Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
G1 Golden Slipper Stakes - another exciting clash
It is always an intriguing race but this year looks to be a particularly strong running with a number of youngsters displaying above average speed and talent - such as the unbeaten favourite Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) whose odds tightened even further after he drew ideally in barrier two.
Fellow unbeaten colt, Switzerland (Snitzel) also drew well in seven, making this a race reminiscent of the publicity in the lead-up to some of the great Golden Slipper clashes of the past.
The most famous being in 1969 when a couple of unbeaten youngsters fuelled some Sydney/Melbourne rivalry - the unbeaten Neville Begg trained Special Girl (Todman) widely touted to bring to an end the winning run of the Jim Moloney trained Vain.
Gallery: Favourite Storm Boy draws barrier two whilst Switzerland drew well in seven
Special Girl was out of the placings after being injured coming out of the gates, leaving it to Vain to write himself into the history books as one of the best horses ever to win the Slipper.
Nine years earlier the Slipper provided the stage for the first meeting of Sky High and Wenona Girl (Wilkes {Fr}) who would go on to face each other on a further 19 occasions!
In total he finished in front of her on 11 occasions, she in front of him nine times. The Slipper was his first win over her - the colt charging home after swinging wide whilst she fought on well for second in front of Impulsive (Landau {Ire}) who would make her mark on racing history as the dam of the oh so popular Tommy Woodcock trained Reckless.
Impulsive who would make her mark on racing history as the dam of the oh so popular Tommy Woodcock trained Reckless.
In 1977 two colts shared favouritism - the Max Lees trained Luskin Star who from four starts had tasted defeat (on heavy going) only once and the TJ Smith trained Blazing Saddles who'd already had eight starts including wins in the G1 Blue Diamond S. and the G3 Black Opal S.
As was the case for Special Girl, it was unfortunate for Blazing Saddles to be born the same year as an all time great, Luskin Star leaving his rivals in his wake he raced clear by seven lengths in record time.
Speaking of Luskin Star - in 1991 it was filly vs colt with his daughter Bold Promise (Luskin Star) sharing the pre-race publicity with Tierce who also had a Slipper winner in his pedigree; his sire Victory Prince being out of a Todman mare.
Gallery: Two 1977 Golden Slipper-favourite colts
Bold Promise had won her first five starts, Tierce had won five of seven. The filly would finish fifth whilst the colt put in the big strides late under the urgings of Shane Dye who was winning his third of four consecutive Slippers.
It was another couple of chestnuts garnering the attention in 1988 - Star Watch and Zeditave. The former, trained by TJ Smith had won four of five, suffering his first defeat at the hands of the latter who had made it six in a row with his G2 Pago Pago S. victory.
Star Watch would atone in the Slipper however, the slow conditions dulling Zeditave's dash. Star Watch would win one more race, Zeditave another eight. Both fared well at stud though sadly Star Watch died young having sired just two crops.
Gallery: Former Slipper winners Bold Promise and Star Watch
Of course a heavily publicised clash between two well credentialed horses does not guarantee victory by either and this is no two-horse race this year with a host of other prospects.
Such as Straight Charge (Written By) who lost no fans after working early in the G2 Todman S. won by Switzerland and Hayasugi (Royal Meeting {Ire}) who has a horror gate to deal with but whose form lines suggest that she is the best of the season's fillies so far.
Throw in the last winners of the G2 VRC Sires Produce S. - Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}), the G3 Pago Pago S. - Dublin Down (Exceedance), the G3 Black Opal S. - Holmes A Court (Capitalist) and the G2 Sweet Embrace S. - Manaal (Tassort) and this is some race!
G1 Rosehill Guineas - a Classic breeding ground
So often contested by the season's best middle distance and Classic 3-year-olds, the G1 Rosehill Guineas has been a breeding ground for future stars of the turf - such as Phar Lap (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}), Ajax, Hydrogen, Tulloch (NZ), Kingston Town (Bletchingly), Octagonal (NZ) and Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}).
It has been a decent stallion's race too with 19 of its winners going onto sire Group 1 winners; the most successful at stud being Ajax, Road, Jimmy Choux (NZ), Dundeel (NZ), Octagonal (NZ), Danewin and Tarzino (NZ).
The latter seeks to create a bit of history here as no Rosehill Guineas winner has ever sired a Rosehill Guineas winner - and Tarzino is represented by the unbeaten Immediacy (Tarzino) who has gone from strength to strength, impressive at his first two starts and all the more so when the blinkers went on in the G2 Autumn Classic.
The latter seeks to create a bit of history here as no Rosehill Guineas winner has ever sired a Rosehill Guineas winner - and Tarzino is represented by the unbeaten Immediacy
The one to beat is the favourite Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) whose lost no fans with his close up G1 Australian Guineas third second up off a smart win the G3 C.S Hayes S.
He shares the same trainer, Chris Waller and jockey, Nash Rawiller, combination as last year's winner Lindermann (Lonhro). Rawiller was also aboard the 2012 winner Laser Hawk (Artie Schiller {USA}) and the 2010 winner Zabrasive (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) whilst Waller has saddled up another two winners - The Autumn Sun in 2019 and D'Argento the year before.
Riff Rocket | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) has not been having a great deal of luck of late but he has the right form lines whilst King Colorado (Kingman {GB}) has to be forgiven his unplaced Australian Guineas run as he pulled up with EIPH.
G1 George Ryder Stakes - tricky gate for the favourite
Named after the STC Committee member who was instrumental in the development of the G1 Golden Slipper S., the G1 George Ryder S. features on the resumes of such outstanding gallopers as Manikato (Manihi), Emancipation (Bletchingly), Schillaci (Salieri {USA}), Lonhro, Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) and Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}).
As well as Anamoe who, at his penultimate start, recorded his final win in this race last year.
Both his trainer James Cummings and jockey James McDonald hope to again figure in the thick of things this time around, the latter aboard Militarize (Dundeel {NZ}) who attempts to become the first 3-year-old winner since Pierro in 2013.
Militarize | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Cummings meanwhile has two runners; both at double figure odds - Pericles (Street Boss {USA}) who did not have the best of luck in the G1 Canterbury S. and Golden Mile (Astern) who was coughing after his first up run, not happy on a shifty surface second up.
Militarize's trainer Chris Waller also has two runners, the other being Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) who was good to the line when resuming in the G3 Liverpool S. Waller's record in this race is well worth noting - his seven winners the record for this race.
Favourite Think About It (So You Think {NZ}) has a tricky gate to contend with but he was terrific off a tough run when resuming in the Canterbury S. - and he is yet to taste defeat from four second up attempts. The horse he has to turn the tables on is Lady Laguna (Overshare) who is in flying form, not once out of the first two from her last six outings.
Think About It | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Joining Militarize as three-year-old contenders are Veight (Grunt {NZ}) and Encap (Capitalist) who boast consistent form whilst the only filly in the race is Tiz Invincible (I Am Invincible). The last of her age and gender to win this race was Heat Of The Moment (Blazing Saddles) in 1986.
G1 Ranvet Stakes - Think It Over vs the world!
Here is another Sydney feature boasting an outstanding history. Run from 1903 until 1987 as the Rawson S., it has been won by such terrific horses as Poseidon, Peter Pan, Bernborough, Tulloch (NZ), Wenona Girl (Wilkes {Fr}), Sky High, Gunsynd, Hyperno (NZ) (Rangong {GB}), Beau Zam (NZ), Better Loosen Up (Loosen Up {USA}), Super Impose (NZ) (Imposing), Tie The Knot (Nassipour {USA}), Desert War (Desert King {Ire}) and Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
It is just a small field lining up to contest the $1 million 2000 metres weight-for-age contest on Saturday but it remains an interesting race with one of the country's best horses under those conditions taking his place - the triple Group 1 winner Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}).
It is just a small field lining up to contest the $1million 2000 metres weight-for-age contest on Saturday but it remains an interesting race with one of the country's best horses.
Third up last spring taking out the seven stakes, Think It Over has been excellent at both of his runs this time in, first up boxing on strongly for third after facing the breeze in the G2 Apollo S. won by Fangirl (Sebring), second up turning the tables on that mare by winning the G1 Verry Elleegant S. in easy fashion.
With connections of the 3-year-old Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) opting to run in the G1 Rosehill Guineas, Think It Over is the only Australian bred horse in the race.
Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock) did not have a great deal of luck when fifth in the Apollo and has trialled nicely since. And adding plenty of interest to the race are two classy imports making their local debuts... Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) and Place du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}).
Think It Over | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The G1 Pretty Polly S. winning Via Sistina - purchased by Evergreen Equine for 2.7 million guineas at last year's Tattersalls December Mares Sale is out of a half-sister to the GB Champion Sprinter Kingsgate Native (Ire) (Mujadil {USA} whilst the G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Place du Carrousel - a daughter of the Group 2 mare Traffic Jam (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) was purchased by Portofino Bloodstock for over four million euros at last December's Arqana Breeding Stock Sale.
Both mares - the former trained by Chris Waller and the latter by Anthony and Sam Freedman - are raced by Yulong.
Visitors boast a good recent record in this race - Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) too good last year whilst first across the line in after a memorable battle with Verry Elleegant (NZ) in 2011 was Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB})
G1 The Galaxy - the handicap speedsters
Handicap Group 1 racing can produce some terrific races and there is certainly an open edition of the $1 million G1 Galaxy, one which sees five horses who have already succeeded at the elite level taking their place.
Clearly the class runner of the race - as his top weight of 58kg suggests - is Private Eye (Al Maher) who went so close to G1 Lightning S. victory when only just beaten by Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) and who ran well having got a bit too far back in the G2 Challenge S.
His stable mate Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) - winner of the 2022 G1 Doomben 10,000 - was also good in the Challenge and it is worth noting trainer Joe Pride's excellent record in this race; three winners... Mariamia (Toronado {Ire}) last year, Eduardo (Host {Chi}) in 2021 and Tiger Tees (NZ) (Dubawi {Ire}) in 2014.
Gallery: Some of the top-class runners in the G1 The Galaxy, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Last year's G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Uncommon James (Cable Bay {Ire}) resumes off an easy Doomben trial win over Startantes (Star Turn), seeking to go one better than last year when he was badly held up for runs before charging late for his second to Mariamia.
The winner of last year's G1 Surround S., Sunshine In Paris (Invader) boasts good form lines and as one of the most lightly raced horses in the races, there is still plenty of upside with her. The same can be said for last spring's G1 Coolmore Stud S. hero Ozzmosis (Zoustar) whose trials have been good - and who has won both of his first up assignments, kicking off his last campaign with a Listed Heritage S. victory over Celestial Legend (Dundeel {NZ}).
There is plenty of talent amongst those yet to win a Group 1 as well - including the first three home in the Challenge - Passive Aggressive (Fastnet Rock), Zapateo (Brazen Beau) and the unlucky Aft Cabin (Astern).
G1 William Reid Stakes - history for Imperatriz?
There is also Group 1 sprinting action at Moonee Valley with the running of the G1 William Reid S., a race which has had its changes of names and dates but which boasts a long history of being won by high class speedsters.
G1 William Reid S., a race which has had its changes of names and dates but which boasts a long history of being won by high class speedsters.
The first two runnings of the race named after a MVRC Committeeman were taken out by the high class galloper The Night Patrol (who went on to a successful stud career... the great Comic Court; winner of this race in 1951, his grandson) was back in winning action in the same race twelve months later having won a number of other features in between, including the G1 WS Cox Plate.
Since that time another seven horses have won the race on multiple occasions - Heros (Heroic) twice in 1934 and 1935, Flying Halo three times in 1952, 1953 and 1955, Golden Doubles (Avalanche {GB}) in 1957 and 1958, All Shot (NZ) (Idomeneo {GB}) in 1973 and 1974, Manikato (Manihi) five times running from 1979 and 1983, Apache Cat (Lion Cavern {USA}) in 2008 and 2009 and Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) in 2011 and 2013.
Hoping to add her name to this illustrious list of multiple William Reid winners is Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) who returns to weight-for-age after her brave G1 Newmarket H. second conceding the winner Cylinder (Exceed And Excel) 6 and a half, pulling up with signs of EIPH.
Imperatriz | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
She was having just her second Australian run when winning this race last year and on that occasion was also second at her previous outing, nabbed late by Artorius in the G1 Canterbury S.
Cylinder is again taking Imperatriz on. Whilst she is unbeaten from four starts at Moonee Valley, he is yet to race there - and he has a six kilogram turnaround as a challenge. But he is a genuine Group 1 horse and one of the three last start winners lining up; the G1 Oakleigh Plate (which is proving to be a good form race) winner Queman (Mint Lane {USA}) and the lightly raced Johnny Rocker (Jukebox) the others.
The Astrologist (Zoustar) was third in the Newmarket, his best run for a while whilst Hypothetical (Pride Of Dubai) has won a Sandown jump-out since her Oakleigh Plate second whilst Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), second in this race last year, looks set to run her usual honest race. And the unplaced but hardly disgraced Oakleigh Plate favourite King's Gambit (I Am Invincible) has won a Randwick trial since - noting that second up last time in he took out the G2 Roman Consul S.
