The Championships enters its second phase this weekend, with Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day set to ignite Randwick Racecourse. Taking place on Saturday the 19th of April, this special day of racing includes no less than four Group 1 races, a range of supporting events, and plenty of non-racing attractions to entertain the entire family.
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The highlight of the program is the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which will be joined by the Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes, Group 1 ATC Oaks, and Group 1 Sydney Cup. The Group 2 Arrowfield Royal Sovereign Stakes and Group 3 Girvan Waugh Royal Randwick Stakes will also be run on the day. Randwick Racecourse will feature a total of 9 races, with the first race at 12.10PM and the last race at 5.05PM.
| Time | Name | Distance | |
| 12.10 PM | Race 1 | FERNHILL HANDICAP (2YO) | 1600m |
| 12.45 PM | Race 2 | SOUTH PACIFIC CLASSIC (3YO) | 1400m |
| 1.20 PM | Race 3 | ROYAL RANDWICK STAKES (2YO F) | 1200m |
| 1.55 PM | Race 4 | ROYAL SOVEREIGN STAKES (3YO SET WEIGHTS) | 1200m |
| 2.30 PM | Race 5 | QUEEN OF THE TURF STAKES (3YO&UP F&M) | 1600m |
| 3.05 PM | Race 6 | AUSTRALIAN OAKS (3YO F SET WEIGHTS) | 2400m |
| 3.45 PM | Race 7 | SYDNEY CUP (3YO&UP) | 3200m |
| 4.25 PM | Race 8 | QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (3YO&UP) | 2000m |
| 5.05 PM | Race 9 | SAPPHIRE STAKES (3YO&UP F&M) | 1200m |
Being held on Easter Saturday, Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day will include a roving Easter bunny for kids and adults to enjoy, with Randwick also continuing with their $30,000 ‘Win a Cracking Fortune’ competition. The Longines Award for Elegance winner will also be announced on the day, with finalists selected at MYER Fashions on The Field during The Championships Day 1, Saturday 12 April.
There are a wide range of dining options available for members and guests to enjoy, with live music, an interactive photo wall, and a clinique lounge also available for racegoers to enjoy. Tickets for Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day are $40, with concession tickets available for $20. Gates open at 10.30AM, with the first race taking place at 12.10PM and the last race at 5.05PM.
In the news:
The Australian Turf Club has agreed to a push from stewards to move the rail out six metres for the second day of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday.
The ATC had planned to have the rail out four metres for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes meeting but chief steward Ray Murrihy weighed into the issue after he walked the course proper on Wednesday.
“The inside section is cut up and extremely heavy,” Murrihy said.
“We were no hope of it being upgraded from a heavy track if the rail remained where it was.
“We approached the club and strongly suggested the rail come further out.”
The inaugural day of The Championships was held on a heavy track last Saturday and Randwick recorded another 19mm of rain on Tuesday night.
Murrihy said he had the backing of jockeys in requesting the rail movement.
“To a man, the jockeys supported it,” he said.
There will be four Group One races on Saturday, highlighted by the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes for which Carlton House is favourite.
