, where he beat a field of 17 to win the Group 3 Darley BTC Sprint.

Despite the small field, there has been no love for Moody Avenue, who is at $251. The 4 year old made his debut late compared to the others, and won his first race three weeks ago, albeit a maiden. He has not had experience racing against horses of the calibre of this field, and I feel like entering in the Chelmsford Stakes in like jumping in at the deep end before you’ve learnt to swim.

Another one at short odds is Triple Honour ($6). Despite not winning since last year’s Premiere Stakes, he is considered a good chance. He is at short odds considering his trainer is not anticipated a win. Triple Honour could definitely finish in the top three, but those odds are not looking juicy enough for me yet.

Trainer Joseph Pride has two horses in this race, Vision and Power ($7) and Miss Marielle ($10). They are both good chances, although Miss Marielle has not run in a group race for some time. Vision and Power disappointed in the Warwick Stakes but has an excellent record before then.

I think that although O’Lonhro is still inexperienced, he has shown that he can fight out the group races and I think the Chelmsford will become his first group win. I think Vision and Power and Court Command are the next two in the race, and my other tip will go to the Anthony Cummings trained Miss Darcey ($21).