The Australian Turf Club invites racegoers to enjoy the first Group 1 event of the year this Saturday, 9 March at Warwick Farm racecourse. With plenty of free on course activities and four stakes races, Chipping Norton Stakes Day is a fabulous race day for the whole family to enjoy.
There are a number of great reasons to get down to the track this weekend including the chance to win tickets to the 2013 AFL Grand Final courtesy of the GWS Giants simply by heading to the Fan Zone on the Poplar Lawn and collect an entry form. Patrons will also have the chance to enter the ‘The Star SMS to WIN’ competition where one lucky winner will walk away with a $300 gift voucher to Sydney’s premier entertainment destination, The Star.
A star studded field of 14 runners will face the starter for the feature of the day, the Group 1 $350,000 Chipping Norton Stakes over 1600m where the winner will be exempt from ballot in the BMW Doncaster Mile on 20 April and the Schweppes Sydney Cup on 27 April at Royal Randwick.
Returning to the track to defend his title is reigning Chipping Norton Stakes champion Shoot Out (Hugh Bowman) who opens on the second line of betting at $6.00 with TAB Fixed Odds having won three times at Group 1 level over the mile. The Chris Waller-trained gelding will line up alongside five of his stable mates including 2011 Chipping Norton Stakes winner Danleigh (Jim Cassidy) and Geelong Cup victor Gatewood (Glyn Schofield).
Impressive eight-year-old King Mufhasa (James Collett) will make his first Sydney appearance since contesting the Daily Telegraph George Ryder Stakes in April last year. The Bruce Wallace-trained son of Pentire boasts 10 individual Group 1 wins and will start at $10.00 in the betting. Peter Moody-trained Manighar (Josh Parr) has opened as the early $5.00 favourite and will be looking to replicate his successful 2012 autumn campaign with wins in the Australian Cup, Ranvet Stakes and The BMW.
The other feature on the eight-race card is the Group 2 $175,000 Surround Stakes which will see last start winner Bennetta (James McDonald) from the Grahame Begg yard face Crown Oaks winner Dear Demi (Jim Cassidy). Well bred Fastnet Rock filly Driefontein (Nash Rawiller) will also line up in the 1400m test without regular rider Tommy Berry on board.
The Listed $100,000 Canterbury BMW Wiggle Stakes will see 2012 NSW Horse of the Year Streama (Hugh Bowman) will have her final hit-out in the in preparation for the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic on the first day of the BMW Sydney Carnival on 23 March at Rosehill Gardens.
The first race gets underway at 1.00pm and gates open to the public at 11.00am. The rail will be in the True position and the track is currently sitting at a Slow 6 rating.
Source : Australian Turf Club
