Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test Match, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and an eight-race program at Royal Randwick for Summer Cup Day….it’s not a bad way to back up after Christmas Day!
The Group 3 feature has attracted a strong field of stayers chasing $250,000 in prize money, including last year’s winner Lion’s Roar.
We’ve run the rule over the entire meeting and offer our best bets below.
Endure (7) created a good impression when making her debut over 1300m at Newcastle last start. The Chris Waller-trained filly jumped well from the wide gate but was snagged back so she wouldn’t be caught wide. She let down strongly in the straight to finish a head second with third nearly four lengths away. She’ll have come on since that run and can settle closer from the kind draw.
Queen’s Rhapsody (8) found the line strongly on debut over 1100m at Kensington to finish a length second with third three lengths away. The David Pfeiffer-trained filly was spelled and returned recently over 1100m at Canterbury where she let down strongly against the pattern of the day to finish just under a length second. Last start she again finished second over 1100m at Canterbury where she ran into the talented Gerringong who subsequently won a Benchmark 72 Handicap impressively. She’ll strip fitter third-up and should enjoy a nice run for Jason Collett from a low draw.
Omnic (7) has been building to a win since a luckless first-up performance at Newcastle. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding fought bravely second-up over 1300m at Newcastle when missing out in a head bobbing finish for a nose second. He raced wide last start when stepping up to 1550m at Canterbury but despite that, he courageously didn’t shirk the task and found the line well for a 2.2 length third. He’s at peak fitness now and Andrew Adkins who rode him two starts back returns to the saddle.
Drift Net (2) will appreciate the drop in class after competing well in stronger metropolitan Saturday races. The James Cummings-trained mare loomed as the winner last start over this distance at Rosehill in the heavy 10 conditions but was overpowered late by noted wet tracker Lulumon to finish just under a length second with 3.3 lengths to third. It was a similar story two starts back when she finished a neck third to Redbreast over 1400m. She’s finished in the placings at all four starts this preparation so is hammering the door for a win. Zac Lloyd will drive forward and lead.
Zoubeauty (4) was sent to the country to build her confidence after a disappointing debut at Newcastle and it has worked a treat. The Neasham & Archibald-trained Zoustar mare led over 900m at Muswellbrook before driving clear late to win her maiden by 2.2 lengths. She stepped up to this distance at Taree last start and looked stylish as she booted clear to win comfortably by 2.5 lengths. There is an abundance of speed in this race which gives Harry Davies options from barrier 3.
Storm The Ramparts (6) resumes here on the back of two nice trials where he’s shown good speed before cruising to the line. The son of Headwater races well fresh, particularly since joining Joe Pride’s stable. Two preparations ago he won his maiden when first-up for Pride and gave a great account of himself when having his one and only race last preparation where he found the line well to finish 1.5 lengths second to Jedibeel. Jedibeel has since gone on to win multiple black-type races so that form is strong. Jason Collett takes the ride should settle in a prominent position.
Osipenko (4) produced an eye-catching performance in the G2 The Ingham last start that suggested he is well placed here. The Chris Waller-trained son of Pierro settled a long last after drawing barrier 20 before weaving a passage through the pack and savaging the line to finish 2.2 lengths seventh. He’s rock hard fit and won his only previous start over the course and distance when claiming the 2023 G3 Frank Packer Plate. Reece Jones retains the ride and will be able to give his mount an economical run from the inside barrier.
Winston Hills (5) returned from nearly a year off in terrific fashion with a win over 1250m at Canterbury. The Matthew Smith-trained gelding settled towards the back before unleashing a powerful finish to easily win by 2.2 lengths. While he’s a five-year-old, he’s only lightly raced so he has plenty of scope for improvement and will strip fitter second-up. Jason Collett can settle just off what looks a decent speed before letting him loose in the straight.