Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2016: Even without Winx Sydney’s richest race attracts a stellar field
SO, it all comes down to this — months of planning and preparation goes on the line for Day Two of the Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Championships
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SO, it all comes down to this — months of planning and preparation goes on the line for Day Two of the Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Sydney’s richest race, the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) is the highlight and even without the mighty mare Winx, it has still attracted an outstanding 14-horse field with nine individual Group 1 winners.
The Queen Elizabeth is one of four Group 1 races on the day. There is also the $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m), $1 million James Boag’s Premium ATC Australian Oaks and the $1 million Coolmore Legacy Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m). The support races on the 10-event program include the $500,000 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m), $500,000 IG Markets Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) and the $400,000 Provincial Championships Final (1400m).
The Championships are called the “Grand Finals” of Australian racing as it brings together the most outstanding racehorses of all age group competing over various distances to determine the best of the best.
“The Championships is the event through which NSW showcases the thoroughbred industry,’’ said Racing NSW chairman John Messara. “It has become the aspirational meeting for all participants. It’s the grand stage.’’
Peter V’landys, Racing NSW’s chief executive, said although The Championships are only in their third year, they have established a very marketable brand.
“It can take five to 10 years to establish a brand in sport but The Championships are at that point in terms of recognition after just three years,’’ he said.
V’landys said The Championships contain the highest-rated races in Australia with the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the T.J. Smith Stakes earning placings among the top 25 races in the world last year.
Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes has already won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Jeune (1994) and Criterion (2015) and he has three runners on Saturday to secure a third success including the defending champ Criterion. Hayes is also represented by talented import Dibayani and proven top class mare Rising Romance.
“The racing industry needs the big-money races like the Queen Elizabeth Stakes,’’ Hayes said. “This race has been around for a while but with the introduction of The Championships, it has gone to a new level and it will gain momentum.
“I can see this race really growing in prestige, it is only going to get bigger and better and rival the Cox Plate, it if doesn’t already.’’
Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller doesn’t have Winx to represent him in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes but he does have an able replacement in Preferment.
Champion jockey Hugh Bowman switches from Winx to Preferment on Saturday with the stayer chasing a unique treble after his wins in the Australian Cup and The BMW.
Waller has a powerful entry in the Sydney Cup with last year’s winner and runner-up, Grand Marshal and Who Shot Thebarman, plus their emerging stablemate and race favourite Libran.
The ATC Australian Oaks for three-year-old fillies is an intriguing race with Jameka, winner of the Victoria Oaks earlier this season and runner-up in the ATC Australian Derby last Saturday, early favourite ahead of some classy fillies including Single Gaze. Happy Hannah and a trio of top New Zealand fillies, Valley Girl, Sofia Rosa and Capella. There is a full field of fillies and mares clashing in the Queen of the Turf Stakes with Azkadellia coming off her excellent third to Winx in the Doncaster Mile last week and looming as the one to beat against the likes of Suavito, Politeness, Zanbagh, Artistry and Heavens Above.
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