In its short history as a Group 1 feature, the Surround Stakes has been claimed by some very good fillies, including Shoals and Probabeel.
It is one of the most open Group 1 races of the autumn and there is certainly no exception to that rule in 2022, with a case to be made for several in the Surround Stakes market at Neds.
You can find my complete 2022 Surround Stakes Tips below.
Surround Stakes – Winner – No. 7 Espiona
She has opened as a reasonably short favourite, and I am aware this somewhat counteracts what I’ve said above about it being an open race, but with the right run I think that Espiona will be the Surround Stakes winner.
Espiona stamped herself as one to watch during her brief debut prep in the spring, particularly her utter dominance in the Desirable Stakes.
She was sent off a short-priced favourite in the Light Fingers when resuming this time, and while she was beaten by stablemate Fangirl on that occasion, I don’t think that James McDonald actually got her up to top gear and she’ll relish getting out to 1400m.
Surround Stakes – 2nd – No. 6 Jamaea
In my opinion, this is the perfect Group 1 race for Jamaea, and I’m putting her ahead of Fangirl at the 1400m.
Jamaea was excellent during her two-year-old prep last autumn, and she returned in the spring for some more excellent performances and results, highlighted by a win in the Group 2 Furious Stakes.
She was mediocre in the Magic Millions Guineas, but was less than a length third in the Light Fingers, and she steps out this week in peak order.
Surround Stakes – 3rd – No. 3 Fangirl
She certainly has the talent and ability to win and she harbours plenty of improvement, but Fangirl drew the carpark at Wednesday’s Surround Stakes barrier draw, and I’m just a little concerned as to where she will be in the run.
Regardless, she barely knows how to return a poor effort, and she is on a four-race win streak leading into this contest, certainly highlighted by her fresh effort in the Light Fingers.
At publish, a jockey is yet to be confirmed, and whoever it is will need to pull out all the stops from alley 16.
Surround Stakes – 4th – No. 1 Yearning
I’m also tossing in a filly who could prove to be insane value at her current Surround Stakes odds of $31 – Yearning.
Yearning has returned several nice performances throughout her career, but she went to a new level in the spring when winning the Group 1 Thousand Guineas.
She might need the run and is yet to salute at this point of her prep, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see her class carrying her a long way towards the Surround Stakes winner’s stall.
Surround Stakes Suggested Bets
- 5 Units straight out #7 Espiona
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below