Racing Confidential: Royal Randwick’s 1000m course record under threat in Concorde

Eduardo set the standard in the 2021 Challenge Stakes when he edged out Nature Strip in a thriller … but that 55.2s Randwick course record could there for the taking in a star-studded Concorde Stakes.

Gun sprinter Eduardo won the 2021 Challenge Stakes in a Randwick course record time of 55.2 seconds. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Royal Randwick’s 1000m course record could be under threat from the star-studded sprint field contesting the Concorde Stakes on Saturday.

Eduardo set the standard in the 2021 Challenge Stakes when he ripped around the Randwick 1000m in 55.2s to edge out Nature Strip in a thrilling finish.

The set-up for Saturday’s Concorde suggests the winner will go close to Eduardo’s track record.

The Punting Form career benchmark figures for both Nature Strip and Eduardo came in the same race, the 2021 Hyland Colours Challenge Stakes.

Eduardo -19.9 overall benchmark figure ⭐️
Nature Strip - 19.8 overall benchmark figure ⭐️https://t.co/FGllFVKc0Rpic.twitter.com/OIwo1inWiz

— Punting Form (@PuntingForm) September 4, 2023

• Start your engines: Everest contenders ready to roll at Randwick

Randwick’s course manager Michael Wood said the track surface was rated a good 4 and revealed the latest weather forecast for strong southerly (tailwind) gusts on Saturday afternoon should “accentuate race times”.

The Concorde field includes noted speedsters Way To The Stars and Red Card who are drawn wide but both are expected to go fast early while I Am Me is likely to kick up from gate two and try to hold the rail.

Aft Cabin and Remarque have been showing speed in their barrier trials and will keep the pressure on the leaders. This gives the likes of Giga Kick, Bella Nipotina and Private Eye the chance to swoop late in the feature sprint.

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Watch those times as dry spell takes hold

Watch My Girl set a new track record when winning at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Sydney’s recent dry spell has the city tracks racing “fast” as was evident at the Warwick Farm midweek meeting.

Watch My Girl, trained by Ron Quinton, ran a new Warwick Farm 1300m course record when she stopped the clock at 1m 15.23s on Wednesday.

On the same day, the Bjorn Baker-trained Bonita Queen again demonstrated her ability to sustain her speed from the front when she scorched over the 1100m in 1m 02.18s which was only 0.03s outside of former top sprinter Rain Affair’s track record set 12 years ago.

It's two on the bounce for Bonita Queen who dominates Race 5 at Warwick Farm for @BBakerRacing! 💥 pic.twitter.com/uwpVtqPUn5

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 4, 2024

• Randwick Turf Talk: ‘Best bet on card, 1200m no problem’

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Vale Terry Radley

Obituary | Former Newcastle Herald journalist Terry Radley dies https://t.co/phKsCCFh7s

— Newcastle Herald (@newcastleherald) September 4, 2024

Terry Radley, the acclaimed Newcastle-based racing and sports journalist, passed away this week after a long battle with illness. He was 88.

Radley was the Newcastle Herald’s chief harness racing writer for more than three decades. Before the computer era, he meticulously wrote out on cards the form of all pacers and trotters in the Hunter region which gave him an “edge” over most form students of that time.

He covered many Inter Dominion Championships and Miracle Miles and his favourite pacer was the champion Rip Van Winkle, winner of 50 of his 74 starts including the NSW and Queensland Derbies, and Queensland Pacing Championship.

But Radley was also a versatile sports journalist and reported on five Melbourne Cups including champion Let’s Elope’s win in 1991, and wrote about his beloved Newcastle Knights for many years after they entered the Sydney rugby league competition in 1988.

Radley is survived by his wife Anne and their children, Tony, Michael, Claire and Greg, the popular Sky Thoroughbred Central presenter.

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Vale Rob Ferguson

The Magic Millions family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Rob Ferguson. A passionate racehorse breeder and owner and successful businessman, Rob was a former co-owner of Magic Millions from 1997 to 2011. We send out deepest sympathies to Rob’s wife Jenny & his family… pic.twitter.com/DFLM57CMsr

— Magic Millions (@mmsnippets) September 4, 2024

The racing industry also lost another loyal servant with the passing of Rob Ferguson. He was 78.

Ferguson, a successful businessman and former Racing NSW board member, was also an accomplished owner-breeder and raced a number of topliners including 2001 Golden Slipper winner Ha Ha.

“Rob Ferguson was a trailblazer and visionary in Australian corporate and financial industries and was also a passionate racehorse owner and breeder,” Racing NSW’s chief executive, Peter V’landys said.

“Racing NSW was fortunate to have had the services of Rob as a valued board member for five years from 2004 to 2009. His contribution was exceptional and ahead of his time. He was also an absolute gentleman who was extremely popular in the racing industry.’’

Originally published as Racing Confidential: Royal Randwick’s 1000m course record under threat in Concorde