October 1, 2015
Winx – the freakish mare with the barnstorming finish at the end of her races – is a clear favourite for the 150th running of The Star Epsom at Royal Randwick this Saturday as Sydney’s biggest weekend of Spring sport kicks off at the races.
With perfect weather forecast for Saturday, on Sydney’s long-weekend of Group 1 racing and the NRL Grand Final, punters and sport fans are being urged to take advantage of the Australian Turf Club’s special ticket offers for Royal Randwick.
All general admission tickets booked at www.theraces.com.au before midday tomorrow will receive a complimentary glass of Moët & Chandon Brut on arrival at the track.
All NRL Grand Final ticket holders receive free entry to Royal Randwick this Saturday by scanning their game ticket at the gates.
And Queensland fans visiting for the Broncos and Cowboys Grand Final will be given a special welcome with a XXXX Gold when they show their Queensland licence at the races. There will be a limited number of complimentary beers available.
Winx, trained by Sydney’s five-time premiership winning trainer Chris Waller and ridden by Sydney’s premiership winning jockey Hugh Bowman, heads the TAB.com.au market for the $1 million The Star Epsom at $2.80 Fixed Odds.
Waller also trains two other leading chances in Sadler’s Lake ($9.50 TAB Fixed Odds) and Silverball ($9.50 TAB Fixed Odds) as he aims to train his third consecutive The Star Epsom winner.
Queensland visitors Rudy ($11 TAB Fixed Odds) and Teronado ($51 TAB Fixed Odds) will add to the northern invasion of sporting talent in Sydney this weekend in The Star Epsom.
TAB.com.au has also set up a special market for jockey Bowman on the outcome of his three rides in each of the Group 1 races on Saturday.
Bowman rides Winx in The Star Epsom, Perignon in the $500,000 Coolmore Flight Stakes and Beyond Thankful in the $750,000 McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan.
He is at $1.55 to not ride a Group 1 winner on Saturday, $2.50 to ride one exactly, $17 to ride two and at a juicy $201 to win all three.
Australian Turf Club Chief Operating Officer Tony Partridge said Royal Randwick will start the nation’s sporting extravaganza on Saturday, with the AFL Grand Final shown live across the course, and NRL Grand Final fans able to use their tickets.
“With brilliant sunny weather forecast and Royal Randwick’s proximity to the CBD, it is the ideal chance for our interstate visitors to enjoy live Group 1 racing and added entertainment all day,’’ Mr Partridge said.
“Anyone with an official Grand Final ticket gains free entry to the races to see three Group 1 events among a big nine-race card.
“Royal Randwick is ready to play its part in a very special Sydney show this weekend as the eyes of millions of people focus on our great city.’’
The queen of Sydney racing Gai Waterhouse holds a strong hand in the Group 1 Coolmore Flight Stakes, with TAB.com.au favourite Speak Fondly ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds), Sempre Libera ($8 TAB Fixed Odds) and Flamboyant Lass ($9.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
Gai will also be looking to win her eighth The Star Epsom with Ecuador ($26 TAB Fixed Odds) and a remarkable ninth victory in the McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan with Bonfire ($15 TAB Fixed Odds).
Saturday will provide the first clues to the iconic $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper with the running of the first Sydney two year old races of the season, the Listed $150,000 Newgate Breeders Plate for the colts and geldings and the Listed $150,000 Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes for the fillies.
The nine race card at Royal Randwick starts at 12.15pm this Saturday, with gate opened for ATC members from 10.45am and for the general public from 11am.
Royal Randwick offers free parking and free high-capacity WiFi across the racecourse precinct.
Buses run direct to and from the course from Eddy Avenue at Central Station.
Free buses will head to The Star departing from Bays 3 and 4 from 4:30pm onwards, with The Star hosts on course at Royal Randwick to give out vouchers offering a complimentary drink and a 20 per cent discount at Fat Noodle and Fuel.
Photo: Bradley Photos