A field of just 10 classy stayers will take on the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington this Saturday, the last race day of the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Lexus Stakes runner-up Big Memory is our pick to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes is one of five Group races on Stakes Day, running at 3:00pm (AEDT).
Noble Protector opened the betting market at Ladbrokes.com.au as favourite, continuing to offer the lowest price to win the one and a half mile race at $3.20. The Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m) runner-up last time out is followed in the betting by Prince Of Penzance ($4.20), Big Memory ($5.50), and Le Roi ($6).
Will the favourite justifying her favouritism and win the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes? Check out the Races.com.au picks for the race below.
1st
#2 Big Memory ($5.50)
Tony McEvoy’s five-year-old gelding missed out on a win in the Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) last time out, and thus a place on the field for the 2014 Melbourne Cup, but is in-form to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday. After winning the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on October 11, the gelding was sent to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). Despite finishing 10th he was just three lengths off the winner Admire Rakti in a very honest race, especially considering it was his first at the top class. Big Memory was right there to challenge Lexus Stakes winner Signoff at the 400m next time out but in the end his topweight of 58 was too much against Signoff’s 56.5kg. Is a proven winner over the distance.
2nd
#8 Noble Protector ($3.20)
The Robert Smerdon-trained five-year-old mare is favourite for the race, and looking at her form it’s not hard to see why. From her 10 career starts she has placed in the top three eight times, including three wins, the last of which was the Listed Aphrodite Stakes (2400m) in Britain back in June. She made her Australian racing debut last month in the David Jones Cup, in which she finished second. The mare went forward to be on the speed and struck the front at the 300m mark. She fought it out well to run second but may have been a bit dour.
3rd
#5 Bring Something ($11)
Ken Keys’ four-year-old gelding is offering a great price for punters looking for either a straight out winner or trifecta pick. Her career up until October was a little hit and miss though she appears to have turned it around for the better. Back-to-back wins in the Jordans Cereal Bowl (2400m) and Listed Bendigo Cup (2400m) put her back on the winning track and show she is a potential stayer at the 2600m distance of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Do you agree with our 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes tips or do you have a different winner in mind? Either way, back them at Ladbrokes.com.au today for the best odds.
Get a little bit extra in your pocket on the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Best Tote or SP + 20% available at the online bookmaker. That means you’ll earn an additional 20% on top of your potential winnings!
