The Villiers Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday (11th Dec). The course proper was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday and with light showers forecast for Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will stay in the Soft range on raceday.
Last start winner Bacchanalia can continue his good form in the Cellarbrations Handicap (Sydney Race 3, 1100m). The Godolphin-owned gelding has returned well this campaign with a close 4th behind speedster Profiteer down the Flemington straight (1000m) before taking out a BM72 handicap over 1200m at Canterbury on 26th November. The 3YO certainly enjoys some give in the ground having won both his starts on Heavy tracks. Kerrin McEvoy will take over the rein on Saturday and from barrier 9, McEvoy will go forward and sit just behind likely leaders Prince Invincible and Kibosh. With a good run in transit, Bacchanalia looks the horse to beat.
The English import Herman Hesse could be the one to beat over one and a half mile in the Christmas Cup (Sydney Race 4, 2400m). The son of Frankel has been racing consistently since returning from a break with two wins and two placings from five starts. His last start 2nd to Suppression over 2400m at Rosehill was pretty impressive and the 5YO had been sent out for a 1100m trial under the guidance of Kerrin McEvoy on 30th Nov and McEvoy will once again be on board on Saturday. Nicely drawn in barrier 4, McEvoy is going to settle one off one back and Herman Hesse could well outstay these lots.
Ellsberg is set to complete the Festival Stakes – Villiers Stakes double (Sydney Race 8, 1600m). The 4YO has been competitive against top horses like Count De Rupee and I’m Thunderstruck this campaign and Ellsberg has franked the form and duly won the Festival Stakes last start. Ellsberg can handle any track conditions and he has a good record at Randwick. He’s rock hard fit being 5th up on Saturday and is ready to run out a strong 1600m. Tim Clark is likely to go to the lead and sit outside Bandersnatch and Ellsberg is the one they all have to catch.
By Owens Wong, Editor
