Royal Randwick will be showcased in its grandeur this Saturday, 8 April for The Championships Day 2 – Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day which will be headlined by four Group 1 races.
All eyes will be on the mare of the moment, Chris Waller-trained Winx, who will line up in her final race of the Sydney Carnival, the world’s richest turf race over 2000m, the Group 1 $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The Longines World’s Best Turf Horse has opened as the short priced $1.15 TAB Fixed Odds favourite as she looks to secure her 17th straight victory.
Winx will again face Godolphin’s Hartnell, trained by John O’Shea, for the seventh time in his career. The son of Authorized opened on the second line of betting at $11.00 TAB Fixed Odds.
Blake Shinn currently leads the points tally for the Nathan Berry Medal for the best jockey during The Championships series and will be looking to further increase that lead when he takes the ride on Who Shot Thebarman ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds) in the Group 1 $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup.
Leading the betting at $2.80 TAB Fixed Odds is last start winner Big Duke for Darren Weir. Untried over the two miles, the five year old has had an impressive campaign of five wins and two placings from seven starts.
International runners from the Charlie Appleby stable will have their first run on Australian soil in the feature. Penglai Pavilion with good European form and with the track surface suiting is a $10.00 TAB Fixed Odds chance and stablemate Polarisation ($15.00 TAB Fixed Odds) is also in contention with experienced jockey Corey Brown and carrying only 51.5kg.
The New Zealand training partnership of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will be looking to take honours in the second three-year-old race of The Championships when Bonneval ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds) faces the starter in the Group 1 $1 million James Boags Premium Australian Oaks for fillies.
The Mafki filly has a hat trick of wins to her name from her last three runs including the New Zealand Oaks over 2400m.
David Brideoake-trained Nurse Kitchen will be hoping to go one better than her Vinery Stud Stakes second place ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Improving track conditions will suit the filly who will be stepping up in distance for the first time in her career.
Silent Sedition will be aiming to take out back to back Group 1 wins when she takes her place in the $1 million Coolmore Legacy.
The smart four-year-old showed resilience to hold on for success in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on 24 March.
Off the track, fashion forward guests are encouraged to dress in their race day finest and be part of The Fashion Chute presented by theRaces.com.au. Contestants can register for the last set of heats between 10am and 1pm at ‘The Fashion Chute’ photowall on the Octagonal Lawn.
Preliminary finalists who are selected on the day, along with those that were short listed from the previous three heats, will then compete in the final which will commence at 2.15pm in front of a panel of expert judges including Ginger and Smart design duo, Alexandra and Genevieve Smart, Cerrone jeweller Nic Cerrone, Vogue Editor, Edwina McCann and milliners Robert Carroll and Nerida Winter. The winner will take away a prize pool consisting of return Emirates flights to Europe and a Moët & Chandon VIP Experience in France.
The presentation to announce the day’s best dressed, the Longines Prize for Elegance, will be judged based on elegance as an attitude, use of colour and material that demonstrates a strong understanding of design, keen eye for detail and style to stand the test of time. To be eligible, competitors need to register between 10am and 12.30pm at The Fashion Chute to win a Longines timepiece valued at over $4,000.
Those looking to take their race day culinary experience to the next level can book into Little Sydney for an unforgettable gourmet experience. Presenting a curated selection of iconic Sydney restaurants; Catalina, Victor Churchill and China Doll, the three eateries will come together under one roof to host food lovers and Sydney’s social set. Tickets to Little Sydney are still available for purchase at theatc.com.au.
Racegoers can take advantage of free event transport which is included with all valid pre-purchased tickets and ATC Members cards to ensure a hassle free arrival and departure from Royal Randwick.
Public gates will open at 10.15am with the first race at 11.30pm.
Royal Randwick has free high-capacity WiFi across the racecourse precinct.