Set in the heart of Australia at ROYAL RANDWICK RACECOURSE the horses took centre stage on Saturday, 25th October. The ten-race card ran from 12:25pm to 5:55pm, headlined by the prestigious Group 1 race – MoĂ«t & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes with a prize pool of A$2 million. The day formed part of the spring carnival circuit — a meeting where young stayers aim for glory, form-lines begin for the summer ahead and the crowd soaked up both the sport and the spectacle.
Race 1: GOW-GATES KIRKHAM PLATE (12:25pm, 1000 metres)
The meeting opened with genuine promise. THRILL HUNTER powered home in 58.98, expertly guided by jockey A R D Morgan. Trainer TERRY CROFT had their mount well placed, and owner K ANDERSON will delight in an early return. PEARL OF DUBAI stayed in contention until the line, while DEFENSEMEN kept grounding for a strong placing.
Race 2: TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1:00pm, 1600 metres)
In the second race, SOUTHERN DANCER showed both pace and resolve, crossing first in 1:37.31. Jockey T J SCHILLER judged the finish expertly, trainer GARY COLVIN’s preparation paid off, and owners S TURNBULL, A TURNBULL, J TURNBULL, P TURNBULL, D TURNBULL, R MCMICKING, R TURNBULL, R TURNBULL, H TURNBULL and S MCMICKING savoured the result. POISEN POINT closed well for second, and CHRISTA stayed on solidly for third.
Race 3: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1:35pm, 1200 metres)
Race three brought a tight finish — OAKFIELD JUPITER found the extra when it mattered to win in 1:10.82. Jockey J COLLETT navigated the stretch with composure, trainer DAMIEN LANE’s focus showed, and owner B MACKENZIE enjoyed a well-earned success. MOTOSCAFO and ZOUKERINO both offered strong runs for the minor placings.
Race 4: ROBRICK LODGE FILANTE HANDICAP (2:10pm, 1600 metres)
Mid-afternoon and stakes rising: FORTUNE asserted control to take the lead and cross in 1:35.75. With jockey MS A B COLLETT delivering under pressure, trainers ANNABEL & ROB ARCHIBALD’s tactics were spot on, and owners O T I RACING (MGR: T F HENDERSON), ANR FORTUNE, COWARRIE PARTNERSHIP, C HAYDEN, P L WARD, BLG RACING, FARAH RACING, LIFETIME MATES, P J PRENDERGAST, C LIU, HON. G J WILLIAMSON, J P SPENCE, WEBBMCK RACING, P A TASKER, J M GURRIERI, R BOW, T D HOLLAND GO DAPOTCHOP RACING and BEARTOWN 44 celebrated accordingly. RUBY FLYER stayed close till the end and POINT AND SHOOT held on for the frame.
Race 5: KIA ORA BRIAN CROWLEY STAKES (2:45pm, 1200 metres)
The fifth race carried real sense of class — SKYGLIDER delivered a decisive finish in 1:09.95. Jockey K MCEVOY timed the challenge well, trainer CHRIS WALLER had the mount tuned, and owner TURFSTAR (MGR: M A ENDRESZ) enjoyed the moment. PALLATON battled for second, GRAND EAGLE stayed on with credit.
Race 6: CINCOTTA CHEMIST CRAVEN PLATE (3:20pm, 1800 metres)
As the day continued, LINDERMANN ran on strongly to win in 1:48.96. Jockey N C RAWILLER rode with poise, trainer CHRIS WALLER’s preparation showed, and owner WOPPITT BLOODSTOCK (MGR: MRS D N KEPITIS) took satisfaction. MILITARIZE made a persistent chase and KOVALICA was value for a place.
Race 7: CATANACH’S JEWELLERS CALLANDER-PRESNELL (3:55pm, 1600 metres)
One of the major highlights: the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, where OHOPE rose to the occasion and captured the title in 1:36.06. Jockey J COLLETT steered to perfection, trainer MICHAEL FREEDMAN delivered for the big day, and owner GODOLPHIN took a memorable victory. RIVELLINO pressed hard for the runner-up spot, and FERMOY stayed on valiantly to secure third.
Race 8: MOĂ‹T & CHANDON SPRING CHAMPION STAKES (4:30pm, 2000 metres)
Following the feature, ATTICA held off the field in 2:03.47 under jockey A HYERONIMUS, with trainer JOSEPH PRIDE and owner GODOLPHIN both pleased with the outcome. SHANGRI LA BOY ran on bravely, while THE PEARLS kept their form to take third.
Race 9: THE INVITATION (5:15pm, 1400 metres)
As the afternoon wound on, STEFI MAGNETICA crossed first in 1:22.76, riding a smart finish. J COLLETT judged the race well, trainer BJORN BAKER’s plan came together, and owners RIDGMONT (MGR: M CUNNINGHAM), K SALAGIC, CURRIE & YOUNG FAMILY RACING (MGR: J D E CURRIE) and J VITEK enjoyed the success. GERRINGONG and GANGSTA GRANNY offered solid performances for the places.
Race 10: FIVE DIAMONDS PRELUDE (5:55pm, 1500 metres)
To close the card, TRANSATLANTIC stormed home in 1:29.98, in a fine display of determination. Jockey TOMMY BERRY kept composure under pressure, trainer TONY GOLLAN’s preparation held up, and owners MRS Z A DALY, SEGENHOE THOROUGHBREDS AUSTRALIA (MGR: K MALONEY), G VOLLER, SUPASONIC (MGR: MS J BALDWIN), C MINEHAN, B MINEHAN, S GEORGE, J SCHWARZ, SYNCED RACING (MGR: B CRIMMINS), MISS T ENGELMAYER, MISS B K BOURKE, I GUSTAFSON, H KELLY and AUSTRALASIAN THOROUGHBREDS RACING TRUST (MGR: J BOURKE) left the track on a high. GENERAL SALUTE ran a gallant second, while THE INFLICTOR completed the top three in worthy fashion.
From the opening flag to the closing post, Royal Randwick’s Spring Champion Stakes Day delivered spectacle, style and serious racing. With the spring carnival still alive and fans still relishing the action, today’s standout winners may hold the keys to summer’s next chapters.
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