Kia Ora Concorde Stakes Launches Star Sprinters Into Spring

3 September, 2025

A key pathway race to the $20 million TAB Everest and three other feature Group races at Royal Randwick on Saturday are part of a 10-race card on the first Saturday of Spring.

The Group 3 $1 million Kia Ora Concorde Stakes includes a TAB Everest slot runner and several other star sprinters looking to press their claims for a start in the world’s richest race on turf.

The Group 2 $300,000 TAB Furious Stakes, Group 2 $300,000 Asahi Super Dry Chelmsford Stakes and Group 2 $300,000 DrinkWise Tramway Stakes contain an array of equine talent heading towards even bigger targets in the Spring.

Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said Saturday continued several months of Group racing in Sydney.

“This meeting always has a significant bearing on TAB markets for many of the major features across Spring,’’ Mr Ramdhani said.

“The Kia Ora Concorde Stakes has been a major form race for every running of the TAB Everest with winners and placegetters figuring prominently on the eight-year TAB Everest honour roll.

“The Asahi Super Dry Chelmsford Stakes and DrinkWise Tramway Stakes are also pivotal pointers to races such as the TAB Epsom, King Charles III Stakes and the Asahi Super Dry Metropolitan.’’

Chris Waller’s boom mare Lady Shenandoah with jockey James McDonald opens a $2.30-$2.50 TAB favourite in a strong field of sprinters in the Group 3 $1 million Kia Ora Concorde Stakes.

A winner of her past five starts including three at Group 1 level, she is looking to show her credentials for a slot in the TAB Everest.

Jimmysstar (Ciaron Maher and Ethan Brown) – who has already been selected by TAB for the $20 million epic – has been backed from $6-$5.50 for Saturday while another potential TAB Everest hope is Headwall ($6-$4.80) for trainer Matthew Smith and gun young rider Zac Lloyd.

Joe Pride’s multiple Group 1 winner Ceolwulf with Chad Schofield aboard opens a $2.30-$2.15 TAB favourite in the Asahi Super Dry Chelmsford Stakes in front of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott import Sir Delius ($4.60-$4.40) for Tim Clark.

The Group 2 $300,000 DrinkWise Tramway Stakes has attracted a capacity field of 16 runners headed in TAB Fixed Odds markets by Private Eye ($2.30-$2.60) for Joe Pride and jockey Nash Rawiller.

The Group 2 TAB Furious Stakes – the second leg of the Princess Series for the three-year-old fillies – sees a wide open betting race headed by Apocalyptic ($4.40/Michael Freedman/Tommy Berry) and Within the Law ($4.60/Bjorn Baker/Jason Collett).

Saturday’s 10-race card begins at 11.50am with the last race due to jump at 5.10pm.

Full fields for the Royal Randwick meeting are available here and TAB Fixed Odds early prices and market movers available here.

For all racing, hospitality, general and full ticketing information for Saturday and upcoming racedays across the Sydney Everest Carnival visit theraces.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MEDIA CONTACT:

Brett de Vine

0419 613 455

bdevine@theATC.com.au