Elite racing in two states is always a joy for the pure racing fan, and with six Group 1s on offer, let’s get stuck in.
Queen Elizabeth
In this, we have a superstar three year old colt, winner of three Group 1s on end, each one more impressive than the last, up against out-of-form older horses that have run one placing between them in each of their last two starts.
The superstar colt is It’s a Dundeel, of course, who is, incredibly, already into $3.30 for the 2013 Cox Plate with Sportsbet. I wouldn’t take triple those odds this far out, but he’s $1.35 for this event tomorrow.
I’m not into backing them that short, but I certainly won’t be betting against him either.
Manighar showed us he was back to something near his top in the George Ryder, and could be some sort of threat if he brings the very best of his 2012 Autumn form. Reliable Man brings the international x-factor out of the same race, and caught the eye from near last to suggest he’s got a good race in him.
Silent Achiever drops back from the 2400m of the BMW, where she ran a closing second to another crack three year old in Fiveandahalfstar. You sense that’s the best result she can hope for here as well.
Selctions: 1. It’s a Dundeel 2. Reliable Man 3. Manighar 4. Silent Achiever
Champagne Stakes
The fillies have dominated the biggest two year old races this season, winning the majors and filling more placings than the boys as well. Can the tables be turned here?
Guelph is the favourite off the back of her comfortable Sires Produce win, and deservedly so. Her flop in the Blue Diamond has been the only poor run of her career, and she’s clearly the class, in-form runner.
Criterion and Fast ‘N’ Rocking bring in almost identical formlines from the Todman and Slipper, finishing alongside each other with good runs in both races. Neither has raced since the Slipper, and both worked home as if tomorrow’s mile would suit.
Scandiva ran a huge second at bolters odds behind Guelph in the Sires and a repeat would have her in the mix, while her stablemate Diva Dee might be the massive improver if she can find a better track, and is my ‘odds’ fancy.
Selections: 1. Fast ‘N’ Rocking 2. Guelph 3. Criterion 4. Diva Dee
Sydney Cup
This time last year, Kelinni was winning a benchmark 75 race, but his last twelve months have shown us he’s clearly the most improved stayer in the country. In that time, he’s won a Colin Stephen, Lexus/Saab Quality and JRA Plate carrying 60kgs, as well as a second in a Metropolitan and fourth in a Melbourne Cup and BMW.
It’s strong enough form to be winning this Sydney Cup with something in hand.
Maluckyday will run well but history says he won’t be winning while doing it. Tremec won the Chairman’s with a nice ride from Craig Newitt, just defeating a closing Blood Brotha, but you’d be hard pressed thinking that form is going to hold up.
Norsqui won the Adelaide Cup over the two miles a couple of starts back, so we know he’ll get the trip.
Julienas was too bad to be true behind Tremec, and you’re getting a nice price if you can forgive that run.
Mourayan is tough and honest, but 3200m is a bit too far for him, while Niwot was looking on track for this earlier in his campaign, but has since fallen in a hole.
Not a great field, but they don’t have to be when they confirm correct weight on the winner.
Selections: 1. Kelinni 2. Julienas 3. Maluckyday 4. Norsqui
All Aged Stakes
The fourth of the Group 1 features at Randwick is surely the most anticipated, as we see the glamour match-up of All Too Hard and More Joyous over 1400m.
This could be the last time we see More Joyous in Sydney, if not ever, while it’s certainly the last time we’ll see All Too Hard race on Australian soil.
It’s a surprise to me that the mare is favourite over the three year old colt. She hasn’t saluted in her last four starts, and we’ve seen the three year olds have been completely dominant against the older horses this season.
All Too Hard’s wins in the Orr and Futurity weren’t against vintage fields, but let’s not forget his Caulfield Guineas win and Cox Plate second, defeating Pierro both times. The latter comfortably accounted for More Joyous in the Canterbury Stakes last month.
We know everything there is to know about More Joyous, and she is undefeated over seven furlongs. The knock on All Too Hard is that he’s not as effective the Sydney way of going, and if there is a chink in his armour, she’ll expose it.
There isn’t any better form than behind Black Caviar, so Epaulette’s second in the TJ Smith must be taken seriously. He’s already a Group 1 winner over 1400m, and is a legitimate winning hope.
Selections: 1. All Too Hard 2. More Joyous 3. Epaulette 4. Rain Affair
Robert Sangster Stakes
Snitzerland brings the Sydney form to Adelaide for their first Group 1 of the season, another race where the three year olds hold the whip hand against the older horses. What a crop it is, we’ll be surely be talking about this generation for many years to come.
Snitzerland will start in red figures, but she is taking on a field of game and honest mares, almost none of whom can be taken lightly.
Platelet looks the toughest to beat, while I’ve got an inkling that Just Discreet can run a race at enormous value. Shamal Wind can throw in a shocker, but her best will go close to winning this.
Selections: 1. Snitzerland 2. Just Discreet 3. Platelet 4. Shamal Wind
Australasian Oaks
Not the first race we think of when reflecting on the great Group 1s of Australian racing, but connections of those involved won’t be too concerned if it’s their filly standing in box one after the race!
Molto Bene is the favourite in an even betting race, a classy filly who hasn’t won for a while, but has always looked like this sort of trip would see her produce a good result.
Alzora is a nice filly who wasn’t quite up to it in the Stormqueen but finds an easier race here. Maybe Discreet is honest, and will probably look the winner at some stage in the straight, while Global Balance will be another running her down.
Selections: 1. Alzora 2. Molto Bene 3. Global Balance 4. Maybe Discreet
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