Fashion Icon ready to make a statement
The Desert Gold Stakes is one of those races which is usually won by a good horse; one who turns out to be a major contender for the major staying races for three year old fillies coming up in the next two months. Fashion Icon is one of those horses. She has already shown herself above average having won three of her six starts. It is just a question of how well she stays. Last time out she was beaten half a length by Sudbina, one of her rivals in the Desert Gold Stakes. Grail Seeker is the danger to both horses. She finished third in the G2 Eight Carat Classic last time and is the only horse in the race with a 1, 2, 3 finished at Group or listed level last time. She has scope for more progression having just five starts so far.
Desert Gold Stakes at 1600m 3YOF (G3)
PAST WINNERS
YEAR WINNER FORM LAST RACE
2023 MAZZOLINO 5291 Won Pukekohe
2022 LA CRIQUE 1131 Won Ellerslie
2021 FORCE OF WILL 611 1st R65 Tauranga
2020 SHOWBEEL 3138 8th 3YO Awapuni
2019 SECRET ALLURE 2482 2nd G2 Royal Stakes Ellerslie
2018 DIJON BLEU 1122 2nd Eulogy Stakes Awapuni
2017 NICOLETTA 2415 5th G2 Royal Stakes Ellerslie
2016 DUCHESS KATE 1541 1st R65 Ellerslie
2015 PLATINUM WITNESS 9141 1st 1000 Guineas Riccarton
2014 MONZOON 10L1 1st R65 Pukekohe
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