Black-Type Preview

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Randwick, Group 1 LONGINES QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES, $4,000,000, 2000m

In the perfect farewell to the champion, Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) will run against two of her most respected sparring partners in Happy Clapper (Teofilo {Ire}) and Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}). Not looking likely to upset the remarkable mare, they will not go easy on her either, making her earn her swansong victory.

In her typical race pattern, Hugh Bowman will let her happily settle out the back before rounding them up turning for home and quicken in the style that leaves all racegoers breathless.

The daughter of Street Cry has been flawless this preparation for Chris Waller, winning the Apollo Stakes, Chipping Norton Stakes and the George Ryder Stakes, and has been cleared of any injury, after a scare in her final piece of trackwork on Thursday, when she kicked out at a fence.

With Hartnell and Happy Clapper the next best, there is interest in Olympic eventer, Sir Mark Todd’s He’s Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who will be rolling along out in front controlling the speed, after his outstanding Ranvet run, first-up for seven months.

The International raiders, New Zealand trained Danzdanzdance (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Japanese galloper Kluger (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) can be tossed into multiples off solid Australian debuts.

The Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the richest and most prestigious weight-for-age race on the Australian racing calendar, and a hat trick for Winx is a fitting farewell for a champion.

Randwick, Group 1, SCHWEPPES SYDNEY CUP, $2,000,000, 3200m

With a full field taking their place in the 2019 Sydney Cup, early reports are favouring the Charlie Appleby invader Dubhe (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was a last start winner in Meydan, but there will be a number of challengers on his Australian debut.

With a strong international field, including the imported German galloper for Mike Moroney, Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}), the third-up Midterm (Galileo {Ire}) is a strong chance to give Lloyd Williams his fifth Sydney Cup after a solid two length victory over Big Duke (Ire) (Raven’s Pass {USA}) in the Manion Cup. Kris Lee’s Big Duke who ran second to Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in the Tancred, has had his form franked and the Kiwi mare Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was also excellent in the Tancred in her Australian debut, having been exposed a long way from home. New Zealand trained Sir Charles Road (Myboycharlie {Ire}) finished off strongly in the Chairman’s Quality.

Randwick, Group 1 HEINEKEN 3 AUSTRALIAN OAKS, $1,000,000, 2400m

Unable to overlook, Chris Waller’s Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) who is in brilliant form, will be starting as the outright favourite for the ATC Australian Oaks.

With an outstanding turn of foot and having already beaten many of these runners in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes, she looks to have the race covered.

Her main contender, Kris Lee’s Frankely Awesome (Frankel) ran a strong second in the Vinery Stud Stakes but missed last week's Derby due to a slight cough. As with many of theses runners, the distance is a query, and the firmer ground will help, but she will need to run strongly to the line.

Stablemate Aliferous (Hinchinbrook) won the Adrian Knox Stakes last start, and Aristia (Lonhro) will be happier also on firmer ground after not handling the heavy going in the Vinery. New Zealand contender, Clementia (NZ) (Savabeel) was fourth in the New Zealand Oaks, after being runner up in the Oaks Prelude.

Randwick, Group 1, COOLMORE LEGACY STAKES, $1,000,000, 1600m

In the Queen Of The Turf Stakes, Godolphin’s Alizee (Seypoy) will enjoy the firmer going, after not handling the track in the Doncaster, but her All Star Mile run was strong and she was dominant in the Futurity.

Prompt Response (Beneteau) is in super form having placed behind Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) and Shoals (Fastnet Rock) in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes, with Pierata (Pierro) and Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) behind her. Running second to Winx in the George Ryder is no knock, and she ran second to Alizee in the corresponding race here last year.

Dyslexic (Foxwedge) is a chance having good form behind Dixie Blossoms (Street Sense {USA}), while Nakeeta Jane (So You Think {NZ}) may be able to bounce back, after her poor Vinery effort. Waller’s Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) is due for some luck, both in running and with the improved surface and Dayzee Doom (Domesday) was a brave runner up in the Emancipation.

Randwick, Group 2 PERCY SYKES STAKES, $1,000,000, 1200m

The Percy Sykes Stakes, the major autumn sprint for two-year-old fillies on Day Two of The Championships at Randwick, has benefited from a rise in prize money and Group status to attract the top two-year-old fillies.

The class filly of the race, Godolphin’s Kiamichi (Sidestep) who was victorious in the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes, is still, by all reports from Cummings, on the improve. After four starts in five weeks, including a gallant run last week in the Sire’s behind Microphone (Exceed and Excel), she looks set to add further black type to her resume.

Under Hugh Bowman for the first time, Kiamichi will go forward with Anaheed (Fastnet Rock), who will find this easier against her own sex, while Flit (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}), the winner of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes down the straight at Flemington last start, was touted as the best runner for the day from Beadman on behalf of the Godolphin stable from barrier three, she shouldn’t be over looked.

Snowden’s Cheer Leader (Snitzel) was an impressive last start winner by five lengths at the Valley and will be more mature and stronger from that effort, while Villimi (Foxwedge) should improve significantly on the firmer ground.

Randwick, Group 2 ARROWFIELD 3YO SPRINT, $1,000,000, 1200m

The Godolphin Blue will be strong again in the Arrowfield sprint for three-year-olds with Encryption (Lonhro) looking to add a win this preparation after a solid run behind Nature Strip (Nicconi) in the Group 1 Galaxy Handicap.

While Waller’s Zousain (Zoustar) has another opportunity to show his talent having recovered after the Newmarket. Unlucky with placings behind The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) and Sunlight (Zoustar), he will be looking to go one better tomorrow.

While New Zealand filly Avantage (Fastnet Rock) was impressive in her Australian debut, leading throughout to win the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes, and will take improvement from the run, and Les Bridge’s Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) has shown substantial talent and could be a challenger.

Randwick, Group 2 TAB SAPPHIRE STAKES, $300,000, 1200m

Another from the Blue Army, Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) will be out to make amends for her Group 1 Coolmore run last start, with the 1400 metres on a heavy track proving too much. A freshen up since will hopefully see her snappy enough to be back to the sprint trip.

Winter Bride (Not A Single Doubt) is in brilliant form, having claimed her ninth victory in the Wenona Girl Quality, beating the Hawkesbury trained Spright (Hinchinbrook). Trained by Gary Fraser, the reliable Spright was a last start runner-up in the William Reid Stakes behind Sunlight. She will again require speed up front to show off her exceptional turn of foot.

Invincibella (I Am Invincible) resumes and is another versatile and dependable galloper. With an excellent first up record and a cosy draw, she is expected to run well.

I Am Excited (Snitzel) was strong to the line in the Galaxy, following a place in the Triscay Stakes and Resin (Exceed and Excel) has placed in both Group 3 runs this preparation.

Morphettville preview

Morphettville, Group 3, Hughes Limousines R N Irwin Stakes, $120,000, 1100m

Tony McEvoy’s Cool Passion (Not A Single Doubt) is on top coming off a freshen up, from John McArdle’s talented mare I’II Have A Bit (Smart Missile), who comes back in grade and is expected to improve.

I’m Wesley (I Am Invincible), Steel Frost (Bryannbo's Gift {NZ}) and Hussybay (Hussonet) are all chances stepping up off provincial form.

Morphettville, Group 3, Schweppervescence (Auraria) Stakes, $120,000, 1800m

With form lines from around the country, Archie Alexander’s Mirette (Unencumbered) had no luck at all behind Princess Jenni (High Chaparral {Ire}) at the Valley last start where she raced without cover on a fast speed. Coming back in class, she will be hard to beat from a proven staying stable.

Will Clarken’s Cosmic Alert (Star Witness) is also in good form and was dominant in the Laelia Stakes, while Matt Cumani’s Dunlani (Dundeel) is bred to stay all day and has been consistent in her last runs.

Others to watch include Kenyan Wonder (Zoustar) who is expecting to bounce back and the beautifully bred Vanuatu (High Chaparral {Ire}) who will enjoy the distance and steps up in class.

Hastings preview

Riccarton G3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup, NZ$100,000 2000m

Veteran Authentic Paddy (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit {USA}) isn’t letting age get the better of him and was a sound fourth two runs back in the G1 New Zealand S. and third at his most recent appearance in the G3 Awapuni Gold Cup. This represents a drop in class for him.

Bloodstream (NZ) (Duelled) is improving with racing and he looks a decent each-way chance at longer odds while the weight-for-age scale suits Gallant Boy (NZ) (Gallant Guru), who has been racing well under hefty weights in handicaps.

Who Dares Wins (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) was a smart winner last time out and he has a good record at this trip. Residential (NZ) (Pins) has been at the top of her game this preparation with the only question mark her ability to run a strong 2000 metres.