Randwick Racing Champagne Stakes 2018 Preview

A quality field of two-year-olds has assembled here to take on what is always a testing Randwick 1600m. No runner has been stretched out over this distance before and with most coming toward the end of their preparation after being aimed primarily at the Golden Slipper, there is a risk they are over the top and should already be in the paddock spelling. It would be no surprise to see the more lightly raced types perform well here.

  Race Track Traits

Randwick is racing in great fashion with winners saluting from all lanes on the track in recent weeks, and from both on and off-speed positions. The track is currently rated a Good 4 with some rain expected later this week, whilst the rail is out 6m to the 1600m and 4m the remainder. Suspect if conditions remain dry we can again default to an even surface, however a close watch is advised if the rain comes and jockeys are preferring certain lanes.

 Market Movers

A healthy push in early betting for Outrageous who has been $7.50 into $5.50 from the open. Seabrook is the noted drifter having touched a high of $6.00 after opening at $4.60. There has also been a softening for Bondi who is out to $11 from $9 openers.

 Key Runners

#2 Long Leaf $7 .50

The Coolmore team have set the bar high for this filly all prep, however she has not yet delivered on the early promise shown. Ran well again last start when she just missed a place in the Sires Produce, and could easily make a case that she should have finished much closer had she avoided the interference in the concluding stages. The step up to 1600m should suit, as she chased hard the final 200 last time here. Has been up a long time now and happy to risk from gate 9.

#3 Outrageous $7.50 > $5.50

Ran out of his skin last start in the Sires Produce to finish third and is another who is crying out for the 1600m.  He was huge odds that day and was expected to do nothing. No doubting “The Gun” Brenton Avdulla will give him a nice ride midfield in behind the speed from gate two, however simply could not have him on his recent SP profile, when $21 out to $61 last week. No.

#5 Not a Single Cent $5.50

Hard to assess his recent run when, after being solid in the market, got back and never had a crack at them. The run prior, he won the Flemington Sires Produce impressively. They have booked the Nathan Berry medal winner in Blake Shinn to steer, and would be very wary that he can bounce right back and win this.

#6 Irukandji $12

Love the profile here where Team Hawkes have kept him fresh for this, in what could prove a master stroke. Won the Baillieu last start and showed the fight which will be required here over a tough Randwick mile. Has the services of Corey Brown, who usually takes his pick of the best chances. Can race close to the speed and will give a great sight. Top chance.

#7 Bondi $9 > $11

Going along ok in easier grade before being caught wide throughout here last start in the Sires to finish seventh. Is another that has been up for an eternity and suspect in any case he is well below a few of these. Won’t be dynamic enough at this stage of the prep.

#12 El Dorado Dreaming $9.50

The blowout horse for many last start, when she got under everyone’s guard winning the Group 1 Sires Produce at 150/1. Suspect the Ben Smith team were well aware of his ability with reports that connections took plenty of the 250/1 on offer early that week. Although the SP profile suggests she isn’t much, the win last start was exceptional and she has had a light prep. Collet is riding Randwick beautifully and can do it again. 

#13 Seabrook $4.60 > $5.50

Was expected to show more last start in the Sires Produce where she missed the start and got back further than what was advised to stewards. Has always looked like the 1600m will suit and she should find a position midfield with cover and be sweeping home out wide.  Has shown too much to ignore and hence can forgive the last start failure. Must include.

Of the others….

None preferred.

  Selections

1^st Seabrook

2^nd Irukandji    

3^rd El Dorado Dreaming

4^th Not A Single Cent