The Best Of The Best All Race At Randwick
Providing the sun stays out, and it should, this could be a Super Saturday of Equine Excellence the likes we haven’t seen before. Just glorious racing at the highest level for mega, mega dollars.
We have 4 x Gr 1 races. We see everyone’s favourite horse, PRIDE OF JENNI run, and in another race, we get to see the best horse in the land run in AUTUMN GLOW.
Let’s preview the Gr 1 events, which when combined come to a staggering $9 million in prizemoney!
Race 5 – 2:05pm Gr 1 Asahi Australian Oaks, 2400m (3YO fillies)
I can’t say this is the best Oaks I’ve ever seen but it may produce a star. This Kiwi filly OHOPE WINS came to Australia a month or so ago with a big reputation after easily winning the NZ version of this race over 2400m. She ran in the Gr 1 Vinery over 2000m and simply wasn’t suited by the slow early tempo, finishing 4th. The winner of that race isn’t in this, but the runner-up, AFTER SUMMER, is and she ran a bottler of a race.
To me, Ohope Wins ran on well enough to say that hit out and first look at Aussie racing will bring her on a great deal and so will the extra 400m of this race. Plus, Jay Mac will ride her a tad closer. PROFOUNDLY, who has won 2 of her past 3 starts, both at stakes level, and is in form so is racing very strongly. She runs on suggesting trip suits and must be in your numbers as should SATONO INVADER who was 3rd in the 2000m race Profoundly won last start.
Not a brilliant collection of fillies but certainly a tense, tight and interesting race.
TIPS: 1. OHOPE WINS, 2. Profoundly, 3. After summer, 4. Satono Invader
Race 7 – 3:15pm Gr 1 Schweppes Sydney Cup, 3200m
Obviously, the Oaks is an all female affair as no boys are allowed. The men are in this race yet I still think the girls fight this one out too. RIVER OF STARS is just an out and out stayer of the highest order and being 4th up in here, after a terrific WFA run at Gr 1 level last start, makes her one of the hardest to beat. She was 4th in last year’s Gr 1 Melbourne Cup this journey also. I think she settles from this nice draw in 4th spot, probably one out, one back and finishes very hard.
This West Australian filly, MACHINE GUN GRACIE is similar in the sense that she can really stay and with just 51kg on her back, and being 3rd up here after winning handsomely at Gr 3 level last start, she can run boldly. Did win the WA Derby this trip last year in fast time under 55kg against males. Big danger for mine. I’ll throw in CAMPILDINO and VALIANT KING as prospects too. They can stay, have a touch of class about them on their day and both are particularly fit.
TIPS: 1. RIVER OF STARS, 2. Machine Gun Gracie, 3. Campildino, 4. Valiant King
Race 8 – 3:55pm Gr 1 Moet Queen of the Turf Stakes 1600m (females)
Yet another Gr 1 to be won by a girl! And that girl could very well be PRIDE OF JENNI. She seems to be back as good as ever. Two starts, 2 great Gr 1 placings, latest when run down and beaten a nostril by stablemate Light Infantryman in the 2000m Australian Cup. She should be wound up as tight as a drum now and from the inside draw can lead these for fun. The brilliant TREASURETHE MOMENT, who will happily hand up the front and sit in 2nd spot, will be the closest to her all the race. I suspect Jenni bounds about 4 lengths clear with 800m to go and maintains most of that margin to the wire. She is so, so good when restricted to female races.
LAZZURA and LADY SHENANDOAH are top class Gr 1 mares who are both in form and very fit. They will charge home ahead of the rest after racing midfield until they turn.
TIPS: 1. PRIDE OF JENNI, 2. Treasurethe Moment, 3. Lady Shenandoah, 4., Lazzura
Race 9 – 4:35pm Gr 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2000m (WFA)
That brings us to the premier horse in the land who will be gunning to keep her imposing unbeaten record in tack in this $5million affair.
AUTUMN GLOW.
Not since Winx have we seen a horse this good grace our racetracks. She sits back off the speed in 4th until they turn then just charges past LINDERMANN, DUBAI HONOUR, LIGHT INFANTRY MAN and sails away to win by 4 lengths making in 12 from 12 and taking her earnings past $10 million.
Aeliana will flash from the back and claim Dubai Honour near the line as she did last week in the 2400m Gr 1 Tancred. Both he and she are always a threat in these races. And, then, in 4th spot should be a battle between Light Infantry Man, Lindermann and Sir Delius who will charge late. Great race.
Tips: 1. AUTUMN GLOW, 2. Aeliana, 3. Dubai Honour, 4. Sir Delius
So, in conclusion, a Gr 1 day in Sydney DOMINATED by females who should win all of the four Gr 1 races!