Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2016 race preview

08 April 2016 10:41 AM

Race nine on Day 2 of The Championships is the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Run over 2400m and under weight-for-age conditions, there is $4 million in prize money on offer for connections, making it one of the richest events on the Australian racing calendar.

It's one of the best betting races of the day with a strong line-up of form runners and a good number of them already Group 1 winners.

 

Betting Odds Randwick

The United States has had a cracking preparation with strong performances in all three outings. Grabbed Group 1 glory last start after lasting to win the Ranvet. Will be hitting peak fitness now and should be fighting this one out.

Criterion looked a bit under his best in the Ranvet when second-up. Will obviously be fitter in this and we saw how good this bloke is last Spring. Tough contender.

Preferment gets full marks for his effort in The BMW when he put in a solid wide ride to claim the prize. Won over 2000m the run before in the Australian Cup at Flemington. That all rates well for this.

Hauraki has put in an honest preparation with tough fought out finishes landing him a place in each of his three runs. Had excuses in the Ranvet. Can win.

Lucia Valentina has come back nicely this preparation with a strong finishing fourth 1.6 lengths behind Peeping in the Coolmore. This is her pet distance, pace should be right and Randwick suits. Never placed from five second-up starts.

Happy Clapper makes it a seven day turnaround, first start over 2000m and weight-for-age.

It's Somewhat has to be given some thought after jumping from a wide gate towards the front and finishing strongly to win in Group 3 company. Tougher lot here but can't dismiss.

Rising Romance was good in the Australian Cup over this distance finishing 1.4 lengths behind Preferment. A serious contender if she gets the run to suit.

Of the others, have to give Awesome Rock some chance after losing on protest to Preferment last start over this distance.

1st Hauraki. Been impressed by this bloke over recent runs. Despite his wide draw I think he looks good at or above $6

2nd The United States

3rd Preferment

Mike Steward