Royal Randwick The Star of World Racing This Saturday for The Championships

3 April, 2024

One of Australian racing’s biggest days – including four flagship Group 1 races beamed and watched around the world from Sydney – starts The Star Championships Day 1 at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

Royal Randwick’s renowned Group 1 $4 million The Star Doncaster Mile has attracted one of its strongest fields ever and is the centrepiece of a stellar card to be covered by the parimutuel wagering-boosting World Pool.

The classic Group 1 $2 million Australian Derby, a world-class sprint field in the Group 1 $3 million James Squire TJ Smith Stakes and the Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires are part of a huge 10-race card of 175 entries.

On a day which includes world-class racing and a concert by hugely-popular DJ act Hot Dub Time Machine, access to the spacious two-level Winx Stand along with the post-race concert are open to all customers and fully included in all General Admission tickets.

Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager Racing and Wagering James Ross said Saturday at Royal Randwick was one of world racing’s most prestigious days and would be watched around the world in more than 65 countries.

“The 163^rd renewal of The Star Doncaster Mile is amongst the strongest ever and a truly world class field with 10 Group 1 winners accepting,’’ Mr Ross said.

“The race this year lives up to the title of the world’s best mile handicap with TAB Everest winner Think About It at the top of the weights and emerging star Celestial Legend on the minimum weight.

“The Doncaster Mile also holds global interest with reigning James Squire Golden Eagle champion Obamburumai aiming to become the first Japanese winner of Australia’s most prestigious mile race.

“The world’s highest rated sprinter Imperatriz flies the Kiwi flag against Australia’s very best in I Wish I Win in a cracking renewal of the James Squire TJ Smith Stakes

“In addition the Derby field contains a clash between exciting Group 1 winners Riff Rocket, Tom Kitten, Zardozi and we also see for the first time this century the first five runners from the TAB Golden Slipper return to clash in the Inglis Sires.

“We are delighted with such quality to see eight of Saturday’s races part of the World Pool in our ongoing partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Sky International.’’

Full fields for Royal Randwick are available here and TAB markets on all races here.

On a day of a host of racing highlights, the four Group 1 races include:

• A capacity 20-horse field in the Group 1 $4 million The Star Doncaster Mile including boom Ciaron Maher runner Another Wil ($3.80 TAB and jockey Jamie Kah) as favourite ahead of Celestial Legend ($6.50 TAB) for legendary Royal Randwick trainer Les Bridge and jockey Tyler Schiller
• Three Group 1 winners heading betting in the Australian Derby – James Cummings Godolphin pair Zardozi ($3.20 TAB Jamie Kah) and Tom Kitten ($7 TAB Adam Hyeronimus) and Chris Waller trained Riff Rocket ($3.60 TAB James McDonald).
• Superstar Kiwi mare Imperatriz is a $3.10 TAB favourite for trainer Mark Walker and jockey Opie Bosson in the James Squire TJ Smith Stakes ahead of defending champion and TAB Everest runner-up I Wish I Win ($3.90 TAB) for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman and jockey James McDonald.
• TAB Golden Slipper winner Lady Camelot (jockey Blake Shinn) is a $4 TAB second favourite to her Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained stablemate Storm Boy ($2.40 TAB) for James McDonald.

Saturday includes the Group 2 $300,000 Schweppes Chairman’s Quality over the 2600m as a final major pathway race to the Group 1 $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup.

The bumper card also includes the tenth running of the $1 million Newhaven Park Country Championships Final as 16 runners from NSW country trainers and jockeys all over the State compete on one of Royal Randwick’s most prestigious days.

All tickets purchased to Royal Randwick races on Saturdays 6, 13 and 20 April include travel on all public transport by just showing your ticket to transport staff when boarding services.

Australian Turf Club Members can also include travel by simply showing their membership card to Transport NSW staff.

Visit transportnsw.info/events for more info and to plan your trip.

For all racing, ticketing and general information including options to book hospitality at Royal Randwick go to theraces.com.au