Races

VIDEO: Sam Hyland – The Championships Day 2

Posted on | Posted by Sam Hyland

It’s day two of The Championships at Royal Randwick and there’s another four Group 1’s up for grabs, plus a terrific undercard.

Champion mare WINX (No. 9) is gunning for 25 wins on the spin in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Race 7), and although she’s drawn the widest gate (10), it should matter little. She wasn’t dominant in the George Ryder last time out, but she ran time, and she steps up to 2000m here, where she’s six from seven. HAPPY CLAPPER (No. 1) GAILO CHOP (No. 2) and HUMIDOR (No. 3) look set to battle it out for the minor placings.

It’s a typically competitive renewal of the Sydney Cup (Race 8), headlined by 2016 Melbourne Cup winner ALMANDIN (No. 1). The eight-year-old was super in winning the Tancred Stakes last time out and is proven at the trip, but he does have top weight of 57kg to contend with. Stablemate ALOFT (No. 10) resumed with a smart win over 2600m, is a winner at two miles and has just 51 kg. SIR CHARLES ROAD (NO. 13) also has no weight (50kg) and should be respected, while Japanese stayer PRE STWICK (No. 6) is the wildcard.

In the Australian Oaks (Race 6), HIYAAM (No. 2) is likely to start favourite on the back of her brilliant all-the-way win in the Vinery Stud Stakes, and she’s sure to take catching. ALOISIA (No. 1) has been luckless this campaign and is all class, but she is a risk at the 2400m. LUVALUVA (No. 5) is flying this time in and will give a bold sight if she doesn’t have too tough a run from barrier 13.

There’s a host of chances in the Coolmore Legacy Stakes (Race 9). Ron Quinton’s star mares DAYSEE DOOM (NO. 1) and DIXIE BLOSSOMS (NO. 3) are always around the mark, so too is SILENT SEDITION (No. 5). Victorian mare SPANISH REEF has won her past three, albeit in lesser grade, while FOXPLAY (No. 2), PROMPT RESPONSE (No. 4), ALIZEE (No. 11) and No. 9 OREGON’S DAY (No. 9) all could win without surprising.

Best Bets:

RANDWICK
Race 10, No. 3 – Spright

CAULFIELD
Race 3, No. 2 – Savacool

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