The Championships Day 1 Tips – race-by-race guide to Randwick on Saturday

Aaron Hamilton

in Saturday Racing Tips 4 Apr 2019

Tips for all 10 races.
First 4 predicted for each race on the undercard.

Jockey Damian Lane on Quilista wins the Sapphire Stakes (PA Images)

Day 1 of The Championships takes place at Royal Randwick on Saturday, April 6, with more than $10 million in prizemoney up for grabs on the 10-race programme.
The $3 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) will be the highlight of the day, while the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m), Australian Derby (2400m) and Inglis Sires’ (1400m) showcase Sydney Group 1 racing at its best.
If you need some punting advice for the mammoth day of racing, look no further than our expert race-by-race guide and in-depth Group 1 previews.
The Championships Tips for Day 1:
Race 1 – 12:10PM WIDDEN KINDERGARTEN STAKES (1100 METRES)ATHIRI looks hard to beat here and has strong form lines, but her price is a bit poisonous. She finished 0.7 of a length from Lyre over 1100m and then 1.3 lengths from that filly in the Blue Diamond (1200m), and Lyre finished 3rd in the Golden Slipper. Athiri looked the winner last start over 1200m but peaked on her run late and couldn’t close the gap on Kiamichi who led all the way in the Slipper. That form is the best 2YO sprint form going around, and the drop back to 1100m is perfect for Athiri. The stablemate BIVOUAC looms as the danger and is proven on rain-affected ground.First 4:1st – Athiri 2nd – Bivouac3rd – Evening Slippers 4th – Killin

Athiri $2.20 Bet now!

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Race 2 – 12:45PM CACTUS IMAGING CARBINE CLUB STAKES (1600 METRES)I’ve got a lot of time for DEALMAKER and I think he’s found the right race now. Last campaign he had two failed efforts over 2000m. And this time in, Chris Waller took the blinkers off him in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and he still didn’t hit the line despite travelling well. I think it’s conclusive now that despite his breeding, he doesn’t get 2000m and is best suited around the mile. However, the 2000m run last start would have toughened him up, and with the blinkers back on Saturday and drop back to 1600m, I’m expecting a PB. First 4:1st – Dealmaker2nd – Ringerdingding3rd – Ranier4th – Fun Fact

Dealmaker $3.20 Bet now!

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Race 3 – 1:20PM TAB ADRIAN KNOX STAKES (2000 METRES)PRINCESS JENNI was ultra-impressive winning the Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley where she produced a long, sustained run around the field and really hit top gear late. Trainer David Brideoake thinks she could be one of the best he’s had and Damien Oliver was quick to get in touch with Brideoake after the win so he could secure the ride in Sydney. She’ll run every bit of the 2000m with a view to pushing onto the Oaks after Saturday. AMANGIRI is progressive and could be one out of the box, but she’s yet to prove herself at a higher level and she has drawn awkwardly in barrier 19. First 4:1st – Princess Jenni2nd – Amangiri3rd – Zalatte 4th – Romani Girl

Princess Jenni $8 Bet now!

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Race 4 – 1:55PM NEWHAVEN PARK COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL (1400 METRES)Jockey Adam Hyeronimus has made the effort to follow WESTLINK to his last two outings and he can be rewarded with a win rich $500,000 final. Dubbo-based horseman Darren Hyde has done a great job managing the son of Casino Prince and keeping him up to the mark with a month between each of his past three runs. Again, it’s been a month since he took out a 1375m race at Cowra, but he can turn up and run a bold race at massive odds from a good gate.First 4:1st – Westlink2nd – Noble Boy3rd – Al Mah Haha4th – Safe Landing

Westlink $31 Bet now!

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Race 5 – 2:35PM SCHWEPPES CHAIRMAN’S QUALITY (2600 METRES)I was keen on VENGEUR MASQUE running a Place behind Avilius in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) but he was scratched and now finds a slightly easier event. His win in the Torney Cup (2500m) at The Valley was strong, but he still had plenty of upside to come. He found a Heavy track in the Auckland Cup (3200m) and weakened out of it in the straight, but he should be in it for a long way on Saturday as he drops back to 2600m and strips fitter. Keen to stick with ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN too after he loomed last start but peaked late behind Midterm, Big Duke and SHRAAOH who he meets much better at the weights this time. His peak performance was fourth-up last preparation and he finds a suitable wet track fourth-up this time. First 4:1st – Vengeur Masque2nd – One Foot In Heaven3rd – Supernova4th – Shraaoh

Vengeur Masque $26 Bet now!

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Race 6 – 3:15PM INGLIS SIRES’ (1400 METRES)Read our full Inglis Sires’ Preview
Race 7 – 3:55PM HARROLDS AUSTRALIAN DERBY (2400 METRES)Read our full Australian Derby Preview
Race 8 – 4:35PM AQUIS T J SMITH STAKES (1200 METRES)Read our full TJ Smith Stakes Preview
Race 9 – 5:15PM THE STAR DONCASTER MILE (1600 METRES)Read our full Doncaster Mile Preview
Race 10 – 5:50PM OFFICIAL MEMORABILIA P J BELL STAKES (1200 METRES)I don’t think I’ve ever tipped a horse that finished 32 lengths last at it’s most previous start but I’m doing so with FIESTA. She was thereabouts in the Coolmore Classic (1200m) but wasn’t finishing off strongly and possibly would have finished midfield if she didn’t get absolutely poleaxed which caused her to be pulled up. The drop back to 1200m looks ideal and she handles the wet unlike MIZZY who doesn’t seem at her best on rain-affected ground. First 4:1st – Fiesta2nd – Mizzy3rd – Multaja4th – Causeway Girl

Fiesta $9 Bet now!

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The Championships Day 1 Tips – race-by-race guide to Randwick on Saturday

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