The in-form Hawkes Racing-trained Masked Crusader is tipped to return to winning form in a distance test over 1400m in this Saturday’s All Aged Stakes 2021 at Royal Randwick.

TJ Smith Stakes runner-up Masked Crusader is tipped to return to winning form in Saturday’s 2021 All Aged Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

All Aged Stakes Day hosts the final two Group 1 events of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival including the meeting’s marquee event, the $600,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m).

The weight-for-age showdown has drawn a quality 13-horse line-up this season and it is talented Toronado four-year-old Masked Crusader sitting top of the All Aged Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.

The gelding has an excellent Randwick record (5:2-2-1) and is paying $2.90 to add to that despite being tested distance-wise over 1400m on Saturday.

Two back he was impressive when ridden to a big 2.5 length win at The Valley by star WA hoop William Pike in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m).

He was last seen running two lengths back second to Chris Waller’s Australian Horse of the Year Nature Strip in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on Day 1 of ‘The Championships’.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy was widely criticised for his ride on the runner-up in the TJ Smith Stakes and has been replaced in the All Aged Stakes by Tommy Berry.

Berry chases his second win in the event in three years having guided Pierata to victory in 2019.

He is back aboard Masked Crusader for the first time since his third behind Savatiano on March 6 at the track in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

It is the Canterbury Stakes winning Street Cry mare Savatiano, kept fresh since that victory, who presents as the main danger in All Aged Stakes betting at $6.50 on Saturday.

With Masked Crusader drawn out wide in barrier 12, the Godolphin-raced mare is at $6.50 and firming after a favourable barrier six draw with Hugh Bowman to ride.

Savatiano has won her last three starts going back to the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes over this distance at Rosehill last November.

First-up in January she was very good beating Kolding – a $10 chance for the Waller stable in Saturday’s race – by two lengths in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes before her Canterbury Stakes success in top company.

A genuine fresh horse, trainer James Cummings has given her a 49-day turnaround and she looks a huge hope to keep the wins coming.

The Royal Blue brigade saddle-up two other runners in this year’s All Aged Stakes field with Savatiano joined in the line-up by 2018 Randwick Guineas winner Kementari ($34) looking to return to his better form and the rails-drawn Cascadian ($9).

The season’s best jockey Jamie Kah chases another Group 1 success on Saturday aboard New Approach six-year-old Cascadian having guided him to an upset win in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 10.

The galloper goes up notably in weight from 53kg to 59kg at WFA here, but remains a threat with that coveted inside alley coming back in distance.

The big All Aged Stakes market mover backed in from $12 to $9.50 is the Tent Busuttin & Natalie young-trained Tagaloa in gate seven for hoop Luke Currie.

Best known for his 2020 Blue Diamond Stakes win at 25/1, the Lord Kanaloa colt returned to winning form two back saluting in Flemington’s Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes before a last start third back on February 27 in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m).

Returning in the All Aged, he races in Sydney for the first time since his fourth to Farnan in last year’s Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) and could surprise a few of these with fresh legs.

Click here for the latest All Aged Stakes 2021 betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2021 All Aged Stakes Field & Barriers

Table Credit: Racing Australia.