The race of the autumn is here! The 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes could not be a more mouth-watering affair and – weather permitting – punters are in for a treat on Saturday with the likes of Verry Elleegant, Zaaki, Anamoe and Duais all facing off in the $4 million Randwick feature.
The 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes could be the swansong start for Chris Waller’s champion mare Verry Elleegant. Photo: Steve Hart.
There’s a Heavy (10) track, both Melbourne and Sydney form lines to consider and a line-up of the autumn’s Titans all combining to make for one heck of a showdown.
To help sort the pretenders from the genuine contenders, below are our inside Queen Elizabeth Stakes tips and best bets.
Favourite: #6 Verry Elleegant ($3.20 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Everything is coming up the Queen with the mud track and continued showers working in favour of Verry Elleegant. She could very well be racing in Australia for the last time on Saturday so a big win in the wet here would be fitting. She’s fourth-up and fit looking to go one better than her back-to-back seconds behind Addeybb in this race the past two years. Is the gun mud-lark in this field with an impressive Heavy track record (5:3-2-0) and loves this track. Winner of the Group 1 Chipping Norton over the mile here two back with the same conditions, before Montefilia beat her home in a two-length upset at Rosehill last time out. Returning to the Royal, she’ll be peaking and ready to produce something special attempting her incredible 12th Group 1 victory. EACH WAY.
Best Bet: #9 Anamoe ($4.80 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Originally it was All-Star Mile winner Zaaki we had on top, but with the Randwick conditions deteriorating late in the week, we’ve steered towards the gun three-year-old who we know handles the mud. He was beaten by Converge two back at a mile in the Randwick Guineas, but more than atoned with that jaw-dropping seven-length romp home in the Rosehill Guineas over this distance. Three-year-olds don’t have a great record in the Queen Elizabeth, but this Street Boss colt is no ordinary three-year-old. He’s a star and think he can further prove that against the big guns on Saturday. WINS.
Roughie of the Race: #3 I’m Thunderstruck ($13 at time of publish) – BET NOW
It’s a star-studded field, but for value, I’m Thunderstruck has been knocking on the door this prep and could surprise a few presenting rock-hard fit. Last year’s Golden Eagle winner is proven in the conditions and was solid enough when second to Zaak in The All-Star. That form was well and truly franked with last Saturday’s Doncaster trifecta all coming out of the Melbourne feature, including I’m Thunderstruck who was runner-up by a narrow margin. He is up in the weights here and yet to prove himself at the 2000m, but is racing well enough to challenge a few. PLACE CHANCE.
Ready to lock in your tips on this year’s Group 1 $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m)? Head to Ladbrokes.com.au now for all the autumn’s best racing odds and offers.
*All odds quoted are provided by Ladbrokes.com.au and subject to change.
