The second running of the newly named King Charles III Stakes compliments a huge day of Group 1 racing on Everest Day at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
Rumour has it King Charles himself will be trackside for the $5 million feature, and if that is the case, he’ll be treated to what is sure to be a memorable race with last year’s winner Fangirl stepping out alongside Pride Of Jenni and last start Epsom Handicap winner, Ceolwulf.
Twelve runners have accepted for the mile classic, and you can find our thoughts on each horse in our comprehensive preview below!
1. Pericles (5)
The Godolphin five-year-old is winless from nine attempts at Group 1 level, but this still looks a massive price for a horse that has shown real consistency over the last six months.
A son to Street Boss, Pericles notably won the So You Think Stakes three back at The Valley, before stepping up to tackle the Underwood at Caulfield where he drew a horror gate but still braved his way to the line for third.
Last week, he stepped up to tackle 1900m in the Hill Stakes, holding on late for fourth despite tiring late towards the line.
The decision to race on the quick backup warrants big respect, and he should find the step back to the mile right in his wheelhouse after finishing second in the Doncaster Mile earlier in the year.
Proven on wet tracks, I think he’s massively over the odds and a must for those looking for a value play.
2. My Oberon (8)
We’re going on close to two years since My Oberon last won a race, and judging by his three starts since resuming, it’s unlikely he brings an end to that drought on Saturday.
To his credit, Annabel Neasham’s old boy ran one heck of a race in the 7 Stakes over the track and distance two back behind Fangirl, before finding excuses from out wide in the Epsom a fortnight ago beaten just over three lengths.
Another tricky barrier complicates things, but as we saw when he ran third in this same race last year, I think he’s a much better horse at weight-for-age.
3. Lion’s Roar (6)
Lion’s Roar was back in the winner’s circle last month when he took out the Wyong Cup as one of the favourites, but as the price suggests, his best racing (at least at this level) looks to be behind him.
A Group 1 winner in his own right, the son of Contributer was beaten over 10 lengths last time he contested a Group 1, the 2023 edition of the Doncaster Mile.
He handles all going and has had a decent trial between starts, but in terms of class, he has more than a few lengths to make up.
4. Major Beel (10)
Some of Major Beel’s best racing has come over the mile, but this looks a bridge too far.
The son of Savabeel weakened badly over the final furlong in the Epsom two weeks ago after leading from the jump carrying just 51.5kg.
This is a big rise in weight for the Watehouse and Bott-trained five-year-old, while it’s unclear if he might be wanting further after tackling long staying races like the Sydney Cup last time in work.
5. New Energy (7)
New Energy strips fitter third-up for Ciaron Maher.
The Australian Bloodstock-owned five-year-old finished off only fairly in the Shannon Stakes a few weeks ago, finding the outside part of the track at Randwick to grab fifth.
The son of New Bay has handled the mile quite well in the past, but with his only win coming on debut back home at Curragh, it’s hard to get excited about his chances.
6. Ceolwulf (2)
The Joe Pride-trained Ceolwulf should have his fair share of admirers after winning the Epsom Handicap a couple of weeks ago in fine style.
The likes of Tom Kitten were no match for the favourite once he found the outside approaching the 300m mark, unleashing a devastating turn of foot to win by over a length under Chad Schofield.
The pair combine again here from a much better barrier this time, one that should see them get right back off the speed in the hopes of launching over the top.
The step back from 2000m that day clearly proved the trick, while this is slightly harder again back up to weight-for-age – his latest effort at this level being in the Queen Elizabeth where he finished second-last.
If you’re looking for one with upside however, this son of Tavistock is clearly the pick, especially if we’re racing on a dry track.
7. Celestial Legend (1)
The booking of Blake Shinn could prove the key to Celestial Legend’s chances on Saturday.
The Dundeel entire was well-supported in the Shannon Stakes a couple of weeks ago at Rosehill, a race that was never run to suit given he was taken right back to last and really only hit top gear approaching the 100m mark.
Trainer Les Bridge has applied the blinkers for the first time and given him a trial between starts, so if Shinn has him settled in the first half of the field close enough to the speed, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to watch this boy come and run a huge race over the mile, much like he did when he took out the Randwick Guineas and the Doncaster earlier in the year.
8. Tom Kitten (12)
Tom Kitten is the other horse representing the blue colours of Godolphin alongside stablemate Pericles.
The four-year-old son of Harry Angel has cost punters on more than one occasion in big races over the last 12 months, but he does present an interesting case after making up a stack of ground from a horror gate to finish second in the Epsom behind Ceolwulf two weeks ago.
Jamie Kah has been tasked with a similar job from barrier 12 and I do wonder if he’s wanting the mile again after running well over further in races like the ATC Derby during the autumn.
A win looks unlikely if he’s forced to make up ground again from out wide, but a top three finish wouldn’t shock, either.
9. Pride Of Jenni (11)
How much gas does this mighty mare have left in the tank?
Ciaron Maher’s mare did her usual trick and led all the way to secure a comfortable win in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at The Valley a fortnight ago, form that does read well with Antino coming out and running a huge race last Saturday.
The price is a little on the short side for mine, but she’ll no doubt go forward and lead by a healthy margin under Declan Bates and take a power of beating with the majority of the field looking to settle in the back half.
How much work she has to do from out wide in the early stages will likely determine how much she has left to give when it matters most, but considering she led by 30 lengths at one stage in her last appearance at Randwick, she’s still the one to beat.
10. Fangirl (4)
The battle-tested and proven combination of James McDonald and Fangirl reunite in the hopes of defending their title.
The pair raced away for a memorable 2.67 length win in this same race last year ahead of Mr Brightside and My Oberon, and they again take a similar path into Saturday’s race after winning the 7 Stakes last month as the favourite.
A three-time Group 1 winner, Chris Waller’s mare silenced a handful of doubters that suggested some of her best racing might be behind her, and with a good gap between runs and improvement still to come, it’s no real surprise to find short odds on offer in the market.
Barrier 4 should afford J-Mac a launching pad to settle near last off the speed and run on late, and with a superb record over the mile – particularly here at Randwick – there really isn’t much of a case against this daughter of Sebring not being one of the top chances.
11. Zougotcha (3)
A bounce back performance could be on the cards for another of Chris Waller’s multiple Group 1 winners.
The five-year-old Zougotcha appeared to be in for a huge prep when she finished less than half a length second to Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes on return in August, but after rattling home dead last in the 7 Stakes second-up, she appears to have fallen out of favour with the bookies.
Waller has kept her on ice for this race and given her a soft trial to keep her sharp, although she failed to impress finishing fifth.
Even so, she’s a proven miler with a Flight Stakes and Queen of the Turf win over this track and distance on her resume, meaning she can’t be taken lightly.
12. Amelia’s Jewel (9)
One of the more intriguing runners for mine out of the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald yard.
Away from Perth, we’re yet to see this mare truly live up to her potential at the top level, but she did look in good order in a nice warm up run for second in the Golden Pendant fresh at Rosehill.
Most of Amelia Jewel’s best performances have come at this stage of her prep, while she’s also better suited at weight-for-age in my opinion.
Down in the weights and likely to stalk the speed if she can get across from the wide gate, she should have her share of support each-way.