Preview of The Championships Day 1 at Randwick

April 5, 2019 | By More

Sydney autumn racing moves to Royal Randwick for The Championships.

One of the key racing programs on the Australian calendar, The Championships see thoroughbreds compete for over $20 million in prize money.

The Championships Day 1 features the Group 1 $2 million Australian Derby and the Group 1 $3 million Doncaster Mile.

If that’s not enough to wet the appetite, world’s best racehorse Winx steps out in an exhibition gallop.

She cruises over the course proper at 11.40am, ridden by her champion jockey Hugh Bowman.

This will be her final public appearance before the $4M Queen Elizabeth Stakes here at Randwick next week.

Day 1 of The Championships features 4 Group 1 events, highlighted by the iconic $3M Doncaster Mile, the toughest mile handicap in Australia.

Steeped in history and with a winners list of great gallopers to have graced Australia’s racetracks, this race is the legend of Sydney racing!

Of course, great horse racing calls for great tips and we are right here for you in this department!

Australian Derby

The $2M Australian Derby of 2019 is a strong and even affair.

Bet on the Australian Derby with our preferred online bookmaker, Unibet.

The three form races we focus on in our analysis are the Rosehill Guineas, Tulloch Stakes and Alister Clark Stakes.

My assessment of the form in these races gives rise to, in order; Angel Of Truth, Chapada, Arrogant, Surely Sacred, In A Twinkling, Madison County, Global Exchange, Declarationofheart, Cossetot and Stars Of Carrum.

Considering the track conditions, our best bet is Chapada $6.00.

Chapada ran third in the VRC Derby and closed strongly in the Rosehill Guineas.

He has Damien Oliver on board and expect odds to ease a little pre-race.

Stars Of Carrum $11 is the each-way bet.

Stars of Carrum was comfortably held by Global Exchange in the Alister Clark Stakes but closed the race off well.

Both Chapada and Stars of Carrum have placings in the VRC Derby, which historically is a good form reference for the Australian Derby.

Sires Produce Stakes

The first Group 1 of the day is the $1M Sires’ Produce Stakes, featuring a strong field of juveniles.

Bet on the Sires’ Produce with our preferred bookmaker, Unibet.

The form lines for this event has been all over the place in recent years.

Last year’s winner El Dorado Dreaming started at odds of $81 with $151 found at various times. 

The three form races are the Golden Slipper (not the winner), the Magic Night and Pago Pago Stakes.

My analysis sees the runners Microphone, Loving Gaby, Probabeel, Crystal Falls and Spring Loaded. 

Loving Gaby $4.80 is the best bet.

Probabeel $9.00 is also with backing and Crystal Falls $18.00 seems well over the odds.

TJ Smith Stakes

The TJ Smith Stakes is the premier sprint race of the Sydney autumn carnival and this year has assembled an outstanding field.

Bet on the TJ Smith with our preferred bookmaker, Unibet.

There have been a few changes in the lead up races over the years but the two races to look at are the Newmarket and the Galaxy.

Also, look for sprinters who are dropping in distance as this is another successful form reference.

Trapeze Artist and Shoals fit the bill in this regard as they are coming back from the Canterbury Stakes.

I see the main bet in the TJ Smith as Pierata $7.50.

Pierata lost by the narrowest of margins in the Galaxy and has been knocking on the door to win a race at this level.

Pierata has an undeniable chance as long as Tommy Berry doesn’t have him too far back.

I also think that Santa Ana Lane was excellent in the Newmarket where he hit the line hard as usual and he does improve after his fresh run.

The speed looks to be very strong and he gets weight relief from Sunlight and Osborne Bulls from the Newmarket.

Santa Ana Lane should be right in the finish.

If the track dries out, the multiple G1 filly Sunlight is also a top chance.

The pace here looks extreme so it may be hard for her to withstand one of the very well-performed swoopers coming off a fast tempo.

Doncaster Mile

The Doncaster Mile is the feature event and there are so many chances, it’s an excellent race for value punters.

Bet on the Doncaster Mile with our preferred bookmaker, Unibet.

Historically, there are two races that are critical for analysis of Doncaster form.

They are the Coolmore Classic and George Ryder, however we do not want to back the winners of these races.

My form analysis points to Dreamforce, Aloisia, El Dorado Dreaming and Brutal.

The other factor that is worth considering are horses who have been Group 1-placed, but drop significantly in weight.

Shillelagh (on a heavy track), Unforgotten and Fundamentalist, are horses in this category.

On a wet track, Fifty Stars, who comes through the Ajax Stakes, must be added to the calculations.

I have named Fundamentalist $11.00 as the best bet.

Her recent Group 1 runs have been full of merit.

A repeat of the performance that saw her break 1:34 in the Randwick Guineas, only to have The Autumn Sun catch her late, would see her right in the finish.

She has the feather weight of 49Kg and the perfect draw for a front runner.

El Dorado Dreaming $31.00 is the longshot.

El Dorado Dreaming was runner up in the Coolmore, she’s in good form and can run into the money at odds.

Wet track specialist, Fifty Stars $7.50, is also worth an interest. 

Note that the recent All Star Mile at Flemington has no form reference for this race so it’s possible that one of those runners could surprise.

Enjoy The Championships Day 1

Remember to check the Village Mayor’s racing tips and best bets published on Saturday mornings.

He has tips, best bets, lucky longshots, quaddies and his famous ‘Weekend Special’ for your punting pleasure.

Also have a try at our coffee quaddie in the Tipping Forum.

As we always say, we wish everyone all the best with your investments!

Don’t forget to catch our review of the meeting in our Monday kickback.

By Voyager, a Village member since 2007.

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Category: Horse Racing


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