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| Staff Writer |
The 2024 King Charles III Stakes is shaping up to be a thrilling battle of the mares, with Pride Of Jenni holding narrow favouritism over defending champion Fangirl in Saturday's US$3.2 million clash at Randwick. The Everest Day is set to light up Sydney's premier course with a plethora of high-stakes showdowns, including the official second running of the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m).
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The 2024 King Charles III Stakes is shaping up to be a thrilling battle of the mares, with Pride Of Jenni holding narrow favouritism over defending champion Fangirl in Saturday's US$3.2 million clash at Randwick.
The Everest Day is set to light up Sydney's premier course with a plethora of high-stakes showdowns, including the official second running of the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m).
Chris Waller is chasing an amazing tenth win in the George Main / King Charles race this weekend, saddling up the defending champion Fangirl. The master trainer has dominated this event, formerly known as the George Main Stakes and held in September, with nine previous victories. Fangirl returns looking to take her trainer's tally into double figures after her excellent second-up victory in the US$637,000 7 Stakes (1600m) on September 21. Kept fresh since then, Fangirl has drawn favourably in barrier four for James McDonald.
Sitting atop the odds to dethrone Fangirl is the Ciaron Maher-trained Pride Of Jenni. This mighty mare won the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in an incredible all-the-way effort by 6.5 lengths in the autumn. She is also coming off a last-start victory, having defeated Mr Brightside and subsequent Toorak Handicap champion Antino in Moonee Valley's Gr.2 Feehan Stakes. Drawn wider in gate 11 for Declan Bates, Pride Of Jenni will need to work hard if she plans to cross and lead them around again, a tactic she's likely to employ given her go-forward style.
The King Charles III Stakes, in its previous incarnation as the George Main Stakes, has been won by some of Australia's finest gallopers. Notable victors include Winx, who claimed the race three times (2016-18), and More Joyous (2010). Both mares went on to achieve multiple Group One successes throughout their careers, cementing their places in Australian racing folklore.
Outside the dominant duo, the Joe Pride-trained Ceolwulf is another single-figure fancy in top form. Drawn in gate two for Chad Schofield, the Tavistock 4YO has been a picture of consistency this prep, culminating in his Gr.1 Epsom Handicap triumph at this course and distance on October 5. Despite the weight increase to 58.5kg at WFA, Ceolwulf's affinity for the track and potential for improvement make him a serious contender.
Other notable entries include Randwick Guineas – Doncaster Mile double champion Celestial Legend, drawn on the rails, and Group One winning WA expat Amelia's Jewel, now under the care of Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald.
The 2024 King Charles III Stakes is scheduled to run as Randwick Race 9 at 5:35pm (AEDT), serving as the penultimate event on the 10-race card. With such a star-studded field, racing enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a memorable contest at the highest level of Australian racing.