| What | Spring Champion Stakes Day 2021 |
| Where | Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 |
| When | Saturday, October 9, 2021 |
| Feature Race | Spring Champion Stakes (R8) |
| First Race | 12:35pm AEDT |
| Watch Live | |
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Streaming Live at Sportsbet |
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HorseBetting’s Sydney racing analyst brings you his thoughts on all 10 races at Royal Randwick this Saturday, as well as his best bets and quaddie numbers. The track is currently rated a Good 4, and the rail is out 5m from the 1600m to the winning post and just 4m for the remainder of the course. The first race is scheduled to start at 12:35pm AEDT, while the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes is set to go at 4:50pm.
Race 1: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1600m)
The field for the Highway makes for a very difficult way to start and it is a race we won’t be betting in. Top weight Whatsin ran third to Spiranac at Bathurst last time out, which looks good enough to be competitive here. Hugh Bowman will partner the five-year-old mare from barrier seven and have her in the second half of the field, which will allow her to run on over the top late.
Selections: 1-4-2-11
Race 2: Benchmark 72 Midway Handicap (1400m)
A pretty handy galloper looks set to line up in the Midway, and that is Kim Waugh’s gelding Different Strokes. The son of Hinchinbrook has had five starts this campaign, winning twice and placing on the three other occasions, all of which have come in his first racing campaign. Drawn in barrier nine for Hugh Bowman, he can go forward and settle in the box seat and stalk the leaders. The four-year-old ran away with the prize at Wyong last time out, winning by three lengths over 1350m, so the rise to 1400m should suit here. The form around Akhtar has been good of late too; he beat Dufresne last start, with that galloper winning well on Wednesday at Rosehill.
Selections: 10-12-9-8
Race 3: Benchmark 78 (2000m)
The third is another competitive race, with Solar Apex and Herman Hesse both shooting for three straight wins. We are siding with the former, who gets the services of James McDonald once again. The son of Deep Impact has been dominant in winning at Gosford in his past two over 1600m and 1900m respectively. Drawn in barrier seven, the Chris Waller-trained gelding should get a cosy run behind the pace and finish off strongly in the straight over the top of Herman Hesse, who will lead. Silhouette looks to be over the odds too after a dominant win last start.
Selections: 7-2-3-15
Race 4: Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m)
After being scratched from the Caulfield Guineas, Coastwatch will take his place in the Stan Fox Stakes and looks very hard to beat. The Chris Waller-trained gelding has had nine starts in his career for two wins, a second and two thirds, with one of those third-placed efforts coming last time out in the Golden Rose Stakes behind In The Congo and Anamoe. Drawn in barrier three under James McDonald, he should get a dream run.
Selections: 2-4-6-3
Race 5: Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m)
The Roman Consul Stakes sees a quality field of three-year-olds line up, headlined by Paulele. The son of Dawn Approach looks a leading chance to take Godolphin’s slot in The Everest, so a convincing win here would all but secure that. Paulele won dominantly first-up, defeating subsequent Golden Rose winner In The Congo, then ran second to that same runner in the San Domenico Stakes, before finishing second again in the Heritage Stakes behind Home Affairs, who is also looking to gain a slot in The Everest. Gleneagles can run a big race at $6, while we haven’t completely disregarded New Zealand galloper Sword Of State.
Selections: 2-4-1-3
Race 6: Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m)
The Angst Stakes sees a good field of mares looking to win their way into The Invitation with a good showing here. Mirra Vision looks primed to win here after a terrific second in the Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle. The five-year-old daughter of Lonhro was a winner at Randwick in July, and although she has never run over 1600m in the past, she looks to be crying out for it now. If she can get some cover from barrier 11, we expect this mare to be very hard to beat. Charleise can improve at 1600m as well.
Selections: 9-6-1-13
Race 7: Silver Eagle (1300m)
The first three horses past the post in the Silver Eagle will earn ballot exemption for the $7.5 million Golden Eagle in a three weeks at Rosehill, so we expect this to be a hotly contested affair. We are actually siding with Tramonto at $34. The Jonny Field-trained gelding has been contesting some quality races in Queensland, coming off back-to-back seconds to Desert Lord in the Listed Goldmarket Handicap and to the extremely talented Weona Smartone. The start before the Goldmarket, the four-year-old defeated Contemptuous, who has won two races since. Drawn out in barrier 11, Andrew Adkins will slide forward and be in this for a very long way. Count De Rupee looks the main danger, also bringing some Queensland form around Apache Chase and Ayrton.
Selections: 9-8-4-14
Race 8: Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m)
The sole Group 1 on Saturday’s card at Randwick is the Spring Champion Stakes, which is exclusive to three-year-olds. We are siding with Profondo, who is an easing favourite in the race at just his third career start. The Richard Litt-trained colt won well on debut before a narrow second to Head Of State in the Gloaming Stakes, where a stray step cost him the race. From barrier 10, we should see Profondo settle in the first half of the field with cover and be strong late. Head Of State and Never Been Kissed are the two obvious dangers.
Selections: 2-1-11-3
Race 9: Group 3 The Nivision (1200m)
The Nivision will also see a number of mares vying for a spot in The Invitation in a fortnight. Minhaaj has always shown plenty of promise, winning three of her nine starts including a Group 3 as a two-year-old. The now four-year-old daughter of Exceed And Excel has placed twice to September Run and has run fourth to Beau Rossa at Group 2 level in South Australia. Set to have her first start under John O’Shea’s care, Minhaaj looks well placed after two cracking trials behind Classique Legend. James McDonald is booked, which is always a bonus.
Selections: 5-6-1-13
Race 10: Benchmark 78 (1000m)
It is an average way to end a cracking day of racing, but we think James McDonald can add another win to his name in the final race on the card. On The Lead has had two runs this campaign, finishing fifth first-up at Kembla Grange behind Andermatt before flashing late to run second to Belluci Babe on September 22. He drops back to 1000m, a distance he has won at twice from three attempts, and keeps ‘JMac’ in the saddle. From gate three, On The Lead can box seat in the run and be right within striking distance in the straight.
Selections: 3-12-5-10
Randwick quaddie tips for Spring Champion Stakes Day
| Randwick quadrella selections | |
|---|---|
| Leg 1: | 4-5-8-9-12-14 |
| Leg 2: | 1-2-11 |
| Leg 3: | 1-5-6-13 |
| Leg 4: | 3-12 |
| Investment: | $144 for 100% |