2021 AJC Challenge Stakes tips & top odds | Randwick Race 5
| What | 2021 AJC Challenge Stakes |
| Where | Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 |
| When | Saturday, March 6, 2021 | 3:05pm AEDT | Race 5 |
| Prizemoney | $500,000 |
| Distance | 1000m |
| Status | Group 2 |
| Race Conditions | Weight for age; 3YO+ |
| 2020 Winner | Nature Strip – 58.5kg (1) | Jockey: James McDonald | Trainer: Chris Waller |
| Watch Live | |
2021 AJC Challenge Stakes betting preview
The Group 2 Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes sees a small but speedy field of eight runners contest the 1000m affair. Headed by none other than Nature Strip at $1.45, we also see Written Beauty at $5 and Eduardo at $9 in the mix. Each runner has credentials to lead, so we anticipate Written Beauty, Jungle Edge and The Odyssey to be the ones sitting off the other five runners.
A 4.5kg advantage on the favourite may just be enough to see the new kid on the block walk away with the prize. Three-year-old filly Written Beauty (#8) has won five of her six career runs and is shooting for six straight. In the spring she set the track alight at Moonee Valley and then won at Group 3 level down the Flemington straight on Oaks Day before resuming in Sydney to win by a length as a very short favourite. Drawn in barrier three for Tommy Berry, the talented sprinter will get the dream run behind a very fast tempo and will be the one with the sprint in her legs late.
There is no knock on Nature Strip (#1) at all. He is undoubtedly a sprinting star, but he is enigmatic and has the tendency to over-race, so we are happy to take him on. Drawn in the outside alley, James McDonald will use him up trying to scorch the turf to find the front. He was brilliant when winning the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington three weeks ago, but that no doubt had a lot to do with the soft hands of Jamie Kah getting him to settle. If he settles, it’s all over, but we will risk him.
Queensland entire The Odyssey (#5) is a ridiculous price in this. He won the Gold Coast Magic Millions QTIS Open on the Gold Coast seven weeks ago, has trialled since and from all reports has settled in well to life in New South Wales. Steph Thornton has gone down to ride, which is a positive sign, and he gets a fast-run 1000m dash that should suit. Drawn in barrier seven and one inside Nature Strip, the four-year-old is likely to get a nice run into the race. As long as the track isn’t too dry for him, he can figure with freshness in his legs.
2021 AJC Challenge Stakes betting strategy
| $100 betting strategy | |
|---|---|
| $35 win: | #8 Written Beauty |
| $65 place: | #8 Written Beauty |
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