Spearheaded by the Doncaster Mile (1600m), Saturday’s Day 1 of The Championships is set to kick off in style with fellow G1 features: the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m), Australian Derby (2400m) and the Inglis Sires (1400m).
Getting in light at the weights and chasing a hat-trick of Group 1 victories, George Ryder Stakes winner Forbidden Love leads the way in early betting for the Doncaster Mile.
Currently sitting on the second line of betting following his eye-catching finish in the All-Star Mile is last Spring’s Golden Eagle winner I’m Thunderstruck. Sure to be rated in the Heavy going, the son of Shocking holds a 1/1 record in the conditions but will be stepping out on the Randwick surface for the first time.
On the next line of betting and one-time favourite for the race – off the back of his win in the Randwick Guineas, is three-year-old Converge. Bypassing the All-Star Mile, the son of Frankel will be eager to bounce back from his defeat in the Rosehill Guineas.
Other Intriguing nominations for the $3 million race include Coolmore Classic winner Lighthouse, G2 Blamey Stakes winner Inspirational Girl; who teams back up with William Pike , last year’s runner-up Icebath and WA star Kissonallforcheeks.
As for the sprinters in the TJ Smith, racegoers are set to be treated to another exciting edition of Nature Strip v Eduardo. Nature Strip has gone up a clear top pick in early markets, as he looks to notch up his third victory in the race in as many years.
Other nominated runners who sit under double digits in the betting are last year’s runner up Masked Crusaderand Shelby Sixtysix, who will be looking to continue his fairy-tale run after taking out last fortnight’s Group 1 The Galaxy.
In respect to the stayer’s Group 1 feature in the Australian Derby, first-up winner of the Australian Guineas Hitotsu dominates the early markets.
Sparring partner to the victor of last October’s Australian Guineas and on the second line of betting is Forgot You – who will be ready to peak off his third-place finish in the Rosehill Guineas.
Godolphin duo Alegron and impressive winner of Monday’s rescheduled G2 Tulloch Stakes Character are expected to line up over the 2400m, as well as Autumn Classic winner Castlereagh Kid .
In the Inglis Sires, Golden Slipper champion Fireburn has gone up a deserved favourite and is likely to again face fierce competition from Blue Diamond winner Daumier and She’s Extreme.
Un-beaten Victorian Let’Srollthedice from the Danny O’Brien stable is another interesting nomination, as well as the Chris Waller-trained Showcourt, who has been luckless in her two career starts to date.
The remaining major events on the 10-race card comprise of the Group 2 Chairmans (2600m), the Group 3 P J Bell (1200m) Adrian Knox (2000m) and Carbine Stakes (1600m), and the Country Championships Final.
With rain forecast for the rest of the week, it is unlikely the currently rated Heavy 9 Randwick surface will be upgraded into the Soft range.
The rail is set to be in its true position.
