Since gaining Group 1 status only a few years ago, the Surround Stakes has fast become one of the most open races at the highest level in Australia, and we are set for another exciting contest at Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon.
Thirteen three-year-old fillies will take their place in the 2023 Surround Stakes field, including several previous winners at the highest level.
Suggested Bets
- 5 Units straight out #1 In Secret
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
Surround Stakes – Winner
She has hardly put a hoof wrong during her entire career to date, and In Secret can claim another Group 1 victory in the Surround Stakes.
The well-bred filly has recorded five wins and two second placings in seven trips to the races, highlighted by a dominant win in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, while she picked up where she left off with a lovely win in the Light Fingers Stakes a fortnight ago.
I’m confident that she’ll take big improvement for that effort and is drawn ideally under Hugh Bowman.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 In Secret
Surround Stakes – 2nd
Zougotcha makes her eagerly awaited return to the races in the Surround Stakes, and she too wouldn’t look out of place in the winner’s stall.
The Zoustar filly hinted at ability during her two-year-old preparation but went to another level in the spring, winning each of her three starts, including the Group 1 Flight Stakes.
The booking of James McDonald adds further confidence first-up in the Group 1 feature, while she’s had the benefit of a couple of trials leading up to her return.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Zougotcha
Surround Stakes – 3rd
A bit more rain and I’d actually be pretty confident in her chances of winning, but I still think that Fireburn will return an improved, and strong performance in the Surround Stakes.
She went within a whisker of winning the two-year-old Triple Crown last autumn after consecutive wins in the Golden Slipper and Inglis Sires’ were followed up with a second placing in the Champagne Stakes, but it is fair to say that Fireburn didn’t find her best in three spring starts.
She clearly needed her first start back when sixth, beaten just under two lengths in the Light Fingers, but she should relish the small rise in trip this week, as well any the rain-affected surface.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Fireburn
Surround Stakes – 4th
Sunshine In Paris has enjoyed a fast rise to prominence since debuting back in November, and she is primed for another big performance in the Surround Stakes.
The Invader filly was an easy winner on debut in Canberra before filling the minors at Listed level in Brisbane.
She was freshened after another lovely win in BM78 company at Randwick on Christmas Eve, and gave In Secret a real test here in the Light Fingers a fortnight ago.
I’m confident she’ll take further improvement for that hit-out and she looks another filly that will enjoy the small rise in trip.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Sunshine In Paris