The 2024 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival officially gets underway this Saturday with the running of Coolmore Classic Day at Rosehill.
It looks like an enthralling program with seven of the ten races at black-type level headlined by the Group 1 Coolmore Classic.
We’ve delved deep into the form and provided our best bet for each race below.
Race 1 - 12:30pm AEDT
MIDWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Rhythmic Pulse (3) looks ready to peak third-up following two very good runs this preparation.
The son of Your Song didn’t gear clear running when resuming with a 2.5 length fourth at Canterbury before running on strongly last start over 1100m at Canterbury to miss the win by half a length.
He’ll strip fitter third-up given he has finished in the quinella in five of eight starts and will enjoy the drop in class.
From barrier 3 Josh Parr can give him the run of the race.
1 Unit Each Way – Rhythmic Pulse (3)
Race 2 - 1:05pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1900 METRES)
Dasho Lennie (2) impressed in his first Australian race last start on the Sandown Lakeside track.
The Ciaron Maher-trained son of Territories enjoyed a nice run before letting down powerfully to win the 1600m contest by 1.8 lengths.
Given connections have Sydney Cup aspirations, he’ll enjoy the rise in distance second-up.
The booking of James McDonald is key, and he should be able to settle in a prominent position.
2 Units – Dasho Lennie (2)
Race 3 - 1:40pm AEDT
GROUP 3 MAGIC NIGHT STAKES (1200 METRES)
Castanya (2) has started her career in fine style and can give the Magic Night Stakes a shake.
The Annabel Neasham-trained Capitalist filly ran on well after being held up to finish second to leading Golden Slipper contender Switzerland over 1000m at Randwick on debut.
Last start she drew wide in the Listed Lonhro Stakes and settled towards the back before unleashing a strong finishing burst to win by a head.
Given the way she ran through the line, the rise to 1200m will suit third-up.
Zac Lloyd can settle closer in the run from barrier 2 and will just need to find clear air once they straighten to be fighting out the finish.
1 Unit – Catanya (2)
Race 4 - 2:15pm AEDT
GROUP 3 PAGO PAGO STAKES (1200 METRES)
Gatsby’s (7) could not have been more impressive when winning on debut at Canterbury.
The Chris Waller-trained son of Snitzel settled second before finishing off powerfully to run down Roselyn’s Star and win by just under a length with third 2.5 lengths away.
He’ll have taken benefit from the experience and the rise to 1200m here in the Pago Pago Stakes will suit.
James McDonald retains the ride and should be able to settle in a handy position or even lead from the kind draw.
2 Units – Gatsby’s (7)
Race 5 - 2:50pm AEDT
GROUP 3 SKY HIGH STAKES (2000 METRES)
Lindermann (3) enters the Group 3 Sky High Stakes on the back of a very good effort to finish third in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes last start.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old gelding settled handy and loomed entering the straight but just couldn’t go Think It Over and Fangirl late.
He’ll appreciate the rise to 2000m given he won the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas over the course and distance last year.
James McDonald will give his mount every chance with a positive ride.
1 Unit – Lindermann (3)
Race 6 - 3:25pm AEDT
GROUP 3 MAURICE MCCARTEN STAKES (1100 METRES)
Red Card (4) returned in fantastic order over this course and distance last start.
The Godolphin-owned four-year-old mare found the line strongly to win by just under a length, defeating several horses she meets here.
She has since been back to the trials where she cruised around Hawkesbury for a 1.5 length win.
She’s two from three second-up and draws to get the run of the race.
Put simply, she ticks all the boxes for a win in the Maurice McCarten Stakes.
3 Units – Red Card (4)
Race 7 - 4:00pm AEDT
GROUP 2 PHAR LAP STAKES (1500 METRES)
Kintyre (6) was very good last start when resuming over 1300m at this track.
The Gary Portelli-trained gelding settled well back before finding the line strongly to finish third to Gently Rolled by 1.1 lengths.
He’ll strip fitter second-up in the Phar Lap Stakes and both his wins have come when having his second run back in a preparation.
The rise to 1500m looks ideal given he just missed placing in last year’s Gloaming Stakes.
1 Unit Each Way – Kintyre (6)
Race 8 - 4:35pm AEDT
GROUP 1 COOLMORE CLASSIC (1500 METRES)
Zougotcha (1) was excellent when resuming with a win in the Group 2 Millie Fox.
The Chris Waller-trained daughter of Zoustar settled just behind Lady Laguna before charging past her for a length win.
That form has been franked with Lady Laguna winning the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at her next start.
She has a great second-up record of two wins from four starts including the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes last year.
James McDonald can give her the run of the race from barrier 2.
2 Units – Zougotcha (1)
Race 9 - 5:15pm AEDT
GROUP 2 AJAX STAKES (1500 METRES)
Amor Victorious (13) is low flying this preparation with two impressive wins.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding led all the way first-up for a 2.8 length win over 1400m here before sprinting hard and fast to win by three lengths when rising to 1600m last start.
He drops back to 1500m which suits given he is a month between runs.
Rachel King can settle handy with the light weight and should give them something to catch in the Ajax Stakes.
1 Unit – Amor Victorious (13)
Race 10 - 5:55pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Tavi Time (7) could not have been more impressive when resuming at Newcastle last start.
The Kris Lees-trained four-year-old gelding enjoyed a nice run before putting on the afterburners in the straight and demoralising his rivals by four lengths.
He’s won six of nine starts and keeps getting better with each run.
From the good gate he should get every chance to keep his unblemished second-up record intact.
2 Units – Tavi Time (7)