Chipping Norton Stakes Horses and Field Preview – 2018

Randwick this Saturday places host to an outstanding card, headlined by the return of Winx. She will start at the shortest ever price in her career, challenged by 8 others including Who Shot Thebarman and Prized Icon. Plenty will be keen to have a crack at the trifecta or first 4, with some bookmakers putting up ‘Winx out’ markets to find a winner at more value here.

1. Classic Uniform (2) – Andrew Adkins

Finished off his last prep in style, claiming back-to-back victories including a win over Happy Clapper in the Group 3 Craven Plate. Placed in 2 trials behind Trapeze Artist and Redzel in prior to resuming in the Apollo Stakes where he ran 7th of 8 behind Endless Drama and Global Glamour. Has won over 1600 but will need to improve a great deal to be up there here. Was very strong over 1800 and 2000 last prep, rallying late both times. 1:35.12 at best over 1600.

2. Who Shot Thebarman (3) – Tye Angland

Broke the drought in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup last year. Veteran galloper and cult figure, the Barman has won 10 races in 47 starts but yet to win over the distance, placing in just 1 of 5 starts. 12.8L behind Winx in recent 1200m trial. Rarely performs badly and will have admirers after placing in this race last year but just 1 from 9 first up.

3. Libran (1) – Brenton Avdulla

Interesting switch by the jockey who usually steers Lasqueti Spirit. Won 9 races in a 30-start career, most recently 8th in the Melbourne Cup. 11.6L off Russian Revolution in a 900m trial before finshing 8L behind Winx in most recent trial. Yet to win over 1600m, Also placing just once in 5 tries at the distance. Has won 2 from 8 first up.

4. Prized Icon (4) – Glyn Schofield

Loves the distance, nothing but positive signs so far this prep. Already a Group 1 winner, he was impressive in the listed Carrington Stakes over 1400 before closing off well behind Endless Drama and Global Glamour in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes. Ran 1:34.04 over the distance at Flemington, recording very smart splits in the process. Could put on a show here at his best.

5. Stampede (5) – Tim Clark

Placed in 9 of 12 to date, was in solid form before running 6th in the Apollo Stakes. Yet to race in a Group 1, this will be a huge rise in class. Won 2 from 3 over 1600 and placed in all 3 goes second-up. Ran 1:37.84 when winning over the distance at Moonee Valley in September last year. Beat Life Less Ordinary and Cool Chap in the Wagga Cup.

6. Jemadar (9) – Adam Hyeronimus

Has won back-to-back races at Canterbury over 1500m as of late, showing the way from the front. Only other wins came on debut and then at Warwick Farm in 2016. Pet distance but seemingly out of depth here, stepping up from benchmark 80 company into a group 1. Ran 1:37.99 when winning at Warwick Farm over 1600 quite some time ago.

7. Winx (6) – Hugh Bowman

Trialled superbly, no sign of slowing down. Shooting for win number 27, gunning for 23 in a row. Got a scare over 1400 when resuming and missing the start last year but 1600 safer. 1:33.65 over the mile is good going. Best is just far too good.

8. Lasqueti Spirit (7) – Jay Ford

A group 1 winner, we know what she is capable of after leading all the way in the Oaks at Flemington over much further. Red Excitement gapped them last year and very nearly got away with it, will have to see if Lasqueti Spirit opts for the same tactics. Hasn’t won since then, and just 1 from 18 in her career. Beaten 2 runners home in last 3 runs, needs to show massive improvement to be in it.

9. Vinland (8) – Kerrin McEvoy

Aided by experienced jockey but the bottom weight has won just 2 from 7 career races, one over 1600 however. Dragged through be mud at Sandown and won well 2 starts ago but 5 and a half lengths off them in Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes. Has raced some smart ones before in She Will Reign and not disgraced in the Sandown Guineas behind Villermont and Peaceful State where he won next start. Will win another one soon.