A quality field of sixteen fillies and mares will contest the Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Royal Randwick; perhaps the most open Group 1 feature on The Championships Day 2.
Zougotcha is unbeaten in two runs back from a break and has opened favourite in Queen Of The Turf Stakes betting, but with many in-form gallopers engaged, she’ll need to go to another level to win a third career Group 1 title.
I’ve run the rule over every galloper, and you can find my full 2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes preview below.
2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Betting Strategy
- 2 Units Zougotcha (Win)
- 1 Unit Eternal Flame (Each Way)
1 – Atishu (2)
Atishu was a dual acceptor in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but this is the far better option for her, and she rates as a key winning chance.
The Savabeel mare won two Group 1 features most notably last year, and after returning to action with a lacklustre effort in the CF Orr Stakes, she was an impressive winner of the Blamey Stakes.
She was good through the line behind Cascadian and Pride Of Jenni in the Australian Cup last time out, but back to the mile and back into fillies and mares’ company this week, and she really does look beautifully placed.
2 – Zougotcha (1)
Zougotcha has returned to the races in career-best form and is a fitting occupant of the top line of Queen Of The Turf Stakes betting.
The Zoustar mare returned to action with a tough performance and win in the Millie Fox Stakes, and she franked that by recording the second Group 1 victory of her career in the Coolmore Classic.
This is the next logical target for her, and under the urgings of James McDonald, she’ll take beating again. Top pick.
3 – Campionessa (13)
Campionessa was an impressive winner of the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield in February, while she was last seen finishing third in the Sunline Stakes.
A Group 1 winner in New Zealand, the vast majority of her best performances have been kept for her homeland, and this does look to be a large task – particularly from a potentially sticky barrier.
4 – Ruthless Dame (16)
Ruthless Dame steps out third-up and primed for a big effort, but her Queen Of The Turf Stakes winning claims did take a hit when she was allocated barrier 16.
She clearly needed her first run back this time when eighth and well beaten in the Newmarket Handicap, but she finished off well to fill the minors of the Emancipation Stakes last time out.
The mile looks ideal, and she won her only other start on a soft track.
5 – Semana (4)
Semana rates as a winning chance in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes at double-figure odds.
She is yet to finish worse than second in four runs back from a break, and Semana recorded consecutive wins in the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares and the Triscay Stakes before only just missing behind Zougotcha at Group 1 level last time.
The mile looks ideal at this point of her prep, she’s drawn ideally and does look up to winning something of this quality.
6 – Olentia (10)
Olentia takes winning form into the Queen Of The Turf Stakes after beating home a few of these horses in the Emancipation Stakes.
The Zoustar mare has been racing in largely consistent form throughout her career and was rewarded at her latest appearances.
She’s hard fit and does look a competitive chance, but others appeal more in the market.
7 – Eternal Flame (6)
Victorian raider Eternal Flame is chasing a hat-trick when she takes her place in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes field.
There is no doubt at all that she has found career-best form this season and from a good barrier, she does look to be a genuine Queen Of The Turf Stakes trifecta or first four hope.
The $26 about her in the market (at publish) does look to be a touch of overs.
8 – Foxy Frida (15)
Foxy Frida has been scratched from the Queen Of The Turf Stakes field, and she will instead contest the Golden Mile at Bendigo.
9 – Renaissance Woman (7)
Renaissance Woman turned in an improved performance to fill the minors behind Serpentine in the Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes over 2000m last time out.
Dropping back to a mile could be a problem this week, and she has been well beaten by several of these mares this time in.
10 – Madame Pommery (12)
Madame Pommery was beaten three lengths in the Millie Fox Stakes when resuming and failed to beat a runner home in the Coolmore Classic last time out.
This is a genuine throw at the stumps by trainer Chris Waller and connections.
11 – Osmose (11)
Osmose returned to action to finish second, beaten half a length in the Aspiration Quality before returning to winning form in the Epona Stakes last time out.
She rises 3.5kgs in the weights from that race, drops back to a mile and will need plenty of luck from a central draw.
12 – Barbie’s Fox (9)
Barbie’s Fox is yet to be competitive in four runs back from a break, and she has gone up at huge Queen Of The Turf Stakes odds.
It would take a huge turn in form and a career-best performance to win this.
13 – More Secrets (5)
More Secrets was fair through the line for third in the Guy Walter Stakes when resuming but didn’t fire a shot in the Coolmore Classic.
Happy to risk her in a field that is full of talent.
14 – Tropical Squall (3)
Tropical Squall is one of four three-year-old fillies in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes field, and has attracted notable interest in early betting.
Having won the Group 1 Flight Stakes at this track in trip in spring, the Prized Icon filly was excellent when resuming this time, adding the Group 1 Surround Stakes to her CV.
She takes her place in this field third-up and following another sharp performance for fourth in the Coolmore Classic, and she does look to be a key threat to the early favourite.
15 – Arctic Glamour (14)
Arctic Glamour has improved steadily with each of three runs back this time and was last seen finishing second, beaten more than two lengths by Olentia in the Emancipation Stakes.
There’s a nice black type race somewhere in her future, but this one might prove to be just a little too sharp.
16 – Makarena (8)
Makarena has raced well in some decent fillies and mares’ races this time in.
She is yet to strike in four runs back, however, and this is definitely the hardest task that she has been set.
Luck is required, but she does look an each way chance again.
17 – Tiz Invincible (17)
Tiz Invincible is yet to fire in three runs back from a break, and her slim chances in the Coolmore Classic took another hit when she was allocated the outside barrier.