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By Nick Berney

An in-depth look at every runner in the $2 million Group 1 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

1. Elliptical (Anthony & Same Freedman): Was perfectly ridden in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and found the line well running into second place. Further, the colt started $15, and his sectionals suggest he can improve again out to 2000m.

Summary: He is an improving type and is proven on the rain-affected ground. Moreover, he can win and brings the right profile into this event. However, some query over the Guineas form as it rated down against past years historically and there was a bunched margin.

2. Promitto (David Atkins): Was solid seven days ago against the older/seasoned horses in a high rating Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m) and battled on well for third. The race was run at a brutal tempo, and the colt was exposed early with no runner to take him into the race. Additionally, to his credit, he never shirked his task to the line and was honest.

Summary: The Atkins trained galloper has a strong platform for this event and is on an upwards ratings spiral this prep. All indicators suggest he can improve again; peak figures have come on rain-affected ground and maps to have all favours. Over the odds and a definite chance.

3. Sharp ‘N’ Smart (Graeme & Deborah Rogerson): Was brave winning the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1600m), which was run at Warwick Farm. He started a rock-solid $2.80 favourite, was 32 days between runs and, although headed in the straight, he still found a way to win.

Summary: The NZ raider has a fantastic record, will undoubtedly be fitter from his last start, and Hugh Bowman sticks. He has a strong starting price profile relative to some of his rivals; the wet track is no issue, and he will look like the winner at some stage.

4. Williamsburg (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou): Wasn’t suited to Warwick Farm and staying at the 1600m last start in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1600m). However, to his credit, he ran on well and clocked strong closing splits relative to the day with his final 400m/200m in 23.60/12.08.

Summary: The colt is another runner who comes into this race with a strong platform, is on an upwards ratings spiral this prep and is ready to peak. He has key factors in his favour, with the bigger track suiting, 2000m being ideal, and all peak figures have come on rain-affected ground. Major player.

5. Matcha Latte (Mark Newnham): Missed the start by two lengths in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1600m) and was then used early to find a handy position. Further, he then made a long, wide, sustained run and looked like the winner but was beaten on the line.

Summary: He will need to improve his manners out to the 2000m, but if he can reproduce the same improvement between runs as the last start, he is a genuine place chance.

6. Owen County (John Sargent): Started $21 in the Gloaming Stakes (1600m) and, although he travelled in the inferior ground, he had his chance to finish closer.

Summary: Proven on the rain-affected ground but will need to improve significantly to figure and some query at the 2000m.

7. Conqueror (Chris Waller): Is an interesting runner who has had genuine excuses throughout his prep. Last start in the Listed Dulcify Stakes (1600m), the colt had to make a long, wide, sustained run and then was checked/blocked at a critical stage, losing momentum. To his credit, he picked himself up and closed off well, maintaining a strong finishing speed.

Summary: The three-year-old is trained by the master Chris Waller, and his past two runs have had excuses. He is a genuine knockout chance and is over the odds.

8. Coppleson (Chris Waller): Was run to suit and ran on ok in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1600m). Prior to that start, he hit the line well over 1800m at Rosehill.

Summary: The gelding will undoubtedly run the 2000m out and is proven on rain-affected ground. However, this is still his first preparation, and he may be better suited in this grade when more seasoned.

9. Manzoice (Chris Waller): Was sharply up in distance last start 1400m-1800m and tried hard all the way to the line. The form out of that race has since been franked with a subsequent winner in White Marlin. He has since had a tick-over trial between runs.

Summary: He is at peak fitness and does look like he will run out the distance. However, he was flattered last start where the visuals didn’t back up the clock.

10. Bunker Hut (Michael Freedman): Was 32 days between runs in the Gloaming Stakes (1600m) and battled on ok after travelling in the inferior ground.

Summary: The colt has been solid all prep racing consistently but will need to improve significantly to win.

11. She’s Extreme (Anthony Cummings): Started $5 in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) and was honest running well for second place. That race rated well relative to the day and the decisive margins throughout confirmed the quality of the form. In addition, there have been two subsequent winners to come out of the race - Madame Pommery, who won the Group 1 Thousand Guineas and Renaissance Woman winning the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m). Prior to that start she had excuses, but the market respected her chances in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m).

Summary: The filly profiles well for this, coming through the superior form references, and her sectional/ratings profile suggests she will be able to stay the 2000m and is ready to win. Last prep, all her peak figures came deep into her campaign and the wet track is ideal. Expect her to roll forward and be given every chance.

12. Renaissance Woman (Bjorn Baker): Was run to suit but came from a long way back to run over the top of her opposition seven days ago and win the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m). Before that start she got too far back in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m), which as referenced, has proven to be a strong form race.

Summary: The filly will have to step again from a ratings perspective to figure in the finish, but she is on a quick backup and is now proven at the distance. She will undoubtedly be strong late and is one for the exotics.

Selections

11. SHE'S EXTREME
2. Promitto
7. Conqueror
4. Williamsburg

All the fields, form and replays for Spring Champion Stakes Day at Royal Randwick