Twitter followers react to day two of The Championships
DAY two of The Championships had all the excitement and drama that is usually associated with the world’s best racing carnivals.
The Sydney Cup was an absolute disaster with Almoonqith going a miss right in front of a packed Randwick crowd. The stewards were forced to call the race off mid-race, much to the disappointment of not only riders and connections of the runners, but also the punters.
It was the right call in the end, but it certainly left a sour taste on what was a great day of racing prior to that incident.
It was a great day of racing primarily due to one horse which again captivated its audience in winning its 17th consecutive race. Winx was the real Queen of the Turf on day two of the Championships and we’ve sorted through the thousands of Twitter posts to find our favourite reactions.
Winx takes out Queen Elizabeth Stakes in style
The win was expected at odds of $1.10, but that didn’t make it any less ordinary. The champion mare cruised up to its opposition on the home turn and jockey Hugh Bowman barely moved a muscle.
Winx has captivated the Australian public, much like the champions before it, and you know it’s significant when horse racing is front page news.
#TheChampionships early morning read #Winx pic.twitter.com/pAgKGG0fnc
— Andrew Price ?? (@pricey43) April 8, 2017
Our favourite Twitter post was a cartoon by Darren Birdie which likely had the Queen Majesty herself having a little chuckle.
Long live the queen! #Winx #17 #TheChampionships #QueenElizabethStakes pic.twitter.com/ZM6slUf40p
— BIRDIE (@DarrenBirdie) April 8, 2017
One Twitter user summed it up perfectly in stating that there are no more ways to describe Winx. Punters and racing fans should enjoy the occasion every time it steps out onto the turf.
There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the greatness that is #Winx. Number 17!
— Britney Eurton (@BritneyEurton) April 8, 2017
Sydney Cup disaster dampens The Championships
We’ll start by saying the only tragedy out of the 2017 Sydney Cup was that the connections of Almoonqith lost a quality galloper – everything else can be remedied.
RIP Almoonqith. My thoughts are with all the connections. Very sad day for racing. ?#SydneyCup
— Rachel Orchard (@Rachel_Orch) April 8, 2017
The Sydney Cup was meant to be one of the highlight races as it attracted international interest, unlike most other races during The Championships, but the non-event was a real shame.
Jockeys Corey Brown and Damien Oliver were understandably upset in learning that the race was called off after thinking they had run in the money, but considering fellow riders Blake Shinn and James Doyle were still getting off the track, it was the correct decision and we applaud Racing NSW stewards for making a quick call.
Very touching photograph. And also very inspirational @blake_shinn @the_doyler #SydneyCup pic.twitter.com/J5xlMX44iJ
— RacingB*tch (@Racingb_tch) April 8, 2017
Foxplay foxes with rivals in Coolmore Legacy
The day got even better for Chris Waller when three-year-old filly Foxplay won the Group 1 Coolmore Legacy (Queen of the Turf).
The star filly resides beside Winx at the Waller stables and clearly some of that champion quality rubbed off at Randwick on Saturday.
Punters cashed in and it doesn’t matter how much you bet, a win is a win – we just wouldn’t advise posting your betting slips for all and sundry to see.
A quick win #Foxplay #theraces #randwick pic.twitter.com/dLF5gAg5NL
— Ronnie Webb (@progroupracing) April 8, 2017
We’re not sure if this next Twitter user was happy with the result, but either way the ocean-bound punter was giving champion trainer Chris Waller some advice.
Poor placement from Waller, there was the Doncaster winner yet running around in a Grp 1 for mares, #foxplay
— the Surfing Punter (@SurfingPunter) April 8, 2017