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The eighth edition of The Star Championships at Royal Randwick has attracted strong nominations across all races, including some outstanding overseas and interstate gallopers.

The Australian Turf Club and Racing NSW received 1406 nominations for 10 Championships races, to be run during The Star Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday 3 April and Saturday 10 April.

“The Star Championships are two of the finest days of horse racing anywhere in the world at one of Australia’s most iconic racecourses Royal Randwick,” Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley said.

Addeybb and Tom Marquand take out the 2020 Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers

The highest rated 2000m race in Australia, the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, has again attracted world-class nominations.

English trainer William Haggas plans to again target Sydney with Addeybb, who will defend his crown in the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on 10 April.

“We are very pleased to again have such depth in our entries domestically, interstate and internationally despite the logistical challenges presented by COVID for visiting horses and stable staff,” Mr Barkley said.

“We are especially delighted to see Addeybb, the highest rated horse in world racing, returning to Sydney to take on the best from Australia and New Zealand in Verry Elleegant and Melody Belle in the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes.”

Nominations in the $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes include equal world-highest rated sprinter and TAB Everest runner-up Bivouac and the highly promising three-year-old September Run from the Chris Waller team.

The winners of the first two runnings of the Iron Jack Golden Eagle, Kolding and Colette, also feature across the nominations.

International nominations included 10 Japanese horses nominated, as well as 63 gallopers from New Zealand stables, along with Southern Legend from Hong Kong.

Amongst the strong number of 27 Kiwi horses from the powerful Jamie Richards team are Melody Belle (Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes) and Probabeel (Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, The Star Doncaster and Coolmore Legacy).

The highest number of nominations received was in the $1m Inglis Sires’ (1400m) with 295 nominations and the $1m Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) with 219 nominations.

For all ticketing and hospitality options go to australianturfclub.com.au or for further information on The Star Championships click on thechampionships.com.au

View nominations for The Star Championships Day 1

View nominations for The Star Championships Day 2

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