Snapdancer tops 24 nominations for Tatts Tiara

A total of 24 gallopers have been nominated for Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

The event for fillies and mares is the final Group 1 of the 2021/22 racing season, while it also a number of these horses’ last chance at winning valuable black-type before they retire from racing.

Despite not having raced since her all-the-way win in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 7, Snapdancer is set to line up as the +350 favourite, with a recent trial win at Deagon pricking the ears of a number of keen trial watchers.

The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained five-year-old has a good record in Queensland, with a win and a third from her two starts in the Sunshine State.

Running second in the Sangster to Snapdancer was stablemate Away Game, and that mare is also expected to line up in this Saturday’s AU$700,000 feature following her recent purchase at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

While Snapdancer won her trial at Deagon, running second in another trial was second favourite Annavisto (+500), who is first-up following her runner-up performance in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) at Randwick in April.

Last year’s winner, Tofane, used the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) as her final lead in for the Tiara, and that is the approach that both Startantes and Brooklyn Hustle have taken this year.

Chris Waller has won two Tatts Tiaras in the past, so he will be hoping that one of his five nominated runners – Nudge, Kiku, Atishu, Written Beauty and April Rain – can add to his strong record in the race.

Gai Waterhouse is looking to win her third Tatts Tiara, while it would be her second in partnership with co-trainer Adrian Bott should either Shout The Bar or Vangelic salute.

Kris Lees has Wandabaa and Enchanted Heart entered, and Bjorn Baker also has two nominations with Lady Of Luxury and Bring The Ransom, while seven locals will look to take out the Group 1 feature on home soil.

The best chance for the locals according to the markets is the sole three-year-old filly in the race, Startantes, while Chris Munce’s Palaisipan is an +1700 chance with Bovada.

The final field for the Tattersall’s Tiara will be announced on Tuesday morning.