Mr Brightside opens favourite for King Charles III Stakes

Mr Brightside has opened a clear favourite in King Charles III Stakes markets. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos)

An outstanding field of 16 has assembled for the inaugural running of the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) this Saturday at Royal Randwick.

Formerly known as the George Main Stakes, the now $5 million feature has brought together a field boasting nine Group 1 winners as Mr Brightside headlines the blockbuster line-up.

He’s opened a clear +150 favourite with online bookmakers on the back of two Group 1 victories this preparation – saluting in both the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) respectively.

The two-time Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) winner will seek to continue his undefeated reign at Randwick, with jockey Craig Williams travelling to Sydney to secure the mount for team Hayes.

Fangirl is a clear second pick at +550 with online betting sites as James McDonald reunites with the Chris Waller-trained mare.

The ever-consistent Zaaki shares the third line of betting alongside European import Light Infantry Man at +800 apiece, as the latter makes his Australian debut for team Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Double-figure odds are available for every other runner, including 7 Stakes (1600m) winner Think It Over (+1100) and Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) runner-up Kovalica (+1000 sure to have plenty of admirers.

Buckeroo (+1600) brings differing European form to the race as well, as Joesph O’Brien acquires the services of Hugh Bowman, while Kathy O’Hara will be seeking three straight wins on Rediener (+3000) after her Epsom success.

The King Charles Stakes is the penultimate race on the Randwick program this Saturday and is scheduled to get underway at 5:35pm AEDT.

2023 King Charles III Stakes Final Field

No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
1 Silks
Think It Over
Kerry Parker
Nash Rawiller
4
59kg
2 Silks
Mr Brightside
Ben, Will & JD Hayes
Craig Williams
8
59kg
3 Silks
Zaaki
Annabel Neasham
Jamie Kah
7
59kg
4 Silks
Huetor
Peter & Paul Snowden
Joshua Parr
12
59kg
5 Silks
Light Infantry Man
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Zac Purton
6
59kg
6 Silks
My Oberon
Annabel Neasham
Chad Schofield
3
59kg
7 Silks
Buckaroo
Joseph O’Brien
Hugh Bowman
10
59kg
8 Silks
Zeyrek
Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
Sam Clipperton
13
59kg
9 Silks
Nugget
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Dylan Gibbons
9
59kg
10 Silks
Democracy Manifest
Chris Waller
Tyler Schiller
16
59kg
11 Silks
Golden Mile
James Cummings
Zac Lloyd
5
58.5kg
12 Silks
Kovalica
Chris Waller
Tommy Berry
15
58.5kg
13 Silks
Rediener
Chris Waller
Kathy O’Hara
1
58.5kg
14 Silks
Fangirl
Chris Waller
James McDonald
2
57kg
15 Silks
Atishu
Chris Waller
Kerrin McEvoy
11
57kg
16 Silks
Hope In Your Heart
Kerry Parker
Jason Collett
14
57kg

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