Just eight starters have been confirmed in the 2023 Futurity Stakes field, but every single one of them has either won in Group 1 company previously, or they look up to winning one.
The Futurity Stakes honour roll is packed to the brim with superstars, and the likes of I’m Thunderstruck, Alligator Blood and Mr Brightside attempt to join the list on Saturday afternoon.
Who have I put on top? Read on to my complete 2023 Futurity Stakes Tips below to find out!
Suggested Bets
- 4 Units straight out #1 I’m Thunderstruck
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
Futurity Stakes – Winner
If Timmy Clark was booked to ride Alligator Blood, that’s probably the way that I would have looked, but with the benefit of a nice fresh performance in the CF Orr Stakes on his side, I think that I’m Thunderstruck will win the Futurity.
Having recorded consecutive wins in the Toorak Handicap and The Golden Eagle during his 2021 Spring prep, I’m Thunderstruck continued to impress throughout a busy 2022 campaign, adding the Makybe Diva Stakes to his CV, while also only just missing in the Cox Plate most notably.
He was only half a length behind Jacquinot after flashing late a fortnight ago, and with any improvement at all, I think he wins this reasonably comfortably.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 I’m Thunderstruck
Futurity Stakes – 2nd
Don’t get me wrong, Blake Shinn is an excellent hoop – I just consider Tim Clark to be the best frontrunning jockey in the country, and he therefore compliments Alligator Blood perfectly.
A move to Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott’s stables last year resulted in the All Too Hard gelding finding career-best form, and he won the Stradbroke Handicap in winter, before claiming both the Underwood Stakes and the Cantala in spring.
He should find clear passage to the lead in this small field and clearly, he’s one of the Futurity’s classier entrants.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see him winning, but he might just find I’m Thunderstruck a little too sharp this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Alligator Blood
Futurity Stakes – 3rd
During parts of his spring preparation, I thought the Aegon hinted at returning to his best, and I give him a really good chance of another competitive Group 1 performance in the Futurity Stakes.
Aegon stamped himself as one to watch during the early stages of his career, winning each of his first five starts, including a Group 1 race in New Zealand and his first Australian start, the Hobartville Stakes.
He did go somewhat astray during his subsequent preparation, but was good in his return from a long break, winning the Group 3 Moonga at Caulfield in October, and only just missing in the Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes back in New Zealand.
His second-up record is exception, and he looks a bit of value in Futurity Stakes betting.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Aegon
Futurity Stakes – 4th
Mr Brightside was eye-catching into fifth, beaten less than a length in the CF Orr when resuming, and he’s another horse who should enjoy big improvement second up this weekend.
The Bullbars gelding has always hinted at top line ability, and he realised his during his 2022 Autumn Carnival prep when kicking clear to win the Doncaster Mile.
While he hasn’t managed to return to the winner’s stall since, he wasn’t disgraced in some outstanding spring Group 1 races, and his fresh performance this time hinted at another glittering campaign.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Mr Brightside