Race 5: Concorde Stakes (1000m) – Invincible Star
Even with heavy favourite Redzel in the field, at $2.45 the money has been coming for Invincible Star. After winning by about 11.0L during an 850m trial earlier in August, it’s not hard to see why punters fancy the four-year old mare a chance. Sure, it’s been a long time in between drinks, but she’s proven a sure-thing on the Good 4 despite not having ran a race since last November. A win here won’t come without its challenges, which also includes nine-year old veteran The Monstar. If Invincible Star can find a gap down the Randwick straight though, she has the speed to win this.
Race 6: Tramway Stakes (1400m) – Le Romain
The early scratching of Pierata on Friday afternoon saw Le Romain firm from around the $3.70 mark all the way into the $2.60 favourite with Ladbrokes. Kris Lees’ six-year old has already secured a slot in The Everest, but a win up in trip here at Randwick would make him a real chance ahead of October’s $5 million race. Jumping from barrier 10, it’s unlikely Hugh Bowman can stick to the rail the whole way like he did a fortnight ago, but as we saw, Le Romain’s turn of foot is devastating during the final furlong, and he should make this back-to-back victories.
Race 7: Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) – Sedanzer (Each way)
Sedanzer’s preparation hasn’t been quite as convincing as I’d like to have seen, but she is 3-1 at this distance throughout her career. It’s been over a fortnight since Tim Clark rode Gai Waterhouse’s five-year old third in a 1250m trial, but don’t let that fool you, Sedanzer is capable of winning, or at the very least, placing in this race. Barrier 11 doesn’t concern me because we’ve seen her race from three-wide at Doomben and still run third. If she’s somewhere toward the middle of the pack down the straight, look for her to come bursting through.
Race 8: Furious Stakes (1200m) – Pure Elation
The depth of three-year old fillies in this race is crazy, and although Miss Fabulass looks the one to beat, Pure Elation has come from $6.50 into $5.00. Peter and Paul Snowden’s three-year old is first up from a 16 week spell, but she’s proven over this distance at Randwick. She was a class above back in April, winding up from a three-wide position to race away at the 400m mark to win by a length. Has trialed well in two jump-outs and looks really fit, and although isn’t the fastest in the field, has a handy barrier draw.
