THREE RETIRED CHAMPIONS OF THE TURF CELEBRATED AT ROYAL RANDWICK

5 April, 2024

Three of racing’s most popular modern-day champions will be on course and celebrated over the next three weeks at Royal Randwick as part of Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club’s Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

Sprint king Nature Strip – a winner of 22 of 44 starts and almost $21 million in prizemoney – will be on show in the raceday stalls and lead the field out for the Group 1 $3 million James Squire TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

Nature Strip won the race three times in 2020/21/22 along with the TAB Everest in 2021 in a stellar racing career which ended in Spring last year.

Think It Over will be on track at Royal Randwick on Saturday 13 April for The Star Championships Day 2 and the running of the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The eight-year-old will lead the field out for that feature race – which he won in spectacular fashion in 2022 – during a career of 42 starts for 14 wins and 13 placings, and more than $9.5 million in career prizemoney. He was retired from racing in March.

Zaaki will be at Royal Randwick 0n 20 April for the final day of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and lead the field out for the feature Group 1 $1.5 million Schweppes All Aged Stakes.

Zaaki raced 48 times – including 21 races in Australia – in which he accumulated about $10.6 million of his total $11.2 million career prizemoney. This included winning four Group 1 and six Group 2 races in Australia.

Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering James Ross said each horse had thrilled racegoers over many seasons and been hugely popular with racing fans.

“Patrons at Royal Randwick will have a chance to see and salute these three great horses for their remarkable careers, which in each of their own way stretched over many years and overcame many challenges,’’ Mr Ross said.

“We are grateful to the connections and stables of Nature Strip, Think It Over and Zaaki for sharing them again with our racedays and to give their fans a chance to celebrate their careers.’’

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 Transport NSW for more info and to plan your trip.

For all racing, ticketing and general information including options to book hospitality at Royal Randwick click here.

AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MEDIA CONTACT:

Brett de Vine

0419 613 455 bdevine@theATC.com.au