2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes tips & betting strategy | April 8

The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the headline act on Day 2 of The Championships, and it is set to be a blockbuster edition of the great race. Australia’s middle-distance champion, Anamoe, is set to line up in a field of 13 gallopers, eight of which are Group 1 winners. Anamoe, Dubai Honour and Cascadian are all seeking back-to-back Group 1 wins. We’ve got an extra slice of overseas flavour in this year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Japanese raider Unicorn Lion making the journey for renowned global trotting trainer Yoshito Yahagi.

2023 QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES ODDS

Online bookmakers can’t seem to split the favoured pair as both Anamoe and Dubai Honour have opened $2.50 equal favourites heading into Saturday afternoon. It’s easy to see why after both were impressive winners in the George Ryder Stakes and Ranvet Stakes respectively on March 18. The market is respecting the Japanese galloper, with Unicorn Lion ($11) on the third line of betting. Cascadian ($15) and Montefilia ($15) have seen some early support, while every other galloper is well out of the market with the likes of Zeyrek ($26) and Mo’unga ($26) the best of the blowout chances.

2023 QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES SPEED MAP

Unicorn Lion does appear to be the obvious leader in this year’s edition of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes based on his form in Japan. He’s drawn wide in barrier 13 and it wouldn’t shock to see Damian Lane cross to the lead on the rails. Numerian (3) lead them up in the Group 1 Australian Cup and is likely to sit outside the leader. Gear Up (6) is bound to find a positive position throughout the 2000m journey, as will Mo’unga (4) finding a soft run just in behind the leaders. Cascadian (5) found himself near last turning for home to salute in the Australian Cup; however, you’d imagine Ben Melham would want to utilize the inside draw. This leaves a stacked mid-field contingent of gallopers with Anamoe (8), Hezashocka (1) and Dubai Honour (9) right in the middle of them, meanwhile Zeyrek (12) and Montefilia (11) will be two of the last horses turning for home.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

2023 QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES FORM & BETTING PREVIEW

We were with Dubai Honour first-up in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes and based on what we saw it’s hard to be against him on Saturday afternoon. The story leading into the race was about whether or not he’d handle the firmer going and he answered that question with a resounding yes. He went on to carve them up in the lead-up event for the Queen Elizabeth on March 18 and scored by a staggering 4.4 lengths. Dubai Honour should only improve with the run and based on the claims of the William Haggas stable, will get better on the soft conditions expected for this weekend. He’s drawn to stalk Anamoe every step of the way and if he can show his electrifying turn-of-foot like he did first-up, we’ve got to be in his corner as the major bet in the race.

Cascadian comes here under the radar after his dominant win in the Group 1 Australian Cup and at the price, we’re happy to make him our saver bet in the race. He’s drawn barrier five and maps perfectly for Ben Melham to find a more positive stalking position behind the leaders, rather than being forced to the rear like last start. It made his win of the Australian Cup even more impressive when weaving a passage from near last to be victorious. There’s no doubt this race has much tougher opposition than what he saw in that performance; however, he’s still a three-time Group 1 winner in this field and warrants plenty of respect.

Anamoe comes into this as the undisputed champion of the Australian turf and it’s crazy to think we’ve left him out of the betting strategy for this race. We’ve had no choice though with Dubai Honour making such an impression and Cascadian providing the value outside of the favoured gallopers. Obviously, a win wouldn’t shock and as he looks for his tenth Australian Group 1 win, he may well be winning this on his way to Royal Ascot to take on the world.

Unicorn Lion must be respected in all multiples for this race as the Japanese continue to conquer world racing. He may not bring the A-grade form from Japan, with his peak being at Group 3 level, but Yoshito Yahagi doesn’t travel his horses for a holiday and can definitely be in the finish.

2023 QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES SELECTIONS & BEST BETS

• 2

  DUBAI HONOUR

• 4

  CASCADIAN

• 1

  ANAMOE

• 7

  UNICORN LION

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