A truly fantastic afternoon of racing at Royal Randwick is ahead of us on Saturday with plenty of stars on show.
Our full 2022 Chipping Norton Stakes Tips & Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: Coolmore Pierro Plate (1000m) – 12:25pm
Tip: No. 6 Salire
Salire has won two of three so far in short racing career including a dominant 3.5 length win at Muswellbrook last start.
The lightly raced four year old gelding is yet to race on the heavy surface but is two from two on the soft.
Race 2: Midway Handicap (1100m) – 1:00pm
Tip: No. 1 Delexo
Delexo won three of his five starts during a very successful campaign last time in.
He was beaten one length in a similar race to this one when resuming and he looks well placed yet again.
Race 3: Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) – 1:35pm
Tip: No. 1 Coolangatta
The best two year old filly in the country returns in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes on Saturday.
The unbeaten Coolangatta was last seen taking out the Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast and will now how her sights set firmly on the Golden Slipper.
It will take a good one to beat her and I can’t find it on this race.
Race 4: Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) – 2:10pm
Tip: No. 5 Sandpaper
Sandpaper was impressive when winning on debut at Canterbury before he was narrowly denied in the Pierro Plate last time out.
The son of Snitzel has a heap of natural speed and he has drawn to get a nice run in transit from barrier five in the Skyline Stakes.
Race 5: Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) – 2:45pm
Tip: No. 2 Ellsberg
Ellsberg is a progressive type of race horse who has now been placed in 12 of 14 career race starts.
He has not raced since his narrow defeat in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes in December but his trial in between runs was impressive.
His record on the heavy surface is good and he’s drawn to get a nice run in transit in the Liverpool City Cup.
Race 6: Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) – 3:25pm
Tip: No. 2 Forbidden Love & No. 11 Promise Of Success
Icebath is the deserving favourite in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes but I’m happy to take her on at the price.
Forbidden Love was beaten less than half a length first up in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes and will take improvement from that run.
She has won two from three on the heavy surface and represents good value.
I have a high opinion of Promise Of Success who gets in very well at the weights in this event and will also appreciate the deluge of rain forecast.
Race 7: Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600) – 4:05pm
Tip: No. 9 Colette
Colette was doing her best work late in Apollo Stakes first up and will take plenty of benefit from the run.
The five year old mare is three from three on the heavy surface and she will get conditions to suit on Saturday at Royal Randwick.
She’s drawn perfectly in barrier three in the Chipping Norton Stakes field and if she is ahead of the champ Verry Elleegant on the turn, she will be tough to beat.
Race 8: Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) – 4:45pm
Tip: No. 7 Espiona
Despite beaten as favourite first up, Espiona would have lost few admirers in a gallant effort.
She put the writing on the wall with a dominant 6.5 length win at Flemington on Oaks Day during the spring which was a performance of a very good young filly.
The 1200m did not suit first up and she will appreciate getting out over some more ground during her prep.
This is the toughest task she has faced but she oozes class ahead of the Surround Stakes.
Race 9: Benchmark 88 Handicap (2000m) – 5:25pm
Tip: No. 3 Chalk Stream
The Chris Waller trained Chalk Stream will make his Australian debut in this benchmark 88 on Saturday.
The Son of Sea The Stars put together three impressive wins during his last campaign and while this is short of his ideal distance, he’s had to tune up trials leading into this first up assignment.
Interesting to note that James McDonald has jumped off the consistent Yiyi to ride this horse which seems a good push to me.
Race 10: Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m) – 6:00pm
Tip: Boxed Trifecta 3/4/8/12
We’ve boxed them up in the last.
Let’s finish on a winning note.