Futurity Stakes Tips, Race Preview and Selections – 26/2/2022

The $750,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) is the first of three Group 1’s taking place this Saturday at Caulfield.

A small field of eight has been assembled for the weight-for-age feature, but what it lacks in numbers it makes up for in quality as last fortnight’s C.F. Orr Stakes winner Tofane prepares to battle not only Mo’unga, but one of the stars of last spring, I’m Thunderstruck.

This race has been won by some champions in the past, including Typhoon Tracy, Black Heart Bart, and last year’s winner, Probabeel.

With plenty of talent engaged, be sure to read our thoughts on each runner in this year’s Futurity Stakes below.

No surprise to find I’m Thunderstruck on the top line of betting.

The son of Shocking was one of the top stories to emerge last spring, winning both the Toorak Handicap and the Golden Eagle in succession to round out his prep.

He was well-backed fresh in the C.F. Orr Stakes two weeks ago, and while he did make up good ground late, the damage was already done in a race dominated by those on pace.

This tempo should be much more genuine and to his liking, while the added threat of any rain will only improve his chances. His second-up record doesn’t read great, but he loves racing here at Caulfield and should be a real threat.

Streets Of Avalon won this race two years ago and is also an impressive five-time winner over 1400m at Caulfield.

The son of Magnus returned to the races three weeks ago in the Australia Stakes at The Valley where he held ground for fifth behind Saturday’s Oakleigh Plate favourite, Marabi, while he was equally impressive the start prior when third to last fortnight’s Orr favourite, Sinawann.

Wet track form is in question, but so long as it stays dry, he’s arguably the best knockout chance.

Dual Group 1 winner Mo’unga makes his long-awaited return to the races after turning in some massive performances during the spring.

Annabel Neasham’s four-year-old beat Verry Elleegant first-up in the Winx Stakes at Randwick, and then followed that performance with a runner-up to Incentivise over the mile in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

The Savabeel entire was wrapped up the spring fourth in the Cox Plate and third in the Mackinnon, two strong form lines behind some of the countries top horses.

He hasn’t looked the same horse at the trials recently, but with a dominant first-up record and Jamie Kah steering, he’s hard to fault.

The bookies are finally giving Tofane the respect she deserves as a four-time Group 1 winner.

The mare by Ocean Park was priced a rank outsider first-up in the C.F. Orr Stakes, but she raced every bit like a favourite gapping her rivals by 1.5L after leading all the way.

There doesn’t appear to be as much speed on offer here, so it’s likely Mark Zahra chooses to settle in behind the pace and save Tofane’s best for late.

The Michael Moroney-trained four-year-old gave Incentivise a real run for his money second-up in the Makybe Diva Stakes last time in, and she only needs to hold her form to finish over the top of most of these.

Sierra Sue

Sierra Sue is a Group 1 winning mare that commands plenty of respect in a race like this.

She bounced back nicely from a disappointing end to her spring to run fourth in the C.F. Orr Stakes a fortnight ago, an effort she can only improve on after racing wide without cover.

She should appreciate the rails run here with John Allen retaining the ride, while her record over 1400m and her wet-track form both read well.

Turaath

Turaath presents fitter third-up and looks to have each-way claims.

Maddie Raymond’s British import finished strongly first-up at Flemington in the Standish Handicap, and was then seen doing her best work late for third behind Marabi last time out at The Valley.

Like a few others, she’s a tried and true 1400m horse with five wins on the board, and although this is her first look at Group 1 level, she can’t be underestimated.

Extreme Flight looks a promising three-year-old out of the Freedman yard.

The colt by Extreme Choice stamped himself as a horse to watch when he won his maiden by over three lengths at Moe last September, right before winning a Stakes race over the track and trip two runs later.

He wasn’t up to the task in the Coolmore, but he did return a pleasing effort first-up in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes a fortnight ago where he ran some strong mid-race sectionals.

His second-up form suggests he could be in need of another run, but a place would not surprise.