The Championships day one: Ray Thomas assesses the main contenders in the four Group 1s
Ray Thomas highlights the key runners in the four Group 1 features on day one of The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
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The Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas highlights the contenders and analyses the four Group 1 races on day one of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday.
$4m Doncaster Mile (1600m)
THE CONTENDERS
Think About It – trainer Joe Pride
The Everest winner Think About It has had no luck in both runs this autumn, finishing second in the Canterbury Stakes after enduring a tough run, then fifth in the George Ryder Stakes when he drew right off the track. Outstanding galloper and despite having 57.5kg topweight he still rates among the main chances.
Obamburumai – trainer Keiji Yoshimura
Obamburumai has had fewer starts than any of his Doncaster rivals but the Japanese raider is huge on talent. He is a Group 2 winner and Group 1 placegetter in Japan before a stunning Sydney debut when weaving through the field to win the Golden Eagle last November. He hasn’t raced since but is in superb condition at the Canterbury quarantine and training facility and he did win the Golden Eagle at his first start in seven months.
Militarize – trainer Chris Waller
Militarize is a three-time Group 1 winner including his win in the Champagne Stakes over the Randwick mile course last season. He won the Golden Rose brilliantly in spring and although winless in three starts this autumn, he is racing in great form. Militarize ran second to the outstanding Fangirl in the Apollo Stakes, beat all but Celestial Legend in the Randwick Guineas then was charging to the line when third in Veight’s George Ryder Stakes. He handles all track conditions so the likelihood of a wet track is no issue.
Lindermann – trainer Chris Waller
Lindermann won the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas last season but lost form during the spring and was gelded. He looks back to his best this autumn as evidenced by a competitive third to Think It Over and Fangirl in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes before romping away with the Group 3 Sky High Stakes by more than four lengths, defeating subsequent Tancred Stakes winner Kalapour. He drops from 58kg to just 50.5kg for the Doncaster.
Another Wil – trainer Ciaron Maher
Another Wil has won five of his seven starts including all four runs this campaign. He dominates his races and no rival has got within two lengths in his recent wins. Another Wil only qualified for the Doncaster Mile with his easy win in the Prelude at Rosehill last week. He’s vaulted to the top of Doncaster betting and drops to just 50kg for the big race.
Celestial Legend – trainer Les Bridge
There’s a lot to like about Celestial Legend. This very promising three-year-old scored a powerful win in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes then was trapped three-wide without cover but still found a way to hold off Militarize in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas last start. Celestial Legend drops to just 49kg for the Doncaster and meets Militarize on 5kg better weight terms.
Ray Thomas says: The Doncaster Mile brings together an outstanding field including The Everest winner, Think About It, Golden Eagle winner Obamburumai, some in-form and well-weighted older horses like Lindermann, Lady Laguna and Democracy Manifest, boom galloper Another Will and some top class three-year-olds, Militarize, Celestial Legend and Southport Tycoon. This is shaping as a vintage Doncaster.
TAB BETTING
$3.50 Another Wil
$5 Celestial Legend
$8 Obamburumai
$11 Think About It, Southport Tycoon
$13 Lindermann, Militarize, Pride Of Jenni (doubtful)
$2.5m TJ Smith Stakes (1200m)
THE CONTENDERS
I Wish I Win – trainer Peter Moody
The defending champ, I Wish I Win, has been set specifically for a first-up bid to win another TJ Smith Stakes. He was brilliant on a heavy track running down Giga Kick in this race last year and has had only two starts since for a third in the Memsie Stakes behind Mr Brightside before a fast finishing second to Think About It in The Everest last spring. An outstanding sprinter who is effective all on all track conditions.
Private Eye – trainer Joe Pride
Private Eye is a dual Group 1 winner and a two-time The Everest placegetter. He was super first-up waging an enthralling duel with Imperatriz for the Lightning Stakes then it hasn’t worked out for him in the Challenge Stakes and The Galaxy. He’s back to weight-for age over the Randwick 1200m and he is a noted big-race performer.
Imperatriz – trainer Mark Walker
The champion New Zealand mare has dominated the sprint scene in Melbourne all season. She reeled off four successive wins last spring culminating with her Champions Sprint success then resumed with a narrow win over Private Eye in the Lightning Stakes. Imperatriz was brave going under to the lightly-weighted Cylinder in the Newmarket then was never on the track and still won the William Reid Stakes. She’s a deserved favourite.
Sunshine In Paris – trainer Annabel Neasham
Sunshine In Paris is a brilliant mare who has had her share of injury setbacks but there is no denying her talent. She won the Group 1 Surround Stakes last season and earned a slot in The Everest running quick time in the Sheraco Stakes. Sunshine In Paris was ruled out of the spring with injury after that outstanding but made a statement with her fast-finishing second when resuming in The Galaxy behind Zapateo. All her form is on dry tracks.
Espiona – trainer Chris Waller
Espiona has always been a mare loaded with ability and won the Group 1 Coolmore Classic last autumn but this season she is realising her potential. She won the Golden Pendant and The Invitation last spring and ran a very competitive race to run seventh in Think About It’s The Everest. She has been very good in both Group 1 weight-for-age sprint starts this campaign, running third to Imperatriz in the Lightning Stakes then third to Lady Laguna in the Canterbury Stakes. She gets back in her races but has a very powerful finishing sprint.
Cylinder – trainer James Cummings
Cylinder’s form at weight-for-age against the older horses has been indifferent this season but there is no denying he is an elite sprinter. He ran a very good fifth in Think About It’s The Everest last spring then ended Imperatriz’s winning run with a brilliant effort to take out the Newmarket Handicap two starts back. If he gets the race run to suit, he can mix it at this level.
Ray Thomas says: This TJ Smith Stakes is an intriguing race. I Wish I Win goes into the feature sprint first-up, Imperatriz is out to show she can bring her brilliant Melbourne form to Sydney, the gifted mares Espiona, Sunshine In Paris and Bella Nipotina are capable of giant-killing performances, Private Eye invariably peaks on the big day, and the crack colts Cylinder and Ozzmosis can’t be ruled out.
TAB BETTING
$2.80 Imperatriz
$3.50 I Wish I Win
$6 Sunshine In Paris
$8 Private Eye
$11 Bella Nipotina, Espiona
$15 Cylinder, Ozzmosis
$2m ATC Australian Derby (2400m)
THE CONTENDERS
Riff Rocket – trainer Chris Waller
Riff Rocket has been outstanding this season, winning the Listed Super Impose Stakes then two starts later he held off Apulia to win the Group 1 Victoria Derby. He seems to have gone to a new level this autumn, sprinting brilliantly fresh to win the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes, he was luckless when charging home for third in the Group 1 Australian Guineas, then monstered his rivals in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas. The Derby favourite for a reason.
Tom Kitten – trainer James Cummings
Godolphin’s enigmatic Tom Kitten had an excellent spring preparation, winning twice and placing three times in five starts culminating with his very impressive runaway Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes win. He has been unplaced in four starts this autumn but has had excuses virtually ever run. Tom Kitten is racing like he needs 2400m now.
Wymark – trainer Michael Freedman
Wymark is the most improved young stayer in training. He was beaten in a Newcastle maiden five starts back but once he has got to 1600m and further, he has been untouchable. He’s reeled off four consecutive wins, all by convincing margins, and earned a Derby start taking out the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes last Saturday. There’s no ceiling to this progressive three-year-old.
Ceolwulf – trainer Joe Pride
The emerging Ceolwulf showed staying promise last spring running second in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality and the Derby has been the sole aim of trainer Joe Pride ever since. He ran an eye-catching, albeit luckless, sixth in Celestial Legend’s Randwick Guineas then beat all but Riff Rocket in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas. Ceolwulf lacked the winner’s acceleration last start but kept grinding away and was doing his best work on the line.
Zardozi – trainer James Cummings
Zardozi is another exceptional staying filly who backed up after her second in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes to win the Group 1 Victoria Oaks easily last spring. She returned to top form with a brilliant effort in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes then loomed up in the straight but might have peaked on her run when third to Orchestral in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes last week. There is also a doubt with Zardozi going to the Derby but Godolphin do know she is effective on the quick back-up as she proved in the Oaks last spring.
Ray Thomas says: Riff Rocket is favourite to complete the Victoria Derby-ATC Australian Derby but the Randwick classic is shaping as a very competitive race. Tom Kitten is ready for a peak run, and Wymark and Ceolwulf keep improving. The query is whether the fillies, Orchestral and Zardozi, go to the Derby but if they do, both have the staying ability to win this race.
TAB BETTING
$2.80 Riff Rocket
$4.50 Orchestral
$6 Tom Kitten, Wymark, Zardozi
$11 Ceolwulf
$15 Antrim Coast, Cap Ferrat, Immediacy, Saltcoats
$1m Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m)
THE CONTENDERS
Storm Boy – trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Storm Boy swept all before him winning his first four starts including the Magic Millions and Group 2 Skyline Stakes then started favourite in the Group 1 Golden Slipper when third to Lady Of Camelot. Storm Boy missed the start and ended up three pairs back on the fence in the Slipper racing on inferior ground. The different tempo of the Sires’ and the Randwick 1400m gives Storm Boy the chance to get on speed and dominate the race.
Coleman – trainer Matt Laurie
Coleman was unbeaten going into the Group 1 Blue Diamond when he disappointed finishing unplaced but he has bounced back since with two very good runs in Sydney, particularly his second to Lady Of Camelot in the Group 1 Golden Slipper. He loomed up to win the Slipper only to be edged out on the line. Underrated colt and the 1400m should suit him.
Traffic Warden – trainer James Cummings
Traffic Warden is another colt who doesn’t get the kudos he deserves. He’s been competitive in all the big juvenile races so far this season including his unlucky eighth in the Group 1 Blue Diamond before his all-the-way win in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes. He missed the start and was also luckless when fourth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper. Proven at 1400m unlike his rivals.
Fearless – trainers Peter and Paul Snowden
Fearless had little go his way in his first three starts including his fast-finishing sixth to Hayasugi in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes. He went to a Newcastle maiden over 1200m last start and duly scored a confidence-boosting win as a long odds-on favourite. Fearless is sneaking under the radar going into the Sires’ and is a knockout chance.
Lady Of Camelot – trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
The outstanding filly Lady Of Camelot made a courageous attempt to lead all the way in the Group 1 Blue Diamond only to be run down on the line by Hayasugi. Lady Of Camelot was then ridden with cover in the Group 1 Golden Slipper and showed her competitive spirit to shoulder rivals aside and burst between runners for an exciting win. There’s no reason she can’t run 1400m.
Manaal – trainer Michael Freedman
Manaal won the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes and Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes before her excellent fifth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper. She was second last on the turn and went back to the inside which wasn’t the place to be on Slipper Day but kept making ground in the straight. She had to change course a couple of times and was finishing faster than anything else on the line. Manaal is among the main chances in the Sires’.
Ray Thomas says: The Inglis Sires’ is likely to feature the top five placegetters in the Golden Slipper with the winner likely to earn champion two-year-old honours. Storm Boy had excuses in the Slipper but he gets his chance to win at Group 1 level in the Sires. Coleman, Traffic Warden and Fearless all give the impression they will enjoy 1400m. The Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot might just be too good, while Manaal is another suited by the extra distance.
TAB BETTING
$2.80 Storm Boy
$6 Lady Of Camelot, Manaal, Traffic Warden
$8 Coleman
$11 Fearless, Espionage
$15 Anode, Prost
Originally published as The Championships day one: Ray Thomas assesses the main contenders in the four Group 1s
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