The Group 1 All Aged Stakes headlines the final day of the Autumn Carnival this Saturday at Royal Randwick where $600,000 in prize-money will go on the line.
The weight-for-age classic has attracted a capacity field of middle-distance sprinters, including Annabel Neasham’s dual Group 1 winner Mo’unga, Canterbury Stakes and George Ryder winner Forbidden Love, as well as last year’s Golden Rose Stakes winner, In The Congo.
We’ve cast our eyes over the entire field, and our thoughts on every runner in this year’s All Aged Stakes can be found below.
1. Mo’unga (9)
- Group 1’s: 2 (2021 Rosehill Guineas, Winx Stakes)
- Record: 15-5:3:2
- Track: 5:1-1-0
- Distance: 5:3-1-1
- Trainer: Annabel Neasham
- Jockey: Tommy Berry
Kept fresh since running second to Sierra Sue in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield late in February. Didn’t show much in a recent Randwick trial but is among the top contenders given he’s won on both soft and heavy going in the past. Ran third to Zaaki during the spring who has since gone on to win the All-Star Mile and run second in last week’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Tends to race well fresh and gets Tommy Berry back on board, who has been responsible for both Group 1 wins so far aboard the Savabeel entire.
2. Cascadian (1)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2021 Doncaster Mile)
- Record: 37-7:5:6
- Track: 14:2-1-1
- Distance: 11:2-1-3
- Trainer: James Cummings
- Jockey: James McDonald
Drops back to 1400m after struggling on heavy going in the Doncaster Mile. Ran a big race for third when two lengths behind Tofane over this trip first-up in the C.F. Orr Stakes before winning a Group 2 over further. Has the talent to measure up but would probably prefer a firmer track.
3. Kolding (13)
- Group 1’s: 3 (2019 Epsom Handicap, 2020 George Main Stakes, 2021 All Aged Stakes)
- Record: 36-11:4:3
- Track: 19:6-2-0
- Distance: 13:2-3-2
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: TBD
Defending champion that also boasts a rather impressive record here at Randwick. Has failed to win a race since last year’s success though and was no match last time out in the George Ryder finishing nine lengths off. Unplaced in four starts on heavy going and needs some luck to go his way from the draw.
4. Zoutori (15)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2021 Newmarket Handicap)
- Record: 35-8:3:4
- Track: 3:0-0-0
- Distance: 7:1-1-1
- Trainer: Matthew Ellerton
- Jockey: TBD
Group 1 winner that has failed to win a race since taking out last year’s Newmarket Handicap. Showed some improvement for sixth last time out in the TJ Smith Stakes but ultimately would prefer a little less give in the ground. Wide barrier only complicates matters and his record at Randwick doesn’t read well.
5. Ellsberg (7)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 17-6:6:2
- Track: 6:2-2-1
- Distance: 5:2-1-1
- Trainer: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexia
- Jockey: Nash Rawiller
Gets back to his preferred distance where he’s only missed the money once from five starts. Worth forgiving on his run in the Doncaster Mile and the form prior reads well. Proven wet-tracked with two wins to his name on heavy going and gets last week’s Queen Elizabeth winner Nash Rawiller on board for the first time. Loves racing here at Randwick and is among the major players.
6. Laws Of Indices (2)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2021 Jean Prat)
- Record: 16-3:0:2
- Track: 3:0-0-0
- Distance: 4:1-0-1
- Trainer: Annabel Neasham
- Jockey: TBD
Irish import that won the Group 1 Jean Prat last year overseas. Has mixed his form since arriving in Australia during the spring but should appreciate getting back to 1400m now. Finished only fairly two weeks ago in the Doncaster Mile but stuck on well the run prior for third in George Ryder. Might like the track a little firmer, but he’s rock-hard fir for four runs back and should be in this for a long way.
7. Olmedo (3)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2018 French 2000 Guineas)
- Record: 21-4:5:0
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 2:0-0-0
- Trainer: Annabel Neasham
- Jockey: TBD
Sat wide without cover first-up at Newcastle in the Group 3 Star Kingdom and battled on only fairly for sixth. Does have wet form but is facing a much tougher assignment here.
8. Forbidden Love (16)
- Group 1’s: 3 (2021 Surround Stakes, 2022 Canterbury Stakes, George Ryder Stakes)
- Record: 23-8:1:5
- Track: 10:4-0-2
- Distance: 6:3-0-1
- Trainer: Michael Freedman
- Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Proven track and distance winner with three wins on the board. Looked the winner at one point in the Doncaster but failed to produce her usual turn of foot fading late for fourth. Previous form warrants plenty of respect though, especially after winning back-to-back Group 1’s on a heavy track. Needs a touch of luck from the tricky gate but should be powering home late if Bowman can land in behind the speed. One of the main chances in what it sure to be her finale.
9. Tofane (12)
- Group 1’s: 4 (2020 All Aged Stakes, 2021 Stradbroke Handicap, Tatt’s Tiara, 2022 C.F. Orr Stakes)
- Record: 29-8:4:4
- Track: 4:1-0-0
- Distance: 7:4-1-2
- Trainer: Michael Moroney
- Jockey: Mark Zahra
Hoping to become the fifth horse to complete the C.F. Orr Stakes – All Aged Stakes double in the same prep. Failed to produce her best in the All-Star Mile but should appreciate getting back to her preferred distance now. Won the Orr comfortably first-up over 1400m and lost no admirers when third in the Futurity Stakes to Mo’unga and Sierra Sue. Genuine query on heavy going, but she tends to do her best racing fresh.
10. Sierra Sue (6)
- Group 1’s: 2 (2021 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, 2022 Futurity Stakes)
- Record: 23-9:1:0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 9:6-0-0
- Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
- Jockey: John Allen
On debut at Randwick but warrants enormous respect as a six-time winner over 1400m. Two of those have come at the elite level and as recently as February when she bolted past Mo’unga to win the Futurity Stakes. Like always, she’s gone up a big price, and although she’d probably like a slightly firmer track, she’s worth serious consideration with fitness on her side.
11. Nimalee (14)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2022 Queen of the Turf Stakes)
- Record: 22-7:5:1
- Track: 3:1-0-1
- Distance: 6:2-2-0
- Trainer: Matthew Smith
- Jockey: Damien Oliver
Looking to become the first horse ever to complete the Queen of the Turf – All Aged Stakes double. Won last week’s mile feature by a comfortable two lengths and off that should appreciate getting back to 1400m. Facing a tougher challenge here though with a few proven Group 1 winners in the field, while the wide barrier is also a concern. Ran sixth during the spring in the Matriarch Stakes on a quick backup though and is worth considering each way.
12. Shout The Bar (11)
- Group 1’s: 2 (2020 Vinery Stud Stakes, Empire Rose Stakes)
- Record: 17-5:1:1
- Track: 6:0-0-0
- Distance: 4:0-0-1
- Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- Jockey: Brenton Avdulla
Fan favourite that won his first race last-start at The Valley since taking out the Empire Rose a couple of years ago. Led all the way to score comfortably over the mile but is stepping out against tougher company here. Freshened, but looks tough to entertain.
13. Hungry Heart (8)
- Group 1’s: 2 (2021 Vinery Stud Stakes, ATC Oaks)
- Record: 18-4:4:1
- Track: 11:2-3-0
- Distance: 4:0-1-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: TBD
Hasn’t been seen since ru inning fourth first-up in the Apollo Stakes behind last week’s Queen Elizabeth winner, Think It Over. Strikes another heavy track here and is likely to struggle.
14. In The Congo (10)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2021 Golden Rose Stakes)
- Record: 9-3:4:1
- Track: 3:0-3-0
- Distance: 1:1-0-0
- Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- Jockey: Tim Clark
Hoping to become the sixth three-year-old and the first since Trapeze Artist in 2018 to win the All Aged Stakes. Lightly raced colt out of the Waterhouse yard that really hasn’t put a foot wrong in nine starts to date. Beat Anamoe narrowly in the Golden Rose during the spring and was only half a length third to Shelby Sixtysix in The Galaxy two back. Raced last week and finished runner-up in the Arrowfield Sprint where he led for most of the way before being chased down by Mazu. Strips fitter for both runs third-up and should handle 1400m in his stride.
Emergencies
15. Overpass (4)
16. Shelby Sixty-six (5)
17. Mr Mozart (17)
