The Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes headlines another talent-rich ten-race program at Sydney’s Royal Randwick on Saturday.
There looks to be plenty of value to be found in our markets, and I’m confident in having found some of it below in my 2023 Spring Champion Stakes Day Tips!
Midway Handicap (1100m) – 12:30pm AEDT
Chief Conductor returned a decent effort to fill the minors in BM72 company first-up from a spell, and he looks a key winning chance in this week’s Midway Handicap.
The I Am Invincible gelding has been a consistent performer for the Sara Ryan yard since debuting, recording three wins and four minors from his ten starts and finding form around some talented opposition.
He boasts a strong second-up record and is up to winning something like this.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Chief Conductor
Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1200m) – 1:05pm AEDT
I’m with Dollar Magic in another open race on early on Spring Champion Stakes Day.
This galloper rarely returns a poor effort, and he stripped fitter with a fair effort in Class 3 company at Tamworth first-up before only just missing at Warwick Farm last time (BM72).
Fitter third-up and with only 55.5kgs in tow, I think that this is an ideal Saturday metro target for him.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Dollar Magic
Highway Handicap (1200m) – 1:40pm AEDT
Rajnish has been racing well in strong country company since returning from a break, and I am keen to see him in a Highway race for the first time on Saturday.
The former Victoria finished down the order in BM84 company in his first start for Cameron Crockett last month, but he has since finished second in featured sprint company at Tamworth before winning the Crystal Slipper at Coonamble at his latest.
He looks to be in peak order this week and gets some relief in the eights under Anna Roper.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Rajnish
Egroup Protective Services Handicap (1600m) – 2:15pm AEDT
Pervade has continued to improve with each run back from a break, and he looks ready to do something at nice odds on Saturday’s Spring Champion Stakes program.
The Kingman gelding finished down the order in each of his first two runs back this time, but turned in a noticeably improved performance to finish second in BM78 company at his latest.
He is a horse that has always needed two of three runs to find his best, and he should receive every chance this week under Kerrin McEvoy.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Pervade
Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) – 2:50pm AEDT
Armed Forces is another galloper that appears primed to strike in Sydney this week, and the Brian Crowley is a lovely target for him.
Armed Forced finished fifth, though beaten only two lengths by Steparty in the McKenzie Stakes first-up from a break, and he hit the line to finish third, beaten less than a length by Maharba at The Valley last time.
Fitter third-up and back to Sydney, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Armed Forces
Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m) – 3:25pm AEDT
One of the richer Group 3 races anywhere in the country, and I am going to have something on the second-up Numerian at each way odds in Craven Plate betting.
Numerian has picked off some lovely races for the Neasham yard since arriving in Australia, and he was unlucky not to realise his Group 1 potential in winter this year when second in the Doomben Cup.
He clearly needed his first run back when ninth behind the likes of Montefilia in the Hill Stakes earlier this month, but he boasts a good second-up record, and Adam Hyeronimus can take him forward from the rails draw.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Numerian
Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) – 4pm AEDT
Some quality three-year-olds will chase Group 1 success in Saturday’s featured Spring Champion Stakes!
I’ve put Tom Kitten on top, but check out my full races preview and 2023 Spring Champion Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Tom Kitten
The Invitation (1400m) – 4:45pm AEDT
This is an outstanding edition of The Invitation with plenty of Group 1 quality fillies and mares engaged, including Espiona.
Espiona just missed behind a very impressive Sunshine In Paris in the Sheraco Stakes first-up this time, and took plenty of improvement into a dominant win in the Golden Pendant.
She steps out this week hard fit and following a credible seventh placing in The Everest, and she’s obviously going to relish the clear drop in class.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Espiona
Group 2 Callander-Presnell (1600m) – 5:30pm AEDT
Arctic Glamour has been excellent with each run back, and as the bar has been raised this time in, and I think that the Callandar-Presnell is a really nice Group 2 race for her.
The Frosted filly returned a winner in maiden company at Rosehill late last month, and she made a successful transition to black type company with another dominant effort in the Reginald Allen last time out.
Fitter third-up and further out in trip, I think she’ll be tough to beat again.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Arctic Glamour
National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1400m) – 6:10pm AEDT
Sequestered is a dual acceptor in Race 4, but I am hoping that this is the way trainer James Cummings elects to go.
Sequestered returned to the races with an eye-catching performance and win in BM72 company at Rosehill last month, and she franked that with an even better one here, last time out.
Fitter third-up, she can win again!
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Sequestered
