Via Sistina draws perfectly for Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes
The time-honoured Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) is the headline act for Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with an outstanding field of 15 set to take their place in the weight-for-age classic.
Last year’s runner-up, Via Sistina is looking to go one better in this year’s edition, with the Chris Waller-trained mare the firm $1.80 favourite with horse racing bookmakers after drawing barrier one.
James McDonald returns to Australia and is set to be reunited with the daughter of Fastnet Rock in her quest to claim an astonishing eighth Group 1 victory since arriving in Australia.
The William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour appears to be the main danger at the as the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) winner drops back in trip after a dominant victory over the mile and a half.
The seven-year-old gelding is undefeated in three starts down under and has drawn barrier 13 as ‘Aussie’ Tom Marquand gets legged aboard once again on Saturday.
You can write your own ticket for every other runner listed at double-figure odds, including the two-time Group 1 winner Ceolwulf at after a gritty performance to claim the Group 2 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) on April 1.
Last year’s Melbourne Cup favourite Buckaroo was the big winner post-barrier draw, with Tommy Berry set to gain the perfect run in transit from barrier three.
The Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) winner did match motors with Via Sistina in the Group 1 Turnbull in the spring and is likely to have plenty of admirers at the .
Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) winner Light Infantry Man represents good each-way value at , while Japanese raider Rousham Park brings some impressive international form lines into this year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The chances don’t end there, with Tom Kitten ($26) set to run on the one-week backup after a farcically run Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), while Vauban ($26) could be the fly in the ointment dropping back to 2000m.
The 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes is one of four Group 1 races for Day 2 of The Championships.
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