While Alfred blasts up north, the lower eastern seaboard, Royal Randwick and Flemington, will resound to outstanding turf action with Chris Waller holding strong hands in the majors.
It has been argued there are not enough good horses to go around in modern racing but Saturday presents appealing fields at both venues.
Usually Flemington’s Newmarket, that goes back to 1874 and now a $1.5 million prize, holds pride of place but this year is overshadowed by the $750,000 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick.
Topweight in the 1200 metre Newmarket, a handicap, is Benedetta with a 111 rating while Ceolwulf (115), Sunshine In Paris (115), Magic Time (113) and Stefi Magnetica (113) are superior in the Canterbury Stakes, a weight-for-age sprint over 1300 metres.
With Via Sistina and Fangirl cooling their hot hooves after last Saturday, the All-star Mile down south, a $2,5 million jaunt, has a classy acceptance, albeit only seven, headed by the superbly consistent Mr Brightside, who will give his all which may not be enough to withstand challenges. Waller’s Atishu will come late but Another Wil for mine.
Away from the Flemington highlights, the Kewney Stakes appeals with Treasurethemoment. Successful at six out of eight starts, she is decreed the “best staying filly in the country” by Best Bets.
Randwick opposes with Broadsiding, a highly talented three-year-old colt, odds $1.65 on Friday, in the Group one Randwick Guineas, but is he a good thing against other with untapped potential, including Aceliana, a Waller filly who could later challenge Treasurethemoment?
Recent Sydney Saturdays have been compelling but hardly supported by racecourse attendance. “Around 4,000” is the official figure. Once keen punters, barred for misdemeanours, jumped the fence to see the action. Now wayfarers near the entrance are at risk of being press ganged.
Consumed with the ridiculous plan to sell Rosehill has the Australian Turf Club been asleep at the wheel? Obviously directors have not spent much time trying to save the Cummings family influence with the historic Leiland Lodge.
Without the family name, Leilan Lodge, stable of champions, stamping ground of The Master, Bart Cummings, is no more.
Incidentally Anthony Cummings won the Canterbury Stakes with Forbidden Love (2022).
While mostly worthy of the top status this year promises to be exceptional, made more so with the presence of Ceolwulf, highly talented but a scratching that took substance out of last Saturday’s Verry Elleegant.
Prepared by Joe Pride, Ceolwulf would have tested Via Sistina and Fangirl but over 1600 metres. The gelding comes back in distance on Saturday after a setback, minor perhaps, but at this stage of his preparation a concern.
Ceolwulf is highly regarded by Dan O’Sullivan’s Power Ranking, the assessment of topliners, being fifth best in Australia on 856. Via Sistina heads with 952, the next best Mr Brightside (878). Also listed and racing on Saturday are Switzerland (eighth), Stefi Magnetica (10th) and Sunshine In Paris (13).
Switzerland is tuned by Waller and the Newmarket, taken the last two years by three-year-olds, looked ideal for him. But then the handicap, the weight aspect, would have kicked in.
Thus the trainer will now rely on Joliestar, very good so far but better to come, and Gatsby’s in the Flemington straight six. Joliestar should have won last start at Randwick and Gatsby’s is a three-year-old with power still untapped and only 50kg. Karis Teegan has been imported from Hong Kong for the colt.
Being a hard marker I was disappointed with Switzerland’s Lightning fourth last start when resuming, but it was on a sticky slow Flemington and he does better at his second start after a spell. He’ll want to. His Randwick rivals are top class. Watch Celestial Legend, maybe not for Saturday but with a view of returning to his three-year-old sparkle later this campaign.
Over the decades Waller has drilled the importance of targets. Wodeton looked superb, raced sluggish, but beaten last start from a wide draw, and is out to make amends in the Todman at Randwick. Could it be the best two-year-old event so far this year?
“The current two-year-old ranks are alarmingly lacking in quality and depth,” O’Sullivan deduced.
“Forgive a horse one bad run,” wise guys say. I lose too bad for that. But Wodeton does have James McDonald, the world champion, who should be a special drawcard being to racing what Nathan Cleary is to Rugby League.
Also youthful and gifted Zac Lloyd is back after suspension. Returning Rachel King, too, after wowing Japan.
Horse and human, there’s plenty to like about being at Randwick on Saturday.
