Saturday’s Queensland Derby is sure to bring back pleasant memories of Warmonger’s dominant victory in last year’s edition. It will also provide great interest as we watch Femminile race in different colours, following her sale at Magic Millions earlier this week. While we no longer have a runner in this event, OTI will be represented in black-type racing elsewhere this weekend.
As a talented son of Churchill in France, ‘Chartwell’ put together an enviable record in his 3yo season, culminating in a close-up placing at his last European start in the Group 3 Prix de Lutece. Now in Australia, ‘Sir Chartwell’ as he is now known is ready to build on his European form and commence the Australian leg of his racing journey for Annabel & Rob Archibald in the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup at Rosehill over 2000m on Saturday.
Sir Chartwell (Chartwell back then) wins at Chantilly in 2024.
On the back of patchy trial form across two preparations since arriving in Australia, Sir Chartwell will likely need the outing. Quite the duffer in heavy conditions but capable on soft, a first up run for our import is dependant on the track conditions that present on Saturday morning.
A horse that won’t be affected by wet ground is Hezashocka, who has accepted to run at Eagle Farm on Saturday in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 2400m. One need only cast their mind back to this time last year, when Hezashocka won the Gosford Cup and Premiers Cup in similar conditions, to understand what he is capable of.
Hezashocka wins the G3 Premiers Cup in 2024.
While of course a year older, a 2nd placing at Group 3 level just two starts ago shows that Hezashocka is not too far from his best form. With Blake Shinn on board, he will be afforded every chance to return to the winner’s stall.
With other runners expected at Eagle Farm, Ipswich and Sandown, another most exciting weekend of racing awaits.