Amanpour is set to contest the 2015 Stocks Stakes and trainer Gai Waterhouse is confident that the talented mare can bounce back to her best form in the Group 2 at Moonee Valley.
Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner Amanpour has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley tonight. Photo by: Steve Hart
Amanpour stamped herself as one of the best mares in Australia when she finished second in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28 and took out the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 11, but she has failed to fire in two race starts this preparation.
The daughter of Northern Meteor returned to the races in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 12 and she was never able to get into the race before she beat just two mares home when sixth behind Peeping in the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Waterhouse admits that Amanpour is yet to find her best form this preparation, but she told Racing Ahead that she is confident the five-year-old can take out the 2015 Stocks Stakes if she is able return to anywhere near her best form.
“Amanpour is still to strike her form, but she is one of the best mile mares in Australia,” Waterhouse said.
“It will be very interesting tonight because this is a most winnable race.
“Amanpour looks a treat and I am expecting the red and white colours of Rosemont to be flying the flag.”
Amanpour was allocated barrier one when the 2015 Stocks Stakes field was released earlier in the week and that gate has proven to be somewhat of a graveyard at Moonee Valley, but Waterhouse is hopeful that the tough mare will be able to jump cleanly and take up the running like she did when she won the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
“I hope that it does,” Waterhouse said when asked if the inside barrier would suit Amanpour.
“Many say that the inside barrier is the worst barrier, but I am not too sure.”
Amanpour is currently available at 2015 Stocks Stakes odds of $3.50 with Ladbrokes, while Group 1 winner May’s Dream ($2.80) is a clear favourite from Team Hawkes-trained Sardaaj ($5), Vinery Stud Stakes winner Fenway ($7.50), the consistent Precious Gem ($7.50), Queensland Oaks placegetter Ungrateful Ellen ($10) and Mick Kent-trained Scratchy Bottom ($15).
