Group 1 racing makes its return this Saturday with a quality 10-race program set at Royal Randwick.
The $750,000 feature has attracted a lucrative field of middle-distance sprinters, including last year’s winner Mo’unga, three-time Group 1 winner Anamoe, and one of the stars of the autumn, Forbidden Love.
We’ve run the rule over the entire program and offer our best bets below.
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Race 1 – Highway Handicap (1100m)
Tough race to begin proceedings with a case to be made for a few.
Dollar Magic was beaten two lengths first-up on the Kensington track, but she did show real fight to the line after racing on speed for most of the journey.
She weakened badly in her second-up run at Hawkesbury a few weeks ago but is worth forgiving after having to do plenty of work out wide.
Out to 1100m should suit now given she won her maiden over this distance at Canterbury earlier in the year, and the form out of that fresh run at Kensington does read well.
Race 2 – Gold Coast Turf Club Handicap (2400m)
Irish import Strawberry Rock is still chasing his first win on Australian shores, and he looks a good chance here on a firming track.
The Maher and Eustace-trained six-year-old has faced wet tracks in both starts so far, most recently running on late for second behind all-the-way winner Ferago at The Valley.
Out to a bigger track should also suit, and there’s no knock on his fitness now with three runs under the belt. James McDonald jumps in the saddle now, and from a soft gate, they should be strong late
Race 3 – Midway Handicap (1600m)
My Truth is a promising three-year-old out of the Anthony Cummings yard that put the writing on the wall when a comfortable 4.5L winner at Canterbury three weeks ago.
The Proisir gelding went straight to the front and didn’t look back, and while that was against a much smaller field, I thought he showed plenty through the line to suggest he’s capable of handling a tougher assignment like this.
The mile won’t faze him with a couple of runs under the belt now, and he does get in nice and light with 5kg’s off. We’ll find out what he’s made of up in class, and although the gate is tricky, it’s nothing William Pike can’t handle.
Race 4 – Carbramata Bowling Club Handicap (1200m)
Niffler is a promising type out of the Waller yard that has found the money in nine of her 11 starts so far.
The Tavistock mare was too far back to strike over 1300m here a couple of weeks ago in her first run back from a six-week break, but I think there’s improvement to come on a shorter turnaround here.
She’s drawn to get a much kinder run in transit and is another one that will appreciate a drying track. James McDonald has retained the ride and she looks the rightful favourite in this contest.
Race 5 – Group 3 Mostyncopper Show County Quality (1200m)
I think Nash Rawiller can bring out the best in King Of Sparta, as we saw on the Gold Coast earlier in the year when the pair combined to win the Guineas.
The son of I Am Invincible raced a little keen mid-race in the Aurie’s Star two weeks ago, and that eventually cost him when weakening late in a three-way go for the line.
He was strong late the start prior winning the Bletchingly though, so patience is definitely key with this boy. Drawn to get back and run on, I think we’ll see him bounce back.
Race 6 – Group 3 ACJC Premier’s Cup (2000m)
Willing to forgive Durston for his first-up run in the Winter Challenge where he looked well on his way to finding the money before going backwards over the final couple furlongs to finish six lengths off.
He’s always been the kind of horse that goes better with a run under his belt though, and I think he warrants enormous respect out to 2000m now – a journey he won over at Caulfield during the spring beating home Mankayan and Alcyone.
His recent trial at Rosehill suggested he’ll be revved up for this, and I think a wider gate will help him improve.
Race 7 – Group 3 Laurel Oak Toy Show Quality (1100m)
Jamaea mixed her form throughout the autumn, but this looks a race that is right in her wheelhouse.
The Headwater mare has form around Count De Rupee and Scallopini, both of whom have run well in recent feature races, while a firming track should also suit given she spent most of last prep on heavy tracks.
She’s got a win on the board first-up and her recent trial at Kembla Grange was strong under Tommy Berry. The pair combine here, and if they find cover early, I’m confident they’ll be finishing strongly.
Race 8 – Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m)
Happy to have the defending champ Mo’unga on top in the feature.
The Savabeel five-year-old had a very brief autumn that saw him resume runner-up in the Futurity Stakes and then finish off only fairly in the All Aged Stakes on a bottomless track here at Randwick.
Back on top of the ground is a big plus for the dual Group 1 winner, and I don’t think it’s worth reading too much into his recent trial form. Tommy Berry knows him inside and out and he draws to get a perfect run off the speed.
Race 9 – Group 2 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m)
In Secret is an undefeated filly for Godolphin that looks very tough to beat in a race like this.
The I Am Invincible three-year-old debuted a winner at Hawkesbury in April and was quickly sent back to the paddock for a month before resuming a dominant winner in a Listed race at Scone.
Her recent trial at Warwick Farm under James McDonald was strong and there’s no reason she can’t handle this rise in grade from an ideal draw.
Race 10 – Darwin Turf Club Handicap (1200m)
Jai Lei has been a consistent performer this time in for John O’Shea and I think she’s potentially over the odds ahead of her fourth run back.
The Sebring mare stormed the line late for third in a fillies and mares race here last start over the track and distance where she made up a stack of ground after settling towards the rear.
A more handy position would see her tough to beat, and with a couple of kg’s off and a drier track, I think we’ll see her improve drastically.
