As with any ‘team’ in sport, it is important to strive for the perfect blend of proven performers and rising stars. With Day One of The Championships less than four weeks away, the campaigns of those horses expected to contest some of the feature races, both at Open Age and juvenile level, are in full swing.
G1 DONCASTER HANDICAP – WEST OF AFRICA
We’ve just the one potential contender for the G1 Doncaster Handicap this season, in the form of our Magic Millions victor West of Africa. Restricted to Benchmark racing before that valuable win on the Gold Coast, West of Africa would slip into a Doncaster on the minimum 50kgs and wouldn’t it be outstanding to see that explosive turn of foot from the back be let down at Randwick carrying such a slight impost.
West Of Africa wins the Listed Magic Millions Cup.
How will he get there?
West of Africa must prove competitive/win either this Saturday’s G2 Ajax Stakes or the G3 Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill on March 29 to justify his place in the G1 Doncaster Handicap on April 5.
G1 TJ SMITH STAKES – LADY LAGUNA
Lady Laguna’s options this autumn are varied, but she may be OTI’s sole representative in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes on Day One. Further enhancement of her already stellar race record is a major aim, so contesting this prestigious race is more than likely.
How will she get there?
Pending a positive gallop between races on the Kensington track on Thursday, Lady Laguna will line up in the G1 The Galaxy on March 22 as her first-up assignment. She would head directly to G1 TJ Smith from there. A third Group 1, in the All Aged Stakes on April 19, is a potential after that where she should be very well suited for the 1400m journey.
G1 ATC DERBY – EMPHASIZE, GOLDEN CENTURY & RUMBLING NIGHT
The first major target for those ‘Rising Stars’ and we have three horses vying for a spot in this G1 Derby field. Golden Century is the most exposed of this crop, having recorded a G1 placing in the NZ Derby this past week. Emphasize and Rumbling Night have yet to prove themselves at the three-year-old Group level but have recorded decisive winsl, suggesting they are more than capable.
How will they get there?
Golden Century and Rumbling Night could face off in the G2 Tulloch Stakes on March 29 as their final lead-up run toward the Derby, requiring a 1-week back-up. Golden Century may skip this race and head straight to the Derby, without another run.
Emphasize will likely continue his progression in Victoria, via the G2 Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley on March 22. His performance in that race would dictate an acceptance for the Derby.
G1 SIRES PRODUCE – ZORB
A speculative rising star, given Zorb has been seen at the races on just one occasion for a 3rd placing in maiden grade, but such is the esteem in which Zorb is held, a nomination for this race remains.
How will he get there?
Any thought of a start in this race will be determined by his performance in the $175k VOBIS Gold Ingot at Flemington on March 29. He’d need to prove himself most capable at the level.
G1 SYDNEY CUP – ATHABASCAN, WARMONGER & WYMARK
At this stage we have a two-pronged attack on the G1 Sydney Cup, being Athabascan and Warmonger, who both ran very well in the Listed Randwick City Stakes on Saturday. It is possible that the likes of Wymark or Deakin could add to the list of contenders, but the latter is being aimed at the Listed Roy Higgins Quality/a Golden Ticket to the 2025 Melbourne Cup.
How will they get there?
Both horses could target different routes to the Sydney Cup. Whilst Warmonger will go via the G1 Tancred Stakes into the Cup, Athabascan heads next to the G3 Manion Cup, allowing for an additional run in the G2 Chairman’s Handicap a week prior to a Sydney Cup start. An extra run under the belt before a two-mile test will hopefully help him go one better this year.
Outside the above, additional horses not listed sure to contest black-type racing across the next 5-6 weeks are proven performers like Hezashocka, Lincoln Rocks and Femminile. Little, too, is known about Costae, Didn’t Miss Many and Kippis and they will be watched with anticipation.
With Sevenna’s Knight ready to resume in France, and Docklands making his way towards a race return in England, the immediate future is bright.