Randwick Turf Talk: Mitch Cohen, Shayne O’Cass zero in on the horse that will send everyone home a winner on Day 2 of The Championships

What better way to commemorate another thrilling edition of The Championships than to back in the winner in the last? Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass debate all the key chances at Randwick on Saturday.

Racenet form analysts Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass debate the key chances in all the feature races on Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick.

Mitch Cohen (left) and Shayne O'Cass.

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Shayno: Hello Mitchy. I know it sounds silly, given the long and distinguished Queen Elizabeth Stakes honour roll, but Saturday’s race is going to be one of the best we’ve seen. At worst, or at best, not sure which, it is Via Sistina v Dubai Honour, Waller v Haggas – but I reckon Ceolwulf will beat them, Mitchy, and that will make for an epic!

Mitch: It will still be early in the morning in Newmarket but I am tipping William Haggas is going to have a great start to the day. His record in this race is outstanding and Dubai Honour can add to it. He edged outs Via Sistina in a race for the ages for mine.

It's a matter of honour! 👏@WilliamHaggas and @TomMarquand do it again with Dubai Honour who pops another Australian G1 on his shelf with a win in the Tancred Stakes!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/QcLkKmaUdL

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 1, 2025

• Queen Elizabeth Stakes tips, runner-by-runner form analysis

Shayno: I will concede, I have been on the wrong side of the argument every start with Alalacance. Granted she is well weighted and all that but $2.30? Sorry. I’ll take Zardozi all day.

Mitch: Alalcance only needs to stay the two-mile to win. Gai and Adrian have this mare absolutely flying and she’s beaten most of her rivals on Saturday convincingly in the lead-up. She wins again.

💥 A demolition job by Alalcance, who takes the G2 Chairman's with absolute ease, making it three from three this prep, and an early Randwick double to the @GaiWaterhouse1 - @clarkyhk combination!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/MG83HcMF26

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025

• Inside Cummings’ ‘outside the box’ Sydney Cup tilt with Zardozi

Shayno: Last week’s Derby was a classic, pardon the pun, that we’ll remember forever. And while the Derby was a one-horse race, the Oaks has a Bledisloe Cup feel about it, Mitchy. It’s us (Treasurethe Moment) up against them (Leica Lucy). Lane versus McDonald too, I’m with Lane.

Mitch: I’ve said in this column for a while Shayno, I think Treasurethe Moment is something right out of the box. We know she can stay and the drier ground is only going to be a positive. She wins and I am tipping it will be a gap job.

🙌 Treasurethe Moment is sensational in the Vinery Stud Stakes, making it 7 in a row as she takes another Group 1!@mattlaurierace | @LaneDamian | @YulongInvest | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/tK9FGBLsTq

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 1, 2025

• Queen Of The Turf Stakes tips, runner-by-runner form analysis

Shayno: Fangirl would be a fitting winner of the Queen of the Turf. Waller’s had, and got, some champion fillies and mares but for longevity and ‘genuineness’, you’ve just got to love Fangirl.

Mitch: Hard to beat there’s no doubt but $5 about Stefi Magnetica seems like the right play for me. She was awesome winning the Doncaster Mile and was great backing up in a Champions Mile in the spring.

Stradbroke winner Stefi Magnetica reigns supreme in the G1 Doncaster Mile, as @BBakerRacing and Jason Collett celebrate another success ! 🙌@aus_turf_club | @WorldPoolpic.twitter.com/13Mkg5tEdS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025

• 14 experts, 4 Group 1s: Saturday’s feature race tips and betting strategies

Shayno: Hopeful of book-ending the card Mitchy; Michelangelo and Commemorative.

Mitch: We can agree on Commemorative mate, I’ve made her best bet. The wide gate suits her perfectly. I also want to have something on the lightly-raced Meridiana in the second. She’s got a big future.

Originally published as Randwick Turf Talk: Mitch Cohen, Shayne O’Cass zero in on the horse that will send everyone home a winner on Day 2 of The Championships