Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick features four more Group One races, headlined by the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) where Australia’s weight-for-age stars will clash.
Last start Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) winner Via Sistina remains a firm favourite for the Queen Elizabeth after drawing barrier five in a field of 11 with All-Star Mile winner Pride Of Jenni drawn barrier three.
She was beaten by Cascadian last start in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) who also lines up here from barrier six and Godolphin representative Darren Beadman praised the nine-year-olds longevity.
“He’s a remarkable, outstanding racehorse. To do what he’s done and what he’s achieved over a period of time… he’s been competing at the highest level all the way through since he came to Australia,” Beadman said.
“He’s giving everyone a lot of cheek… he certainly doesn’t show his age, he’s such a competitor and a team favourite for everyone.”
Meanwhile, Ben, Will and Jd Hayes are hoping stable star Mr Brightside can bounce back from a disappointing fifth in the Australian Cup, with Ben Hayes suggesting the horse will appreciate softer conditions having pulled up very well from his defeat.
“This track I think riding cold isn’t bad, he won a Doncaster from a wide draw, his first one… I’m hoping there’s a bit of give in the track, that good three in the Australian Cup he just felt the ground a little bit so with a bit of give in the track, expect a big improvement from him,” Hayes said.
The field for the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) took a hit after previous market fancies Post Impressionist and More Felons didn’t accept, leaving Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2600m) winner Circle Of Fire as the $4.50 favourite despite drawing barrier 15 of 17.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Military Mission has no easy task, carrying top weight of 56.5kg and also drawing the widest barrier, but Adrian Bott says the $15 chance is ready to run well
“It looks a lovely race for him, happy to test him over the two miles again, I thought he was very effective last time in the Melbourne Cup… the wide draw might mean he’s ridden a bit more conservatively and in line with his pattern,” Bott said.