Royal Randwick Dazzles On The Star Championships Day 2

13 April, 2024

Pride Of Jenni was the scene stealer on a remarkable afternoon of racing at Royal Randwick for The Star Championships Day 2.

The Ciaron Maher-trained mare ran her rivals ragged, opening up a huge margin on the field for most of the race and running along. While it may have been expected to see her slow down, she only kept going, with Declan Bates judging the pace to perfection.

The pair were left in front a long way and ran out big winners of the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes over race favourite Via Sistina (James McDonald), with Mr Brightside (Craig Williams) holding third after leading the field up to the tearaway winner.

It was a running Group 1 double for Maher after Circle Of Fire proved to be the superior stayer in the $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup.

The former import powered down the Royal Randwick straight despite a tough run, defeating the well-backed Athabascan (Tyler Schiller) with Kalapour (Dylan Gibbons) third. It was Hong Kong-based jockey Andrea Atzeni‘s first Group 1 success in Australia.

In other highlights on a memorable Sydney Autumn Carnival raceday:

*Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman bagged their second Group 1 at Royal Randwick in as many weeks when Autumn Angel upset the apple cart in the $1 million The Star Australian Oaks. Ridden by Mark Zahra, Autumn Angel hit the front over the concluding stages to defeat Zardozi (Tom Marquand) with odds-on favourite Orchestral (James McDonald) close up in third. Moody and Coleman took out the TJ Smith Stakes last week with Chain Of Lightning – Coleman’s first Group 1 win.
Earlier in the day, Eneeza (Damian Lane) was victorious in the $1 million TAB Percy Sykes Stakes with Golden Slipper winner Lady of Camelot (Blake Shinn) and Erno’s Cube (Mark Zahra) filling the minors.

*Chris Waller saluted on The Star Championships Day 2 midway through the program at Royal Randwick. Joliestar (Jamie Kah) narrowly held off Hedged (Damian Lane) in a thriller to the $1 million Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.

*Michael Freedman’s stables continued their recent strong form when Panic was successful in the Bisley Workwear South Pacific Classic. Tommy Berry got everything out of the gelding to beat Razors (Jamie Kah) and Rhythm Of Love (Tyler Schiller)

*James McDonald, who rode a double, got his day off to a great start when Broadsiding, trained by James Cummings for Godolphin, raced away with the Jericho Capital Fernhill Mile. El Castello (Josh Parr) and Just Party (Tim Clark). Mcdonald then took the inside runs on Zougotcha to narrowly hold off stablemate Atishu in the Group 1 $1 million Grainshaker Vodka Queen Of The Turf.

*A great ride by Zac Lloyd saw Territory Express zoom home to win the $1 million Polytrack Provincial-Midway Final. It was the biggest win of 63-year-old trainer Paul Niceforo‘s career.

*Wee Nessy (for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr) was an impressive winner of the Cincotta Chemist Sapphire Stakes, giving Jamie Kah a winning double on the day.

*McDonald completed the day by capturing the 2024 Nathan Berry Medal with the award being presented by Nathan’s brother, Tommy.