3 minute read
Four Group 1 races headlined by one of Australia's highest rated races and almost $13 million in total prizemoney feature at Royal Randwick this Saturday for The Star Championships Day 2.
The Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes brings together Australia's best weight-for-age middle distance horses against international competitors, part of a 10-race card with 149 entries.
The Group 1 $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup, Group 1 $1 million The Star Australian Oaks and Group 1 $1 million Grainshaker Vodka Queen Of The Turf will be run.
Seven of the ten races this Saturday offer prizemoney of $1 million or more.
Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering James Ross said all ten races would be covered by the World Pool and watched across the globe.
"The Star Championships Day 2 at Royal Randwick presents another world-class card of racing this Autumn in Sydney,'' Mr Ross said.
"The Queen Elizabeth Stakes brings strong international Group 1 form from Europe in Via Sistina and Place Du Carrousel against several of Australia's best including Mr Brightside, Cascadian and Pride Of Jenni in another stellar field containing eight Group 1 winners.
"The clash of the carnival will see New Zealand's best three-year-old filly Orchestral taking on Australia's best in Zardozi in the Group 1 The Star Australian Oaks.
"It's also pleasing to see big fields in each of the other Group 1 races and particularly strong renewals of the TAB Percy Sykes Stakes featuring TAB Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot, and 15 runners in the $1 million Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.''
Full fields for Saturday's meeting are available here and full TAB Fixed Odds markets for all races are available here.
All tickets purchased at theraces.com.au include travel on all public transport across the NSW transport network, along with an after the last concert by Hot Dub Time Machine in the Theatre Of The Horse.
Royal Randwick also offers a variety of food options including Hayden Quinn's signature Pulled Pork Burger, created specifically for the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival available from The Smokehouse for only $15.
All tickets also include unlimited access to the spectacular Winx Stand and a 360 degree 'Glam Cam' to capture glamorous raceday outfits and ensembles.
International import Via Sistina for Sydney's champion trainer and jockey combination of Chris Waller and James Mcdonald opens a $2.30 TAB favourite in the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes after her decisive Australian debut victory in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes.
Exciting front runner Pride Of Jenni for trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Declan Bates is the $4 second TAB favourite – aiming to become the 11th filly or mare to win the race.
Cascadian is next in betting ($9 TAB) for trainer James Cummings and jockey Ben Melham.
Collectively, the field contains eight individual Group 1 winners of 19 Group 1 races and combined career prizemoney of more than $41 million.
The Group 1 $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup over 3200m has attracted a field of 17 runners headed in TAB Fixed Odds markets by Circle Of Fire ($4.60) for Ciaron Maher and star international jockey Andrea Atzeni.
Ciaron Maher's stable is looking to win a third Schweppes Sydney Cup in five years and also saddles up second favourite Ashrun ($5.50 TAB) for jockey Craig Williams.
Apprentice jockey Dylan Gibbons is riding for back-to-back Schweppes Sydney Cup wins on last start Tancred Stakes winner Kalapour ($9 TAB) and trainer Kris Lees.
Boom Kiwi filly Orchestral – a winner of her past five starts – is a sensationally backed $1.85-$1.60 TAB favourite in the Group 1 The Star Australian Oaks for trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood and rider James Mcdonald.
She would become the sixth New Zealand trained filly in the past 20 years to win.
Zardozi for James Cummings and UK jockey Tom Marquand are a clear second TAB pick at $3.90.
A big field of 17 runners lines up in the Group 1 $1 million Grainshaker Vodka Queen Of The Turf – with two-time Group 1 winner Zougotcha (Waller and McDonald) an early $3.50-$3.70 TAB favourite.
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