Royal Randwick kicks off The Championships with massive carnival boasting four group one events
The Autumn racing carnival returns to Royal Randwick this weekend with the first day of The Championships boasting a high quality program.
Randwick, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, hosts four group one races, a group two and the Country Championship Final in a blockbuster carnival featuring some of Australia's best horses.
The Harbour City has recorded some rain during the week with more forecast for Saturday and the track is currently rated as a soft 5.
Among the top races of the day are the T J Smith Stakes and the Doncaster Mile, which both headline Sydney's Autumn Carnival.
Here, SkyNews.com.au goes through the top races of the day with expert tips.
Schweppes Chairman’s Quality – 2600 metres – 1:20pm – Race 3 (Group two)
The Chairman’s Quality is raced over 2600 metres for three-year-olds and upwards with no restrictions on sex with a total purse of $300,000.
The third race on the program is the best rated in the early stages of the Randwick meet this weekend, run over the longest distance of the day and is the only staying race apart from the Australian Derby.
The Chairman’s Quality was first run in 1979 and was introduced as a key race for horses preparing for the Sydney Cup.
The five previous winners are: Nerve not Verve, Quick Thinker, Raheen House, Gallic Chieftan and Sir Charles Road.
Other notable winners include No Wine No Song (2007, 2008) and Jessicabeel (2010).
Newhaven Park Country Championships Final – 1400 metres – 2:35pm – Race 5
The Country Championships Final has set weights and is only open to qualifying horses. It has a purse of $500,000.
All horses in this race must be trained by a NSW country trainer and can only qualify through the region in which they reside.
Horses who qualify for this race must have finished in the first two places of the eight regional qualifying races.
The past five winners are: Another One, Art Cadeau, Gracie Belle, Noble Boy and Victorem.
Inglis Sires’ Produce Stakes – 1400 metres – 3:15pm – Race 6 (Group one)
This two-year-olds race has set weights for colts and geldings at 56.6kg and fillies at 54.5kg with a total purse of $1 million.
Raced over 1400m the Inglis Sires’ makes up the middle leg of the Australian two-year-old Triple Crown which also consists of the Golden Slipper Stakes and the Champagne Stakes.
This is the first time two-year-old horses get to race in a group one over 1200 metres in Autumn and it’s the only 1400 metre race for two-year-olds on the calendar.
Several of the horses from the recent Golden Slipper are racing in this edition of the Inglis Sires’ including the highly touted Cylinder and Don Corleone.
The past five winners are: Fireburn, Anamoe, King’s Legacy, Microphone and El Dorado Dreaming.
Furphy T J Smith Stakes – 1200 metres – 3:55pm – Race 7 (Group one)
A 1200 metre group one weight-for-age event for all horses with a total purse of $3 million.
The T J Smith stakes is an iconic Sydney race attracting the best sprinters from around the country looking for a share in the healthy purse.
First raced in 1997 it was renamed in 1999 after Australian Racing Hall of Fame horse trainer Thomas John Smith who remarkably won 33 successive Sydney training premierships.
The field includes some of the country’s most notable horses at the moment including three-time winner Nature Strip, In Secret and 2022 Everest winner Giga Kick.
The past five winners are: Nature Strip (2022, 2021, 2020), Santa Ana Lane and Trapeze Artist.
The Star Doncaster Mile – 1600 metres – 4:35pm – Race 8 (Group one)
A group one handicap race for open class horses with the biggest purse of the day at $4 million.
Raced over a mile as the name suggests the Doncaster is one of the biggest fixtures of the Autumn Carnival and often attracts the best middle distance horses in Australia.
The Doncaster is the arguably the main event of the day and one of Sydney’s premier races.
Boasting a field of 20 the horses will be spread at the start but trainers will not be overly concerned with their barrier draws due to the 600 metre straight before the first turn.
The first Doncaster was run back in 1866 and has been won by some of the champions of Australian racing including Winx, Emancipation and Sunline.
The past five winners are: Mr Brightside, Cascadian, Nettoyer, Brutal and Happy Clapper.
ATC Australian Derby – 2400 metres – 5:15pm – Race 9 (Group one)
This three-year-olds race is run over 2400 metres with set weights at 56.5kg for colts and geldings and 54.5kg for fillies with a purse of $2 million.
The Australian Derby is the final leg of Australia’s three-year-old triple crown made up of the Randwick Guineas and the Rosehill Guineas.
Often horses who win the Australian Derby achieve success in top-tier races including the Caufield Cup and the Cox Place.
The past five winners are: Hitotsu, Explosive Jack, Quick Thinker, Angel of Truth and Levendi.
Expert Tips:
SkyNews.com.au has recruited four expert tipsters who will help readers pick the best odds and horses to make the most of each race day.
All odds are provided by Betr.
Neil Evans
Neil is a regular podcaster, columnist and contributor to The Sportsman - Australia's leading form newspaper, Racing NSW and the Sydney Morning Herald.
Chairman’s Quality
Best bet: 15. Almania - $7.50 - Lightly raced seven-year-old who charged home in the Manion Cup, and peaks fourth-up now at this trip carrying the minimum 53kg.
Next best: 1. Stockman - $10
Roughie of the race: 10. Timour $11
Boxed trifecta: 1. Stockman, 7. Benaud, 9. Gin Martini, 10. Timour, 15. Almania
Country Championships Final
Best bet: 1. Akasawa - $5 - Reloads five weeks after winning the regional qualifier at Tamworth over this distance, this has always been the target and performs best when races are spaced.
Next best: 4. Talbragar -$5.50
Roughie of the race: 7. Bianco Vilano - $6.50
Boxed trifecta: 1. Akasawa, 2. Testator Silens, 4. Talbragar, 7. Bianco Vilano, 16. Kimberley Secrets
Inglis Sires' Stakes
Best bet: 8. Cafe Millenium - $19 - Given time since floundering in the Group 2 Todman, but much better suited in the bigger field with more speed on and over a furlong further.
Next best: 1. Cylinder - $2.30
Roughie of the race: 3. Empire of Japan - $17
Boxed trifecta: 1. Cylinder, 2. Don Corleone, 3. Empire of Japan, 4. Veight, 8. Cafe Millenium
T J Smith Stakes:
Best bet: 3. Private Eye - $8 - Peaks 2nd-up out to this distance and suited at weight-for-age after a strong return down the Flemington straight in the Lightning when drawn on the wrong side.
Next best: 6. I Wish I Win - $7.50
Roughie of the race: 11. Lofty Strike - $19
Boxed trifecta: 3. Private Eye, 6. I Wish I Win, 10. Giga Kick, 11. Lofty Strike, 15. In Secret
Doncaster Mile
Best bet: 2. Mr Brightside - $5.50 - Defending champion who has had the ideal build-up after claiming the All-Star Mile 3rd-up at The Valley; and thrives in soft going.
Next best: 16. Zougotcha - $9
Roughie of the race: 13. Golden Mile - $18
Boxed trifecta: 1. Aligator Blood, 2. Mr Brightside, 5. Fangirl, 13. Golden Mile, 16. Zougotcha
Australian Derby:
Best bet: 1. Sharp 'n' Smart - $3.70 - Dominant NZ Derby winner & runner-up in Victoria Derby last spring crossing the Tasman for what is only a modest edition. Just needs cover from a wide draw.
Next best: 4. Pericles - $3.90
Roughie of the race: 9. Mark Twain - $8.50
Boxed trifecta: 1. Sharp 'n' Smart, 4. Pericles, 8. Japanese Emperor, 9. Mark Twain
To hear more in-depth analysis listen to the Neil Evans Says Podcast HERE.
Mick Gannon
Mick is a racing expert and leading form analyst at TheGreatTipOff.com, SENTrack and also runs a racing podcast.
Chairman’s Quality
Best bet: 4. Asterix - $26 - The 2022 NZ Derby winner on a dry track defeating La Crique by 1.5L. If he recaptures that form, he’ll be right in the finish.
Next best: 7. Benaud - $7.50
Roughie of the race: 6. Nerve Not Verve - $9
Boxed trifecta: 1. Stockman, 4. Asterix, 6. Nerve Not Verve, 7. Benaud
Country Championships Final
Best bet: 7. Bianco Vilano - $6.50 - The blinkers went on three starts back and he’s gone to a new level. Maps a treat and has the turn of foot to be right here late.
Next best: 4. Talbragar - $5.50
Roughie of the race: 10. Imatruestar - $41
Boxed trifecta: 1. Akasawa, 4. Talbragar, 7. Bianco Vilano, 10. Imatruestar
Inglis Sires' Stakes
Best bet: 2. Don Corleone - $7.50 - The Golden Slipper is the key form line here and Don Corleone looks the one who screams out 1400m Grand Final.
Next best: 1. Cylinder - $2.30
Roughie of the race: 3. Empire of Japan - $17
Boxed trifecta: 1. Cylinder, 2. Don Corleone, 3. Empire of Japan, 4. Veight
T J Smith Stakes:
Best bet: 13. Passive Aggressive - $13 - Banking on her getting an easy time of it outside Nature Strip. Her last start win was strong and we are yet to see her ceiling. A Soft 5 track would be ideal for her.
Next best: 10. Giga Kick - $4.40
Roughie of the race: 11. Lofty Strike - $19
Boxed trifecta: 3. Private Eye, 10. Giga Kick, 11. Lofty Strike, 13. Passive Aggressive
Doncaster Mile
Best bet: 7. Converge - $11 - He’s back to his best, drops 7kg after running 0.4L 3rd to Anamoe. That is some set up for this. His best work comes over the Randwick Mile, which makes him an easy bet to have.
Next best: 8. Duke De Sessa - $21
Roughie of the race: 19. Communist - $19
Boxed trifecta: 7. Converge, 8. Duke De Sessa, 12. Bandersnatch, 19. Communist
Australian Derby:
Best bet: 1. Sharp 'n' Smart - $3.70 - He’s tough as nails and will relish a true staying test. He’ll be marked urgent from the wide gate and prove hard to run past.
Next best: 2. Manzoice - $14
Roughie of the race: 8. Japanese Emperor - $13
Boxed trifecta: 1. Sharp 'n' Smart, 2. Manzoice, 4. Pericles, 8. Japanese Emperor
Get Mick’s premium package for Saturday’s racing HERE.
Watch Mick’s Group 1 All-In Previews HERE.
Dean Watling
Regular racing expert and analyst for SEN Track, Racing.com, The Race Club Australia and The Barrier Attendant.
Chairman’s Quality
Best bet: 15. Almania - $7.50 - Superior sectionals in his past two starts for Almania, he drops significantly in weight here and maps to get the run of the race.
Next best: 10. Timour - $10
Roughie of the race: 2. Torrens - $21
Boxed trifecta: 7. Benaud, 9. Gin Martini, 15. Almania
Country Championships Final
Best bet: 2. Testator Silens - $8 - Testator Silens should lap up the strong speed in this race and show his superior turn of foot late.
Next best: 4. Talbragar - $5.50
Roughie of the race: 7. Bianco Vilano - $6.50
Boxed trifecta: 2. Testator Silens, 4. Talbragar, 7. Bianco Vilano
Inglis Sires' Stakes
Best bet: 1. Cylinder - $2.30 - Cylidner brings a lovely historical profile to this event. He was great in the Golden Slipper and still has plenty of upside left in his prep.
Next best: 3. Empire of Japan - $17
Roughie of the race: 11. Butch Cassidy - $26
Boxed trifecta: 1. Cylinder, 2. Don Corleone, 3. Empire of Japan
T J Smith Stakes:
Best bet: 10. Giga Kick - $4.40 - Giga Kick showed an elite turn of foot first up reeling off some scintillating sectionals on a day it was tough to make ground. He maps ideally here 2nd up and should get every chance.
Next best: 3. Private Eye - $8
Roughie of the race: 11. Lofty Strike - $19
Boxed trifecta: 3. Private Eye, 10. Giga Kick, 11. Lofty Strike
Doncaster Mile
Best bet: 5. Fangirl - $8.50 - Wide barriers have been a plus in the set-up of the Doncaster, Fangirl has been brilliant this prep and gets her chance here right down in the weights with no Anamoe to deal with.
Next best: 8. Duke De Sessa - $21
Roughie of the race: 15. Hope in Your Heart - $26
Boxed trifecta: 1. Aligator Blood, 5. Fan Girl, 8. Duke De Sessa
Australian Derby:
Best bet: 9. Mark Twain - $8.50 - I loved how strong Mark Twain was late in the NZ Derby, he maps ideally from the gate and should get a lovely run in transit over the 2400m.
Next best: 2. Manzoice - $14
Roughie of the race: 15. Stroke of Luck - $17
Boxed trifecta: 1. Sharp 'n' Smart, 2. Manzoice, 9. Mark Twain
Matthew Campbell
Head of communications at Betr and expert tipster and form analyst with The Great Tip Off and Punters.
Chairman’s Quality
Best bet: 9. Gin Martini - $9 - Absolute raffle of a race, hence the betting. She was caught wide yet still won last start over 1900m so the rise to 2600m looks ideal. She stays all day, has won third up before and always happy to have Damian Lane on board in these events.
Next best: 3. High Emocean - $10
Roughie of the race: 16. Le Baol - $21
Boxed trifecta: 3. High Emocean, 9. Gin Martini, 15. Almania
Country Championships Final
Best bet: 7. Bianco Vilano - $6.50 - Since the blinkers have gone on, he has a second and two wins, the most recent at Albury was impressive breaking the track record. Tough race, but they would have learnt a lot about him with that win so expecting another big finish from him.
Next best: 16. Kimberley Secrets - $8.50
Roughie of the race: 15. Running Bear - $13
Boxed trifecta: 4. Talbragar, 7. Bianco Vilano, 16. Kimberley Secrets
Inglis Sires' Stakes
Best bet: 1. Cylinder - $2.30 - Looked home in the Slipper before Shinzo nabbed him late. Has been the best performed two-year-old and the rise to 1400 should present no problem.
Next best: 4. Veight - $5
Roughie of the race: 11. Butch Cassidy - $26
Boxed trifecta: 1. Cylinder, 2. Don Corleone, 4. Veight
T J Smith Stakes:
Best bet: 10. Giga Kick - $4.40- I see no reason to jump off him now. Gets better when out to 1200m as his one run at Randwick in the Everest showed. Zac Purton coming down from Hong Kong doesn’t hurt his chances either. Ready to assume the mantle of best sprinter in the country.
Next best: 15. In Secret - $6
Roughie of the race: 4. Mazu - $14
Boxed trifecta: 6. I Wish I Win, 10. Giga Kick, 15. In Secret
Doncaster Mile
Best bet: 16. Zougotcha - $9 - She has been excellent in her two runs this prep including an easy win in the Phar Lap. Both of those runs have been on a good track and now she gets a rain-affected surface where she has been outstanding. She drops to just 50.5 kg (the same weight Mr Brightside carried last year) and is now third up over the mile at her favourite track.
Next best: 2. Mr Brightside - $5.50
Roughie of the race: 13. Golden Mile - $18
Boxed trifecta: 2. Mr Brightside, 7. Converge, 16. Zougotcha
Australian Derby:
Best bet: 7. Full of Sincerity - $19 - Only beaten a length in NZ Derby then went back to 2000 metres in the Tulloch to freshen up and flashed home with the race's fastest last 200. The 7 day back up sets him up nicely to turn the tables on Sharp ’N’ Smart
Next best: 9. Mark Twain - $8.50
Roughie of the race: 8. Japanese Emperor - $13
Boxed trifecta: 1. Sharp 'n' Smart, 7. Full of Sincerity, 9. Mark Twain
