The All Aged Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Dead 4 on Thursday and with possible light showers forecast over the next couple of days, Randwick is likely to be racing on a Good 3/Dead 4 surface on raceday.
The Joseph Pride-trained That’s A Good Idea has been hampered by wet tracks this Autumn but he has finally got conditions to suit this Saturday in the Hall Mark Stakes (Sydney Race 2, 1200m). This 4YO gelding has won all his 6 races on Good track, and he has a good record over 1200m having won 4 & placed once from 8 starts. From barrier 4, Glyn Schofield is likely to ride him for pace and That’s A Good Idea is the horse to catch back to firmer footing.
Adrian Knox Stakes winner Arabian Gold can continue her winning way over the same course & distance in the Frank Packer Plate (Sydney Race 4, 2000m). The filly was very impressive last start carrying top weight of 59kg and had the Adrian Knox won a long way from home. Winning jockey Blake Shinn had a prior commitment to ride Hooked so Damien Oliver will take over the rein on Arabian Gold on Saturday. From barrier 2, Oliver can relax the filly on the fence just behind the pace. Watch Arabian Gold unleashed her sprint in the straight.
Gerald Ryan has three runners in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (Sydney Race 5, 1600m) including race favourite Peggy Jean. But I am leaning to impressive last start winner Veuvelicious. This Northern Meteor filly outclassed the Fernhill Stakes field last start over this track & distance. As a matter of fact, she was running away from them at the end of the race which shows that she is a strong miler. Veuvelicious is a bomb-proof horse as she can handle all track conditions and she can settle anywhere in a race. Damien Oliver decides to stick with the filly which is another good sign. Veuvelicious looks the horse to beat in the Champagne Stakes.
The feature race of the day is the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (Sydney Race 6, 1400m). No.1 Rebel Dane has a late start in his Autumn campaign hence he has the most improvement amongst all the runner in the All Aged Stakes. The 4YO was only having his 1st up run in the TJ Smith Stakes two weeks ago on a very Heavy track where he finished a mighty 2nd to Lankan Rupee. He won his maiden Group 1 in the Rupert Clarke Stakes last Spring which was also over 1400m. He’ll drift back in the field from barrier 8 but with Steps In Time also accepted for the race, the pace will be on all the way which will allow Rebel Dane to settle & finish off the race strongly.
By Owens Wong, Editor
