What’s the Bondi Stakes I hear you asking? Until 10 minutes ago I was not entirely sure either but here we are.
It seems it is a 1600m race for Three-year olds that is worth a million dollars in prize money. So there ya go. NSW racing will seemingly continue to throw money at owners and trainers to keep the attention in Sydney at least for a few minutes anyway.
Here’s our full preview of the race card at Royal Randwick for the time-honoured Bondi Stakes Day.
Close To Me was under a good grip when she won her one and only trial leading into her racing debut. The Snowden team are more than capable of producing an early running two year old and I think this I Am Invincible filly can kick start her career, and our day on the punt, with a win!
Fast Talking won three races in a row by a combined margin of over 19 lengths earlier in her prep. He then came to town and ran on well finishing fourth in a benchmark 70. I would like to see him a bit closer to the speed from the wide barrier and I am actually pretty keen on him in race I normally try and avoid early in the day.
I’m happy to be against the favourite here. Diamond Thunder is already a Listed race winner in Queensland in a race he beat California Zimbol in. That horse has come out and been very impressive winning at Group 3 level at Caulfield by over two lengths.
Regimental Band impressed when she ran second to one of the best fillies in the country in Libertini at Scone in a similar race to this one earlier in her prep. She was cramped for room when taking on the older mares last start as favourite and after initially being disappointed in the run she actually found the line quite nicely late. She will appreciate the step back to her own age group and gets the weight relief against the boys.
Greyworm continues to go from strength to strength as he rises in class and I can’t see why he can not be winning again in this assignment. Drawn well with Avdulla on board. That will do me.
Ready To Prophet battled home okay when trying to follow Mizzy on the fence at group 2 level last start but I’m willing to give her another chance with the drop back in grade here.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained galloper has gone from strength to strength this prep and his dominant wins at Canterbury and Port Macquarie puts him right in the mix here. Drawn well which helps.
Colada beat a really nice field at Group 2 level last start and I think he can go on with the job and get the riches in the Bondi Stakes. He is a very progressive type of horse who has a bright future.
This is a very tricky race with 14 horses accepting in a very open field. I’m happy to be with Roosevelt as he is racing consistently although I’m concerned about the bad barrier.
Sure Knee was excellent first up when running fourth behind Greyworm and I think that is good form to be coming out of. She has won four of her 14 race starts to date and is a progressive type by Snitzel. This is again a tough way to finish the day but her her strength!