The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival continues this Saturday with another outstanding card that includes four Group 1s.
Our full 2023 The Championships Day 2 Preview can be found below.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Townsend scored on debut at Wyong two weeks ago and is about the only juvenile in this race to have raced on a heavy track.
The son of Dundeel will take benefit out of that experience and will only appreciate the step up in distance now to 1600m.
1 Unit E/W Townsend
Hell I Am is a far better galloper than he showed when resuming in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes at Rosehill.
The three year old gelding was caught wide throughout the run and it showed late when he was well beaten.
He won the Wyong Magic Millions before placing in the Gosford Guineas and Gold Coast MM over the summer and can bounce back in this event.
1 Unit E/W Hell I Am
Autumn Ballet won by over two lengths when making her debut at Canberra and while she is the deserving favourite in Percy Sykes Stakes betting I’m happy to sit this one out.
No Bet
Loch Eagle has been a tough one to catch for punters in recent times, but he couldn’t have been much more impressive when taking out a Wild Card race at Newcastle to get into the final.
There’s no denying his turn of foot if the pace is piled on up front and he does look a touch of overs at his current price, especially if the rain comes.
1 Unit E/W Loch Eagle
All things being equal, Aft Cabin will be tough to beat in the Arrowfield Sprint.
He was beaten by less than two lengths in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas before being set for the sprinting distance to close out the autumn.
I loved the way he trialed in between races beating home Kementari and Mazu and he has proven he handles all surfaces.
3 Units Aft Cabin
I’m not convinced by the Adrian Knox field last weekend but the way Ed Cummings filly Arts powered through the line on the heavy 8 has me keen on her chances.
She’ll need to back up just seven days after that 4.24 lengths win but the Australian Oaks distance is not a concern and Hugh Bowman jumps aboard which is a positive.
2 Units E/W Arts
I’m convinced the Group 1 Tancred Stakes is the right form reference for the 2023 Sydney Cup and I’m keen to be with two out of the race.
Cleveland made up a significant amount of ground in the straight and not only does the 3200m suit, so does the amount of rain and he will be required to carry just 51kg.
King Frankel is a very progressive horse who was beaten a length in the Tancred and drops nine kilos for this.
He is proven on the heavy and while I am unsure whether he will run a strong 3200m, he continues to step up in grade every time he is asked.
2 Units Cleveland
1/2 Unit E/W King Frankel
Impossible to go past Dubai Honour after his completely dominant performance in the Ranvet where he scored by 4.4 lengths.
He’ll benefit from the run and experience and can knock off Anamoe in what shapes as another great Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
El Patroness was horribly held up in the Australian Cup but once she saw clear air, she showed an outstanding turn of foot.
The last time she found a real heavy track she won the Australian Oaks at this track one year ago and she can run well at a massive price with Hugh Bowman climbing aboard.
2 Units Dubai Honour
1/2 Unit E/W El Patroness
Alcohol Free is a serious race mare who is multiple Group 1 winner in England.
She won the July Cup by 1.5 lengths, beating home Artorius in the process last year and I loved the way she trialed leading into her Australian racing debut in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
James McDonald steers from barrier two and she is the mare to beat.
4 Units Alcohol Free
Zapateo couldn’t have been much more impressive when scoring by over a length at group 3 level at Rosehill second up.
The daughter of Brazen Beau is putting together a pretty good racing resume with six wins and four seconds from 15 career race starts.
She’s proven on all surfaces and if James McDonald can navigate a tricky draw, she looks the one to beat in the Sapphire Stakes.
2 Units Zapateo