GROUP TWO TED VAN HEEMST STAKES TIPS

Ted Van Heemst Stakes Top Tips

As the dust begins to settle on the Western Australian Group One contests there is still a bit of business left to attend to with the Group Two Ted Van Heemst stakes attracting interest from local and national entrants with $250,000 in prize money up for grabs.

Formerly known as the C B Cox Stakes, the now Ted Van Heemst Stakes is a weight for age contest that takes place at Ascot Racecourse each year under weight for age conditions. The Group Two feature carries a prize pool of $250,000 and in 2022 is contest by a host of local hopefuls as well as a number of interstate runners. 

The Ted Van Heemst Stakes isn’t one of the most recognisable races on the racing calendar however it is a Group Two graded contest which on a weekend of racing in Summer is the highest graded race taking place on the weekend of the 17th September.

Given the time of year as well as the prize money attached the Ted Van Heemst still garners a quality field with the likes of Regal Power and Galaxy Star winning the race in recent years before going on to win at Group One level.

Ted Van Heemst Stakes 2022 Race Overview

The Ted Van Heest Stakes looks to be a quality race with a total of 12 runners being nominated and making the final field which is set to race this Saturday 17th December at Ascot Racecourse in Perth.

The field for the Group Two feature comprises of 10 local Western Australian horse and two interstate raiders in the form of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Stienem and Will Clarken trained runner Ironclad.

Those interstate runners are supported and ridden by two interstate jockey’s with New South Wales based hoop Nash Rawiller set to partner Ironclad and Victorian based jockey John Allen set to ride Stienem.

Given there performances in the Group One Northerly Stakes at Ascot last time out Stienem and Ironclad are at the top of the market as $2.70 and $3.40 first and second favourites for the race. Stienem has drifted slightly from his opening quote of $2.60 due to backing of third favourite and local runner Marocchino who has moved in from $5 to $4.80 in the betting. 

Outside of these three runners in Ted Van Heemst Stakes betting only Dom to Shoot and God Has Chosen come close to single figures with both at $11 on the fourth line of betting. The rest of the field sits at $20 bar.

Top Tips for the 2022 Ted Van Heemst Stakes

Ted Van Heemst Stakes Top Pick #1 - Steinem

Trainer - Ciaron Maher and David Eustace

Price - $2.70

We’ll kick off our selections for the Group Two Ted Van Heemst Stakes with race favourite Stienem. 

Steinem is beginning to get the reputation of a nearly horse despite this British import having the ability to start collecting wins on a regular basis. A daughter of Frankel, she has been at the top of betting in a number of races when failing to fire and the pattern seems to be emerging again this campaign.

Had every chance to win the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes at the end of Spring before finding Atishu to strong in the latter stages of the race. Was quickly moved over to Western Australia in preparation for a run in the Group One Northerly Stakes.

Last time out in the Northerly, Steinem looked to travel well in the race having a clear run in midfield before hitting traffic in the home straight. She had all the room though in the final stages to get through and showed a nice turn of foot to finish third. 

On that day no one was stopping Amelia’s Jewel for Simon Millar and with a much softer field here as well as the extra distance which looks to suit. She should be capable of winning this race and will be in the finish once again.

Ted Van Heemst Stakes Top Pick #2 - Ironclad

Trainer - Will Clarken

Price - $3.40

It’s tough to argue with the Northerly Stakes form given the runners that are $20 plus in this field have failed to even score at Listed Grade and Trap for Fools has failed to win a major race since 2019. 

That has led us to runner up in the Northerly Stakes field, Ironclad.

Under a hot tempo in the Group One Northerly Stakes Ironclad travelled comfortably throughout and kicked strongly down the home straight to maintain his second place he had held throughout the race. 

As referenced above. No one was stopping Amelia’s Jewel in that race as she showed she was a level above on that day. However Ironclad demonstrated he’s no mug either when maintaining the strong tempo to finish second. In the frame only Group One winner Cascadian was making ground late when he hit the line strongly. 

Looks to have the class on the most of these and if he can build on his Northerly Stakes placing he can go close here. 

Ted Van Heemst Stakes Pick #3 - Dom to Shoot

Trainer - Sean & Jake Casey

Price - $11.00

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of depth in this race and one with form and a recent win is Dom to Shoot. 

Another one coming through the Northerly Stakes who was back in the field but finished off well and looked to have plenty in the tank when hitting the line. 

On that day jockey Paul Harvey sat back and was checked at the 700m marker meaning that he had to pull three wide coming into the straight. Struggled to find any clear air during the race and when asked for something in the straight he seemed to let down and close going to the line to finish off within three lengths of the winner. 

The extra distance and smaller field looks to suit this five year old gelding and given the clear air it will be interesting to see how close he can actually finish this time around.

Ted Van Heemst Stakes 2022 Top Tip

Based on form the winner should be coming from one of these three runners as the others have too many question marks or inconsistent form for our consideration. 

Our top selection is Dom To Shoot. 

After weighing up all angles Ironclad should jump to the front from barrier two and be able to hold off Stienem who failed to gain any ground on the gelding in the closing stages of the Northerly Stakes.

In that same race, the way Dom to Shoot was looking to finish suggests he should be flying late with the extra distance set to suit and at the price we’re willing to take an each way gamble. 

Back Dom To Shoot each way at $11.