2014 Australian Oaks hope Estonian Princess is a dual Doncaster Mile Day nominee. Photo: Martin King.

A race for three-year-olds with Epsom Handicap – Emirates Stakes hopes in the spring, the Carbine Club Stakes 2014 is one of nine Group races on the Royal Randwick line-up in Sydney this Saturday.

Sixteen sprinter-milers make up the nominees for this year’s $200,000 Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) including a trio from Sydney’s leading lady of racing Gai Waterhouse.

Waterhouse won the Carbine two years ago with Fat Al who went on to complete an end-of-season double also taking out the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at their next run a fortnight later.

Fat Al returned in the spring and also enjoyed a win in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap back over the Randwick mile, something she’ll likely try again for with perhaps one of her Carbine trio in 2014.

Waterhouse has the chance to accept into Saturday’s field Sandown Guineas runner-up Equator who finished third in the VRC’s edition of the Carbine, Canberra Guineas minor placegetter first-up Liberty’s Choice and Ryker.

While Equator and Liberty’s Choice are both out to improve on last start runs in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes having run seventh and ninth respectively, Redoute’s Choice gelding Ryker is one of three last start winners nominated for the Carbine this year.

Dead last in the Sandown Guineas last November in their first look at the mile, their form this time around has been more promising including their victory in the Albury Guineas over the 1400m from March 28.

The other two runners coming off a victory are then the Bede Murray-trained Darci Magic (Kembla Grange) and Snitzel filly Estonian Princess prepared by Scott Aspery.

Runner-up to Sweet Idea in January’s $1 million Magic Million Guineas, 2014 Australian Oaks hope Estonian Princess is also nominated for the $200,000 Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

Other notable hopes then include the consistent Peter Snowden-trained Exceed And Excel colt Sinjoren who has won four of their seven starts to date, their stable mate Malice and the John O’Shea-trained Crown Oaks fourth placegetter Gypsy Diamond.

Gypsy Diamond is looking for a run in the $1 million Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) back at the track next weekend.

The Not A Single Doubt filly, coming via a Coolmore Classic ninth from March 22 where she drew the outside barrier 16, is a decent chance in futures betting too paying $16 in Queen Of The Turf Stakes odds led by Catkins ($3.50).

Check out the full Carbine Club Stakes 2014 nominations in the table below, staying tuned to Races.com.au for the final field on Wednesday.

In the meantime why not check out the pre-field markets for the upcoming autumn Group 1s, locking in the hottest odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au – home of Australia’s first EFTPOS card payout system giving you your winnings in cash seconds after your horse is past the post!

2014 Carbine Club Stakes Nominations

Randwick Racecourse – 12/04/2014