Gai Waterhouse’s dual defending champion More Joyous is back vying for a third consecutive win in Saturday’s 2013 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Rosehill Racecourse, the smart six-year-old heading the nominations for the fillies and mares’ weight-for-age classic.

More Joyous shoots for her third consecutive Queen Of The Turf Stakes trophy in 2013. Photo: Steve Hart.

This year’s $400,000 Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) has drawn 13 nominees the top entry being More Than Ready mare More Joyous who has won the last two editions of the Golden Slipper Day showdown.

Already boasting an impressive eight Group 1 trophies More Joyous will look to go another on the weekend when she goes into the Queen Of The Turf Stakes second-up this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

She resumed on March 23 with a brave second to her star younger stablemate Pierro, racing in the $400,000 Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on Saturday, in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) but getting up to the 1500m against a females-only field on Saturday should be in her prime.

“More Joyous is so well placed against mares at set weights their (hers and Pierro’s) biggest dangers are bad luck,” Waterhouse said.

Two last-start winners have been nominated to take on More Joyous meanwhile with the Guy Walter-trained Appearance coming off her second Group 1 victory in a tight Coolmore Classic finish at this same track and distance, and Aaron Purcell’s Group 2 Sunline Stakes champ over the Moonee Valley mile Spirit Song.

Other top chances then include Chris Waller’s narrow Coolmore Classic runner-up Red Tracer, former Epsom Handicap champ Secret Admirer who is also nominated for the George Ryder Stakes 2013, and even Mid Summer Music out to improve on her eighth to Pierro in the Canterbury Stakes last start.

Check out the nominees below and stay tuned for the 2013 Queen Of The Turf Stakes field and barriers out tomorrow.

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2013 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Nominations & Ballot

Rosehill Gardens – 06/04/2013