Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test Match, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and an eight-race program at Royal Randwick for Summer Cup Day….it’s not a bad way to back up after Christmas Day!
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The Group 3 feature has attracted a strong field of stayers chasing $250,000 in prize money including Christmas Cup winner, Stockman and Ingham placegetter, Lion's Roar.
We've run the rule over the entire meeting and offer our best bets below.
RACE 1 - 1:35PM: 3YO Maiden Handicap (1400m)
Le Chocolat (4) resumes as a gelding for his second preparation.
The Chris Waller-trained son of Ocean Park produced his best race last preparation when finishing second over 1550m on the Kensington track so kicking off over 1400m is a great move.
He's warmed up for this with two soft trials, however he really picked up strongly late in the most recent piece of work.
Adam Hyeronimus can make full use of the inside gate and roll forward.
RACE 2 - 2:10PM: Maiden Plate (1600m)
Il Tevere (7) has come back this preparation in decent form with placings in both his starts.
The Richard Litt-trained colt was in need of the run when finishing third over 1250m at Canterbury first-up.
Last start he worked to the line well over 1400m on the Kensington track but was no match for Zouphoria when finishing second by 2.8 lengths.
Zouphoria has since won a Benchmark 74 Handicap so that's a solid form line for this.
Being sired by Dundeel, he'll appreciate the rise to a mile.
RACE 3 - 2:45PM: 3YO Maiden Plate (1200m)
Hellaine (14) was unlucky not to challenge for the win when resuming last start at Canterbury over 1100m.
The John Thompson-trained daughter of Hellbent was held up in the straight and had to check off hooves but once she got to the outside, she let down powerfully to finish second by 1.5 lengths.
She'll strip fitter second-up and given the way she ran through the line, the rise to 1200m will suit.
She's drawn nicely in barrier 3 for Brock Ryan.
1 Unit Each Way – Hellaine (14)
RACE 4 - 3:20PM: Fillies & Mares Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m)
Very Sewreel (10) has come back this preparation are more furnished filly.
The Waterhouse and Bott-trained daughter of Snitzel resumed on the Kensington track over 1300m last start and could not have been more impressive.
She led and produced plenty in the straight when not only challenged but headed to win by a half a length.
She'll have come on since that run and maps to get a great run on speed.
RACE 5 - 4:00PM: Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m)
Monfelicity (6) caught the eye flashing home first-up over 1400m at this track.
The David Payne-trained five-year-old mare bounded out of the gates which saw her settle last.
She had many lengths to make up but worked home with gusto to finish just half a length behind Zouphoria.
She'll strip fitter second-up and will carry the same weight as last start despite dropping in class.
1 Unit Each Way – Monfelicity (6)
RACE 6 - 4:40PM: Benchmark 72 Handicap (1000m)
Border Control (4) has been racing in great form this preparation.
The Adam Duggan-trained Brazen Beau gelding won in strong fashion by 1.5 lengths at Gosford first-up before returning to that track second-up where he finished second.
Last start he gave a massive sight over 1100m at Canterbury but was nailed on the line to finish a nose second.
He's at peak fitness now and deserves his shot in town.
RACE 7 - 5:20PM: Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m)
Lion's Roar (5) will be looking to make amends for his unlucky fifth in this race last year.
The John O'Shea-trained gelding loomed but was chopped out which saw him finish fifth by 1.91 lengths.
He follows a similar route into this year's race, coming off a fast-finishing effort for a long neck third in the Group 2 The Ingham.
The rise to 2000m looks ideal and he maps to get a great run in a race with limited speed.
RACE 8 - 6:00PM: Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m)
Spring Lee (17) is a lightly raced filly from that Bjorn Baker stable that resumed in fine style.
The daughter of Zoustar let down beautifully to win by three lengths over 1000m at Kembla Grange.
That took her record to two wins from three starts and demonstrated that she certainly has promise.
This is her first race over 1200m but it looks like it will suit and she maps to get a great run with Rachel King in the saddle.
