A major pathway to the $20 million TAB Everest – one of four Group races at Royal Randwick – provides a prelude to the official start of the Sydney Everest Carnival on the first weekend of spring this Saturday.
The City Tattersalls Club Cup meeting has attracted 153 entries including champion sprinters Nature Strip and Eduardo in the $1 million Group 3 Southern Cross Group Concorde Stakes (1000m).
TAB has the Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip (James McDonald) a well-supported $3.10 early favourite in front of the Godolphin-prepared In Secret ($3.20, for trainer James Cummings) and Eduardo (Joe Pride / Nash Rawiller) at $4.20.
The 10-race card has three Group 2 races, a Group 3 and a Listed feature.
Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering, James Ross said: “We are delighted to again join with our long-standing partner in City Tattersalls Club for the first Saturday of spring.
“The first major pathway for the TAB Everest in the Southern Cross Group Concorde Stakes features two of Australia’s best sprinters in Nature Strip and Eduardo take on a rising sprint star in In Secret.
“A full field in the AMD Medical Tramway Stakes will also be a pathway for many TAB Epsom and other Group features in the Sydney Everest Carnival.”
The Sydney Everest Carnival officially runs from Saturday 16 September to 11 November.
On Saturday the Group 2 Daily Press Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) sees Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Think It Over ($2.80, Kerry Parker/Nash Rawiller) and Mo’unga ($11, Annabel Neasham/Tyler Schiller) in the field with Knights Order ($26, Waterhouse & Bott/Rachel King) and Bold Mac ($34 for trainer Chris Waller). Derby winners Major Beel ($23) and Manzoice ($41) will also take their place in the 12-horse field.
Another feature the $300,000 Darley Furious Stakes (1200m), which is the second leg of the Darley Princess series. Autumn Ballet ($6), for Royal Randwick trainers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, captured the first leg a fortnight ago.
Kimochi ($3.40), trained by Gary Portelli and to be ridden by Jason Collett, heads the early betting in front of Tiz Invincible ($4.40, James McDonald) for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.
The $200,000 Sydney City Lexus Listed CTC Cup (2400m) appears to be an open affair. The chances look to be Verona ($4 favourite), Mostly Cloudy ($5), Military Mission ($6) and Serpentine ($6.50).
There are plenty of reasons to get trackside at Royal Randwick this Saturday. Celebration Hour is something those in attendance on the day will get excited about. From 12noon till 1pm, Chandon Vintage Brut will be available for $59.
With the Sydney Everest Carnival looming, this is your last chance to secure Early Bird pricing and Super Group Saver tickets. Racegoers have up until midnight on Monday to buy now and enjoy big savings. Head to theraces.com.au to secure your tickets today!
Major changes are coming to Royal Randwick just in time for the Sydney Everest Carnival. The big screen will be receiving a makeover and will return better than before.
As a result, the screen will not be operational until 11 September while the existing panels are replaced. Portable screens will be in used in the interim.
Full fields for Saturday’s card can be found HERE while TAB Fixed Odds are available for all 10 races HERE.
View final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here