3 minute read
Following an exciting opening day of The Championships, this Saturday's Day 2 program at Randwick promises to be even better with four massive Group 1 races.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The Australian Oaks, Sydney Cup, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Queen Of The Turf Stakes are delicious headline acts, but they're ably supported by four other black-type races and the Provincial-Midway Championships Final.
Unlike the lead up to last week's meeting, the weather forecast is more conducive to a good day's racing.
We've put in the hard work in for you and provided our thoughts on each race below.
RACE 1 - 11:45AM: LISTED FERNHILL MILE (1600 METRES)
Just Party (1) has started his career in fine style.
The Ryan and Alexiou-trained son of Justify was run down late when finishing second by a neck on debut in the Paul Perry at Newcastle.
He was then sent out a $1.45 favourite last start at Wyong over 1350m and justified the short quote by easily leading all the way for a 1.1 length win.
The rise to a mile looks suitable with increased fitness third-up and he maps to get a great run for Tim Clark.
1 Unit Each Way – Just Party (1)
RACE 2 - 12:20PM: LISTED SOUTH PACIFIC CLASSIC (1400 METRES)
Panic (9) returned in super order last start at Wyong with a win.
The Michael Freedman-trained three-year-old gelding settled back from the outside barrier before rounding the field on the home turn and letting down powerfully to win by a nose.
While the margin was small, he was seriously strong through the line suggesting the rise to 1400m will be ideal second-up.
Tommy Berry can settle in a forward position from the low draw.
1 Unit – Panic (9)
RACE 3 - 12:55PM: PROVINCIAL-MIDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL (1400 METRES)
Territory Express (8) has been in sublime form this preparation.
The four-year-old gelding finished like a bullet train to win the Kembla Grange qualifying race for this final by just under a length.
Last start he came with a powerful finishing boost to finish second by a head to Democracy Manifest in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes.
He'll strip fitter third-up and there looks to be plenty of speed engaged which will aid his chances.
2 Units – Territory Express (8)
RACE 4 - 1:30PM: GROUP 2 PERCY SYKES STAKES (1200 METRES)
Drifting (3) has started her career in fine style and could very well be undefeated if not for running into the talented Bold Bastille two starts back.
The Team Snowden-trained daughter of Zousain enters this race on the back of a top effort in the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes over 1200m at Rosehill where she enjoyed a nice run on speed before proving too strong late to win by 1.3 lengths.
She's a month between runs but has run well when fresh in the past.
From barrier 2, Tommy Sherry she should get every chance in the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes.
1 Unit Each Way – Drifting (3)
RACE 5 - 2:05PM: GROUP 2 ARROWFIELD 3YO SPRINT (1200 METRES)
Schwarz (6) returned in great order in the Darby Munro Stakes last start.
The John O'Shea-trained Zoustar colt settled handy before coming with a strong run but just couldn't get past Brave Mead and finished a half-length second.
He'll have come on since that run and James McDonald sticking is a positive.
The inside gate gives 'J Mac' options in the Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint which looks to have genuine speed.
1 Unit – Schwarz (6)
RACE 6 - 2:40PM: GROUP 1 AUSTRALIAN OAKS (2400 METRES)
The 2024 Australian Oaks is a cracking race with talented New Zealand filly Orchestral (1) installed as a short-priced favourite.
While there's no meat on the bone, the James and Wellwood-trained daughter of Savabeel looks hard to beat following her impressive win in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes last start where she ran down Tutta La Vita.
She was a month between runs so will strip fitter here and the rise to 2400m will suit given she bolted in by 3.8 lengths in the New Zealand Derby over this distance two starts ago.
James McDonald remains in the saddle and can give her a lovely run and take her winning streak to six.
2 Units – Orchestral (1)
RACE 7 - 3:15PM: GROUP 1 SYDNEY CUP (3200 METRES)
Mahrajaan (2) comes to Australia for the Group 1 Sydney Cup in winning form.
The New Zealand stayer was strong late when winning the Group 2 Auckland Cup last start by just under a length.
Running a strong two miles is half the battle won when many of the field are unproven over the trip.
That isn't a problem for the Ritchie and Murray-trained gelding given he is undefeated over 3200m.
1 Unit Each Way – Mahrajaan (2)
RACE 8 - 3:55PM: GROUP 1 QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (2000 METRES)
Whenever Pride of Jenni is in the race, it's an intriguing affair so this year's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes is set to be a thrilling contest.
Via Sistina (8) brings a different form line than the Group 1 Australian Cup combatants which I like.
The import could not have been more impressive in her first start for Chris Waller when putting the Group 1 Ranvet Handicap field away easily before arrogantly shutting down late to win by 1.3 lengths.
She'll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate a bigger field with more speed on than she encountered last start.
1 Unit – Via Sistina (8)
RACE 9 - 4:35PM: GROUP 1 QUEEN OF THE TURF (1600 METRES)
Zougotcha (2) is racing in career best form and looks a major player in this year's Group 1 Queen Of The Turf.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old mare beat Lady Laguna in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes first-up, who then won the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at her next start.
Last start Zougotcha proved too strong late when winning the Group 1 Coolmore Classic.
The rise to a mile looks ideal third-up and she did win the Group 1 Flight Stakes over this course and distance three preparations ago.
James McDonald has a great relationship with the mare and will give her a great run from the inside gate.
1 Unit – Zougotcha (2)
RACE 10 - 5:10PM: GROUP 2 SAPPHIRE STAKES (1200 METRES)
Tashi (4) was terribly unlucky last start in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes but can rectify the situation here in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes.
The Team Snowden-trained Sebring mare was held up in the straight and only got clear late, at which point she let down powerfully to finish just under a length second to Chain Of Lightning.
That form has been franked with Chain Of Lightning winning last Saturday's Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes.
She has a terrific record over the course and distance and should enjoy a nice run midfield or better.
1 Unit Each Way – Tashi (4)
