The feature race at Randwick this Saturday is the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), where Attica narrowly holds sway.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Spring Champion Stakes.
2025 Spring Champion Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Attica: Attica has that sense of timing to take beating here. Joe Pride has said the 2000m is the unknown but the change up speed he produced in the Dulcify was quite impressive, the way he put them away very quickly. I think if this does become a sit/sprint, he takes beating and is #1 seed.
2. Shangri La Boy: Got front end control in the Gloaming and gave nothing else a look in, winning impressively. 2000m should be fine, he’ll land on speed and run a beauty. I will say, I think he’s on the short side.
3. San Giovanni: Didn’t do a bad job in the Gloaming but I will say I thought he had his chance. I can’t see him turning the tables.
4. Officiate: I thought he did a very good job in the Super Impose. He was there to win but wanted to lay in under pressure and half threw the race away. Think that form is solid, 2000m is no issue, maps well…he’s in the mix.
5. Master Of The Air: SCR
6. Federalist: I’ve been hot on Federalist for this race for months and am keen to see how he goes. He comes through the Dulcify from three weeks ago behind Attica where he was flat footed when the sprint went on but he picked up and was very good late in the piece. Kept up to the mark with a tick over trial, he’ll eat up 2000m and be strong late.
7. Champagne Hero: He should have been right in the finish in the Gloaming but had zero luck in the straight when having plenty to offer. Draw is tricky but suspect he will roll forward and I think is good enough to threaten.
8. Tambeloa: Was solid late in the Gloaming but just not sure he is good enough at the moment.
9. Southern Prince: He will be the best horse at 2000m+ in six months time I think. He is a raw bugger but gee he has got an engine. Beat nothing at Kembla last time but the way he made a mess of them was quite impressive. He’ll only run well.
10. Crusader Voyage: Nice horse, love the addition of Blinkers…but I don’t think he’s ready.
11. Within The Law: Why is she second favourite? Been plagued by slow tempos/wide gates, and does bring the King Charles form, but is drawn the carpark, will need a lot of luck and has been in work a while.
12. Queen Of Clubs: Was badly lame in the Flight Stakes. Prior to that, I wanted to find her…but the stable are just going so bad at the moment that I just cannot entertain any of her runners.
13. The Pearls: Had the A1 run in the Gloaming in a slowly run race and battled away well enough in defeat. Will get a similar run this time around but not sure she has the staying prowess.
14. Sheeza Diva: She was actually quite good in the Gloaming and 2000m should be okay. For wider exotics, can entertain her.
15. Pinot Hero (First Emergency): SCR
2025 Spring Champion Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win / $80 Place Federalist Tote/SP
Group 1 Strategy Outlay: $1900
Group 1 Strategy Return: $1301
Spring Champion Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ATTICA | Joseph Pride | Adam Hyeronimus | 13 | 56.5kg |
| 2 | SHANGRI LA BOY | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Nash Rawiller | 2 | 56.5kg |
| 3 | SAN GIOVANNI | Michael Freedman | Andrew Adkins | 5 | 56.5kg |
| 4 | OFFICIATE | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 56.5kg |
| 6 | FEDERALIST | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tyler Schiller | 14 | 56.5kg |
| 7 | CHAMPAGNE HERO | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Regan Bayliss | 11 | 56.5kg |
| 8 | TAMBELOA | Kristen Buchanan | Jay Ford | 6 | 56.5kg |
| 9 | SOUTHERN PRINCE | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Tom Sherry | 7 | 56.5kg |
| 10 | CRUSADER VOYAGE | Chris Waller | Dylan Gibbons (late alt) | 3 | 56.5kg |
| 11 | WITHIN THE LAW | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 15 | 54.5kg |
| 12 | QUEEN OF CLUBS | Gary Portelli | Ashley Morgan | 8 | 54.5kg |
| 13 | THE PEARLS (NZ) | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 1 | 54.5kg |
| 14 | SHEEZA DIVA | Mitchell & Desiree Kearney | Ms Rachel King | 9 | 54.5kg |
Spring Champion Stakes Odds
2025 Spring Champion Stakes Speed Map
The GaiBott pair of Shangri La Boy and Champagne Hero look the main go forward horses. The Pearls should lob into a beaut spot from the inside gate, likewise San Giovanni and perhaps Crusader Voyage. Suspect Attica goes back and Federalist will follow him.
