The unofficial third day of The Championships, the grand finals of horse racing, takes centre stage this Saturday! With the Group 1 Champagne Stakes and All Aged Stakes featuring on the stunning card, and with plenty of black-type and prizemoney up for grabs, it’s the perfect way to finish the Sydney autumn! In Victoria, Mornington has its day in the sun with the running of the Listed Mornington Cup. With the Mornington Guineas and Hareeba Stakes also featuring, a huge local crowd is expected trackside.
Randwick Race 6
#8 Renaissance Woman
Renaissance Woman is racing better than her form suggests. Her performance behind Serpentine two starts back was good against the track pattern and bias, and her latest effort has been added to the forgive run file. The step out to 2000m is ideal at this stage of her preparation, and I suspect she will take all the shortcuts in the run from a perfect inside draw. She is over the odds if she can recapture her best form.
Yonce was ok in the Group 1 Coolmore without threatening. The step out in distance is advantageous, and she looks well placed in this company. The bigger Randwick circuit will suit her racing pattern and style, and I suspect this could be her final event before heading to the breeding barn. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Renaissance Woman @ $12.00
Randwick RACE 7
#7 Manaal
Manaal is the best bet of the day on a tricky and competitive program. The Tassort filly produced a monster run in Golden Slipper from an impossible position, and her last stride win in the Sires’ was one for the ages. She looks tailormade for the mile, and she oozes class and talent. She will drift back in the small field and watch the race unfold, and if she can produce her customary turn of foot late, her opposition will be racing for second position. Happy to push the chips in here.
Linebacker has made a perfect start to his racing career. The Super Seth colt was good late in a hot form race second-up, and he unbelievably lines up for a shot at Group 1 glory at his third career start. The Berry and O’Shea combination must be respected, and he looks ominous, jumping from a middle gate. The big boy will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he can control the tempo throughout, the race could be over before patrons return to their seats. The class rise is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Manaal @ $2.50
Randwick Race 8
#10 Sunshine In Paris
Sunshine In Paris is ready to win. The Invader mare was narrowly beaten fresh on inferior ground, and her second-up performance on a genuine heavy track was full of merit. She is undefeated at the distance, and she traditionally races well at this stage of her preparation. The talented four-year-old is building an enviable career record, and Group 1 glory beckons for the Annabel Neasham-trained star. If she can get off the dulex as they run for the doctor, I expect her to gobble up her rivals late.
Private Eye is always thereabouts and is too consistent to dismiss. He was enormous fresh against Imperatriz in the Black Caviar and has been a victim of circumstances since. The Al Maher gelding has won a barrier trial leading into this assignment, and the services of the in-form James McDonald could prove a training masterstroke. The 59kg and wide gate are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Sunshine In Paris @ $5.00
Mornington Race 6
#5 Riproar
Riproar was a brilliant winner fresh at Geelong. The Charm Spirit gelding carried the grandstand with ease, and he put his rivals to the sword a long way from home. The form around him has stood up time and again, and he looks the class runner of the field. He strips fitter after his recent outing, and I suspect he will excel over the longer trip second-up. From barrier five he can sit on the bunny, and if he can cheat the clock throughout, he can lead his opposition a merry dance.
Grid Girl will have supporters after producing two victories from three starts this campaign. The Time Test filly looks the real deal, and she rarely misses the trifecta. The 1600m won’t pose any problems, and the flood of early money indicates another bold performance. If she can avoid an early-speed battle, she will fight out the finish. Plenty of upside!
Suggested Bet: Riproar @ $3.00
Mornington Race 8
#4 First Immortal
First Immortal was a brilliant winner fresh. He swept to the lead at the top of the home straight, and his rivals were left cast with Tom Hanks and Wilson. I am unsure he was on the best part of the track second-up, and he floundered late to the bemusement of favourite punters. The step out to 2400m looks perfect third-up from a spell, and his best performance here could be fences and panels better than his rivals. Barrier thirteen is his biggest hurdle.
Future History is ready to win. Both runs this preparation have been ominous, and he has been crying out for the longer trip since the never-ending Fast & Furious movies started. From the middle gate, he will ping the lids and sit on top of the speed, and if he is left to his own devices throughout, he could be home singing ragtime before his rivals reach the final furlong. Knockout chance.
Suggested Bet: First Immortal @ $5.00
Mornington Race 9
#11 Grand Impact
Grand Impact was good first-up after a long layoff. He looked the winner on straightening and carried the 61kg with distinction. The allocated 54kg on Saturday is luxurious, and his record at the distance must be respected. The tight Mornington circuit will suit his racing pattern and style, and I suspect he will look the winner as they run for the judge. If you have a live ticket with this name on it, close your eyes during the final 100m.
Savannah Cloud got the chocolates on Good Friday in the Country Showcase Classic at Yarra Glen. The Savabeel gelding was brave late, and he put his head down when it mattered the most. He finds his pet distance here, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. From barrier two, he can occupy the box seat throughout, and if he sees oxygen before the final furlong, he can continue on his winning way.
Suggested Bet: Grand Impact @ $5.00
