The final Group 1 of the season will be run and won at Eagle Farm this Saturday with a capacity field of fillies and mares lining up to contest the $600,000 Tattersall’s Tiara.
Madam Rouge, Subpoenaed and Nudge will fly the flag for Chris Waller as the champion trainer hopes to defend his crown, but he does appear to have his work cut out with Stradbroke Handicap winner Tofane taking her place.
Canterbury Stakes winner Savatiano and last year’s Thousand Guineas winner Odeum also make up one off the strongest Tiara fields we’ve seen in recent memory, not to mention the likes of Mizzy, Nudge and Dane Ripper winner, Brooklyn Hustle.
With a wide-open field lining up, there’s every chance this turns out to be one of the races of the season, so be sure to read our thoughts on every horse in our 2021 Tattersall’s Tiara Preview below!
Tofane
Stradbroke winner Tofane will have her sights set on a third Group 1 at Eagle Farm on Saturday after she won last fortnight’s $1.5 million handicap by half a length over the favourite Vega One.
The mare by Ocean Park looked destined for the paddock just over a month ago but again proved her worth with a well-timed run out wide under Craig Williams to claim the prize money.
She’ll need to produce a similar performance from another wide gate, but with some added fitness on her side and Williams opting to retain the ride, she’s no doubt the horse to beat.
Savatiano
Savatiano failed to produce her best when fresh in the Kingsford Smith Cup, but she is worth forgiving on that performance getting back out in trip.
The Street Cry mare is a 1400m specialist with four wins on the board, while she also ran second to Kolding over the same distance two runs back in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick.
Like usual, she’s been kept fresh for the run with a trial in between starts and rates as one of the main dangers to Tofane’s chances.
Mizzy
Mizzy is a very consistent type that is more than capable of winning a race like this.
Her efforts throughout the autumn saw her place in the Canterbury Stakes and the Coolmore behind two good horses in Savatiano and Krone, and she can certainly bounce back on a disappointing effort last time out at Morphettville in the Robert Sangster where she failed to give chase.
Combining her fresh record and the fact 2013 Tiara winner Tommy Berry has been booked to ride, it certainly makes her worthy of each-way consideration.
Flit
Flit returns to the races on Saturday after finishing second-last in the Robert Sangster Stakes last month at Morphettville.
She’s since had a trial between starts ahead of her Eagle Farm debut but does look tough to recommend having failed to place in three starts previously over 1400m.
Madam Rouge
Madam Rouge is having her third run back from a spell after making up a stack of late ground to run third in the Dane Ripper, a race that is always a strong form line heading into the Tiara.
The daughter of Zoustar has returned a place in two of her three starts at Eagle Farm now and looks capable of going on with it in her return to Group 1 level.
Sweet Deal
Sweet Deal will run her last race at Eagle Farm on Saturday and is likely to follow her usual pattern and press forward.
Her win in the Hawkesbury Crown three back was impressive to say the least, but she did look a little outclassed two weeks ago in the Dane Ripper when she faded late to run eighth.
She has won six times previously over 1400m though and might be worth consideration in exotics.
Brooklyn Hustle
Brooklyn Hustle is looking to follow in Invincibella’s footsteps on Saturday by complete the Dane Ripper Stakes – Tatts Tiara double.
The mare by Starspangledbanner received a peach of a ride from Craig Williams a fortnight ago to storm home out wide and beat Odeum and Madam Rouge to the post, a run that suggested she’ll appreciate getting out over further now.
Unfortunately the four-year-old has been a costly commodity for punters though, particularly in much easier races than this.
With Michael Cahill replacing Williams in the saddle, the current $10 quote seems about right.
Subpoenaed
Subpoenaed strips fitter for her last start where she finished only a length fifth to Tofane in the Stradbroke.
The Chris Waller-trained mare loomed as the winner out wide in the late stages and is capable of improving on that run with Hugh Bowman stepping back into the saddle.
We only have to remember as far back as February when the pair combined to win the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill, but the main query for this race will be over how she handles the extra 6kg’s.
Nudge
Nudge is absolutely flying and looks to be Chris Waller’s best chance at winning the Tiara.
The mare out of Fastnet Rock has won back-to-back starts over the mile at Doomben and Eagle Farm under Kerrin McEvoy as she steps out in search of her hat-trick.
This is a step back up in class for her, but she has run well at this level previously to find the placings in last year’s Vinery Stud Stakes before a strong fourth behind Colette in the ATC Oaks.
Providing the track stays firm, she’s one of the better value runners in the field.
Rocha Clock
Rocha Clock has raced well in much easier contests than this recently.
She made it a double with a win in the Group 3 Dark Jewel at Scone two runs back over the same distance and was last seen making up big ground to run third behind Nudge in the Magic Millions National Classic over the mile.
This is tougher rising to Group 1 level for the first time, but she has to be respected with a few wins on the board over 1400m.
Lyre
It’s been over two years since Lyre last won the Blue Diamond as she continues to burn punters for their patience.
The Godolphin-trained mare showed some improvement in the Listed Coughlan Stakes at Eagle Farm two back, but faded in the late stages in the Dane Ripper last time out to finish four lengths off Brooklyn Hustle.
This won’t be any easier.
Coventina Bay
Robbie Patterson’s New Zealand import was far from disgraced on debut when seventh in the Dane Ripper a fortnight ago.
She should be better for that experience and is worth consideration in exotics with four wins to her name over this trip.
Reelem In Ruby
Reelem In Ruby faded late to finish well down the straight in the Dane Ripper and would need to improve sharply to be any real factor in a race like this.
It’s been over a year since she last won a race and the market price well and truly reflects that.
Yamazaki
Yamazaki has been racing well recently, albeit in much easier contests than this.
She won the Listed Silk Stocking by a big margin on the Gold Coast back in May and has since gone on to finish runner-up to Nudge in both the Pam O’Neill Stakes and the Magic Millions National Classic.
Matthew Dunn’s five-year-old does have some strong form over this trip, but this still looks tough up to Group 1 level for the first time.
Emeralds
Emeralds was severely outclassed in the Coolmore last time out and is likely to find this just as difficult in her return from a spell.
The Sebring mare has never raced at Eagle Farm previously and should be better for the run.
Odeum
Odeum resumed to run when a narrow second to Brooklyn Hustle in the Dane Ripper a fortnight ago, a key form line heading into the Tiara with James McDonald retaining the ride.
The pair have drawn awkwardly again out wide, but considering Odeum likes to get back and run on, it might just play in his favour.
Last year’s Thousand Guineas winner is only lightly raced, but the step back up to 1400m looks ideal for him at this stage of his prep, and there is no question he’ll be charging the line late.
Dame Giselle
Dame Giselle won the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes over this trip at Randwick back in the spring but has struggled to piece together the same form since returning to work.
She ran a big race for third in the Coolmore behind Saturday’s rivals Krone and Mizzy, but her two starts since venturing to Eagle Farm have left a bit to be desired.
The wide draw only complicates matters.
Sierra Sue
Sierra Sue has drawn ideally should see earn a spot in the field.
The four-year-old strips fitter for two runs back and did well to hold her ground for sixth in the Dane Ripper.
Charliese
Charliese is coming off back-to-back wins at Rosehill and Eagle Farm and is looking to earn her first start at Group 1 level as the second emergency.
Jen Rules
Jen Rules looks unlikely to earn a start as the third emergency.
Tattersall’s Tiara Tips
Nudge at $14.00
