2026 The Championships Day 2 Tips & Preview  

This is a disappointing edition of the Listed Fernhill Mile with just three of the 11 runners having won a race. 

SUMAC (8) is still a maiden but has improved with each run after a disappointing last when debuting in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes where she suffered from the thumps and poor recover. 

Following that, she fought on for third after losing a plate at Wyong before hitting the line hard after being held up to finish 2.1 lengths fifth in the Group 3 Balieu. 

Given how strong the Lee Curtis-trained filly was through the line, the rise to 1600m looks ideal.  

REGAL AWARD (4) endured a tough run when resuming in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes and I’m expecting him to improve significantly second-up. 

The Phillip Stokes-trained gelding found himself three-deep without cover for the most part of the 1200m contest but still fought on bravely to finish 3.5 lengths seventh. 

He’ll appreciate the rise in distance and won his only previous second-up race which was over a similar trip on the Hillside track last preparation. 

A tongue tie goes on for the first time and he should enjoy a much better run. 

REACHIN’ OUT (9) could not have been more impressive when winning on debut last start. 

The Waterhouse & Bott-trained filly led over 1100m at Kensington before hitting the afterburners to drive clear and salute by 3.9 lengths. 

She made She’s Extra look ordinary in second and that horse had spaced her rivals in her two previous races. 

She’ll be better for the experience and maps to enjoy a beautiful run on speed. 

MATCHA LATTE (5) looks well placed to defend his Provincial-Midway Championships crown after claiming the Final narrowly last year. 

Now in the care of Nacim Dilmi, the son of Maurice put on a clinic in the Hawkesbury qualifier last start where he had lengths on rivals and stylishly powered to the line.  

He’s since been back to the trials where he produced a pleasing piece of work. 

He’ll carry the same weight as last year, with Ash Morgan again in the saddle.  

OHOPE WINS (1) was gallant in defeat last start in the Vinery Stud Stakes and can bounce back in the Group 1 Australian Oaks. 

The Chris Waller-trained filly came wide on the turn and battled strongly but being five weeks between runs against fitter horses told and she finished just under a length fourth. 

The former Kiwi brought excellent form with her including the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks so the rise to 2400m won’t faze her. 

James McDonald sticks and will give her every chance. 

TEMPTED (9) has been freshened since winning the Group 1 Surround Stakes six weeks ago. 

While she was able to win that race over 1400m, I think Ciaron Maher has pulled the right rein dropping her back to 1200m given she was tiring late. 

She loves this course and distance having won three of four starts including first-up this preparation with her only loss being a second to the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising in The Everest. 

The Street Boss filly looked super winning a recent trial, and that will have tuned her up nicely. 

MACHINE GUN GRACIE (12) returned to her best last start in the Group 3 Epona Stakes. 

Following a wide run first-up at Flemington over a mile, Team Hayes successfully adopted a change of tactics that resulted in a 1.95 length victory. 

It’s an unusual setup stepping up to two miles third-up off a 1900m race, but she was pulling away from them in the final furlong and her CV shows wins shows back-to-back wins in the WA Oaks and the WATC Derby, both over 2400m. 

She gets in with the postage stamp weight of 51kg. 

LADY SHENANDOAH (2) had the misfortune of running into Autumn Glow last start in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes so it was no wonder she was in a mood prior to the race. 

To her credit, she found the line well to finish 3.61 lengths fourth. 

The Chris Waller-trained mare’s form was good prior to that with back-to-back third placings to the flying Joliestar. 

She won her only previous race over this course and distance by a space which was the Group 1 Flight Stakes. 

With Pride Of Jenni in the race, there will be no shortage of speed and that will aid her and James McDonald’s cause. 

Given what we’ve seen from AUTUMN GLOW (7) in her amazing run of 11 undefeated races, it’s hard to see her not making the Queen Elizabeth Stakes win number 12. 

The Chris Waller-trained mare was simply amazing last start in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes where she produced her devastating turn of foot to put her rivals away quickly and win by 2.79 lengths. 

This is her first attempt at 2000m which is obviously a query, but she’s had plenty of work since last start and has an extreme will to win. 

James McDonald will give her the run of the race. 

GANGSTA GRANNY (3) impressed when returning in the Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality with a win.  

The Team Hawkes-trained mare worked over from an outside barrier to settle second before dashing clear late to win by just under a length.  

She then put up an almighty fight in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes where she was forced to work from the wide gate and was entitled to weaken with the massive weight disadvantage but instead, she lifted to finish a neck second.  

The wide barrier isn’t ideal, but it’s something she’s used to and we get the services of James McDonald to navigate any trouble.