George Main Stakes Day boasts an impressive six black type races, including the feature race – contested at Group 1 level over a mile.
Eight talent-rich races have been confirmed for the 2015 George Main Stakes Day card at Royal Randwick on Saturday, so be sure to reference our previews of each to allow yourself the best chance of a winning bet!
We’re offering the best odds on all eight races at Randwick on Saturday, including the George Main Stakes!
Race 1 – 12:40pm Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m)
The Listed Heritage Stakes has drawn a particularly exciting field of ten three-year-old this weekend, including classy Godolphin pair Haptic and Mogador. Counterattack appeared unable to reach full potential through major two-year-old events in the recent Brisbane Winter Carnival but will relish a step back in class first-up this time. Zoutentant is fast becoming a stable star for Kevin Moses and will carrying winning form into the Heritage Stakes taking out a Hawkesbury minor over 1000m last time out.
Race 2 – 1:15pm Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m)
A less-than capacity field of eleven has been confirmed for the Bill Ritchie Handicap, but the race appears likely to figure as a key form finder for plenty of horses heading towards Group 1 targets, including Gold Coast star Rudy. Rudy was a standout for Helen Page through the recent Autumn Carnival and will have taken plenty of benefit from two runs in Queensland leading into the Bill Ritchie Handicap. Chris Waller will saddle three good chances in Index Linked, Heart Testa and Sadler’s Lake, while Kim Waugh’s in-form star Forget has also be confirmed.
Race 3 – 1:50pm TAB More Than Just Winning Handicap (1200m)
One of only two races at Randwick on Saturday not contested at black type level, Race 3 has still attracted a number of notable runners and could very well be one of George Main Stakes Day’s most exciting events. Godolphin runner Sarajevo arguably headlines the field of 16, while Wild ‘N’ Famous and All Cerise have also been confirmed as starters.
Race 4 – 2:30pm Group 2 The Shorts (1100m)
Undoubtedly one of the headline races of 2015 George Main Stakes Day, The Shorts has drawn a particularly exciting field of nine sprinters. Terravista won the race on his way to success in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) last spring and has been confirmed for his racing return on Saturday. Hot Snitzel won the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) through winter while Rebel Dane, Ball Of Muscle and Delectation are all more than capable of success over course and distance. Shiraz is aiming for a fifth-consecutive win in The Shorts.
Race 5 – 3:05pm Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m)
Won by standout filly First Seal on her way to success in the Group 1 Flight Stakes in 2014, the Tea Rose Stakes has attracted one of its most talented fields in years. Gerald Ryan’s Fireworks and Perignon both appear to be peaking for good performances in the Tea Rose Stakes, while Lake Geneva will look to bounce back following a disappointing run in the Furious Stakes last start. Kimberley Star, Flamboyant Lass and Sempre Libera are all more than capable of saluting for Gai Waterhouse, while Look To The Stars will take benefit from her first-up run a fortnight ago.
Race 6 – 3:45pm Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m)
Some of the Spring Carnival’s most exciting milers have been confirmed to run in the George Main Stakes – often used as a final competitive point of call ahead of the Epsom Handicap over course and distance in a fortnight. Cox Plate contender Pornichet will contest the race third-up, as will Royal Descent, Kermadec and Kirramosa. Melbourne Cup hero Protectionist will need more distance to win but Lucia Valentina and Godolphin pair Sweynesse and Hauraki should lay great accounts for themselves over a mile. John Thompson runner Hooked carries winning form into the race while Chris Waller stayer Moriarty completes the field of ten.
Race 7 – 4:25pm Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m)
A capacity field of sixteen will line up at the barriers for the Group 2 Hill Stakes; George Main Stakes Day’s penultimate race. Chris Waller has dominated the final field after confirming a total of eight of his stable’s stars, including Who Shot Thebarman, Grand Marshal and Preferment. Chelmsford Stakes champion Complacent will need luck in running from barrier 13 while James Cummings-trained Melbourne Cup hopeful Precedence will have his second-up run.
Race 8 – 5:05pm TAB Rewards Handicap (1600m)
A number of standout mares highlight a fourteen horse field for the final race on George Main Stakes Day. Ballet Suite and Candelara are both noted Group 1 performers and raced well first-up a fortnight ago, while Farolitos and Sabkhat fly the flag for Godolphin. Bjorn Baker’s Celtic Prince has been charged with overcoming a whopping 63kgs, While Casino Dancer will need plenty of luck in transit from barrier 15.