October 8, 2020

One of Sydney’s most popular racedays – Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day – continues the Australian Turf Club’s world-class Everest Carnival at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The Group 1 $1 million Moët & Chandon Stakes is the day’s feature race as the three-year-olds jump to the elite level for the first time over the 2000m.

The race has been won by champions of the Australian turf including Kingston Town, Sir Dapper, Beau Zam, Tie The Knot, Savabeel and It’s A Dundeel.

In the past four years, two fillies in Yankee Rose (2016) and Maid of Heaven (2018) became the first females in the race’s history to be added to that honour roll.

This year another filly in Montefilia trained by David Payne and ridden by Jason Collett is the early $3.40 TAB favourite as she attempts to win a second Group 1 following her victory in last Saturday’s Darley Flight Stakes.

The unbeaten Richard and Michael Freedman trained Love Tap is a $3.70 second favourite (jockey Nash Rawiller) ahead of the Melbourne visitor Cherry Tortoni ($6 TAB) trained by Patrick Payne and ridden by Ryan Maloney.

Royal Randwick trainer Mark Newnham has won the past two runnings of the Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes including Maid Of Heaven and this year saddles up another filly in Miravalle ($16 TAB).

Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager Racing and Wagering James Ross said Saturday’s race brought together several different formlines.

“This race is often the springboard for future staying success and this renewal has attracted an intriguing collection of future stars coming through the Flight Stakes, Gloaming Stakes and interstate races,” Mr Ross said.

Saturday’s meeting includes several other Group events including the Group 2 $300,000 Polytrack Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 $250,000 Heineken Stan Fox Stakes (1500m).

Two colts from Sydney’s strong crop of three year olds Wild Ruler ($2.40 TAB) and Doubtland ($2.50 TAB) dominate betting in the Polytrack Roman Consul Stakes.

Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden are aiming to win the race for the third time in five years with Wild Ruler, while Hawkes Racing are looking to continue their stellar Everest Carnival with Doubtland.

In an open betting race, Peltzer for trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou and jockey Tim Clark is the $3.20 TAB favourite in the Heineken Stan Fox Stakes.

Jet Propulsion (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/Tommy Berry) at $4.20 is also hard in the market.

The Group 3 $160,000 Bentley Angst Stakes has attracted a capacity field of 16 runners – with another wide-open betting event headed by the $5.50 TAB favourite All Saints Eve for trainer John O’Shea and champion jockey James McDonald.

And the second running of the $500,000 Silver Eagle – a pathway race to the $7.5 million Golden Eagle – adds further class to the day.

Cult galloper Alligator Blood for visiting Brisbane trainer David Vandyke and jockey Ryan Maloney is the $1.85 TAB favourite.

The winner and placegetters from the Silver Eagle are exempt from any ballot for the $7.5 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens, run on 31 October.

The Royal Randwick course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday afternoon, with a full video report from Racecourse Manager Michael Wood available here:

For all racing, ticketing and general information go to TheRaces.com.au