Day 1 of The Championships, the grand finals of horse racing, are here! With four time-honoured Group 1 events featuring on the stunning card and with plenty of black-type and prizemoney up for grabs, all roads lead to Royal Randwick. With a month’s worth of rain predicated over the coming week, Noah and his arc might make their traditional yearly appearance on autumn’s biggest day!
Randwick Race 6
#1 Storm Boy
Glamour colt Storm Boy can bounce back after having his colours’ lowered for the first time in the Golden Slipper. The talented two-year-old by Justify missed the start badly, and I am still determining if the rail was the place to be on the day. The 1400m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation, and James McDonald has several options for the big boy jumping from barrier eight. I suspect he will sit in the one out one back position, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to prove too strong for his rivals late.
Traffic Warden savaged the line at this latest outing. The Street Boss colt has already tasted success over the seven furlongs, and he should get the gun run in transit from a perfect inside draw. If Jamie Kah can get him off the dulex when the whips are cracking, he can figure in the finish. Too consistent to pot!
Suggested Bet: Storm Boy @ $2.50
Randwick RACE 7
#8 Imperatriz
Imperatriz is an absolute marvel! The I Am Invincible mare was outstanding late in the William Reid, and her enviable career record keeps growing in stature. Her versatility makes her a nightmare for her rivals, and with the high probability of a heavy track for Saturday’s sprinting feature, she again looks incredibly hard to beat. Opie Bosson can roll forward from the middle gate, and if she can control the clock throughout, the race could be over before patrons return to their seats. She is a pleasure to watch!
Sunshine In Paris was a good thing licked first-up from a spell. The Invader mare was beaten by the inferior ground on the running rail, and it was a hard watch for the punters who backed her into favouritism from a decent double-figure quote. Her record at the distance must be respected, and she strips fitter after her recent outing. With even luck in transit, I expect her to make her presence felt late.
Suggested Bet: Imperatriz @ $3.30
Randwick Race 8
#7 Kovalica
Kovalica is knocking on the door! His two runs this preparation have been good without winning, and I suspect he is ready to produce a peak performance for his autumn campaign on Saturday. The Ocean Park gelding loves the mile, and if it turns into a hard slog, he can stay longer than your mother-in-law. From the awkward gate he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if he doesn’t get too far out of his ground during the middle stages of the race, he can gobble up his rivals late. Watch for his huge turn of foot inside the final furlong!
Another Wil is flying! The Street Boss gelding has been progressing through his grades successfully during 2024, and he deserves his shot at Group 1 glory. The picket fence next to his name is attractive, and he looks to have a long and successful racing career in front of him. The Jamie Kah and Ciaron Maher combination will attract further market support, and he will be suited to the predicated track conditions. Jumping from another suburb is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Kovalica @ $18.00
Randwick Race 9
#14 Zardozi
Zardozi looks dangerous on the quick back-up. The VRC Oaks winner was brave in defeat last weekend against the star filly Orchestral, and her second-up victory in the Phar Lap Stakes against the boys was borderline arrogant. The step out to 2400m is advantageous, and she will save every inch of ground from a perfect inside draw. She handles all track conditions, and she looks one of the better bets on a fantastic program of racing. In Jamie Kah, we trust!
Tom Kitten is one frustrating customer to follow. The Harry Angel colt is ultra-talented; however, he has the rare ability of always finding trouble throughout. The longer trip will suit the enigmatic three-year-old, and he is due for a change in fortune. From barrier three, he should get a dream run, and if he sees daylight before they climb the famous Randwick rise, he can figure in the finish. Take on trust!
Suggested Bet: Zardozi @ $3.50
Caulfield Race 4
#1 Inhibitions
Inhibitions is ready to win! The Zoustar filly has been good without troubling the scorer this preparation, and she looks well placed in this company. She savaged the line at her latest outing, and she put the writing on the wall for a next start victory. From the wide gate she will drift back and find her hooves, and if the peloton leave the kettle on early, she can capitalise late. Her recent winning record is the primary concern.
Lazzago is over the odds. The Capitalist filly has been luckless in this preparation, and she has been performing better than her form reads in the guide. Her turn of foot is sensational, and I suspect there is a huge engine under her bonnet. Her racing style and pattern will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Inhibitions @ $8.00
Caulfield Race 8
#4 Here To Shock
Here To Shock was great fresh in the Echuca Cup carrying the grandstand. The Shocking gelding drops significantly down in the weights, and he has trialed impressively since his ominous first-up performance. The Group 1 competitive six-year-old traditionally excels second-up, and the 1400m is arguably his pet distance. The flood of early money indicates another bold and forward performance.
Globe resumes after a disappointing performance, albeit with excuses, in the Feehan Stakes. The Charm Spirit gelding was undefeated prior to his cardiac arrhythmia episode at Moonee Valley, and there was a big boom surrounding the talented five-year-old. He has turned heads at two recent barrier trials, and the stable is confident he can recapture his winning form from 12 months ago. It may pay dividends to watch for any significant market support.
Suggested Bet: Here To Shock @ $8.00
