First emergency Supara has gained a start in the Group 1 $1m The Coolmore Legacy Stakes (1600m), formerly known as the Queen Of The Turf Stakes, at Randwick on Saturday following the scratching of Victorian mare Politeness.
Politeness has been scratched from the Queeen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.
The Robert Smerdon trained Politeness was scratched just before seven o’clock this morning on vets advice, giving Gai Waterhouse the chance to win her ninth Queen Of The Turf Stakes with Supara on day two off ‘The Championships’.
Waterhouse has won four of the last five runnings of the Queen Of The Turf Stakes with More Joyous in 2011 and 2012, Diamond Drille in 2014 and with Amanpour last year.
The First Lady Of The Turf also collected the winning trophy with Light Up The World in 1995, Danglissa and Sorrento in 2000 and 2001 and with In A Bound in 2004.
The Queen Of The Turf Stakes will be Supara’s third run in this campaign after performing fairly with a first up seventh to Savoureux in the Group 3 $150,000 CHI-X Australia Wenona Girl Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on March 5 when she made up plenty of ground from the back.
The Domesday mare then set the pace with Tommy Berry in the saddle and fought on well in the straight to finish a half length second to Zanbagh in the Group 2 $175,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 26.
Supara will jump from barrier ten with Berry taking the mount again.
Waterhouse said on her website that Supara has trained on well since her second in the Emancipation Stakes and her number one work rider Steve O’Halloran claiming the mare’s work on Wednesday was the best of the morning.
Supara galloped from the 1200m mark and worked home the last 200m in 11.2 seconds, pleasing Waterhouse.
“Steve mentioned that this was ‘really strong work’ heading into Saturday’s Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes over 1600m,” Waterhouse wrote.
The Ciaron Maher trained Azkadellia heads the betting for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes at $3.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Emancipation winner Zanbagh at $6 while Supara is listed as $21 chance.
Queen Of The Turf Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.50 Azkadellia, $6 Zanbagh, $9 Risque, $10 Badawiya, $11 Suavito, $13 Lady Le Fay, $15 Noble Protector, Artistry, Miss Rose De Lago, $17 Pasadena Girl, $21 Heavens Above, Supara, $26 Asinara, $41 Vergara, Slightly Sweet, $81 Casino Dancer, $101 Coronation Shallan.
