Another quality Sydney metropolitan program looms this weekend, as two Group 1 feature races headline 2023 Chipping Norton Stakes Day at Royal Randwick.
You can find my thoughts and a preview for every race below, along with my 2023 Chipping Norton Stakes Day Tips!
Not the easiest way to begin Chipping Norton Day from a betting perspective and plenty of live chances, but I thought that it looked a great race for the tough veteran Lancaster Bomber.
Lancaster Bomber has managed to strike in four starts back this time, but he hasn’t been disgraced at any point, and he steps out this week in peak order.
He’s drawn well and we can have an each way play at his current price ($14 at publish).
Mogo Magic puts an unbeaten record on the line when he resumes in this week’s Highway race, and he does look the one to beat again.
The Duporth gelding stamped himself as one to watch with a near seven-length win on debut at the Sapphire Coast in November, and was for a break after another dominant win in a Wagga Class 1.
This is the hardest task that he’s been set, but he has trialled well and it certainly doesn’t look beyond him.
The Golden Slipper isn’t far away at all, and we take another big step towards it when a smart field assembles for the Skyline Stakes.
Typically, there isn’t a huge amount of exposed form to study, but the well-bred Shinzo does look more than capable.
By Snitzel and out of Samaready, Shinzo is a full brother to Exhilarates, and showed some ability on debut when third behind Red Resistance in the Canonbury Stakes.
With improvement for that experience, I think that he can win this.
This looms as another open race with a few live chances, and I thought it looked a nice one for Almania.
Almania has only recorded one win from his fifteen career starts and is yet to strike in Australia, but he has returned to the races in consistent form this time, filling the minors behind Jojo Was A Man first-up before finishing fourth, beaten under 2 lengths at Randwick last month.
I like that he has been back to the trials since that run, and the 2000m should prove ideal for him.
This is an excellent edition of the Guy Walter Stakes, and the depth of talent engaged has led to it being a terrific betting race.
Espiona wasn’t on the best ground when she resumed in the Southern Cross Stakes earlier this month and she clearly needed the run, but I am confident that this is the perfect second-up target for her.
The Extreme Choice mare was been a consistent performer in races not dissimilar to this one throughout her career, and she is probably unlucky not to have record a Group 1 victory.
She races well at this point of her preparation and will carry only 55kgs this week.
Skirt The Law puts her unbeaten record on the line in the Sweet Embrace Stakes and I don’t see any reason why we should jump off.
The leading Queenslander was nothing short of dominant on debut at Doomben back in November, and repeated the dose with a near six-length win in a 1200m Handicap.
She was a popular pick in Magic Millions Classic betting in the minutes leading up to jump and didn’t disappointing, kicking clear to win again, and I like that she has been back to the trials since then.
The first of two Group 1 features at Randwick on Saturday will see a field of thirteen three-year-old fillies chasing success in the Surround Stakes!
I’ve put In Secret on top, but check out my full race preview and complete 2023 Surround Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Anamoe has been confirmed in the Chipping Norton Stakes field and unsurprisingly, he has opened a firm favourite.
Also unsurprisingly, I’ve put him on top, but you can find my full race preview and 2023 Chipping Norton Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
This is a strong edition of the Liverpool City Cup, and I thought that a horse like Rocketing By looked a touch of overs as a result ($13 at publish).
Rocketing By has picked off some lovely races throughout his career, and after a while between drinks, managed to strike in the lucrative Sydney Stakes on The Everest Day last spring.
I thought that his fresh effort in the Rubiton Stakes at Sandown a fortnight ago was excellent, and I’m expecting that to be the key form race for Saturday’s Group 1 Oakleigh Plate in Melbourne.
With improvement, I think he’ll be right in the finish again, and we can have an each way play at the price.
Typically, it isn’t an easy way to end Chipping Norton Stakes Day from a betting perspective either, but I am happy to stick with Kalino.
Kalino returned to the races for a pair of lovely wins in BM78 company, while he was only denied by Spacewalk in a similar race at Rosehill last time out.
I like that he’s a few weeks between starts and he is drawn to receive every chance again under James McDonald.