Successful start to Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival

17 March, 2024

Chandon Ladies Day kicked off the first day of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with a bang at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday afternoon.

A healthy crowd was on course to witness some fantastic racing, two crucial lead ups to the TAB Golden Slipper, a thrilling Group 1 and a sold-out Pink Fashion Lunch which was attended by over 600 guests.

Chris Waller and James McDonald took honours on the track for the afternoon, leaving with a winning treble after Lindermann, Democracy Manifest and Zougotcha all saluted.

Lindermann (James Squire Sky High Stakes) got things underway with a big win in the Group 3 while Zougotcha took out a competitive edition of the $1 million Coolmore Classic, capturing her second Group 1 in the process.

Democracy Manifest, one of Sydney’s most popular horses, rounded out the treble for the duo after he got his nose down in time to beat the fast-finishing Territory Express in the ATC Foundation Ajax Stakes.

In other action on the track:

• Drifting was an impressive winner of the Cincotta Chemist Magic Night Stakes (1200m), race three on the card. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly, ridden by Tom Sherry, was up on the speed throughout and toughed it out to win, landing a decent betting move with TAB ($7-$4.40) in the process.
• In the following race, the TAB Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), it was an upset result with Dublin Downs (Tim Clark) leading throughout. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained colt absorbed the pressure up front but kept kicking to score at double figure odds.
• James Cummings and Godolphin bagging a double thanks to Red Card (City Tatts Maurice McCarten Stakes) and Zardozi (Chandon Phar Lap Stakes)
• Whinchat (Jay Ford) displayed sustained speed to lead throughout in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap, knocking off the hot favourite Tavi Time in the process
• Nathan Doyle and Kerrin McEvoy combined to win the Midway Handicap with Super Bright in a typically competitive finish
• Wymark (Tommy Berry) landed the money with success in the Quayclean Handicap, giving trainer Michael Freedman a hat-trick of wins with the son of Savabeel

The second day of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival stays at Rosehill Gardens next Saturday (23 March) with TAB Golden Slipper Day.