The stage is set for a top edition of the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2024 at Royal Randwick on Saturday, our insider tips and best bets for which are detailed below.

Via Sistina looks a hard to beat favourite in Saturday’s 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.

One of four elite levels on The Championships Day 2, this season’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth field is down to ten runners with Chris Waller opting to run Atishu in the Queen of the Turf instead.

Another Waller-trained mare, the imported Via Sistina, remains clear favourite in Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au following her successful down under debut in the Ranvet.

So, can Via Sistina remain unbeaten in Australia or is there an upset pending in the day’s richest race with the likes of All-Star Mile champ Pride Of Jenni and last start Australian Cup hero Cascadian among the challengers?

Read on to see the weight-for-age stars we’re backing in the best race on the Sydney card this weekend!

Best Bet: #8 Via Sistina ($2.20 at time of publish) – BET NOW

James McDonald retains the ride on class import Via Sistina who gets the run of the race from gate five. She was excellent first-up in Australia for the Waller camp with a one-length victory fresh at Rosehill in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m). Same hoop and distance heading to Randwick now, fitter for that run and full of confidence. Her European form before coming down under was excellent with a Group 1 Pretty Polly win at The Curragh over this distance last year. She doesn’t know how to run a bad race, is at her pet distance, has form overseas against some of the best going around, and is a deserving favourite. Cannot see her being beaten outside of bad luck.

Best Challenger: #2 Cascadian ($8.50 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Godolphin’s veteran nine-year-old just keeps going around at a price and he just keeps performing! This super versatile and consistent stable stalwart for trainer James Cummings is super fit now fifth-up for the autumn off a top campaign. Two back was third in the All-Star Mile before a successful Australian Cup title defence at Flemington on March 30 where he beat home Pride Of Jenni and Atishu. He is in Sydney now for the first time since a second-up fourth in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1800m) at a big price. He’s confident off the Australian Cup win, at the right distance, is a five-time winner at the track and can give them a shake-up.

Best Roughie: #11 Ceolwulf ($13 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Ceolwulf for Joe Pride is the sole three-year-old in the race looking to become the first of his age to win the Queen Elizabeth since Intergaze (1997). It is a notable hoodoo and not sure he’s quite up to beating them all home, but at the price and based on what he has been doing a top three finish is not out of the question. The Tavistock colt hasn’t won since August last year, but he is building momentum at the right time. Second in the Rosehill Guineas and ATC Derby back-to-back behind Riff Rocket only a length beaten combined. Drops from 56.5kg and 2400m last weekend in the Derby (a quarter length off the winner) to 55.5kg at WFA here and 2000m. Rails run. Has to really prove himself, but look for him late.

*All odds quoted are correct at time of publish, provided by Ladbrokes.com.au, and subject to change.

THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.