2011 Grand Prix Stakes Nominations & Weight

The 2011 Grand Prix Stakes is a Group 3 event over 2200m scheduled to be run at Doomben Racecourse this Saturday May 28th.

Currently there are 24 horses nominated for the race, all of them colts and geldings except for one very impressive filly.

Fillydelphia is first on the ballot and favourite with punters after a very impressive victory against much of this field last start.

She was the only girl in the field in the Rough Habit Plate and with the same 2kg weight advantage she’ll enjoy this weekend she put nearly three lengths on her next closest rival.

She paid around $10 for that win but you won’t get anywhere near that much this weekend as she made the boys look second rate.

Hour of Peril was the closest to her last start but from barrier one he had every chance and it’s tough to see him getting a better run this weekend.

Chateau Fort was the big favourite and unbeaten in 2011 before that run and he may have a case after getting caught in a little bit of traffic early on.

The unfancied Playaction was fourth across the line and also didn’t have a lot of space but even if he did he was never going to challenge for the win.

The top nine horses from the Rough Habit Plate are expected to back up for the Grand Prix Stakes with the extra 180m potentially their only saving grace against another Fillydelphia win.

From fifth to seventh last start was Equissential from barrier 11, Alma’s Fury which had excuses from gate 14 and Andre’s Choice which also came from wide in 12.

Those three are potentially the biggest dangers if they can draw better gates however they will still need to have found a couple of lengths of raw speed as well.

Underthebonnet jumped from 13 but was another length away in eighth ahead of the ninth placed Satch.

At the tail of the field and also nominated for this weekend are Quarterbar well back in 11th and Levi’s Choice which was 12th.

Just how many do start in the 2011 Grand Prix Stakes remains to be seen but remember too it’s not going to be exactly the same field Fillydelphia is dealing with.

Echoes Of Heaven for Mick Price is second on the ballot and has been working very well south of the border.

Leading is a New Zealand bred horse for John O’Shea which by all reports has been looking for this trip and Mr Light Blue is another new face high on the ballot for Barry Baldwin.

Throw into the mix the likes of Turnitup for Peter Moody and even a possible start for John Wallace’s Shoot Higher if he has some luck 23rd on the ballot.

As you can see it’s no certainty for Fillydelphia and the 2011 Grand Prix Stakes will still offer plenty to punters.

Barriers will be crucial as always around Doomben and our form guide and tips later in the week will tell you all you need to know to find a winner.

Remember to keep checking Luxbet for when odds are released and get yourself ready for the 2011 Grand Prix Stakes with a limited time $400 bonus bet.