The world class thoroughbred action continues at Royal Randwick on Day 2 of The Championships!
Day 1 tossed up some shock results, several enormous-priced winners, but also some extremely memorable stories.
It all continues on another thrilling Day 2 program that is headlined by another four Group 1 features, and you can find my previews and The Championships Tips below!
As is usually does, Day 2 kicks off with the time-honoured Fernhill Mile, and I think that Inhibitions will deliver James Cummings his second win in the race.
Inhibitions has raced consistently since debuting at the beginning of the year, missing placing only once and finding form around some talented gallopers.
She steps out this week in peak order, the mile looks ideal, and I think she can record a bit of valuable black type.
Hell I Am clearly needed his first run back from a break when he finished down the order in the Darby Munro, but I am expecting plenty of improvement when he goes around in the South Pacific Classic.
The Hellbent gelding has been a great horse for the John O’Shea yard since debuting, and he returned in the summer to win the Wyong Magic Milions 3&4YO race.
Having subsequently placed in the Gosford Guineas and the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, he’s clearly up to something like this, and we can have something on each way at around the $8 mark (at publish).
Autumn Ballet simply could not have been more impressive on debut in the Black Opal Stakes, and she can make it two in a row when she contests the Percy Sykes on Day 2 of The Championships.
The daughter of The Autumn Sun showed plenty of promise at the trials prior to debuting, and she put the writing on the wall with a dominant effort in Canberra, greeting the judge more than two lengths ahead of her rivals.
I like that she has been back to the trials since that run, and she is my best bet on the program.
Kayobi won from an extremely difficult position to book his place in the Provincial Championships Final, and I think that he will take a power of beating.
The Sam Kavanagh-trained gelding has hardly put a hoof wrong since debuting, winning four of six starts and finishing second on the other two occasions.
His first-up performance at Gosford last month suggested that he has only returned an improved horse, and he strips fitter for that effort.
I’m pretty keen on Aft Cabin in the Arrowfield Sprint.
He was unlucky not to make the Neds Caulfield Guineas field in the spring after suffering a minor injury and returning to the paddock, but Aft Cabin returned this time for a dominant win in the Eskimo Prince Stakes over this route.
He has since finished misfield in the Hobartville and the Randwick Guineas, but I like that he has been freshened, sent back to the trials, and returned to a sprint trip this week.
Drawn ideally under James McDonald, I think he’ll take beating.
Pavitra has been set for the Australian Oaks, and following a gallant effort for second in the Vinery Stud Stakes a fortnight ago, I think she is ready to win.
You can find my complete race preview and 2023 Australian Oaks Tips RIGHT HERE.
The staying season reaches its peak when a talented field steps out for the Sydney Cup!
I’ve put Cleveland on top, but you can find my complete race preview and 2023 Sydney Cup Tips RIGHT HERE.
This looms as one of the best editions of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in recent memory, and a showdown between Anamoe and Dubai Honour headlines the race!
I’ve put the former on top of my 2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Arguably the most open Group 1 race on Day 2 of The Championships, there’s a case to be built for a few of them in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes!
I’ve put Hope In Your Heart on top, but you can find my complete 2023 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Never Talk clearly needed her first run back this time to tune up, but I thought that the Sapphire Stakes was a great race for her, and we can have an each way play at current odds ($10 at publish).
She’s been a great horse for the Lees yard since debuting, and Never Talk has picked off some nice races along the way.
With even luck, she’s certainly up to something like this.