Some of the best horses in Australasia will step out at Royal Randwick on Chelmsford Stakes Day.
Three Group 2 feature races headline the program, but all ten races have drawn quality fields, and there looks to be plenty of value to be found in betting.
Check out my full preview and complete Chelmsford Stakes Day Tips below.
Midway Handicap (1400m) – 11:45am
I’m going to have something small on Different Strokes in the first on Chelmsford Stakes Day.
Different Strokes is yet to strike in three starts back from a break, but there’s no doubt that his fitness has continued to build, and he was a credible fourth in BM72 company on the Kensington track here at his latest.
He steps out this week in peak order and we can have an each way play at the price.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Different Strokes
Highway Handicap (1200m) – 12:20pm
She hasn’t drawn the carpark, but I am confident in plenty of improvement this week from Supido Beauty.
Supido Beauty in lightly raced, but she has shown above-average talent since debuting, recording three wins from her six starts.
She clearly needed her first run back this time when sixth in one of these Highway Handicaps, but she is also yet to taste anything but success at this point of her preparation.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Supido Beauty
Lockton Handicap (1100m) – 12:55pm
Rainbiel has been transferred to the care of sprint king Joe Pride this time in, and I think she’s an extremely intriguing runner first-up this week.
Rainbiel has enjoyed plenty of success throughout her racing career and has saluted in Listed company, but it’s fair to say she was a little wayward in her last prep for Anthony Chibnall.
Two recent trials since arriving in Sydney have been good, she boasts a competitive fresh record.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Rainbiel
Ikon Services Handicap (1600m) – 1:30pm
Al Aabir strips fitter into his second campaign start at Randwick on Saturday, and this looks a very winnable race.
The Sea The Stars gelding was a strong and consistent performer throughout his winter prep, winning the Listed Winter Cup most notably and going to the paddock after finishing midfield in the Brisbane Cup.
His fresh effort when fourth, beaten only two lengths by a few fit ones was very good, and I’m only expecting improvement second-up and out to the mile.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Al Aabir
Listed CTC Cup (2400m) – 2:05pm
Military Mission was very good second-up in the Premier’s Cup and this looks the perfect feature for him.
The Mastercraftsman gelding has been a notable performer for the Waterhouse & Bott yard for a few seasons now, and he added the Hobart Cup to his resume most notably in the autumn of this year.
Having finished down the order over 1800m first-up this time, he was far more convincing at his latest, and he profiles as an even better chance in something like this.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Military Mission
Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) – 2:40pm
A great edition of the Furious Stakes with a few key winning chances, but Tiz Invincible is the one for me.
Tiz Invincible has made only three appearances at the races since debuting, but she went to the paddock after finishing second in the Percy Sykes, and broke her maiden with an eye-catching performance in The Rosebud.
I’m only expecting improvement from that effort, and she does look to be a key early chance for a race like this Coolmore Stud Stakes, and for that reason alone, I think she’ll take beating in this.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Tiz Invincible
Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) – 3:15pm
What has become the first stop on the road towards The Everest, the Concorde Stakes has drawn another outstanding field.
Even with the likes of Nature Strip and Eduardo engaged, I think the guard might be in the process of changing, and I am going to side with In Secret this week.
In Secret is a multiple Group 1 winner, striking in last year’s Coolmore Stud Stakes and adding the Newmarket Handicap in the autumn of this year.
She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials leading up to her return and has drawn a peach in barrier 5.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 In Secret
Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) – 3:55pm
A ripper edition of the Chelmsford Stakes with many Group 1 winners engaged, and I’m keen to have something on Think It Over, second-up from a lengthy spell.
Think It Over has been an outstanding horse throughout his career, but went to the paddock last year after recording the standout victory of his career in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Having spent more than 14 months in the paddock, he returned with a decent effort to finish sixth in the Winx Stakes a fortnight ago, and there’s no doubt that he will relish the improvement for that hit-out, and getting out to 1600m.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Think It Over
Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) – 4:35pm
Speaking of ripper races, the Tramway Stakes field is also nothing short of excellent this year, and I’m particularly keen to see the return of my main mare, Hope In Your Heart.
Unlucky not to have recorded a win at the highest level, Hope In Your Heart has been another standout for Kerry Parker for a couple of years now, and she returned in autumn this year to win the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes over this route.
She subsequently wasn’t far away in three Group 1 races, and she’s another that has had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead up to her return.
Suggested Bet: No. 12 Hope In Your Heart
World Gym Castlereagh Handicap (1200m) – 5:10pm
Australian debut for former Kiwi Saltcoats, and with luck, he certainly looks up to the class.
The Ardrossan gelding made just three appearances at the races during his debut prep, placing at his first two before breaking his maiden in Listed company.
Two trials in Australia have been very promising, and he gets into this well at the weights.
Suggested Bet: No. 15 Saltcoats
