The King Charles III Stakes 2024 is shaping up as a battle of the mares with Pride Of Jenni holding narrow favouritism over the defending champion Fangirl in Saturday’s $5 million clash at Randwick.
The Everest Day lights-up Sydney’s premier course with a plethora of high-stakes showdowns scheduled including the official second running of the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m).
Trainer Chris Waller has taken out the event, formerly known as the George Main Stakes and held in September, nine times previously after Fangirl saluted last spring.
She returns looking to take her trainer’s victories into double-figures and go back-to-back after her excellent second-up victory here in the $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m) on September 21.
Fangirl has been kept fresh since and drew a treat in barrier four for James McDonald.
Current King Charles III Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au have the six-year-old daughter of Sebring, a winner of over $8.4 million to date, at $3.70.
The challenger sitting top of the odds to stop Fangirl’s reign is the Ciaron Maher-trained Pride Of Jenni.
This mighty mare won the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in an incredible all-the-way effort by 6.5 lengths in the autumn.
She is also a last start winner having defeated Mr Brightside and subsequent Toorak Handicap champ by a runaway margin, Antino, in Moonee Valley’s Group 2 Feehan Stakes.
Pride Of Jenni is drawn wider out in gate 11 for Declan Bates so will have work to do if she plans to cross and lead them around again, which no doubt she will.
Still, she’s an exciting go-forward mare ready to give them something to chase who held Fangirl’s measure last spring winning the Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington.
Outside of the dominant two in the markets the other single figure fancy in top form is the Joe Pride-trained Ceolwulf in gate two for Chad Schofield.
The Tavistock four-year-old has been the picture of consistency this prep culminating with his Group 1 Epsom Handicap triumph at this course and distance on October 5.
He only carried 54kg that day and goes up to 58.5kg at WFA but loves the track and looks to be going from strength-to-strength with plenty of improvement still to come.
Other notably King Charles III Stakes horses in the mix include Randwick Guineas – Doncaster Mile double champion Celestial Legend drawn the rails and Group 1 winning WA expat Amelia’s Jewel now with Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald.
The 2024 King Charles III Stakes is set to run as Randwick Race 9 at 5:35pm (AEDT) as the penultimate event on the 10-race card with full markets from Ladbrokes.com.au available by clicking here.
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
|
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. | ||
Data retrieved: 18/10/2024 07:12 AM (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 good times she produces. 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 Handicap at this track and trip two weeks back. Goes up another level here and place best.