Whilst most of the attention turns to Melbourne on the first Tuesday in November for the race that stops the nation – the 2024 Melbourne Cup – the Sydneysiders will have their dancing shoes on for a huge day of racing at Royal Randwick.
The Listed Big Dance will headline the day, as twenty of the state’s country cup qualifiers vie for $3m on offer.
The ten race card will also feature the running of undercards, The Little Dance and Barn Dance, ensuring an action packed day of racing.
The rail will be out 1m for the entire circuit and the track is currently rated a good 4.
We’ve had a close look at all ten events on the program and our thoughts can be found below.
Race 1 - 11:45am AEST
MIDWAY HANDICAP BM72 HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
Flying Bandit looks well placed to make it back to back wins after recording a deserved victory at Hawkesbury last start.
The son of Trapeze Artist has been racing well but wide draws at his first three runs back from a break just left him with too much to do.
With the inside draw last start, he was able to settle in just in behind the leader and proved far too good over the final part as he accelerated away to win easily.
In just his second preparation he’s working through his grades nicely and looks to have plenty of upside.
He does drop back to the 1800m but I don’t think that’ll worry him and the low draw will help to offset the 59.5kgs.
2 units – FLYING BANDIT
Race 2 - 12:25pm AEST
TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP CLASS 3 (1000 METRES)
Ticklebelly was terrific when resuming over this course and distance six weeks ago.
Racing outside the leader, she didn’t have the easiest of runs but stuck on gamely to hold second.
Given a let up, she looked sharp in a recent trial and does perform particularly well fresh.
A very honest mare, she’s working through her grades nicely and looks to have plenty of upside.
Alysha Collett was onboard in the trial, she takes the mount here for Goulburn trainer Scott Collings and barrier seven should see her settle in a forward position.
1 unit – TICKLEBELLY
Race 3 - 1:05pm AEST
ALL OCCASIONS CRUISES HANDICAP BM88 (1500 METRES)
Chorlton Lane has been solid in all three runs since coming off a five week freshen up and looks well placed here with the drop in grade.
The Ciaron Maher trained gelding produced a terrific effort in the Goulburn Cup, powering home from the back to claim third and he then stepped out in the Cameron Handicap and he worked home solidly in what was an on-speed dominated race.
Up to the mile last time when contesting the Big Dance Wild Card he settled back at the tail and worked home solidly into third.
The slight drop back in trip will suit, he’s most effective on a firm track which he’ll get here and the with 3kg claim for Zac Wadick, he gets in nicely.
2 units – CHORLTON LANE
Race 4 - 1:40pm AEST
THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP BM64 (1300 METRES)
Island Dec has just had the three race starts and looks very promising.
He made a good impression when winning on debut over the 1000m at Kembla, powering home down the outside to score easily.
Sent to the paddock, he then returned in fine order, producing a very similar performance to score by 2.8 lengths.
Prepared by Robert and Luke Price, the son of Kermadec was thrown in the deep end last start and didn’t disappoint as he charged home over the final part to finish hot on the heels of the placegetters in the Reginald Allen.
He did want to race a bit keen last time so the ear muffs go on here and Tommy Berry goes back aboard, as the pair look to maintain an unbeaten record together.
2 units – ISLAND DEC
Race 5 - 2:20pm AEST
BIG DANCE QUALITY LISTED (1600 METRES)
Gringotts has to overcome the wide draw, which is a major concern, but I think he’s best horse in the race so I’m happy to stick with him.
The Ciaron Maher trained gelding returned to the races with a terrific effort in the Bill Ritchie Handicap where he was unlucky not have won.
Held up behind runners for much of the straight, he charged through late to go down by only a nose and last start in the Alan Brown Stakes, he sprinted strongly over the final part to go down by a head to Here To Shock.
Unbeaten in two starts over the mile, he’ll relish the rise in trip and if he can find cover early, he’ll be strong late.
1 unit – GRINGOTTS
Race 6 - 3:30pm AEST
BARN DANCE HANDICAP(1300 METRES)
Gallant Star worked home strongly last start in The Kosciuszko and he’ll appreciate the extra 100m here.
Off the wide gate the son of Zoustar was taken right back and was never closer than four off the fence but made good ground in to straight to finish sixth.
A very honest galloper it was only the second time he’s finished out of the placings and he’s sure to find this easier.
Once again, he does find himself with a wide barrier to overcome but with even luck, he’ll be doing his best work late.
1 unit – GALLANT STAR
Race 7 - 4:10pm AEST
LITTLE DANCE QUALITY (1600 METRES)
Estadio Mestalla comes of strong run over the 1400m here and looks ready to peak out to the mile at his third run back.
He was luckless when resuming over 1200m, taken right back he was held up for much of the straight and flashed late.
Last start he travelled wide with cover and kept making steady ground late and he’s sure to relish the rise in trip here.
He does boast a strong third up record and gate five can see him settle within striking distance under Josh Parr, who stays in the saddle for Joe Pride.
1 unit – ESTADIO MESTALLO
Race 8 - 4:50pm AEST
PRECISE AIR CHOISIR HANDICAP BM100 (1100 METRES)
Pereille returns to the races.
The ever-consistent Godolphin galloper was sent to the paddock after a tough run in Grafton’s feature event, the Ramornie, and prior to that it was a horror watch for punters as he was a good thing beat in the Listed Hinkler at Eagle Farm.
Boasting a very tidy record, the five year old has continued to work through his grades, proving up to the task each time the bar has been raised.
He races particularly well first up, he comes here off two nice trials and gets Nash Rawiller aboard.
1 unit – PEREILLE
Race 9 - 5:30pm AEST
TOYOTA FORKLIFTS HANDICAP BM84 (1000 METRES)
Headwall has been racing well and looks ideally placed here back to 1000m.
The Dream Ahead gelding made the trip to Flemington two runs back where he turned out a brilliant performance to finish second, beating home subsequent Group Two winner Baraqiel.
Charging home from the rear he looked to have the race won 50m out but was just collared late.
He headed North last time, and up to 1200m at Doomben he tried hard but just couldn’t reel in the eventual winner.
His best runs have been at 1000m and he’s proven to be very versatile, so I don’t think the wide gate will be an issue as he can get back and unleash a powerful turn of foot.
1 unit – HEADWALL
Race 10 - 6:05pm AEST
ALINTA ENERGY HANDICAP BM84 (1200 METRES)
Gently Rolled didn’t have the best of luck when resuming over the 1100m at Rosehill but she will have taken good benefit from the outing.
Slowly away, she settled back in the field and then found herself help up in the early part of the straight and held her ground to the line.
She does race particularly well second up and the slight rise in trip looks ideal.
The Bryce Heys trained daughter of Press Statement has put together a very tidy record and boasts solid form around her.
Nash Rawiller stays in the saddle and gate six should see her afforded every chance.
1 unit – GENTLY ROLLED