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Royal Randwick's premier autumn meeting is continuing to showcase world-class racing this Saturday with the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), worth US$1.3 million, headlining a stellar card. The meeting, following last week's record-breaking TAB Everest crowd, features ten high-quality races including the Gr.2 The Invitation.
Harlem Queen, trained by Nathan Doyle with Sam Clipperton aboard, leads the female brigade in a fascinating renewal of the Spring Champion Stakes. She's one of four fillies attempting to emulate past winners like Yankee Rose (2016), who went on to capture the VRC Oaks, and Monaco Snob (2018), later successful in the Queensland Oaks.
Swiftfalcon, representing the Hawkes Racing stable under Jay Ford, is bringing strong form into the feature. Ford, seeking his third Spring Champion Stakes after victories aboard Teranaba (2006) and Monaco Snob, faces stiff opposition from El Castello. The Anthony Cummings-trained colt, partnered by Josh Parr, impressed when lowering the colours of the favourite in the TAB Gloaming Stakes.
The Gr.2 The Invitation, worth US$1.3 million, sees Chris Waller's duo Olentia and Zougotcha, to be ridden by Tommy Berry and Joao Moreira respectively, heading the market. Arctic Glamour, trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, gives Kerrin McEvoy a chance at a remarkable fourth win in just the fourth running of this prestigious event.
In the Gr.2 Catanach's Jewellers Callander-Presnell, Anode from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard pairs with Tim Clark, while Just Party represents the Ryan-Alexiou combination under Jay Ford.
The Gr.3 Cincotta Chemist Craven Plate has attracted a quality field including four Group One winners, with Fakner Park for Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, partnered by Tyler Schiller, heading the line-up.
Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said: "This is the final Saturday at Royal Randwick of the Spring and in the wake of the TAB Everest gives Sydney another chance to feel the electric atmosphere of a feature raceday. The Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes and The Invitation are part of a raceday full of feature races right across the afternoon."
The US$55 million Sydney Everest Carnival continues through October and November, with Saturday's card also featuring the Listed Five Diamonds Prelude and Listed Brian Crowley Stakes, maintaining Sydney's strong autumn programme.