FEATURE PREVIEWS: SURROUND STAKES

Group 1 | No class restriction, Set Weights, Three-Years-Old, Fillies | $750,000 | Rail: True | Track Conditions: Good 4

Back to Randwick with the rail in the True position. Hot weather leading in and it depends on how much they water the track. Often with this rail position it can be harder to lead.

The Surround Stakes is a Group 1 race for the 3YO fillies and a lead up to races such as the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m). Won last year by Tropical Squall with Sunshine In Paris winning the year prior. One of the most famous renditions was back in 2015 when First Seal beat Winx by a big margin.

Waller looks set to dominate this race with the short priced favourite and four others engaged.

Tropical Squall landed the result last year at the $9.21 BSP, which was 2.5% better than Best Tote after commission.

Sunshine in Paris caused a mini upset in 2023 with a $13.15 BSP result, which beat best tote by 10.5% after commission.

Big field of 15 for this Group 1 and while there is not a hectic speed on paper, we should get a good tempo. LADY OF CAMELOT races on speed again for the right jockey and trainers with LILAC camped off, much like the lead up here a fortnight ago. The stablemate to LADY OF CAMELOT in DOMINETTA has led first up at 1200m in the past and she draws wide. They won’t want to pour the pressure on the stablemate but she might be stamped urgent early to cross and find a spot.

8 of these come through the Light Fingers here a fortnight ago. Can’t believe the money for LADY OF CAMELOT there as we were firmly in the camp of LADY SHENANDOAH. This filly had trialled the house down leading in. They simply couldn’t trial any better than here and #1 LADY SHENANDOAH put the race to bed in a flash. It was all over when Lloyd put this filly in the perfect position, much like how he rode Broadsiding last Saturday. LADY SHENANDOAH might not be as fresh here and draws a lower barrier today meaning she may just need breaks at the right time. McDonald will aim to keep her off fence you would think and she will be very hard to beat as the price suggests. Waller second up at a short price? We have seen this movie before. Of the 7 others through the Light Fingers it is hard to suggest that any of those can turn the tables. Wanted to see a little bit more from #13 DOMINETTA in her trial but it was a hot heat. She has a good career record, will be on speed and brings different form. Winner fresh last campaign and a huge price. Looks value.

1. Lady Shenandoah – Toyed with 7 of these in the lead up. Incredible trial before a dominant win. As mentioned, Waller second up at deep odds on? Scary. That said, think she is a star.
2. Lady Of Camelot – Looks the leader. Will be fitter and an obvious second selection.
13. Dominetta – Adds a bit of interest simply because she brings different form. Winner fresh in the past. Can roll forward and be ahead of most dangers in the run and give a sight at huge odds.

1. Lady Shenandoah
2. Lady Of Camelot
13. Dominetta
9. Amelita

A G1 mile win or placing in the Spring has found the winner of this race 9 of the past 12 years, including Hinged who we backed to win at $11 Betfair SP two years ago.

Tropical Squall, Kimochi and Tutta La Vitta fit the bill.

Tiz Invincible had no luck however in the Flight Stakes last prep and was dynamite early in her prep last time in. Maps much better this time than last start.

Can’t imagine betting here. #1 LADY SHENANDOAH is a star and should win. Have her marked around $1.70 here. #13 DOMINETTA the value for multiples.

The Surround Stakes is a Group 1 thoroughbred horse race held annually at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia. The race is run over a distance of 1400 meters and is open to three-year-old fillies. The race is named after the champion filly Surround, who won the Cox Plate, the Caulfield Cup, and the Australian Cup in 1976, and it has a total prize pool of $600,000, with $344,000 going to the winner.

The history of the Surround Stakes dates back to 1979, when it was first held as a Listed race. It was upgraded to Group 3 in 1986 and was eventually upgraded to Group 2 in 2007 before being elevated to Group 1 status in 2018. The race is now considered one of the premier events for three-year-old fillies in Australia.

Over the years, the Surround Stakes has been won by some of the greatest fillies in Australian racing history. In 2010, the race was won by More Joyous whilst in the middle of an eight race winning streak. Other notable winners include Shoals (2017), and Gold Edition (2007).

Trainers and jockeys who have won the Surround Stakes include some of the most accomplished and successful names in Australian racing. Trainer Gai Waterhouse has won the race six times, while jockey Hugh Bowman has ridden three winners. Other successful trainers include Bart Cummings, John Hawkes, and Chris Waller, while other successful jockeys include Darren Beadman and Jim Cassidy.

As with any major horse race, many people will be looking for Surround Stakes tips and the best bets to place. Racing tips from experts can help to guide bettors towards the most likely winners, and it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the latest form and betting odds.

One of the best ways to bet on the Surround Stakes is through Betfair, the world’s leading online betting exchange. Betfair offers a unique betting experience that allows users to both back and lay bets, giving them the ability to act as both the bookmaker and the bettor. This flexibility means that users can get the best possible odds, as they are able to offer their own odds to other users on the platform.

Using Betfair to bet on the Surround Stakes is simple and straightforward. Users simply need to sign up for an account and deposit funds, then browse the available markets and place their bets. Betfair offers a wide range of betting options, including win and place bets, as well as exotic bets like exactas and trifectas.

When betting on the Surround Stakes, it’s important to do your research and look for the best betting opportunities. This might involve heading to the Betfair Hub to look at the form of the horses, their previous race performances, and their trainers and jockeys. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the latest betting odds and track conditions, as these can have a big impact on the outcome of the race.

One betting strategy that many people use when betting on horse races is to look for value bets. This involves identifying horses that are underrated by the bookmakers, but which have a good chance of winning the race. Betfair strives to find value where you might not see it, helping you potentially make a bigger profit than you would by simply betting on the favorite.

The Surround Stakes is a unique and exciting event on the Australian horse racing calendar, offering plenty of thrills and excitement for both racing fans and bettors. With a wealth of information on the Betfair Hub from industry leading experts, and the world’s largest betting exchange, it only makes sense to sign up to Betfair today and begin utilising its unique features.