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By Brad Gray

John O’Shea has a strong hand heading into Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday. Below are his thoughts on each of his runners while he singles out what he thinks is his best chance on the day.

Race 1 – G3 Widden 150th Anniversary Stakes (1100m) Alizee (Joao Moreira) “She just got out-toughed in a strong lead up race the other day.” “The drop back to 1100m should really suit her. I don’t know about her on really heavy ground but she’s a beautiful, quality filly and I think she’ll run very well.“

Alizee at trackwork

Race 2 – G3 China Horse Club Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) Eusebio (James Doyle) “Eusebio has been a revelation. He has a really strong will-to-win and is very effective in the ground.” “He hasn’t had a run for a while due to the way the programming has gone, but we’ve done plenty of work with him and I’m sure he’ll be fit enough.”

Race 3 – G2 Schweppes Chairman's Handicap (2600m) Alegria (Joao Moreira) “Alegria’s been set for this race. She got beaten a lip in it last year.” “She’s ticking over very well and she’s very effective in the ground, so there’s no reason why she couldn’t be competitive again.”

Race 5 – G3 The Green Guys P J Bell Stakes (1200m) Medaille (Joao Moreira) “I’d probably prefer her on top of the ground, but she’s trialled so well, she’s entitled to her chance in Listed grade.”

Raiment (James Doyle) “We have probably our best chance for the day here in Raiment.” “She was dominant against the older mares last start and at set weights and penalties against her own age and sex is a big advantage for her and she’s very effective in the ground.”

Race 6 – G1 Inglis Sires' (1400m) Astoria (James Doyle) “We’ll just ride him quietly. He’s had the run at seven furlongs last week that should toughen him up.” “He gets through slow to heavy ground and he’s a quality colt who will be more than competitive in these sort of races going forward.” “Whether he can overcome the gate is another issue.”

Veranillo (Joao Moreira) “Veranillo has a lovely gate. We’ve tinkered with his gear a little (removed blinkers) and Joao can probably have him a little closer in the run which will be important on Saturday.” “He’s done well since the Slipper and if anything has probably improved a bit, which he needed to.”

Veranillo at trackwork

Race 8 – G1 Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) Astern (James Doyle) “From gate four I reckon he’ll box seat in a race where there doesn’t look to be a lot of speed. “Ideally in the heavy ground, it’s best to have had a run somewhere, which he hasn’t had but he’s a happy horse and a fit horse. I think he’ll jump out and put himself into the race.” “He’s met Russian Revolution previously and been able to get past him but I think he’s the horse to beat.”

Race 9 – G1 The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) Hauraki (James Doyle) “Unfortunately he hasn’t had the best of preps with all his runs being on heavy ground.” “He’s in wonderful form and he has a tremendous record over the mile at Randwick.” “He’ll just be ridden quietly as always and see if he can come over the top of them.”

It's Somewhat (Zac Purton) “It’s Somewhat is a good chance of running in the top four or five.” “He drops in weight off a good first up win. “His record at Randwick at the mile is good – he’s run third to Winx at weight-for-age - he gets through the ground and he’ll roll forward and take up a position.” “He worked brilliantly here this morning and early in his prep he’s very effective.”

Spectroscope (Joao Moreira) “Spectroscope has come a long way in a short time since arriving from France.” “He’s in wonderful order, he’s just got to back up, and that’s an unknown element.” “He’s got a wide draw that I’m hoping Joao can offset with no weight.” “He gets through the ground which was evident last Saturday and he’s a happy little horse.”

All the fields, form and replays for Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick