3 minute read

Day 1 of The Championships from Royal Randwick and the weather is predictably awful.

Death, taxes, heavy Randwick etc etc. Unfortunately it looks like we'll be on a bog for Day 1 of The Championships, but nevertheless the racing is top class.

Wide draws likely won't be an issue but getting too far back will be. Who handles the conditions will be key, but I think these things can often be overplayed. The favourites in three of the four Group Ones (Doncaster excluded) look rightful ones, but aren't any huge value.

The Doncaster Mile itself though does present some value in my opinion. Another Wil is very progressive and very good, but under 4-1 in a Doncaster? That looks awfully short. We have him rated 114 off his last start win and there's every chance he improves again, but he'll need to because that won't win this.

Second favourite Celestial Legend is rated 116 off a very shaky Randwick Guineas win, which rated one pound below Southport Tycoon in the Australian Guineas.

The form out of that race has been much better- Veight (2nd) came out and won the George Ryder and Riff Rocket (3rd) won the Rosehill Guineas.

Southport Tycoon gets in on the minimum 49kg and I like the draw for him, one inside Another Wil meaning he can just roll across with the favourite and look for a spot just behind the speed. He's 4x Another Wil's price and 2x Celestial Legend's price.

The other main play in the race I'll be having is Lady Laguna who is the weights horse. She drops to 51kg having been beaten a nose in the premier lead up, the George Ryder. She regressed slightly to 117 there off a 121 in the Canterbury Stakes but will handle the track and off last start, I don't think 1600m can be a huge query.

They're both at double figures but one at huge odds that I think can run a race is Gold Bullion in the Carbine Club (Race 3).

It's an open race but I don't think a few in the market are much good and went looking for different form.

Gold Bullion was awful first-up but bounced back second-up at the midweeks, picking up late to grab second and running to 98. That's not nearly enough to win this, but it's not all that far off a few much shorter in the market.

I found it interesting that Tim Clark sticks with him while Sam Clipperton takes over on stablemate Les Vampires who is single figures. Drawn wide, they should just keep pushing forward and turn this into a slog of a mile which will suit Gold Bullion who can run well at 40-1.
 

SYDNEY SPECIALS

Bet of the day: Race 8 #20 Southport Tycoon at $17 (also backing Lady Laguna)

Each-way play: Race 3 #11 Gold Bullion at $41/10