King Charles III to have a day at the Sydney races? Don’t bet on it

Hopes are high that King Charles III will attend The Everest meeting at Royal Randwick on Saturday. In truth, he’s long odds. Consider others.

Charles and Camilla at the Ascot races in June. Picture: Getty Images

King Charles III at The Everest? Don’t bet on it.

His Highness has reined in his commitments since falling ill. Every day is a fitness test. He’s already been scratched from a visit to New Zealand. Speculation was high he’d put the royal into Randwick by attending The Everest meeting on Saturday – but he’s considered extremely long odds to join the throng for the richest turf race in the world.

No doubt the sport of kings is eager to have a real one in the house for Sydney’s biggest race day. If His Majesty does stun insiders by being trackside at Royal Randwick, no doubt he’ll see and hear Sydney in full fervour and voice. A 45,000-strong crowd will belt out Sweet Caroline before creating a truly electrifying atmosphere for the $20m sprint. The weather’s meant to be great, too, fit for a king, and yet The Australian understands you could name your price for Charles III having a day at the races.

The 75-year-old is scheduled to arrive in Sydney on Friday evening for a quick visit ahead of his opening of CHOGM next week in Samoa. His diary is free on Saturday, heightening hopes of an ­Everest excursion. Randwick will host a race named in his honour, the King Charles III Stakes, but zero logistic planning has been undertaken. Security measures at Royal Randwick, at this stage, are normal. The King can expect the reception of a rock star from a young and wild crowd if he does go. He’s more likely, however, to be a real rock star and not turn up.

Charles is embarking on his first visit to Australia as the ruling monarch., his first journey here since opening the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018. He was hospitalised in January for a benign prostate enlargement when it was discovered he had cancer. Chemotherapy treatment has been paused until his return to England.

His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was a racing and breeding lover. He shares her passion. His original plan to tour New Zealand while in these parts for CHOGM was canned on doctors’ advice.

Philip Benwell, chair of Australian Monarchist League, told News Corp Australia: “There was an expectation the king would be at the King Charles III Stakes. It was delayed to fit in with his visit.

“If he can’t make it, many people will be very disappointed. If the Queen were here, she would move heaven and earth to attend it and she would honour both the race and people involved. The king’s visit coincides with the time of the race, so it makes sense for him to go, even if he pops in and pops out. It was after all named after him on the day of his accession.”

A royal at Randwick? Consider others. A fitness test of a different sort was passed on Monday by I Am Me. The six-year-old mare was given the green light to contest The Everest after a trace of blood came from a nostril following a recent barrier trial. I Am Me is rated an outside chance to win The Everest at $26. The king is much, much longer to be in the crowd. And yet a week can be a long time in racing.