The final Group 1 races of the Sydney Autumn Carnival will be contested at Royal Randwick on 2022 All Aged Stakes Day.
The rail will be set out eight metres from 1600m-W/Post and five metres the remainder, while at publish, the track is rated in the Heavy (8) range.
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Race 1 – 11:30pm – Highway Handicap (1200m)
Following a couple of weeks’ hiatus, a good old fashioned Highway Handicap kicks off the action on All Aged Stakes Day, and I think that Optimo can win.
Optimo hasn’t been seen at the races since December, but he did return a winner last time in.
His recent trial at Port Macquarie suggested that he is forward and ready to strike, and we can have an each-way play at around the $8 mark.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 1
Race 2 – 12:05pm – Midway Handicap (1400m)
This is another wide-open contest and at publish, we’re faced with $5 the field.
Achira looks to be nearing peak fitness, and something like this doesn’t look beyond her.
The Maurice filly has mixed her form in three starts back, but she mustered an impressive turn of foot to strike in a similar contest at Rosehill two back, and this is a drop in class from her last-start effort in the Group 3 Adrian Knox.
I think that she is a touch of overs at around the $12 mark.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 2
Race 3 – 12:35pm – Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m)
Straight Arron destroyed them in the Carbine Club Stakes a fortnight ago, and he can add the Frank Packer Plate to his CV on Saturday.
The Fastnet Rock gelding has recorded two wins and a close-up second from his three career starts so far, and there is no doubt that his last run was the best of them.
Fitter third-up and out to 2000m, I’m eager to have a decent crack.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 3
Race 4 – 1:15pm – Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m)
Does Fireburn just win the Champagne Stakes? The $1.50 about her at publish certainly suggests as much.
Let’srollthedice is the intriguing runner in this year’s Champagne Stakes field, in my opinion, but I’m just not sure he’s up to denying Fireburn the Triple Crown, so I am going to stay out.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 4
Race 5 – 1:50pm – Group 3 James H.B Carr Stakes (1400m)
Espiona has started each of her three races back this time quite firm in the market, but she is yet to salute. Regardless, this is quite clearly the easiest task that she has been set, and following a freshen-up, I think she’ll be winning.
The Extreme Choice filly stamped herself as one to watch with two dominant wins on debut in spring, and she only just missed behind subsequent Group 1 winner Fangirl in the Light Fingers first-up this time.
With even luck, she really should just be winning this race.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 5
Race 6 – 2:25pm – Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m)
Big Parade has opened a short-priced favourite in Hall Mark Stakes betting, and he was very good in The Galaxy, but I’m going to take him on with Special K.
Kementari hasn’t been seen at the races since the Magic Millions, but he returned several performances typical of his enigmatic nature last time in, and won The Buffering most notably.
His fresh form is good, and the $10 available at publish could prove big overs.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 6
Race 7 – 3:10pm – Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m)
She has been typically excellent without winning again, but Icebath can break back into the winner’s stall in the JRA Plate.
She remains arguably the most well-credentialled mare that is yet to record a Group 1 win, and Icebath takes her place in the JRA Plate field following consecutive placings in the Doncaster Mile and the Queen Of The Turf.
She’s untested at the distance, but she is an absolute swimmer, and he recent runs have suggested that the 2000m will be ideal.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 7
Race 8 – 3:50pm – Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m)
Typically, the All Aged Stakes is one of the most open Group 1 races of the carnival, as stables have one last crack at top level glory.
That being said, I think that Mo’unga could just be the best horse in this year’s All Aged Stakes field, and I’m sticking with him.
He’s a two-time Group 1 winner, and he’s hardly put a hoof wrong under the care of Annabel Neasham.
He made up ground against the pattern of the day when resuming in the Futurity Stakes, and he’s been freshened since that effort. With even luck, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 8
Race 9 – 4:30pm – Silverdale Farm Handicap (1400m)
This is a drop in class for Our Playboy, and he’ll take plenty of beating.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained gelding ran home well to finish third in Group 3 company at Caulfield when fresh, and he was last seen finishing second in the Doncaster Prelude.
Fitter third-up and under James McDonald, he’s another whom I’m really keen on.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 9
Race 10 – 5:05pm – Catanach’s Handicap (1200m)
Katalin can win the last on All Aged Stakes Day.
The Medaglia D’oro mare returned some typically nice efforts last time in, winning in BM88 company most notably, and I thought there was a lot to like about her first-up effort for third, beaten only a length in the Listed Abell Stakes at The Valley.
She’ll enjoy plenty of improvement, and the $7 about her at publish looks a touch of overs.
Bet Now: Royal Randwick Race 10
