Randwick racing tips for April 4
Day 1 of The Championship at Randwick in Sydney is one of the great days of racing on the Australian calendar, featuring four group 1s contested by the best horses, jockeys and trainers in the country.
The deep fields and betting markets mean it is a great day for a punt but it can also be a daunting affair, especially for necomers to the racing game.
The day 1 highlight is likely to be the Doncaster Mile, in which the mighty filly Sheza Alibi is a hot favourite after her effortless win against the males in the group 1 Randwick Guineas. No less of a judge than a good friend of this columnist, a former longtime racing writer and now semi-professional punter, has declared her the best horse in the country.
If Sheza Alibi wins as expected with her feather weight here, it will be hard to argue.
But the time-honoured Doncaster is by no means the only great contest on the program; there are the group 1 Inglis Sires, Australian Derby and T.J. Smith Stakes for the sprinters. Add in the support card littered with stars of now and the future and it’s a great day to sit back and watch or even enjoy a wager or two.
We have cast an eye over the main races on the card to hopefully provide some insight into what you should be betting on. Read on for our best bets.
Race 6
Randwick, Race 6 | Inglis Sires’ (1400m)
The juvenile brigade extends out to 1400 metres, which can test even the best two-year-olds. The Magnus filly Streisand (12), the Blue Diamond winner who was a fighting second in the Golden Slipper, is the well-backed favourite and the extra distance appears tailor-made for her. But we fancy Chris Waller’s Campione D’italia (4), which charged home for fourth in the Slipper after coming from the tail of the field. He is a colt by super sire Snitzel and this is only his fourth start in a race. And if you give Campione D’italia, you must also consider another Snitzel colt, Fireball (1), which was not far away in seventh in the Slipper. He is another still learning the ropes and could surprise, though his wide barrier of 12 is a substantial obstacle. At around 20-1 though we think he is a good option each-way or to include inyour trifectas, quinellas, etc.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 4,12,1,5. Best bet: Fireball (1) each-way
Race 7
Randwick, Race 7 | TJ Smith Stakes (1200m)
This is Sydney’s premier autumn sprint feature. The favourite is Tentyris (7), a multiple Group 1-winning three-year-old and winner of the Lightning Stakes and the colt has drawn the inside rail. No three-year-old has won this race since Trapeze Artist in 2018. He will have his work cut out agaist the top-class mare Joliestar (6), which has reached a new level since resuming and has the services of the master jockey James McDonald. Jimmysstar (1) and the former Everest winner Giga Kick (3) both have the ability to finish over the top, but we think the top two in the market will be fighting it out clear of the rest in the last 50m.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 6,3,7,1. Best bet: Joliestar (6) to win with Australian betting sites.
Race 8
Randwick, Race 8 | Doncaster Mile (1600m)
The historic handicap is at the mercy of the boom filly Sheza Alibi, which is weighted to win with only 49kg and Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Jamie Melham in the saddle. She was dominant in a three-length demolition of the boys in the Randwick Guineas, and the featherweight advantage makes her the one to beat, though she must overcome barrier 13. Sheza Alibi has won six of her nine starts and it will take something special to beat her. The biggest danger is classy colt Autumn Boy (7), which was second the the Randwick Guineas and backed up to win the Rosehill Guineas. Another smart, lightly weighted three-year-old in Sixties (16) is in the mix though he must overcome the outside barrier.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 15,16,7,1. Best bet: Sheza Alibi (15) to win, with quinellas with Sixties
Race 9
Randwick, Race 9 | Australian Derby (2400m)
This race is a real test of stamina for the three-year-olds, and features a fierce battle for favouritism between Green Spaces (3) and Observer (1). Both colts have followed the traditional path to the derby, showing elite staying potential in their recent leads-ups. Green Spaces has been the early market mover, but Observer’s tenacity over the final furlong has already landed him the VRC Derby over 2500m and he is clearly the one to beat. We think Storm Leopard (5) could be the surprise packet out to this distance. He shapes as though the extra journey will be ideal and he is perfectly drawn in gate five as opposed to Observer’s gate 12. With a soft track likely, the ability to settle and conserve energy for the testing Randwick straight will be crucial. Federalist (7) is beautifully bred and has real talent but it’s hard to be too confident about a nine-start maiden in this top-class field. His time will come in the spring.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 5,1,7,3. Best bet: Storm Leopard (5) each-way and boxed quinella 1,5,7
