It is a massive day of spring racing on the cards in Sydney on Saturday with two Group 1s now including the King Charles III Stakes 2024, our insider tips and trifecta selections for which are detailed below.
The $5 million Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) is the second richest race on the program following the $20 million The Everest, and we have a select field of 12 stars gathered for the official second running of the former George Main Stakes.
Can last year’s champion Fangirl go back-to-back and hand Chris Waller his 10th overall in the event?
Will Pride Of Jenni run them all ragged and lead from barrier to box to keep her spring success going?
Or is there an outside chance in the King Charles III Stakes betting markets the punters have overlooked like former WA hero Amelia’s Jewel?
See below for the King Charles III Stakes 2024 contenders we’re backing and sacking this weekend!
To Win: #19 Pride Of Jenni ($2.40 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Sticking with a form mare and deserving favourite who has the ability to lead all-the-way in this year’s King Charles III Stakes.
Cannot go past Pride Of Jenni to win a Sydney Group 1 here off her excellent Melbourne lead-up form further south.
There’s obviously plenty of depth in this field including a very big danger in Fangirl, last start winner of the 7 Stakes, who is looking to go back-to-back with a successful title defence for the race’s incredible nine-time winning trainer Chris Waller.
Ciaron Maher’s brilliant favourite however held her measure in the Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington last year during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and think she’ll win this.
She doesn’t have quite the same impressive Randwick record as Fangirl, but she is a Group 1 winner (by 6.5 lengths!) at the track in the autumn’s Queen Elizabeth.
Obviously well proven at a mile (10-4-2-0) and presents rock hard fit.
It is the local vs the visitor, so strap in!
Group 2 Feehan Stakes win over this distance at The Valley was really nice last start, the form of which was firmly franked by the third placed Antino who was emphatic with his own 6.5 length Group 1 win in last weekend’s Toorak.
Front runner can go all the way.
The Danger: #10 Fangirl ($3.70 at time of publish) – BET NOW
You cannot bet on the King Charles III Stakes this year and leave out the defending champion Fangirl.
She won the 7 Stakes in terrific style last start beating a good line-up of rivals by a solid margin at this track and trip.
Waller’s six-year-old Sebring mare is a Randwick track specialist (17:6-3-3) and will love a Soft going course on which she’s got a wonderful strike-rate in (8:4-2-0).
Drawn a treat in gate four and no doubt James McDonald is the form jockey of the season (again).
Fangirl is fit third-up, confident off her last start, at the right course to dominate, and will give plenty of chase late to Pride Of Jenni making for a potential thriller!
Each Way: #12 Amelia’s Jewel ($15 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Yeah the girls! Amelia’s Jewel is another class mare in this field and she has perhaps been forgotten by the punters making her a sneaky top three value runner.
The former WA-trained daughter of Siyouni is a Group 1 winner in Perth and dual $4 million The Quokka runner-up to Overpass who is a very good horse in his own right luckless not to gain a The Everest slot this weekend.
The five-year-old is consistent with nine wins and six seconds from 18 starts.
Two of those second placings have come back-to-back in Sydney this prep for her new stable with the mare now prepared out of Warwick Farm by Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald.
Fresh she was runner-up to Royal Patronage in the Group 2 Tramway here before an eye-catching Golden Pendant second with 58kg at Rosehill.
Gets options from gate nine, Tommy Berry is getting to know her well now, and up to 1600m third-up looks great with Amelia’s Jewel a two-time winner from three runs at the distance.
Value.
The Roughie: #1 Pericles ($23 at time of publish) – BET NOW
The price on this talented Godolphin-raced son of Street Boss is huge considering what he is capable of on his day.
Apprentice Zac Lloyd is absolutely airborne this season and partners the James Cummings-trained five-year-old from a favourable barrier five draw.
Pericles is deep into his prep already coming off a string of good runs including his third behind this Saturday’s Caulfield Cup favourite in Melbourne, Buckaroo, in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) two back.
Last start was at Rosehill in the Group 2 Hill Stakes over 1900m where he finished fourth to Attrition.
Think the drop back to a mile is a smart move by the Royal Blue brigade with the horse’s only other 1600m run producing a close second to Celestial Legend on a Heavy (8) in the autumn’s Doncaster Mile.
Can surprise a few well-conditioned and back in distance.
King Charles III Stakes 2024 Odds
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Pericles (5)
J: Zac Lloyd 59kg
T: James Cummings |
||
| Useful gelding. At the latest run 4th of 9 at Rosehill in the G2 Hill Stks on October 12 over 1900m, 3.5 len behind Attrition carrying 59kg at $4. The start before that held ground to the line 3rd of 12 at Caulfield in the G1 Underwood on September 21 over 1800m, 4 len behind Buckaroo carrying 59kg at $4. Tough WFA miler who maps well. | ||
|
2. My Oberon (8)
J: Nash Rawiller 59kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
||
| Most recently made ground from midfield; 6th of 20 at this track in the G1 Epsom on October 5 over 1600m, 3 len behind Ceolwulf carrying 56.5kg at $16. The race before that 2nd of 8 at this track 7 Stakes on September 21 over 1600m, 0.6 len behind Fangirl carrying 59kg at $26. Ran third in this race last year and minor place hope at best. | ||
|
3. Lion's Roar (6)
J: Mark Zahra 59kg
T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton |
||
| Comes off a 43 day let-up. Most recently raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.6 len at Wyong LR Wyong Cup September 6 over 2100m defeating Luncies with 59kg at $3.30. The race before that ran on from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Hawkesbury in the LR Rowleymile on August 22 over 1600m, 0.7 len behind Cepheus with 58.5kg at $8. Others seem to have his measure. | ||
|
4. Major Beel (10)
J: Adam Hyeronimus 59kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
||
| Last start 7th of 20 at this track in the G1 Epsom on October 5 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Ceolwulf carrying 51.5kg at $17. The start before that faded in the straight 5th of 8 at this track 7 Stakes on September 21 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Fangirl with 59kg at $61. Expected to go out hard and looks tested in this line up. | ||
|
5. New Energy (7)
J: Jason Collett 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 6th of 13 at Rosehill in the G2 Theo Marks on September 14 over 1300m, 1.75 len behind Encap carrying 55kg at $13. Last start 5th of 11 at Rosehill in the G2 Shannon on September 28 over 1500m, slow going 2.25 len behind Amor Victorious carrying 55.5kg at $5.50. Others rate better this time. | ||
|
6. Ceolwulf (2)
J: Chad Schofield 58.5kg
T: Joseph Pride |
||
| Useful type. At the latest run favourite; won by 1.2 len at this track G1 Epsom October 5 over 1600m defeating Tom Kitten with 54kg at $4. The run before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 16 at this track in the G3 King Town on September 21 over 2000m, long-neck behind Eliyass carrying 55kg at $2.80. In peak form and can take a hand in the finish in this company. | ||
|
7. Celestial Legend (1)
J: Blake Shinn 58.5kg
T: L J Bridge |
||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 8th of 13 at Rosehill in the G2 Theo Marks on September 14 over 1300m, 2.5 len behind Encap with 59kg at $6.50. Last start from last on the turn 6th of 11 at Rosehill in the G2 Shannon on September 28 over 1500m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Amor Victorious with 59kg at $4. Blinkers go on and undefeated over the mile; keep safe. | ||
|
8. Tom Kitten (12)
J: Jamie Kah 58.5kg
T: James Cummings |
||
| Last start made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 20 at this track in the G1 Epsom on October 5 over 1600m, 1.2 len behind Ceolwulf with 54kg at $12. The start before that 5th of 12 at this track in the G3 Bill Ritchie on September 21 over 1400m, 3 len behind Mchale carrying 57kg at $3.50. Has rough place claims. | ||
|
9. Pride Of Jenni (11)
J: Declan Bates 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| Most recently favourite; won by 1.5 len at Moonee Valley G2 Feehan September 27 over 1600m defeating Mr Brightside carrying 57kg at $1.90. The run before that rolled along in front then was edged out late 2nd of 8 at Flemington in the G1 Makybe Diva on September 14 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 0.5 len behind Mr Brightside with 57kg at $5. Classy mare who will prove hard to run down again. | ||
|
10. Fangirl (4)
J: James McDonald 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 3rd of 12 at this track in the G1 Winx Stks on August 24 over 1400m, 0.5 len behind Via Sistina carrying 57kg at $2.40. Last start favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 0.6 len at this track 7 Stakes September 21 over 1600m defeating My Oberon with 57kg at $1.70. Will need to bring her A game to win this. | ||
|
11. Zougotcha (3)
J: Unknown 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 12 at this track in the G1 Winx Stks on August 24 over 1400m, nose behind Via Sistina with 57kg at $6.50. Second run from a spell raced behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 8 at this track 7 Stakes on September 21 over 1600m, 4.5 len behind Fangirl carrying 57kg at $5.50. Not at this stage. | ||
|
12. Amelia's Jewel (9)
J: Tommy Berry 57kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming ran on from midfield; 2nd of 14 at this track in the G2 Tramway on September 7 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Royal Patronage carrying 56kg at $3.30. Second run from a spell raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 7 at Rosehill in the G2 Gold Pend on September 28 over 1400m, slow going 1.2 len behind Makarena carrying 58kg at $2.80. Ready for the mile and beat Pride Of Jenni last year. | ||
Data retrieved: 18/10/2024 08:49 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
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Race comments
PRIDE OF JENNI (9) exciting mare at the top of her game now fourth up. Pinched a big break rounding the turn at Moonee Valley when holding on to score a sizzling 1.5 len win in the G2 Feehan over this trip on September 27. Form has been franked with Antino winning last Saturday. Hard to run down again with the fast times she records. FANGIRL (10) won this race last year and back to her brilliant best when swooping late to win the 7+ Stakes over this track and trip at latest. Fitted with a recent 1000m trial and will need to be at her best to win this. CELESTIAL LEGEND (7) proven third up and undefeated over the mile. Gets conditions to suit with the blinkers going on for the first time after warming up late when sixth in the G2 Shannon over 1500m at Rosehill on September 28. Has to go to a new peak to win this. CEOLWULF (6) tough gelding who made a mess of his rivals when winning the G1 Epsom Hcp at this track and trip two weeks back. Goes up another level here and place claims best.