Metro racing returns to Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with the $1 million Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) headlining a bumper 10-part program. The rail moves out +6m the entire circuit, and with nothing but warm spring conditions forecast in the lead-up, participants can expect a fair Good 4 surface for race-day. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 11:50am local time.
Race 1: BM72 Midway Handicap (1400m)
One scratching is required for the John Sargent-trained Powers Of Opal step out in the Randwick opener, and provided she gets a start, this three-year-old filly appears to be one of the better bets on the program. She was sensational from an unwinnable position first-up at Warwick Farm on August 21, storming home from last to get within a length of Shohisha. She gets in with a feather-light weight of 50kg on her back courtesy of a 2kg claim by apprentice Jett Stanley, and although she’s winless heading into Midway company, Power Of Opal brings some elite two-year-old form to suggest she’s up to the task.
Spring Lee gets one more chance to make an impression after a disappointing outing at this course on August 24. The daughter of Zoustar didn’t let down with her customary turn-of-foot on that occasion, seemingly due to the 1200m proving a bridge too far. She drops back in trip and draws a soft gate for Rachel King to hold a position throughout, and provided she’s within striking distance turning for home, expect dramatic improvement by Spring Lee third-up into the campaign.
Trainer Matthew Dunn has been dubbed the ‘King Of The Highway’ and punters can expect that trend to continue with Carribean King. The Sweynesse gelding was among the best of the beaten brigade first-up behind Sir Freddie over an unsuitable trip and should be the major beneficiary of a step up to 1200m second-up. Nash Rawiller may have some work to do to slot in for cover from stall 11, but with a genuine tempo engaged here, Carribean King should get every opportunity to be careering over the top of his rivals to claim his fourth-career win.
The stayers step out in the Listed CTC Cup (2400m), where the Kris Lees-trained Changingoftheguard should take a power of beating. The European import brings some elite form down under, managing a minor placing in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes (2400m) at Royal Ascot behind Pyledriver in June of 2023. He did enough on Australian debut to suggest he’s acclimatized well to his new conditions, and with James McDonald happy to stick aboard this lightly raced five-year-old, Changingoftheguard must be considered the one to beat.
Although only a field of eight go around in this BM94 Handicap, it appears to be one of the tougher races to dissect. Major Beel gets the nod, however, and looks to be wound up resuming on the back of two testing barrier trials. He should be able to lead at his own leisure first-up at 1600m, and although the former Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) winner may want further later in the preparation, Major Beel could reel off a cheap sectional or two in the middle stages to leave a few of these chasing a long way out.
The three-year-old fillies step out in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m), and although she was beaten as a short-price favourite first-up in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m), punters should be willing to forgive Manaal. She gets a 3kg swing on her main rivals from that event and was only caught in the shadows of the post, with Ameena getting the head down where it matters most. Jason Collett should be landing in the one-one from barrier six, and with even luck, expect Manaal to be turning the tables this time around.
The Clayton Douglas-trained Giga Kick makes his highly anticipated return after a 364-day spell and appears ready to strike in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m). The 2022 Everest (1200m) winner caught the eye in both his recent trials but was particularly impressive in his latest piece of work when matching motors with Linebacker at Randwick on August 30. He needs to lug the top weight of 60.5kg against some classy opposition; however, with James McDonald being legged aboard for the first time, Giga Kick should get every chance to make a statement first-up.
Although Zardozi deserves favouritism in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), punters should be willing to latch onto the each-way price about Buckaroo. Both were equally excellent returns in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 24, with the Chris Waller-trained gelding doing his best work through the wire after getting back to last in the field of 12. His 1600m credentials jump off the page compared to most of his key rivals, and although Zardozi may prove the better horse later in the spring, this looks like the perfect opportunity for Buckaroo to claim his first Australian victory.
All eyes are on Amelia’s Jewel in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m), but there could be an upset brewing in the form of stable companion My Oberon. The son of Dubawi returns after 315 days off the scene, and although he didn’t figure in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) before heading to the paddock, his form prior to that performance was simply outstanding. He’s trailed like a bomb at Hawkesbury on August 26 heading into this first-up assignment, and with Chad Schofield likely to lob on the leaders back throughout, My Oberon is terrific each-way play in the 2024 Tramway Stakes.
Congregation represents good each-way value with online bookmakers to end the day at Randwick. The son of Snitzel was a two-time winner in his two-year-old preparation but proceeded to go off the boil in his only run as a three-year-old, unplaced in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty (1400m) almost a year ago. His barrier trials suggest the Chris Waller barn have him back to his scintillating best, and with James McDonald in the saddle the best possible lead, Congregation should prove hard to hold out.