George Main Stakes: Pro punter preview and best bet

The George Main Stakes is a Group 1 weight-for-age race over 1600 metres, run at Randwick Racecourse during the Spring Carnival. The race is named after George Main, who was a former chairman of the Australian Jockey Club, one of the forerunners to the Australian Turf Club.

The race has been around since 1945 and has some superstars of the turf on its honour roll – big winners include horses such as Kingston Town, Vo Rogue, Shaftsbury Avenue, Lohnro and More Joyous. More recently, the race has been dominated by champion mare Winx. The George Main was a regular step in Winx’s spring campaigns, and she won the race three years in a row between 2016 and 2018.

The race had held Principal Race or Group 1 status since its 1945 inception, and has always been run over 1,600 metres or a mile. Its place on the calendar means it often attracts horses aimed at major races later in the Spring Carnival, as thus often boasts a high-quality field. The winner of the race gains a guaranteed start in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap.

George Main Stakes 2022: Alfie’s preview

Track Currently a Soft 6 with some rain around on Friday. I will play it as still being in the Soft range..

Pace The speed is just average. I have Zaaki to lead and then Profondo and Converge next. Anamoe will settle midfield.

Runner-by-runner

Prices courtesy of TopSport at time of publication.

3 Anamoe [$1.55] would be fighting Nature Strip for the tag of best horse in Australia. He still has upside as a four-year-old and looked great first-up in the Winx Stakes.

1 Zaaki [SCRATCHED] is racing consistently over his last four starts, but can he go another level again to beat Anamoe as an eight-year-old?

9 Fangirl [$6.50] ran a strong second in the Winx Stakes and has still got some improvement. I think she’s a chance to knock off Zaaki, but probably not Anamoe.

10 Hinged [$12] will be forward in the run but will be tested by the top three and probably isn’t at their level.

6 Duais [$14] was disappointing in the Memsie Stakes, but that was very similar to her first-up effort last campaign. Her best will be at 2000m plus.

5 Profondo [$16] would be expected to an improve after running in a Group 2 second-up on a very wet track. The drier, the better for him.

8 Icebath [$18] has no jockey yet and is nominated on Friday at Newcastle with a jockey booked.

7 Montefilia [$18] is having her first-up run on a path to 2000m plus later this prep.

4 Converge [$21] has been well down over his last three runs and I can’t see him turning it around here.

2 Maximal [$51] I have it marked 1000/1.

Betting strategy

Top pick Anamoe

[Ed’s note: pre withdrawal of Zaaki] I think black figures is good enough for Anamoe. I think he has more upside to Zaaki and will keep progressing this prep. I thought he may have been vulnerable first-up, but he showed just how good he is.

$1.55