The Championships might be over, but the Group One action continues at Royal Randwick with the All Aged Stakes over 1400m.
It’s always an interesting race to assess with a number of different formlines, including runners up in trip from the G1 TJ Smith and those dropping back from a mile in the Doncaster.
The track is rated a Good 4 with fine weather forecast.
We assess the chances of every runner in the All Aged Stakes.
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SCHWEPPES ALL AGED STAKES (1400M) — 3.35PM, RACE 7 ROYAL RANDWICK
1. KOLDING
He finished down the track last start in the G1 George Ryder, but put the red pen through that run. He settled back after jumping from the outside stall and was trapped without cover. He never came into it from there, finishing 10th behind Think It Over. His form prior had been solid including a second to Colette this track/trip over the G2 Apollo. A firm track and good draw will see a much-improved outing from the George Ryder.
2. MASKED CRUSADER
The 4YO gelding has stamped himself as one of the top-line sprinters this preparation. He was a dominant winner of the William Reid before a fast-finishing second behind Nature Strip in the TJ Smith. His final 400m of 22.87s was the fastest by 0.38. The big query here is obviously the draw. He settled handy first-up in a small field in the Southern Cross, but he doesn’t possess great gate speed. The tactics will be interesting from Tommy Berry, but he may be forced back. It shouldn’t be an issue making ground on Saturday, however.
3. ZOUTORI
The Ellerton/Zahra gelding has been a pretty consistent performer. He loves the Flemington straight and was able to pick up his first G1 win two starts back when claiming the Newmarket. He then headed up to Sydney for the TJ Smith and acquitted himself well, running home from last to grab fourth, beaten 6L by Nature Strip. He won’t be so far back this time from the low draw. He was a winner over a mile as a 3YO but has been kept at 1100m-1200m at his past 12 starts.
4. DREAMFORCE
The veteran has been a top-level performer for a number of years now for John Thompson. There is a bit of Jeykll and Hyde about him though as he is prone to a bad run every now and again and when he’s bad, he’s bad. He was pretty well-held first-up when fifth behind Savatiano in the G1 Canterbury, but went close last start in the George Ryder, striking the front at the 200m before getting run down by Think It Over. He won the G2 Tramway in the spring over at this track/trip on a good surface. He’ll roll forward from the outside barrier.
5. CASCADIAN
The Godolphin gelding broke through at G1 level last start in the Doncaster, arriving in time to run down Icebath. It came on the back of a good run under WFA conditions, rattling home from the back to finish fourth behind Think It Over in the George Ryder. Jamie Kah returns to Sydney to partner the 6YO once again. Will the inside draw be a help or a hindrance? It means he won’t have to go right back to the tail, but could need a bit of luck weaving through the field in the straight.
6. FIFTY STARS
Fifty Stars returns to Sydney, having started his autumn preparation at this track/trip in the Apollo. He really struggled that day on the Soft 7 track and finished a distant seventh behind Colette. His form since back in Melbourne has been sound including finishing runner-up in the G2 Blamey. He’d still need to find a few lengths to be winning here however.
7. IMAGING
He’s been an intriguing runner in his time in Australia, winning just once in 11 starts, but there have been a few other eye-catching performances. His form in the spring was good, including a close-up fourth behind Verry Elleegant at this track/trip in the Winx Stakes and a third to Kolding in the George Main. He resumed this campaign with a second in the CF Orr over 1400m before an interesting placement in the Newmarket over 1200m. He was well-backed late in betting, but failed to come on, finishing back in 12th. Definitely one for the multiples at a price.
8. KEMENTARI
Special K was solid in his return over 1200m at The Valley in the William Reid, running on from the back to finish sixth behind Masked Crusader, beaten 3.6L. The rise to 1400m is much more suitable and was the distance of his drought-breaking win over in the west during their carnival at the back end of 2020. It’s been three years since his last win at G1 level and I’m not convinced he’s going well enough to be winning here, but he can certainly be competitive.
9. I AM SUPERMAN
The Snowden galloper gets his chance at WFA conditions and enters the race in good form. He claimed the G2 Ajax last start by 0.8L over Think It Over and that formline reads well given the runner-up subsequently won the George Ryder and was competitive in the Queen Elizabeth. I Am Superman did get 1.5kg off Think It Over. He was luckless first-up at Flemignton when wide without cover throughout at G3 level. He’s got the perfect draw and a top four finish wouldn’t shock.
10. SAVATIANO
The Godolphin mare got her deserved G1 victory last start in the Canterbury Stakes, holding off Mizzy, who put in a late dive, by a nose. It made it three straight wins for the 6YO, having finished her spring with a G2 win in the Hot Danish over this trip and resumed from a short break at the end of Jan with a 2L win in the Expressway Stakes when able to dictate out in front. She could lead here, although you’d expect Dreamforce will cross her from out wide to take up the running. The e/w price appeals.
11. TAGALOA
The 3YO colt has been freshened after three starts in Melbourne early in the autumn campaign. He took out the G3 CS Hayes over 1400m second-up before finishing third in the G1 Australian Guineas after taking up the running. Luke Currie is likely to settle him just off the leaders from barrier 7. He’s not without a hope, but looks short enough at his opening quote given there’s still a bit of a query on the 3YO form stacking up against the older horses at this level.
12. PRAGUE
The Redoute’s Choice colt cost himself at the start last week in the G2 Arrowfield, missing the kick and getting a long way back in the run. He worked home impressively though for third, getting within 0.3L of Wild Ruler on the line. Admittedly both the winner and runner-up Isotope had their issues in the run. Prague was also good the start prior in the G1 Newmarket when fourth behind Zoutori. He’s not out of place in this race off the form his shown this campaign, but needs to go to another level to be winning.
13. PELTZER
Peltzer has been somewhat underwhelming this preparation after a win first-up at G3 level in the Eskimo Prince. He does love Randwick, winning five of his six starts, but his miss did come in his last run on this track when ninth in the Randwick Guineas. He subsequently dropped back in grade and trip in the G3 Star Kingdom when fifth, beaten less than 2L by Signore Fox. A bog track might have seen him be competitive, but he’s hard to have on his recent form on a good track.
VERDICT
10. Savatiano
2. Masked Crusader
1. Kolding
9. I Am Superman
$100 Betting Strategy
$50 win on Savatiano, $50 box quinella 10,2,1,9
This appeared in Punters.com and was republished consent.