3 minute read

All four Group Ones previewed on another outstanding day at Randwick.

Without sounding overly pessimistic, Day 1 of The Championships was a touch underwhelming. The Doncaster was a good story and a nice winner but the T J was flat and the Sires average at best.

This Saturday promises even more, headlined by the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Via Sistina heads the market there off a fascinating Ranvet win, ripping home off a walking pace in huge late splits. We made her 121+ with the sectionals clearly the highlight. How she reacts to what will surely be a strong gallop will be interesting.

Pride Of Jenni should assume her usual role, but 2000m, especially on what will be a slower track, remains a slight query. The numbers say she was well enough ridden in the Australian Cup and whilst still very good, she was run down by Cascadian, who must have some chance again here.

He ran to 122 there which is better than his win in the race last year and an equal peak performance for him. A testing 2000m again here suits him and he's got a strong chance at each-way odds.

Mr Brightside was some 14 pounds off his best last start in the Australian Cup after also being beaten in the All-Star Mile. Softer ground should really suit him but the jury is out.

Place Du Carrousel basically ran to her best at her Australian debut in the Ranvet. She'll be better suited with a stronger gallop and can figure.

Tip: Cascadian

Earlier on the card is a quality edition of the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m).

Tough to find a betting angle there with Orchestral short odds again. She won the Vinery last time after Tutta La Vita took off early and she did well given she was back in trip.

We've got her running one pound below her NZ Derby win there at 112 which is what Zardozi ran to win the VRC Oaks, so Orchestral would want to improve a touch to make sure of victory, but back out to 2400m should do that.

Autumn Angel was very good with 61kg last week in the Adrian Knox, also running to 112 on Timeform's scale, but the quality of that race is well below. She's a chance, as is Basilinna who could be the best roughie.

She hit the line well in the Alistair Clark last time out off a strong gallop and is a proper stayer suited to the 2400m here. She was the fastest late splits when beaten a head by Autumn Angel two back and can get into the finish at big odds.

Value: Basilinna 1x3

The Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) has been a struggling race for some time and this is one of the lower editions.

I think the Tancred Stakes is probably the form to go off and from those, Ashrun is the one that interests me.

He doesn't get in quite as well as a few others but he's a better credentialed stayer who can improve. His 4th in the Melbourne Cup in the Spring was very good, as was his win in the Pakenham Cup two starts back which was a genuine test of stamina.

He should get that here with Major Beel rolling along, who is the one at odds that I like.

He resumed in the Pakenham Cup over 2500m and set a blistering tempo, dropping out late. He came through that well and gave a big sight in the Roy Higgins at Flemington with 58.5kg which should top him off ideally for this.

He won (a very weak) ATC Derby on wet ground so any give in the ground will be no issue and he drops 7kg in the weights.

Tip: Major Beel
 

Finally we have the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) where Waller has made the smart decision to run Atishu here rather than the QE.

He's got a fantastic hand in the race with favourite Zougotcha, second pick Atishu and fourth pick Olentia, with Tropical Squall third favourite.

I think there are only two real chances in Atishu and Zougotcha, but Atishu at the odds makes more appeal.

She won the Blamey off a slow tempo at Flemington two back before tackling the Australian Cup which would've been a slap in the face tempo-wise, beaten 2 lengths by Cascadian and Pride Of Jenni.

I've got no issue with her 2000m back to a mile here. The last time she did it she did dip a couple of pounds but she's a much better mare now and has better peak ratings than Zougotcha.

Zougotcha was very good first-up and did win the Coolmore Classic second-up despite regressing slightly. She was given one of the better rides you'll see there and could well get one again but Atishu draws to stalk her and I think she'll be stronger late.

Of the Group Ones, Atishu looks the best bet of the quartet and $5 is good betting.

Tip: Atishu