A small field has been taken for the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday and it goes without saying that it is all about the second campaign appearance of equine superstar Winx.
Winx was as dominant as ever when she put a similar field to this one away with complete ease in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago and as worrying as it is for her rivals, she will only improve at a mile this weekend.
We have analysed every horse in the field and our 2019 Chipping Norton Stakes tips can be found below.
Happy Clapper
Happy Clapper has been one of Australia’s toughest horses for several years and is undoubtedly the ‘best of the rest’ in the 2019 Chipping Norton Stakes field. The now eight-year-old son of Teofilo finally won the Doncaster Mile in 2018 after running second in the feature race twice previously and while his spring preparation was cut short when he bled in the Makybe Diva Stakes, there was a lot to like about his two-and-a-half lengths second in the Apollo Stakes two weeks ago. He has never beaten Winx, but there is no doubt that alongside Hartnell, he has been the most consistent challenger during the mighty mare’s reign, and he is primed to finish second again on Saturday.
Patrick Erin
Patrick Erin is an out and out stayer, but he did finish off well for fourth in the Apollo Stakes and will improve into the Chipping Norton Stakes. He was an impressive winner of the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) most notably in spring and with even luck in running, he could prove to be the value to finish in the places on Saturday.
Libran
Libran has not been seen at the races since November but has had the benefit of several trials in the lead-up to his return in the Chipping Norton Stakes. The Lawman gelding harbours a strong turn of foot and finding clear running in the straight is undoubtedly key to his chances, but this race really does look a bridge too far. He is another horse that is looking for a trip and races like the Tancred Stakes and Sydney Cup are where he will come into his own.
Brimham Rocks
Brimham Rock will improve second-up and at a mile, but the Chipping Norton Stakes looms another step on the path towards the season’s staying features. The five-year-old son of Fastnet Rock was a strong and consistent performer for Waller in spring and didn’t miss a place in five starts. He finished at the tail of the field in the Apollo Stakes and he’ll take plenty of improvement from whatever he does here. This big price on offer in betting does look to be correct.
Winx
The world’s best racehorse is seeking a fourth-consecutive win in the Chipping Norton Stakes on Saturday and is primed for a big second-up run after dominating the Apollo Stakes two weeks ago. Her record clearly speaks for itself – she has won thirty-consecutive races since May 2015, twenty-two of which at Group 1 level (a world record) and an unprecedented four-consecutive Cox Plates. Everything suggests that she will be the 2019 Chipping Norton Stakes winner.
Egg Tart
Another Waller runner and another multiple Group 1 winner, Egg Tart ran on well to finish third in the Apollo Stakes first-up and figures as live place chance again in the Chipping Norton Stakes. She is a horse that typically enjoys sharp improvement into her second-up run and finished third behind Winx in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (Colgate Optic White Stakes) at this point of her spring preparation. Clearly, it would take a massive career-best performance to win, but running a place is certainly a realistic prospect.
Unforgotten
At her best, Unforgotten is one of the best horses in the Waller yard and she can run well in the Chipping Norton Stakes. The Fastnet Rock mare finished fifth in the Apollo Stakes first-up, but she generally does need a competitive hit-out to find her best and it would not surprise to see her enjoy sharp improvement when she takes her place in this field. She is a live chance of finishing in the first three.