The time-honoured Civic Stakes headlines another ten-race program at Sydney’s Royal Randwick this Saturday.
I’ve run the rule over every contest, and you can find my 2023 Civic Stakes Day Tips below.
Oryx will take plenty of improvement into his second campaign start at Randwick on Saturday, and I think that he can win this Midway Handicap.
The former Godolphin galloper debuted for the Jake Hull yard at Canterbury earlier this month, and finished off well to fill the minors behind Huon.
With improvement for that effort, I think he can have an impact here.
Laurel Hill has raced consistently this time and looks a winning chance in another wide-open Highway race at Randwick on Saturday.
The Smart Missile filly hasn’t missed placing at her last three trips to the races, and was just over a head behind the winner in Class 1 company last time.
I think she’ll relish a return to good going, while she steps out this week in peak order.
The Mediterranean has stripped fitter for two starts since joining Sara Ryan’s stables, and this looks a very nice race for him.
The Mediterranean finished tenth, beaten just over three lengths at Rosehill on debut in Australia last month, before hitting the line for third in the Listed Winter Cup at his latest.
Fitter third-up and further out in trip, I think he’s going to take plenty of beating.
Hollywood Hero makes his return to the races on Civic Stakes Day, and I think it looks a lovely launchpad for him.
The Sacred Falls colt hasn’t been seen at the races since March, but he was excellent during his debut prep, winning his maiden at Warwick Farm before ending his campaign with a run in the Randwick Guineas.
This is a big drop in class from that race, while he’s had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead up to his return.
African Daisy has only just missed at her first two starts back this time, and she gets another great chance to strike on Civic Stakes Day.
The American Pharoah mare hit the line for third in BM72 company fresh from a break, before only just missing behind Robusto at Rosehill last time out.
Fitter third-up and out to the mile, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish.
Queenmaker has been a strong and consistent performer throughout her campaign, and I thought that this looked the perfect Saturday metro race for her.
The Tavistock mare hasn’t finished worse than second at her last five trips to the races, winning twice including a dominant four-length effort at Canterbury two back.
This is probably the hardest task that she has been set, but she’s rock-hard fit, and she’ll eat up the 1800m.
I’m going to stick with King Of The Castle as he continues his rise through the grades at Randwick on Saturday.
The Castledale gelding was freshened after winning on the Kensington course here early last month, but needed his first run back at Rosehill to tune up.
That was followed by an eye-catching performance and win in BM72 company at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks ago, and he’s another that looks well suited to the 1800m this week, while he takes 7kgs from the topweight as well.
This is a wide-open edition of the Civic Stakes and at publish, we’re faced with $6 the field.
I am a big fan of Cisco Bay, however, and I thought that this was a nice bit of black type for him.
Cisco Bay has improved noticeably with each of his three runs back this time, culminating in a lovely win in the Octagonal Handicap here last month at a big price.
He should be given every chance from an inside draw, and does look up to winning a Listed race.
Iowna Merc has recorded two wins from as many starts back this time, and I am very keen to stick with him in the penultimate race on Civic Stakes Day.
Iowna Merc was very good in BM78 company over this route first-up this time, but it was his performance and win over the talented Kibou last time out that was amongst his best to date.
Fitter third-up, from the good draw and with some relief in the weights, he is my best bet on the program.
Sticking with Battleton in the last at Randwick on Saturday.
It has taken his a few starts back this time to be competitive, but I thought that his most-recent effort for third in a similar contest here a couple of weeks back did suggest he was getting there.
I think he’ll be in peak order for this, while Ashley Morgan can give him every chance from barrier 5.