By Ric Chapman
Day 1 of The championships and it is, as always, a bottler of a meet. The only sour note could come with the wather.
It is and will be absolutely picture-postcard-perfect all week, but the forecast is for showers on Saturday.
Let’s hope not.
There are four Gr 1 races all worth a $1million or more and some of the best horses in the land are competing.
We’ll start our race preview in race order.
Race 6 – 3:20pm $1million InglisSires’ 1300m (2YOs)
When CAMPIONE D’ITALIA debuted back in February, it was at this track with James McDonald in the saddle. He ran last of 10, beaten 7 lengths and just looked new, immature, and lost. Later that afternoon, Jay Mac won a $2million race on Fireball yet during the interview, he propped, and said, unprovoked, “yes Fireball is all class and so professional but don’t get off that other bloke. He has as much if not more ability. I still don’t know what happened but he is a racehorse.” The next time both horses raced, was against one another and Campione D’italia, starting at $41, came from last of 10 to win the Gr 2 Skyline with Fireball a close up 6th. That qualified him for a Gr 1 Golden Slipper start where he again beat home Fireball winding up 4th with a big red light flashing over his head because he charged home from the back. He looks very suited to this track and trip. I think he settles well back again but charges late and wins from the very consistent Melbourne filly STREISAND who did in fact narrowly beat him home in the Slipper when 2nd.
That’s my quinella, and of the rest I have a healthy belief in ALIBABA who should run home strongly at big odds into a place. For the fourth spot, hmm, PARADOXIUM leads without pressure and that may give him an edge and be nicely clear at the 200m.
Tips: 1. CAMPIONE D’ITALIA, 2. Streisand, 3. Alibaba, 4. Paradoxium
Race 7 – 3:55pm $3million Asahi TJ Smith Stakes 1200m (WFA)
JIMMYSSTAR was a bit plain late on returning to racing last start in the Gr 1 William Reid at The Valley over 1200m. He made ground but was 7th across the line behind Jigsaw. I’m expecting a much better run this time. He loves this track, was 3rd in The Everest, is nearly unbeatable when 2nd up as he is in this, and excels on a damp surface.
But, while I have a healthy respect for him, I think TENTYRIS is a beast and perhaps the only Aussie horse who can run down Hong Kong’s champion Ka Ying Rising should he ever race here again. Tentyris too was unplaced last start when he came from last on a day that profoundly suited leaders, to finish a closing 5th in the Gr 1 Newmarket. If the track is playing fair, he wins this comfortably for mine.
JOLIESTAR is all class and unbeaten in 2 starts this prep. Very fit and very determined while GIGA KICK who is also 3rd up, recorded his greatest moment in racing at this very track over this trip, and he looks ready to pounce.
Tips: 1. TENTYRIS, 2. Jimmysstar, 3. Joliestar, 4. Giga Kick.
Race 8 – 4:35pm $4 million Doncaster Mile 1600m.
This just looks a ready made walk in the park for the 3YO filly SHEZA ALIBI. Winner of 2 stakes races since resuming in breathtaking style, winner of 6 of her last 8 starts and acclaimed by her trainers Pete Moody (who knows a thing or 2 about champion 3YO fillies) and Kat Coleman, as being “something very special,” she looks a weighted certainty. Only bad luck beats her.
PERICLES is extra smart and is a superstar at this trip but even he will buckle because of the weight discrepancy. He lumps 8kg more than her. Both will run their hearts out and race away from the ever improving SIXTIES who has won 3 of his past 4 starts, all at stakes level against his age. Well in at the weights too. It will be hectic driving to the line with all these classy finishers, but probably AUTUMN BOY grabs the 4th spot. Super race but watch it closely as we may be seeing a superstar in action.
TIPS: 1. SHEZA ALIBI, 2. Pericles, 3. Sixties, 4. Autumn Boy.
Race 9 – 5:15pm $2million ATC Derby 2400m (3YOs)
Can the brilliant OBSERVER, who had won 4 in a row including the big Gr 1 VRC Derby over this trip, bounce back from his latest race when run down and 3rd in the Gr 1 Rosehill Guineas? Autumn Boy beat him that day, as did GREEN SPACES. Autumn Boy isn’t in this field, but Green Spaces is and he will be hard to hold out too. I suspect both these colts to be in the top 4 home.
As will the Kiwi star ROAD TO PARIS who won the NZ Derby at Gr 1 level over this trip a couple of weeks back. He sailed down the outside and won impressively. And, speaking of dashing home late, STORM LEOPARD did that to easily claim the 2000m Gr 2 Tulloch Stakes last week on a damp track. He is by the same sire as Observer so we know he can stay. Very even affair.
TIPS: 1. OBSERVER, 2. Green Spaces, 3. Storm Leopard, 4. Road To Paris.