Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival 2016: Dates, expert tips, fashion, horses and jockeys to watch
FILLIES, feature races, fashion and tips. Check out our ULTIMATE GUIDE to the Sydney Autumn carnival.
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IT’S racing at its best and where the worlds of fashion and sport collide for six weekends of thoroughbred racing, fashion, entertainment and hospitality.
The Sydney Autumn racing carnival has something for everyone — from the dedicated punters, to sport lovers and fashionistas.
For six fabulous Saturday’s the Sydney Autumn Carnival will be the highlight of the weekend for thousands who flock to the track for a big day out.
The Sydney Autumn Carnival boasts the world’s finest thoroughbred racing with more than $34 million in prizemoney across 45 Group races.
Highlights include the 60th running of the Longines Golden Slipper, part of the three-week Longines Golden Slipper Carnival at Rosehill Gardens, and the third running of The Championships at Royal Randwick.
Our guide has everything from expert tips from some of the biggest names in the game, including Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas, the main events, the biggest days and of course, fashion tips.
FAST FACTS
What: The Autumn Racing carnival involves six big Saturday races over six separate weekends.
When: The first three days of the carnival are at Rosehill on the last three Saturdays in March. Randwick will host the next three Saturdays in April, including the two days of The Championships.
Highlights: The two-day The Championships at Randwick in April and the Golden Slipper Festival at Rosehill in March.
My favourite race day is Derby-Doncaster Day on Day One of The Championships
RAY THOMAS’ VERDICT ON THE AUTUMN CARNIVAL
Sydney’s showpiece autumn carnival is a must-see for horse racing enthusiasts. The nation’s best gallopers, trainers and jockeys compete for prestige, prizemoney and pride during six weeks of outstanding racing.
With three Japanese-trained horses also competing in Sydney this autumn, the carnival and, in particular, The Championships at Royal Randwick, are gaining international significance.
RAY THOMAS’ TOP TIPS
Winx is the nation’s best racehorse and a real fan favourite. She is on a long winning streak and will be a force in anything she contests this autumn.
Chautauqua is a world-class sprinter and his thrilling last-fo-first charges make for compelling viewing.
Libran is shaping as lightweight Sydney Cup contender, Press Statement has returned better than ever and watch for the rapid emergence of unheralded three-year-old Chetwood.
The world’s richest two-year-old race is fast, thrilling, sexy
RAY THOMAS’ FAVOURITE EVENTS
My favourite race day is Derby-Doncaster Day on Day One of The Championships at Royal Randwick on April 2.
The ATC Australian Derby is the nation’s premier three-year-old classic while the Doncaster is the richest mile handicap race in the world. Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens on March 19 is another race meeting loaded with feature races and the best equine talent.
RAY THOMAS’ VERDICT ON THE GOLDEN SLIPPER
The world’s richest two-year-old race is fast, thrilling, sexy — and very Sydney. The Golden Slipper has its 60th running this autumn, some of the best sprinters Australian racing has seen have won it, and every year the Slipper provides a memorable contest. The early favourite is Capitalist, the unbeaten colt from the Team Snowden stable, who has been dynamic in three race starts. Godolphin’s juvenile juggernaut has an army of talented two-year-old including Astern, Tessera and Souchez, while the emerging Weatherly is a colt to follow.
RAY THOMAS’ VERDICT ON THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
This is just the third year of The Championships but the two days at Royal Randwick have re-energised the Sydney autumn carnival with world class racing. Trainer Chris Waller has a real knack of finding the right horses for the Doncaster Mile and has the likes of Winx, Press Statement and Kermadec on target for the race. Chautauqua can defend his T.J. Smith Stakes while Tarzino could become the first horse since Mahogany in 1993-94 to complete the Victoria Derby-ATC Australian Derby double.
A TOP TIP FROM FASHION EXPERT ANNE-MAREE GALE
#Wearing stilettos but you’re not sure how to traverse the lawn areas without damaging your favourite — and expensive — pair of heels? Never fear, there’s a product for that! Starlettos heel covers are small discreet “flower-shaped” attachments that cup the bottom of your heel, increasing the surface area to the ground so that when you wear heels on grass they don’t sink in and get damaged.
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
‘The Championships’ is held across two consecutive Saturdays in April, with a total of eight Group 1 events attracting the best gallopers.
DAY ONE: The opening day of The Championships is April 2. The feature race on the day is the $3 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile. Others highlights will be the $2.5m Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes and $2m Group 1 ATC Australian Derby.
DAY TWO: The second day of The Championships is April 9 with the $4m Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes the big one. This is the richest race of the Sydney autumn and the richest weight-for-age race in Australia.Three more Group 1m races will also be run — the Queen Of The Turf Stakes, the Sydney Cup and the Australian Oaks.
GOLDEN SLIPPER
Golden Slipper Day takes place two weeks before ‘The Championships’ on March 19 at Rosehill racecourse, It features the $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes, the world’s richest race for two-year-olds and the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Rosehill carnival.
Seven days later the $2.25M The BMW headlines another huge day of racing at Rosehill.
Hugh Bowman, James MC Donald, Blake Shinn, Brenton Avdulla and Damien Oliver will prove to be the star jockeys to follow
FORM GUIDE EDITOR SIMON THOMAS THROWS HIS EYE OVER THE CARNIVAL
HORSES TO WATCH: I expect the Chris Waller and John O’Shea stables to have a big autumn. Waller has a highly talented team, with his star mare Winx set to star again as she did over the spring carnival. Preferment, Boban, Kermadec, Press Statement, Good Project and Counterattack all look capable of winning some of the bigger races over the carnival.
John O’Shea has a string of promising two-year-olds with Astern, Tessera and Calliope looking his top three as they march on towards Golden Slipper glory. He also looks well represented with his classy imports Contributer, Bow Creek, Hartnell and Magic Hurricane and his locally bred stars Exosphere and Hauraki.
#Other horses expected to star include; First Seal, Azkadellia, Turn Me Loose, Politeness and Tulsa.
JOCKEYS TO FOLLOW: Hugh Bowman, James MC Donald, Blake Shinn, Brenton Avdulla and Damien Oliver will prove to be the star jockeys to follow over the autumn with the backing of some of the bigger stables.
KNOW THE LINGO
#An allowance is a weight reduction allowed for a claiming apprentice.
#Blaze. White vertical marking on a horse’s face.
#Daily double is a type of wager calling for the selection of winners of two races.
#Mudlark: the term used to describe a horse that revels on a wet track.
It’s so not ladylike!
A TOP TIP FROM FASHION EXPERT ANNE-MAREE GALE
A day at the races can be long. So if you plan on wearing heels, make sure they are comfortable and broken in. Nothing worse than seeing a women carrying her shoes as she continues to walk — or should I say stumbling — barefooted around the course!!!! It’s so not ladylike!
TICKETING
All ticketing and hospitality information available from www.theATC.com.au
SPECIAL DEAL
To celebrate the 60th running of the Longines Golden Slipper, the Australian Turf Club are offering a limited number of pre-purchased $30 Golden Tickets. This will allow entry to Longines Golden Slipper Day and all six days of the 2016 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
The Golden Ticket is available for purchase at Ticketek.com.au until 12pm on March 19 OR General Admission tickets are available at the gates on the day.
FOR THE LADIES
CELLARBRATIONS LADIES DAY
On March 12 this is the premiere day of the 2016 Longines Golden Slipper Carnival. It features the first Group 1 race for Fillies & Mares for the racing season in Sydney. It’s a special day for the ladies while celebrating the women of the sport during the Ladies Long Luncheon.
FAST FACTS
Gates Open: 11am
First Race 12:20pm
Last Race: 5:30pm
General Admission tickets start from $20 via www.theATC.com.au
FASHION AT THE TRACK
Myer Fashions on the Field will take place at Royal Randwick across the following dates:
April 2: The Championships Day 1 featuring the BMW Australian Derby, Royal Randwick
April 9: The Championships Day 2 featuring the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Royal Randwick
It’s well worth taking the time to plan your outfit.
AND THERE’S MORE
Longines Award for Elegance will take place at Royal Randwick across the following dates:
March 19: Longines Golden Slipper Day, Rosehill Gardens
April 9: The Championships Day 2 featuring the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Royal Randwick.
Longines will award one racegoer with the prestigious Longines Award of Elegance at the 2016 Longines Golden Slipper.
The winner of the Longines Award for Elegance will receive the Longines DolceVita.
Judging Criteria
— Elegance — It’s an attitude.
— A striking use of colour and material that demonstrates a strong understanding of design.
— A keen eye for detail — accessories are essential, always.
— Style to stand the test of time.
A TOP TIP FROM FASHION EXPERT ANNE MAREE GALE
If you plan on entering the Myer Fashions on the Field competition, the prizes are amazing so it’s well worth taking the time to plan your outfit.
Generally, the judging panel will be looking for style, originality, attention to detail, understanding and interpretation of the current fashion trends, grooming and deportment. Traditionally for Autumn carnivals, that means a felt hat, closed-toe shoes, bag, gloves and an umbrella. Times have changed somewhat, but at the end of the day it’s about the overall co-ordinating look.
FAST FACTS
#Horses all share the same birthday — August 1 in the Southern hemisphere and Asia and January 1 in the Northern hemisphere.
#If horses dead heat, the odds of a horse are divided in half to pay out each of the two winners evenly.
CALENDAR
SYDNEY AUTUMN CARNIVAL
Saturday 12 March
Cellarbrations Ladies Day, Rosehill Gardens
Saturday 19 March
Longines Golden Slipper Day, Rosehill Gardens
Saturday 26 March
Western Sydney Legends Day, Rosehill Gardens
Saturday 2 April
The Championships Day 1 featuring the BMW Australian Derby, Royal Randwick
Saturday 9 April
The Championships Day 2 featuring the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Royal Randwick
Saturday 16 April
Schweppes Stakes Day, Royal Randwick
HANDY DETAILS
Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
Address: James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142
Phone: (02) 9930 4000
Getting there: Free on course car parking
Train, bus and ferry services - Full transport information available at 131500.com.au
Royal Randwick Racecourse
Address: Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031
Phone: (02) 9663 8400
Getting there: free on course car parking
Direct bus services from Central Station. Full transport information available at 131500.com.au
Originally published as Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival 2016: Dates, expert tips, fashion, horses and jockeys to watch
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