March 3, 2016
Two Group 1 races will be the highlight of Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas Day at Royal Randwick this Saturday, 5 March.
The recently renovated Jockeys Heritage Suite, located on the ground floor of the Officials Stand, will be formally opened showcasing some of the racecourses’ great racing memorabilia.
Australian Turf Club Chief Operating Officer Tony Partridge Club said that the refurbishment perfectly integrates selected pieces of Royal Randwick’s past into a uniquely themed hospitality area.
“The Club prides itself on highlighting the history and tradition of the great sport of thoroughbred racing and it is wonderful that our partners share our passion,’’ said Mr Partridge.
“Race day naming partners, Girvan Waugh, reinstated the original Jockeys’ change room to celebrate its historical value and transformed the area into the ideal function space on a race day”.
The suite retains the original cedar panelling, vintage signage and antique powder room ceramics, in a bid to preserve the room’s priceless past.
Trackside, the feature race of the day, the Group 1 $1m Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas will see 13 runners vying for the first leg of the three-year-old Triple Crown.
Chris Waller-trained Press Statement has opened as the clear favourite at a short priced $1.50 TAB Fixed Odds.
Proven over the mile, the multiple Group 1 winner has dominated in his last three runs.
Stay with Me ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds) for David Hayes and Tom Dabernig and Montaigne ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds) for Anthony Cummings are the only other two from the field who sit in single figures in the wagering.
The other Group 1 highlight of the day is the $500,000 Canterbury Stakes.
Punters are struggling to separate First Seal ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds) for John Thompson and Our Boy Malachi ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds) for Hawkes Racing.
Both are last start winners and have been successful at the 1300m distance.
The build-up to the world’s richest two-year-old race continues on Saturday with the running of the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (fillies) and the Group 2 UNSW Todman Stakes (colts and geldings).
Both of these races each hold a $300,000 purse but more importantly, the winner gains a free passage to the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper on 19 March.
Rick Worthington’s Honesty Prevails ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds) has opened slightly shorter than Calliope ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds) for John O’Shea in the Reisling Stakes market.
Honesty Prevails impressed in her only race start, winning by 2.5 lengths, while Calliope will be on the quick backup following a fifth place run in the Blue Diamond Stakes last Saturday at Caulfield.
In the UNSW Todman Stakes, early Longines Golden Slipper standout, Capitalist, from the Snowden stable has opened as the short priced $1.90 TAB Fixed Odds favourite. The colt has had three wins from three starts.
John O’Shea-trained Astern ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds) is on the second line of betting and will also be looking to maintain his unblemished record, having claimed two from two in his short career.
Entry is FREE to all University of New South Wales students and TAB members.
Gates Open at 11.00am with the first race at 12.20pm.
Royal Randwick offers a bus service running from Eddy Avenue directly to the course, with return services later in the day.
For all ticketing, hospitality, racing and general information visit www.theATC.com.au.
Photo: Bradley Photos