Randwick is back in the spotlight yet again for Day 1 of The Championships, presenting four quality G1 races in what is undoubtably the most exciting day of racing at Randwick in the Autumn calendar. The headline race is the G1 Doncaster Mile, which features Australia’s best middle distance horses. The G1 Inglis Sires’ for the 2yo’s, The G1Australian Derby for the stayers, and the G1 TJ Smith Stakes for the sprinters, all worth over $1million each. The day also features the $400k Country Championships Final, which is a chance for the bush areas of NSW to showcase their best talent. The big 10 race card looks set to be run on a wet track, after rain throughout the week. Caulfield, Morphettville, Doomben and Ascot are our other feature meetings, so with that said, take a look at PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby’s top five picks of the day.
Caulfield R3 #1 Buffalo River $4.00 at PlayUp – Very talented gelding resuming for Michael Moroney, had his debut in Australia back mid 2019 and asserted dominance quickly, winning three in a row, including a listed race at Flemington. His one run in the spring was in the Silver Eagle, and he had excuses that time out. First up here, his recent jump out was solid over 800m, working very strongly through the line. Comes down to 60kg after the claim, drawn wide should suit in these wet conditions, and his record at the 1400m is dynamic (6:3-2-1). He’s above bm78 grade, so he can win this.
Caulfield R7 #8 Russian Camelot (BEST) $2.35 at PlayUp – Second up here, completely bungled the start first up at Flemington behind Spend, and that likely cost him the race. He powered through the line from way back, and Spend has since gone on to contest a G1 race. Russian Camelot strips fitter here, and should position much handier from barrier two today. Stepping up to the mile is another positive, and although untried at the distance he did run 2nd over 1800m last prep, so the mile is no issue. Only concern is his ability to get through the likely wet going, if he handles the track he is right in this.
Randwick R1 #1 Rulership $2.80 at PlayUp – There’s an old saying that it takes a very talented juvenile to win the G3 Kindergarten Stakes. Bivouac, Astern and Furnaces are three horses in recent years that have taken out this race, and gone on to much higher things in their careers. That’s why i’m leaning towards Rulership, who was once Golden Slipper favourite after his blistering display on debut. He has been freshened since pulling up lame in the G1 Blue Diamond, and actually carries the same weight here in a much easier contest. His recent trial was strong, Nash Rawiller hops back aboard and he should be up on speed easily from barrier three, top chance.
Randwick R7 #1 Castelvecchio $2.60 at PlayUp – Hopefully the last start win of this talented 3yo colt has really put him into shape, and he can carry that confidence into today. It was a strong win in the G1 Rosehill Guineas last start over the 2000m, and stepping that extra 400m here fourth up looks ideal. Like a lot of the top chances, he is untried on proper wet going, but he is bred to handle it. He is around his right price in my opinion, and if he can carry that winning form through to today, he will be mightily hard to beat.
Randwick R9 #12 Imaging $13.00 at PlayUp – This is the best each way bet of the entire day, an untapped Chris Waller import who was dominant last start winning the G2 Ajax over 1500m on a heavy 9. Possibly met with similar track conditions here today, he has been freshened since and the rise up to the mile is perfect. Barrier 20 should allow K Mcevoy to find cover in a three wide line, and present to the best part of the track out wide in the straight. Down to 53.5kg, I think there is a bit of class about this horse, and his current double figure quote is too tantalising to pass up.
Extra Tips
- G1 Inglis Sires’ Tip: R6 #1 Mamaragan $3.00 at PlayUp
- G1 TJ Smith Tip: R8 #2 Pierata (each-way) $8.00 at PlayUp
