The Spring Racing Carnival is underway for 2024 and it shapes up to be a fascinating 2-3 months with a host of good races and good horses set to take their place in search of Group 1 glory.
Adam Page has looked into his crystal ball and provided a preview of key races and horses to potentially back early in the market, as well as horses to avoid! Check out his Spring carnival futures bets below!
Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Saturday September 14
Winx Stakes winner Via Sistina is favourite and easy to see why given how stunning she was at Randwick and the fact that James McDonald is electing to ride her vs staying in Sydney. Mr Brightside won the race last year and was super in his return in the Memsie when second to Pinstriped and looks on target again. The unknown is Pride Of Jenni, who was too bad to be true when down the track in the Memsie and is now at an attractive price at around $8, alongside Pinstriped and Riff Rocket, who was a real eye catcher in the Winx Stakes. The X factor is Queensland Derby winner Warmonger, who is using this as a Caulfield Cup kick off point and has trialled up really well.
Back: Warmonger ($15), Via Sistina ($2.20)
Avoid: Pinstriped, Pride Of Jenni
Golden Rose (1400m), Saturday September 28
Fascinating market at this stage with Storm Boy holding the call over Broadsiding after spanking his rivals in the San Domenico. He looks back on track and will likely head to the Run To The Rose whereas Broadsiding will go into the race first up. It's hard to ignore what Broadsiding did as a juvenile, winning two majors and his recent Rosehill trial was sizzling. He has the runs on the board and does look the one to beat. Storm Boy was dominant fresh, but the pattern did suit him for the meeting so he needs to do it again before being stamped as #1 seed for this race. The value could be Traffic Warden, who has trialled up enormous and looks ready to rock and roll for the Spring.
Back: Broadsiding ($3.80), Traffic Warden ($8.50)
Avoid: Storm Boy
Epsom Handicap (1600m), Saturday October 5
This is shaping up to be a great race with some quality gallopers high up in the market and likely to run. The path looks quite clear for Tom Kitten now he's been gelded. First up win was super and will run in the Bill Richie Handicap, which is a main lead up to this race. He looks as though he is being trained as a miler and with the gelding operation, he looks a different, better horse. Democracy Manifest was a real eye catcher first up in the Show County and looks specifically targeted for this race. Slight query at 1600m but he looks to have come back in really good order. Keep an eye on Loch Eagle for Kris Lees. He didn't run too bad in the Doncaster in the Autumn and I think will be right down in the weights. Another Wil is going to the Toorak, not this race, so avoid him, and Joliestar/Riff Rocket have eyes on other races.
Back: Tom Kitten ($6), Democracy Manifest ($15), Loch Eagle ($101)
Avoid: Another Wil, Joliestar, Riff Rocket
The Everest (1200m), Saturday October 19
It is shaping up to be a very intriguing edition. I Wish I Win looks the one with clear intent and he found winning form during the Brisbane Winter when taking out the Kingsford Smith Cup. He ran a ripping race in The Everest last year and looks spot on for the 2024 edition. Joliestar is all but assured a slot for the race and it's hard not to be impressed by her given how arrogant she was first up in the Show County and seems so dynamic as a sprinter. The intriguing one for, potentially, is Traffic Warden. He was great in a couple of runs at 1400m but I do reckon a fast run 1200m could well be perfect for him. He heads to the Golden Rose, where I think he runs as well, and then Godolphin freshen him up and set him for this. I am keen to oppose a couple high up in market, namely Storm Boy, who I am not 100% sold on just yet as to whether he's back or not, and the trial/jumpout work of Bustling has been just fair. I am keen to risk him this Spring.
Back: I Wish I Win ($4.20), Joliestar ($4.60), Traffic Warden ($34)
Avoid: Storm Boy, Bustling
Caulfield Cup (2400m), Saturday October 19
Place Du Carrousel is looking to be Without A Fight 2.0 for Team Freedman. High class mare that will resume in the Underwood en route to this race. She looks to have come back enormous and is ticking along beautifully towards a big Spring, with this race being a key target. Warmonger is being set for the race too and will have that sense of timing, third up. Fawkner Park was a find late last season but I am not 100% sold on him at this elite level so I think he is slight unders.
Back: Place Du Carrousel ($17), Warmonger ($11)
Avoid: Fawkner Park
