The Group 1 George Main Stakes headlines another huge ten-race program at Royal Randwick on Saturday, September 17th.
With many of the country’s best horses engaged, it looms as a terrific betting card, and you can find my complete 2022 George Main Stakes Day Tips below.
Shalstar can win this week’s Highway race.
The Paul Messara-trained mare has returned a poor effort since debuting, finishing second at his first start and winning each of her three subsequent.
She has been freshened since winning at Randwick-Kensington back in June, but her recent trial was excellent, and something like this certainly doesn’t appear beyond her.
Mahagoni can return to winning form in the Midway.
The David Payne-trained gelding didn’t show a lot at Hawkesbury first-up this time, but he kept coming when second in a similar race to this one at Rosehill Gardens, last time out.
He will need some luck in running from the barrier, but James McDonald rides, and the mile looks perfect for him.
Blaze A Trail takes winning form into the Shoot Out Mile and rates as a key winning chance again.
The Criterion entire has had his runs spaced this time and so far, it has proven to be the right decision, with him recording two lovely wins.
He was last seen comfortably taking out the Mildura Cup, and even with topweight this week, I think he’ll prove too strong for his rivals.
Arnold faces a rise in class at Randwick on Saturday, but he has been nothing short of outstanding this time in, and this does look the next logical step for him.
The Hinchinbrook gelding returned a winner at Kembla Grange early last month, and he franked that effort with another dominant performance on the Kensington course last time.
Fitter third-up, he is my best bet on the program.
A few of these horses have also accepted for Friday’s Cameron Handicap at Newcastle, but O’President isn’t one of them, and I am keen to see what he can do in his first start for Bjorn Baker.
O’President was decent during his two-year-old season, winning in Group 2 company most notably, and he did return some nice efforts at three.
His recent trials have been sensational, and the Bill Ritchie Handicap does look a nice launchpad for him.
Willinga Beast is ready to win, and she is the one that I want to be with in the Tea Rose Stakes.
The Kris Lees-trained filly showed plenty of promise during her two-year-old season, and returned this time for a credible fifth in the Silver Shadow Stakes.
She pushed North Star Lass all the way in the Furious Stakes a fortnight ago, and the 1400m should suit at this point of her preparation.
Anamoe is a start, and even with the depth of talented engaged in this year’s George Main Stakes field, he’s the one that I want to be with.
Check out my complete 2022 George Main Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Speaking of stacked races, some of the world’s best sprinters will contest The Shorts, including famous King’s Stand Stakes winner Nature Strip.
That being said, I thought that Eduardo was outstanding first-up in the Concorde Stakes, and I am going to stick with him.
Eduardo has been the only horse to consistently battle with and lower the colours of Nature Strip for a few seasons now, and he was a typically strong and consistent performer in the autumn.
He has the key fitness edge and will go straight to the lead again this week.
I’m going to give Benaud another chance to win when he takes his place in the Kingston Town Stakes.
Benaud has proven to be a good horse for the John O’Shea yard, and he finished a close second behind Hitotsu in the ATC Derby most notably in the autumn.
His two efforts in the Winx Stakes and Chelmsford Stakes this time have been full of merit, and he gets out to a suitable distance and race third-up this week.
Not the easiest way to end George Main Stakes Day from a betting perspective and there is a case to be made for many, including Battleton.
Battleton finished a credible fifth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at the conclusion of his spring prep last year, and he returned some nice efforts in a Winter Carnival campaign in Brisbane, highlighted by a credible second placing behind Kiss Sum in the Gunsynd Classic.
His fresh form is good and we can have an each-way play at around the $11 mark.