Day 2 of The Championships, the grand finals of horse racing, take centre stage this Saturday! With four time-honoured Group 1 events featuring on the monster card and with plenty of black-type and prizemoney up for grabs, all roads lead to the eastern suburbs of Sydney! In Victoria, Bendigo has it’s day in the sun with the running of the Listed Bendigo Guineas. With the VOBIS Gold Rush also featuring, a bumper crowd is expected in the north-west.
Randwick Race 6
#1 ORCHESTRAL
Orchestral looks a monty in the Australian Oaks. Her last-start victory in the Vinery was resilient and tough, and she will eat up every inch of the longer trip. The picket fence next to her name is stunning, and her versatility and class separates her from the opposition. From barrier three, I suspect she will sit in the box seat, and if she sees daylight before the final furlong, I expect her to prove too strong late.
Zardozi is ready to peak. All runs this preparation have been first-class, and she finds her pet distance on Saturday. The Kingman filly handles all track conditions and has been heavily supported since markets opened. She will drift back From the wide gate and find her hooves; if the leaders overdo it early, she can capitalise late. Too talented to pot!
Suggested Bet: Orchestral @ $1.60
Randwick RACE 7
#14 Major Beel
Major Beel is ready to win. The Savabeel gelding has been good without winning this campaign, and he has been crying out for the longer trip all preparation. The enigmatic four-year-old will push forward from the inside draw, and the luxurious 51.5kg brings him into all winning conversations. There has been an avalanche of money for the Gai Waterhouse-trained galloper in early betting, and I suspect his quote will shorten further if the heavens open. Over the odds!
Serpentine is flying at present. The Galileo gelding has been impressive in both starts this campaign, and I suspect he has recaptured his mojo. The one-time Epsom Derby winner looks well placed in this company, and the 3200m trip holds no fears for the rising eight-year-old. The big boy should get a dream run in transit from barrier four, and I feel he has been missed by the handicapper with his allocated weight.
Suggested Bet: Major Beel @ $17.00
Randwick Race 8
#8 VIA SISTINA
Via Sistina is a marvel! The Fastnet Rock mare has superior form, and her first-up performance in Australia was borderline arrogant. The Chris Waller-trained six-year-old oozes class and her record over 2000m is outrageous. She traditionally performs well at this preparation stage and is ideally drawn in a middle gate. If she can stay in touch with the tearaway leader, I suspect she will put her rivals to the sword inside the final furlong.
Place Du Carrousel was good behind Via Sistina in a pedestrian Ranvet. The Lope De Vega mare will be suited stepping out in distance, and she is undefeated second-up from a spell. The stronger tempo on Saturday will suit her racing pattern and style, and her international form reads incredibly well for this event. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Via Sistina @ $2.30
Randwick Race 9
#1 Atishu
Atishu was game in defeat in a brilliant edition of the Australian Cup. The Savabeel mare loomed to win, and she was outgunned by the people’s warhorse Cascadian late. Dropping back to the mile is advantageous, and the popular six-year-old looks well-placed to defend her title on Saturday. She can occupy the box seat from barrier two throughout, and if the gaps appear before the whips are cracking, I expect her to greet the judge before her rivals.
Zougotcha has been a revelation this preparation. The Zoustar mare has put away her races and opposition with ease, and the form around her has stood up time and again during the autumn. The mile third-up from a spell looks ideal, and I suspect she will receive the run of the race from the perfect inside draw. I am unsure the month between runs is advantageous.
Suggested Bet: Atishu @ $5.00
Bendigo Race 7
#2 Shuffle Dancer
Shuffle Dancer is over the odds. The I Am Invincible mare had excuses first-up, and she has turned heads at the jump outs since. Her best form would win this event by fences and panels, and I suspect this event is her primary target for the autumn. From barrier two, she will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if she doesn’t get too far out of her ground during the race’s early stages, I expect her to figure in the finish. Watch for her late!
Marble Arch will have supporters after winning her latest outing in stunning fashion. The Per Incanto mare is in a rich vein of form, and she deserves her shot at this level on Saturday. Her record at 1400m must be respected, and she is drawn to perfection in barrier three. The progressive four-year-old is a rock-hard fit, and with even luck in transit, she should be hard to toss.
Suggested Bet: Shuffle Dancer @ $23.00
bendigo Race 8
#1 Sunshineinmypocket
Sunshineinmypocket has made a perfect start to his racing career. The Proisir gelding is undefeated, and he possesses a massive turn of foot and huge engine. The Ciaron Maher trained three-year-old looks well placed dropping back to his own age group, and jumping from the inside draw will give his rivals sleepless nights. If John Allen can get the well-supported commodity off the duplex before the final furlong, I expect he will prove too strong for his rivals late. The allocated weight is the primary concern.
Wolfy is ready to fire. The Tivaci colt was an impressive winner at Caulfield two starts back, and he was good without threatening in a hot-form race at his latest outing. He has performed consistently well at the top level his whole career and arguably has the best turn of foot in Saturday’s event. He looks well placed at Listed level, and the big and spacious Bendigo track should suit his racing pattern and style. It could be a full moon at the nursery of champions.
Suggested Bet: Sunshineinmypocket @ $7.00
