VRC keen to boost March mania with Flemington form set to shine in Sydney for Day 1 of The Championships

VRC chief Leigh Jordan has hailed the new-look Flemington autumn carnival a success, and the form could dominate The Championships in Sydney.

Victoria Racing Club wants to build on crowds and promotion of feature March race dates next year, as Flemington formlines could dominate Day 1 of The Championships in Sydney on Saturday.

Brilliant Newmarket Handicap winner Joliestar is favourite in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, with All-Star Mile victor Tom Kitten second elect in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).

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Another Wil, luckless in the All-Star Mile, is among top Doncaster players, while lightweight and first emergency Rise At Dawn, sixth last start at Flemington, could run a cheeky race if he makes the field.

Jimmysstar, the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner at Caulfield, and Shanwah, who won the Group 2 Alister Clark at The Valley, boasts strong Melbourne form in the TJ and Australian Derby respectively.

Smart last-start two-year-old winners Vinrock (Group 2 VRC Sires’) and Prestige Forever (Listed Valley Pearl) will contest the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m).

VRC chief racing officer Leigh Jordon said the “right” flow in Melbourne tied into the Sydney autumn.

“The Australian Cup flows into the Queen Elizabeth, the Newmarket leads into their major sprints like the TJ Smith, even the World Pool Classic on Saturday would lead into the Arrowfield,” Jordon said.

Joliestar won the Newmarket Handicap and is the favourite in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

“The Roy Higgins, you could go into the Sydney Cup, all our autumn races are premium races but also complement Sydney as well and that’s what we should be about – working within the pattern.

“You can actually benefit by co-ordinating the races better and getting better fields, which I think we’ve now got in the autumn, I think we’ve got that flow right.”

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The All-Star Mile, a strong Doncaster form reference in recent years, rated among the best renewals to date despite the smallest field (seven runners) compared to past editions.

While no horses contested both races last year, Mr Brightside led an All-Star Mile trifecta in the 2023 Doncaster.

Mr Brightside placed fourth in the 2022 All-Star Mile and won the Doncaster from I’m Thunderstruck, runner-up in both feature races.

Mugatoo, the 2021 winner, finished fourth in that year’s Doncaster.

“On a ratings perspective the race performs, OK there was seven runners but racing is a funny thing,” Jordon said.

“Two weeks beforehand, out of the Futurity I’m thinking we’re going to have 12-14 runners. Racing is like that, it can chop and change so quickly but I think the quality is there.”

Jordon said the VRC would work with Racing Victoria to build on the successful March calendar.

All-Star Mile winner Tom Kitten is a leading chance in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile. Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

The three feature race cards – Australian Guineas, Super Saturday (Newmarket Handicap and All-Star Mile) and Australian Cup – combined for about $200m in wagering turnover and 30,000 attendance.

Unfortunate Sydney and Brisbane washouts last Saturday supercharged Australian Cup day wagering.

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“We had a big spike in turnover (Australian Cup day),” Jordon said.

“Super Saturday was right on line with last year … turnover has been trending a little bit down but Super Saturday from a wagering perspective was definitely a good result.

“Australian Guineas and the $1m Inglis Sprint with a good support card then Super Saturday and Australian Cup.

“There’s definitely room to grow those days … All-Star Mile on Super Saturday makes Super Saturday, two Group 1s and the support program was strong.

“We’ve got the racing side right and we can definitely grow the promotion.”

Originally published as VRC keen to boost March mania with Flemington form set to shine in Sydney for Day 1 of The Championships