Two Group 1 features headline an exciting nine-race program on 2021 Randwick Guineas Day.
The rail will be set out three metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
Race 1 - 12:40pm AEDT
Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m)
Wild Ruler will make his eagerly awaited return in the Fireball Stakes and will take beating.
The Snitzel colt won each of his first two starts back in spring, including the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes, and he was last seen filling the minors in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
This is obviously a drop in class from that race and he has returned two lovely trials in the lead-up to his return.
4 Units Wild Ruler
Race 2 - 1:15pm AEDT
Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m)
Profiteer stamped himself as a serious colt when winning the Inglis Millennium with utter ease last time out and while he does face a rise in class, I’m more than happy to dive in again at the $3 quote.
Profiteer has made two appearances at the races for as many wins and will only take further improvement into the Todman Stakes.
6 Units Profiteer
Race 3 - 1:50pm AEDT
Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m)
This is an open edition of the Reisling Stakes with several winning chances, but I am going to have something on Vianello at her current price ($6 at publish).
Vianello has made four appearances at the races since debuting, winning first-up and placing in both the Widden Stakes and the Pierro Plate most notably.
She looks to be at peak fitness, and I think that she can win.
2 Units Vianello
Race 4 - 2:25pm AEDT
Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m)
Sacramento has returned to the races in career-best form and he can record another win in the Randwick City Stakes.
The Pierro gelding tuned up with a credible run for third in BM78 company here when resuming and simply hasn’t looked back, winning each of his three subsequent starts, including the Parramatta Cup last time out.
He is at peak fitness, gets in well under the conditions and can win again.
5 Units Sacramento
Race 5 - 3:05pm AEDT
Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m)
With Bivouac instead contesting the Canterbury Stakes, Bivouac has opened a very short $1.40 favourite in Challenge Stakes betting.
It’s always difficult to know what we’re going to get from him, but anything close to his best would be too good for this field and that leaves me with little confidence in taking him on.
No Bet
Race 6 - 3:45pm AEDT
Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m)
A similar situation has unfolded in Wenona Girl Quality betting with Emanate opening a short $1.60 favourite, but I am going to take her on.
Positive Peace needed the run and was a little one-paced in the Millie Fox Stakes a fortnight ago, but she tends to enjoy sharp improvement with a run under her belt, and will relish a return to a track rated in the good range.
At $8/$2, we can have an each-way play.
2 Units E/W Positive Peace
Race 7 - 4:25pm AEDT
Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m)
Aegon announced himself to the Australian racing community via his dominant performance in the Hobartville Stakes a fortnight ago, and he is the one to beat in the Randwick Guineas.
Aegon has so far made five trips to the races for as many wins, with highlights including the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas and the Karaka Millions 3YO race.
A mile is ideal and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
I’m also going to have something on Lion’s Roar at the big price ($19 at publish).
Lion’s Roar was unlucky not to win the Spring Champion Stakes at the conclusion of his 2020 prep, and he ran home well to finish a credible fifth in the Hobartville when resuming this time.
I think that the Rosehill Guineas is in fact the perfect race for him, but he’ll like everything about this one as well.
4 Units Aegon
1 Unit E/W Lion’s Roar
Race 8 - 5:05pm AEDT
Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m)
Bivouac is just the best horse in the Canterbury Stakes field in my opinion, and he is the one to beat.
The Exceed And Excel is now a three-time Group 1 winner, having added the Darley Sprint Classic to his resuming at the conclusion of his spring prep.
He was disappointingly flat in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes when fresh, but trainer James Cummings has reportedly been thrilled with how well that run has brought him on, and I am more than happy to give him another chance.
4 Units Bivouac
Race 9 - 5:40pm AEDT
Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m)
She’s Ideel filled the minors behind Subpoenaed in the Millie Fox Stakes when resuming, and she looms as a winning chance second-up in the Aspiration Quality.
The Dundeel mare has been a strong and consistent performer for the Bjorn Baker yard since making her debut, and she found form around some quality gallopers during the spring.
Her first-up effort this time suggested that she has returned a more furnished prospect, and I’m happy to dive in at the $5.50.
2 Units She’s Ideel