Ahead of a massive day of racing across Australia tomorrow, we have looked into our ‘Crystal Ball’ and have come up with four key predictions that might play out across the day.
Nature Strip Swan Song Won’t Go To Plan
Nature Strip is a champion. There is no doubting that. The eight-year-old has won 22 of 42 starts, nine Group 1’s, an Everest and over $20.5 million in prize money. He is a brilliant sprinter and has been a monument for the sport.
There is a lot of debate about whether he can produce his best or not, but we are going to make the bold statement that the champ is done. His trial leading into his first-up run in the Lightning Stakes was only fair and faded badly in that race. Chris Waller is a trainer of pattern and has altered Nature Strip’s usual campaign which sounds more alarm bells. He has been a wonderful horse but we would be laying him to the hills if we were a bookmaker.
Chairman’s Quality Will Make The Sydney Cup Picture Clearer
The Group 2 Chairman’s Quality often provides a great insight into the Sydney Cup, with a host of runners tackling the race on the quick back-up. European raider Cleveland stamped his case as favourite for the Sydney Cup and firmed into $4 with TAB after an eye-catching close behind Arapaho in the Tancred Stakes.
Saturday’s Chairman’s Quality is expected to make the Sydney Cup picture slightly clearer, however, in which way will be interesting. The Chairman’s Quality is extremely open at $7 the field. Although the winner and eye-catching runs of the race will no doubt press their case for the 3200m feature, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Cleveland firm if the race rates poorly.
Country Championships To Become A Centrepiece of The Championships
There is no hiding the immense success that the Newhaven Park Country Championships has had in the Sydney autumn carnival. Months of preparation goes into preparing each horse for the race and we will once again see some of New South Wales’ best country gallopers compete over 1400m at Royal Randwick.
What the series does so well is it engulfs conversation for months leading into the race. Not only is Pre-Nom betting interesting as it is for all feature races, each heat often consists of large fields, open markets and tight finishes, adding to the intrigue of the race. Racing New South Wales has done a tremendous job with the Country Championships and The Kosciuszko in promoting country racing and it has now become a centrepiece of The Championships.
Cylinder Huge Query In Sires
The betting suggests that the Group 1 Inglis Sires is at the mercy of Cylinder. The Godolphin colt was terrific running second as a well-supported favourite in the Golden Slipper and has drawn perfectly once again. He has arguably the best jockey in the world and will be presented arguably Australia’s leading stable, however, Saturday poses more questions than answers.
Veight looks a beast. The Victorian colt is a spitting image of his sire grunt and has been dominant winning both career starts. Fellow Victorian Brave Mead is another dominant Pakenham maiden winner and trotted in as an odds-on favourite at The Valley last week. Add in Don Corleone, Maharba and the untapped Café Millenium, it is an open race.
