Randwick’s Queen of the Turf Stakes Saturday
The Queen of the Turf Stakes, currently run as the Coolmore Legacy Stakes, has been a feature of Australian racing since 1972. Run over 1600m at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse for a purse of $1-million, it is a weight-for-age handicap restricted to fillies and mares three years old and older.
New Zealand punters will want to take a punt on the Queen of the Turf field this Saturday, when it will be the penultimate race on the card at Randwick’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day. Saturday is also a Sydney Autumn Carnival event at Randwick, and Day Two of the course’s ‘The Championships.’
The $4-million Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Queen of the Turf Stakes are two of Randwick’s four Group 1 races scheduled for Saturday, and on the silver anniversary of Her Majesty conferring official ‘royal’ status on Randwick, the former will be the focus of the day’s social celebrations. The other two Group 1 races are the $2-million Sydney Cup over 2400m, and the 1600m Australian Oaks for 3-year-old fillies, with a $1-million purse.
Big Field Makes Winning Options Uncertain
Of the day’s four G1 races, the Queen of the Turf boasts the largest field, with 18 fillies and mares accepted. Betting fans in New Zealand will have to study the form carefully to pick a winner, although 4-year-old Silent sedition is the clear favourite at $4.80.
Only three other horses are currently being offered at less than $10.00 for a win: 3-year-old Foxplay at $6.00, 4-year-old Dixie Blossoms at $7.00, and 5-year-old Heavens Above at $8.00. The track could well be wet on Saturday, however, in which case a punt on 6-year-old Zanbagh, at $13.00, might bear fruit.
Jockey Oliver Chases Record
Veteran Australian jockey Damien Oliver is down to ride in every race on Saturday, including all four G1 handicaps. He has currently achieved 107 Group 1 wins, putting him one victory behind the all-time record of late Australian racing legend Roy Higgins.
Oliver is set to ride New Zealand filly Devise in the Australian Oaks, Irish entire The United States in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Irish gelding Assign in the Sydney Cup, and Australian filly Oregon’s Day in the Queen of the Turf Stakes. By Saturday night, he may well have equalled or beaten Higgins’ record.
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More About Gary Hicks
When it comes to knowing what’s going on, on the track, field or any other sporting arena, Gary Hicks is your man. With an almost unrivalled passion for journalism, sports and betting Gary decided to combine his love of all 3 and share his expertise with the world.
In the last few years Gary has risen through the ranks and prides himself on always keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s hot and happening in the sports betting world. Gary is the resident news expert at OnlineBettingNZ.co.nz and his articles make for invaluable fodder for any avid punter.
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