The Championships are over for another year but there are another two Group 1's on offer at Royal Randwick this Saturday as the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival begins to wind down.
The Champagne Stakes and the All Aged Stakes are the two headline acts, but both vary hugely in quality, with the former probably one of the weakest Group 1 races in some time. Four Group 3's among the remaining seven races will provide some further interest.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5, with a small chance of a shower or two on Saturday. I don't expect the track to end up any worse than a Soft 5 but the chance of an upgrade is probably unlikely. Here's our horse racing tips for Randwick this Saturday.
Race 1
Terrible race to start off and one I won't be having a bet in but if I had to pick one I'd go each way on Night's On Fire who's been racing in some of the stronger races and gets in well with the 2kg claim.
Race 2
Santa Ana Lane is deservedly favourite but I'm not sure about the $2.80 on offer. Much prefer the $19 about Ryker first up and the $11 about Lady Jivago at the bottom of the weights.
Race 3
Old North is definitely the one to beat after his win in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes last time out. Stays at 2000m and looks a terrific chance. Happy to take the short odds.
Race 4
Not as confident as Old North but Godolphin have another great chance with Pearls who put the writing on the wall last start and comes out of some strong races. No More Tears could be one to watch at big odds, might improve sharply up to 1400m and with a slightly firmer track.
Race 5 - Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes 1600m - Group 1
This may be the worst Group 1 race all season following the scratching of hot favourite Yankee Rose.
PRIZED ICON: Set to start close to favouritism following the scratching of Yankee Rose. Good win in a small field last start and gets the weight swing in his favour today. Will be looking to take up a prominent position and looks a great chance.
JAWS OF STEEL: Good win in the Mornington Sires' at only his second career start last time out. Pulled up with mucus despite the win and the 1600m will suit him. We saw Laing bring a horse over last week and it won so he looks quite big odds.
CHIMBORAA: Interesting to note that Bowman jumps off Prized Icon to ride this horse. Great run two starts ago when runner up behind Souchez before finishing midfield behind Yankee Rose last start. Can bounce back.
EL SICARIO: Tough formline to line up coming over from NZ but this stable brought Tavago over and won the Australian Derby so definitely respect his chances.
CROWN HIM: Finished 2nd behind Prized Icon last start but was beaten two lengths and is 3kg worse off at the weights so hard to see him turning the tables.
DIVINE PROPHET: Won a race at Kembla last start and has since had a trial. Jumps from 1200m to 1600m straight away which is interesting but the way he finished off at Kembla would suggest more ground is better. Interesting runner.
OBSCURA: Settled at the back of the field in a Group 3 last start and finished off very strongly to end up just 1.4L off the winner. That was 1400m so 1600m looks like it will suit and from barrier 1 he will be closer to the speed. Good chance.
NORTH SKY: Wears blinkers for the first time after coming up from Melbourne where he's had two starts. His run at Sandown last start was a improvement but can't see him winning.
FARAWAY TOWN: Finished 3rd in the Sires' behind Yankee Rose last start, but was 4.5L off the winner. Has finished off well at both starts this prep and 1600m should be a good thing for her. Looks a nice hope.
POP: Won a maiden at Pakenham and followed it up with a 2nd in the Mornington Sires' behind Jaws Of Steel. Needs to improve to feature in this.
1st OBSCURA
2nd PRIZED ICON
3rd FARAWAY TOWN
4th EL SICARIO
Race 6
I really like Target In Sight as a horse and that Malaguerra formline appears to be very strong. As always with Joe Pride runners, watch the market for confidence, and also keep an eye on both Artlee and Music Magnate who have been well supported in early betting.
Race 7 - Schweppes All Aged Stakes 1400m - Group 1
KERMADEC: Terribly disappointing in the Doncaster but pulled up with back soreness and drops back to 1400m here. He was flying before the Doncaster so if he reproduces that form he goes very close to winning here.
BLACK HEART BART: Great win in the Victoria Handicap last start and this is a horse I really like from his days in WA. Absolutely loves 1400m and he's used to carrying big weights. Won't like a rain affected track at all is the concern.
REBEL DANE: Going terribly at his last couple. Blinkers come off here but I can't see him turning around his form. Won't mind a bit of cut in the ground.
MALAGUERRA: His performances this prep have been very impressive and the form has stood up all the way. Has to lump a big weight here under WFA conditions but can't knock the way he is going and expect him to go well again.
GOLDSTREAM: Italian import having his first run in Australia. Generally these imports need a couple of preps to find their feet and he's probably looking for further than this. Has trialed twice coming into the race so interesting to see how forward he is, but prepared to watch.
PRESS STATEMENT: Admirable performance behind Winx in the George Ryder and he once again gets weight relief under WFA conditions. Skipped the Doncaster so he's relatively fresh for this and he's certainly a big chance.
ENGLISH: Going very well at the moment. Ran a great 3rd behind Chautauqua in the TJ Smith last start and off only 54.5kg gets in well. The concern is the 1400m where she was beaten as favourite at her only attempt.
PERIGNON: Group 2 winner three starts back but was well beaten last start. Gets the blinkers back on but would need to improve out of sight to win this.
1st KERMADEC
2nd PRESS STATEMENT
3rd MALAGUERRA
4th BLACK HEART BART
Race 8
Another good chance for Godolphin here with Havana Cooler who was very impressive first up and has been kept fresh coming into this. Step up to 2000m ideal and should be hard to beat.
Race 9
Very competitive race. Nancy certainly hard to beat here at her third run back from a spell and with a low weight. But there are plenty of chances including Religify, Medcaut, Tales Of Grimm, Pajaro and Snippets Land. Probably look at boxing them up.
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
