Spring Champion Stakes Day at Randwick brings a 10-race card with five stakes events and plenty of storylines.
Lindermann is aiming for a third straight Craven Plate win, while the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes headlines a program that also features The Invitation, the Callander-Presnell and the Crowley Stakes. The Five Diamonds Prelude adds another point of interest.
The track is rated a Good 4 and the rail is out 6m, with showers forecast throughout the week.
We’ve worked through the speed maps and form to find the main winning chances and betting opportunities.
TOUR DE FORCE (8) makes his debut after a trial that should have provided a useful introduction to racing.
The I Am Invincible colt settled towards the tail before working strongly to the line under his own steam. He finished 3.72 lengths third to Royal Accord, whom he meets again here.
He appeared to have more to offer, which is encouraging ahead of his first start.
Nash Rawiller can use barrier one to advantage and aim to settle in a prominent position.
| 8. Tour De Force (1) J: Nash Rawiller 56.5kg T: Chris Waller | |||
| First starter by I Am Invincible out of Pippie. Finished third in a Warwick Farm trial October 13. Inside barrier will assist chances. Bred to go fast and draws the paint – appeals on that basis. | |||
BLUISH HUE (4) arrives with strong recent form as Matt Dunn looks to add another Highway Handicap win.
The Flying Artie gelding overcame a wide and ungenerous run at Rosehill last start, letting down powerfully to win the 1500m contest.
That effort followed three consecutive runner-up finishes, giving him a consistent profile heading into this assignment.
Nash Rawiller retains the ride, and the low draw should give him the chance to secure a more economical run.
| 4. Bluish Hue (2) J: Nash Rawiller 57.5kg x2221 T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently favourite; won by a head in a Highway-C2 at Rosehill on September 26 over 1500m defeating Whateley carrying 57kg at $2.70. The race before that 2nd of 8 in a 0 – 65 at Ipswich on September 9 over 1350m, nose behind Lebanese carrying 55.5kg at $2.50. Kept fresh since that latest success and this is another winnable race. | |||
SMOKE ‘N’ DARTS (12) returned in good order with a strong win over 1000m at Kembla Grange last start.
The Blake Ryan-trained gelding had a favourable run before taking advantage of a split to score by a head.
He should take improvement from that first-up effort and looks suited by the step up to six furlongs.
The son of North Pacific has finished in the quinella in all five starts and maps to get a good run on speed.
| 12. Smoke ‘N’ Darts (5) J: Tim Clark 56.5kg 221×1 T: Blake Ryan | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months ran on from midfield and won by a head in a Cl1 at Kembla Grange on October 10 over 1000m defeating Artemex with 59.5kg at $15. Previously second-up 2nd of 10 in a Prov Mdn-Sw at Hawkesbury on April 14 over 1100m, 1.2 len behind Peleus carrying 58.5kg at $3.40. Hard to tip against him on that sort of form. Strips fitter but this is a sterner test. | |||
CIARON’S STAR (5) looks well suited by the set-weight conditions of the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes.
The Ciaron Maher-trained filly resumed in the Group 3 Heritage Stakes, finishing 2.2 lengths second to Blue Door after working well to the line following a hold-up.
She has since won a trial, which should have brought her on for this assignment. Her only previous second-up start resulted in a win over 1100m at this track.
There appears to be good speed engaged, which should suit her. Jason Collett can settle off the pace and look to finish strongly.
| 5. Ciaron’s Star (3) J: Jason Collett 54kg 643×2 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months 2nd of 7 in the G3 Heritage Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1100m, 2.25 len behind Blue Door carrying 54kg at $8. Previously second-up won by 0.8 len in the Pierro Plate at this track on February 14 over 1100m defeating Better By Far with 54.5kg at $5.50. Mixed it with elite fillies last prep – big chance under this weight scale. | |||
WHY SO HARD (4) won on debut over 1100m at this track before being sent for a spell.
The Team Hawkes-trained gelding returned in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes, settling towards the back before finishing strongly despite not finding a clear path. He finished 1.63 lengths third to Satono Glow.
The rise from 1200m to 1600m is notable, but he should be fitter second-up. His closing effort last start suggests the extra distance may suit.
With limited speed engaged, Tyler Schiller may be able to settle closer in the run.
| 4. Why So Hard (5) J: Tyler Schiller 57kg 1×3 T: M, W & J Hawkes | |||
| Second-up. Promising on debut ran on from midfield and won by a head in a 2yo Hcp at this track on June 6 over 1100m on a rain affected track defeating Seductra carrying 56kg at $5. Went for a break before returning 3rd of 10 in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m, 1.75 len behind Satono Glow with 56.5kg at $21. Fitter for that run and there is a stack of room for improvement second-up. | |||
LINDERMANN (1) will appreciate the slight drop in distance after leading the Group 2 Hill Stakes until the closing stages, when Attrition passed him.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding is unbeaten over this course and distance, with both wins coming in this race over the past two years.
He led throughout last year and drew clear to win by 2.12 lengths.
Nash Rawiller may be able to control the tempo again, which would make Lindermann difficult to run down.
| 1. Lindermann (6) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg x9182 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Most recently gave a sight but was run down late 2nd of 8 in the G2 Hill Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1900m, neck behind Attrition carrying 59kg at $1.70. The race before that struggled in the run home; ran last of 8 in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, 8 len behind Birdman carrying 59kg at $3. Can improve again. Been costly of late but this looks his race to lose. | |||
GLOBAL GOAL (8) caught the eye first-up in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes, finishing 1.14 lengths third after making strong late ground from the back.
The John Sargent-trained filly then stepped up to a mile in the Group 1 Flight Stakes and won by a neck, getting over the top of her rivals.
She appears to have reached peak fitness, and the rise to 2000m looks suitable on her recent performances.
Dylan Gibbons has drawn well and should be able to give her an economical run.
| 8. Global Goal (3) J: Dylan Gibbons 54.5kg 1×331 T: John Sargent | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently won by a long-neck in the G1 Flight Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1600m on a soft track defeating De Armas carrying 56kg at $3.30. Before that 3rd of 9 in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 1.1 len behind Bangkok Hottie with 56kg at $7.50. Should eat up the extra 400m and looks the one to roll again. | |||
LAZZURA (1) has continued her strong form this preparation, recording a second-up win in the Group 2 Golden Pendant.
The Chris Waller-trained mare resumed in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes, closing well to finish third, beaten just over half a length.
A Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner, she has recorded two wins and two placings from five starts at this distance. One of those placings came third-up last preparation in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes.
The draw is awkward, but Tommy Berry should be able to look for a prominent position.
| 1. Lazzura (12) J: Tommy Berry 59kg 12×31 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up sat on the pace when 3rd of 8 in the G2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1200m, 0.6 len behind Savvy Hallie carrying 58kg at $2.90. Second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.2 len in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m defeating Verona Rose carrying 58kg at $1.85. Definite winning chance. | |||
LINEBACKER (1) improved second-up in the Group 3 Alan Brown Stakes, finishing a length third after working through the field.
The O’Shea and Charlton-trained gelding did not have the clearest path and may have finished closer with better luck.
He should benefit from that run. In a previous campaign, he won the Group 1 Randwick Guineas third-up, defeating Sheza Alibi and Autumn Boy.
Zac Lloyd has drawn well and should be able to settle on speed for a favourable run.
| 1. Linebacker (2) J: Zac Lloyd 59.5kg 30×43 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 4th of 10 in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind General Salute with 57kg at $5.50. Last start 3rd of 15 in the G3 Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Formal Display carrying 55.5kg at $5. Capable of a better showing. Perfectly drawn and should be in the finish again. | |||
ESTADIO MESTALLA (1) carries 61kg but drops considerably in class.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding was beaten by Skyhook in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes two starts ago, but worked home well to finish 2.9 lengths second.
He followed that with another strong effort in the Group 3 Alan Brown Stakes, settling well back before running on along the fence to finish a neck second.
The rise to a mile looks suitable, and Nash Rawiller may be able to settle him closer in the run.
| 1. Estadio Mestalla (2) J: Nash Rawiller 61kg 0x922 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run 2nd of 15 in the G3 Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1400m, long-neck behind Formal Display carrying 56kg at $21. Looks to have the measure of these. | |||
Randwick Big Bets
The big bets are in for Spring Champion Stake Day. See which runners are attracting attention at Randwick.