Top 6 Championships Insights @ Royal Randwick
Published: 09 Apr 2015
Winning Insight - Mongolian Khan relished the wet track at Randwick
The full Race Guides for the second day of The Championships will be on-line Friday at 8am, including Form, Comments and The Race Guide's Profiler for each galloper.
Getting the edge is what it is all about, helping you to know if your horse is the right one for the conditions on the day.
Until then, The Race Guide's Analyst team have listed their Top 6 Championship Insights.
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1 - A Slipper Hangover?
There is no question that the best form-line for the PERCY SYKES STAKES is the Group One Golden Slipper, the only issue is which filly can back up after such a tough race.
Race favourite LAKE GENEVA is a strongly-built galloper that is only lightly raced. And the other two 'Slipper' runners, SERENADE and OTTOMAN, have a touch of class too.
A good look at the mounting yard is critical to work out which one still has a spring in their step.
Built to handle racing - Lake Geneva is very robust for a young filly
2 - The Little Maid
When BRING ME THE MAID walks into the mounting yard before the ARROWFIELD 3YO SPRINT you might notice two things.
Firstly, she will be a dwarf next to the likes of DELECTATION and EARTHQUAKE, a tiny filly with an athletic frame.
And secondly, she is sure to be surprisingly fit first-up. A horse that doesn't carry much condition and always fires fresh.
If the track stays wet, she could steal the prize at good odds.
A bonny filly - Bring Me The Maid is a very genuine sprinter
3 - Wondering About Winx
Looking at the lead-up run of WINX in Group One Vinery is a bit of a puzzle.
She got held up at a critical moment and sprinted well to the line, but that doesn't mean she is a sure thing over the 2,400 metres of the AUSTRALIAN OAKS.
Horses like BALLET SUITE and THUNDER LADY are more obvious staying types and they finished alongside her last start.
With a lot to prove over a longer distance, her early price seems a bit skinny.
Flashing finish - Winx surges clear at Rosehill over 1,500 metres
4 - Tough for the Cat
The QUEEN OF THE TURF STAKES will see a popular grey mare search for a much-awaited Group One win, but it's looking like a tough ask again.
CATKINS sprinted brilliantly to win at Rosehill Gardens last start against a field of one-paced types.
The Randwick mile will present a completely different challenge. One she hasn't measured up to before.
Needs to lift - Catkins will need to find new reserves of stamina to win
5 - Does He Have the Hart?
On weights, measures, form and class the SYDNEY CUP is pretty much a closed case.
HARTNELL produced a stunning performance to win the Group One BMW over 2,400 metres after taking off on the turn.
An extra 800 metres is nothing to sniff at though and the video comment for his recent 7th in the Group One St Leger (2,900 metres) in England makes for interesting reading.
"Jumped nicely (3rd rails) (fair tempo), cruised up 500m, out-stayed late"
The Race Guide Video Comment
Will the likes of WHO SHOT THEBARMAN out-stay him this time?
Classy galloper - Hartnell has the best form-lines ahead of the Sydney Cup
6 - The Conditions to Sprint
Track conditions will play a significant role in deciding the QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES.
Current favourites CONTRIBUTER and TO THE WORLD have something important in common, both gallopers that enjoy a firm surface so they can deliver a deadly sprint finish.
If the track is soft and horses are just grinding home at this late stage of the day, expect their price in the market to drift.
The power to sprint - Contributer prefers a firm track to deliver his deadly turn-of-foot