Royal Randwick will host the opening day of the grand finals of Australian racing, The Championships, this Saturday, 7 April which will feature the running of four Group 1 races and more than $10 million in prizemoney.
The ten race program is headlined by the time honoured Group 1 $3 million The Star Doncaster Mile, the Group 1 $2.5 million Darley TJ Smith Stakes, Group 1 $2 million Harrolds Australian Derby and the Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires’.
On 31 occasions a three-year-old has won Royal Randwick’s famous The Star Doncaster Mile and in 2018 Kementari will be looking to add to the record. The James Cummings-trained colt leads the betting at $3.80 TAB Fixed Odds.
The inaugural $10 million TAB Everest winner Redzel ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds) will match up against last start winner In Her Time ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds) in Australia’s premier Weight-For-Age sprint, the Darley TJ Smith Stakes. Both horses have had four career wins over 1200m.
New Zealand stayers have shown their pedigree in recent years in the Harrolds Australian Derby with five of the last ten winners coming from across the Tasman. This year’s renewal has nine New Zealanders hoping to secure the crown.
Longines Golden Slipper runner-up Oohood is the $3.50 TAB Fixed Odds favourite in the Inglis Sires’. The juvenile has placed in all five of her career starts and will be looking to notch up her first victory in a race that has seen 10 of the last 25 won by fillies.
Patrons will be able to see Longines World’s Best Horse on Turf, Winx, ahead of her potential 25th consecutive win in the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes as she completes an exhibition gallop on the course proper following the first race.
Market odds for the full program on Saturday are available from the TAB.
The Royal Randwick track was rated a Good 4 on Thursday morning.
The racecourse will be dressed in black and white and fashion forward guests are encouraged to wear their finest monochrome race day ensemble and be part of the ‘Harrolds Fashion Chute’. Contestants can register between 10am and 1.45pm at the ‘Harrolds Fashion Chute’ photowall on the Octagonal Lawn or in the Members Reserve.
A short list of finalists will be selected to parade in front of a panel of experts including Vogue Australia Editor Edwina McCann, milliner Viktoria Novak and Owner and Director of Harrolds Mary Poulakis. The winner will share in a prize pool consisting of a Vogue Fashion Night Out VIP experience, return flights to any one of Emirates 40 European destinations, a Longines watch and more.
Fashion Illustrators Alexandra Nea and Steph Baynie will be available to capture some of the best looks of the day and will be creating illustrations for first 40 patrons to have their photo taken at the Harrolds Fashion Chute.
All patrons can access some of the best gourmet street food by Trinhy’s Vietnamese, Chur Burger, Nathan’s Hotdogs, Santos and Dirty Bird at the Truck Stop behind the QEII Grandstand.
The Leger Lawn will provide an array of pop-up bars from Chandon S, Heineken 3 Trackside Lounge, Canadian Club Giddy Up Club Marquee and the Schweppes and Pimms Cocktail Garden. The precinct will have live DJs and entertainment throughout the afternoon.
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.
The first race on Saturday is at 11.30am and last race at 5.10pm. Gates open at 10.15am.
For all hospitality, ticketing, racing and general information visit www.theatc.com.au
