The Championships are just around the corner and as this Carnival gathers further momentum, so does the international contingent and in 2020 the overseas are well represented numbers wise when it comes to nominations.
Here at Justhorseracing, we’ve put together a preview of the key international runners that will be seen across the two meetings at Randwick and indeed the Autumn Carnival.
Doncaster Mile 🏆: View the Odds for the Doncaster Mile
Queen Elizabeth Stakes 🏆: View the Odds for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Sydney Cup 🏆: View the Odds for the Sydney Cup
Addeybb
Breeding: Pivotal x Bush Cat
Trainer: William Haggas
Nationality: British
Career Stats: 15: 7-2-2
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1602m/2103m
Career Best Win: Wolferton, June 18 2019, Royal Ascot, Soft Surface
Dry Track Stats: 3: 1-0-1
Wet Track Stats: 12: 6-2-1
Target Race(s): Queen Elizabeth
Short Summary: It’ll take a good one to beat him if we get a genuine wet track in the Queen Elizabeth.
Wolferton (2004m), June 18 2019, Royal Ascot, Clockwise Direction, Soft Surface
Well talk about arrogance. What about this for a win. Wide throughout yet cruised up to them at the top of the straight, bolted clear and really, the 2.5L official margin really flattered his rivals because he could have easily doubled that if fully extended. Magic Wand has obviously franked that form since, winning the Mackinnon at Flemington and going within a lip of winning at Hong Kong on International Day.
Champion Stakes (2012m), October 19 2019, Ascot, Clockwise Direction, Soft Surface
Tested against some big boys and girls here, and passed with flying colours. Had the back of Magical throughout and loomed to beat the high class mare, but she loves to dig in when challenged and was just too good for Addeybb. Third was Deidre, a high quality Japanese mare, so the form around this race looks very good.
Final Summary: Always have to respect the Japanese and their contender in Danon Premium. I’ve got a decent ticket on Te Akau Shark to place, but if we get a heavy track for the Queen Elizabeth, and if Addeybb brings over his form from the UK, they won’t be beating him. He is getting better with age and clearly one of the hardest to beat.
Blenheim Palace
Breeding: Galileo x Meow
Trainer: Chris Waller
Nationality: Australian/Irish
Career Stats: 13: 2-3-1
Min/Max Distance Wins: 2012/2149m
Career Best Win: Diamond Stakes, September 27 2019, Dundalk, Synthetic Surface
Dry Track Stats: 9: 1-1-1
Wet Track Stats: 4: 1-2-0
Target Race(s): Doncaster Mile/Queen Elizabeth
Short Summary: Not the worst import…but on overseas form, may struggle to match it with the top tier gallopers.
Paddy Power (2414m), September 14 2019, Leopardstown, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Good Surface
Thought this was a good, strong staying performance. Not easy to lead throughout in these staying races in Europe and despite being challenged, he showed really good ticker and really, was only beaten by two runners who had perfect runs in behind. Buckhurst is a talented stayer for Joseph O’Brien and Norway is another that’s come to Australia for Chris Waller.
Diamond Stakes (2149m), September 27 2019, Dundalk, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Synthetic Surface
Much like at Leopardstown, he showed good ticker and this time he was able to cling. I dare say he clung on because the field he beat wasn’t great. Numerian is more of your Saturday type class horse and Antilles…well we saw how awful he went in the Rosehill Gold Cup on Golden Eagle Day, so the form looks very suspect.
Final Summary: He did trial at Rosehill on February 25 and wasn’t too bad in running second. He holds a nomination for both the Doncaster and Queen Elizabeth. I think he’s a tier or two below matching it with the top end talent.
Danon Premium
Breeding: Deep Impact x Indiana Girl
Trainer: Mitsumasa Nakauchida
Nationality: Japanese
Career Stats: 10: 6-2-0
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1600m/2000m
Career Best Win: Futurity Stakes, December 17 2017, Hanshin, Firm Surface
Dry Track Stats: 10: 6-2-0
Wet Track Stats: Untried
Target Race(s): Queen Elizabeth
Short Summary: He’s rated in the top ten when it comes to Japanese horses so that tells you how good he is.
Tenno Sho (2000m), October 27 2019, Tokyo, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
Mighty in defeat behind a champion mare in Almond Eye. Had the gun run just off the speed, presented to win at the top of the straight but was no match for the class of Almond Eye. Form out of this race has been super as it always is so a big tick for Danon Premium.
Mile Championship (1600m), November 17 2019, Kyoto, Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
Beaten favourite, but far from disgraced, and was beaten by a star in Indy Champ, who franked that form by winning the Mile on International Day at Sha Tin back in December. Did a bit of work in the run and that just told late as Indy Champ had the suck run and was too good.
Final Summary: Danon Premium was the last horse to beat Lys Gracieux in Japan so that reads very well for his CV. He’s rated as one of the best in Japan, and given how dominant they’ve been when they’ve come to Australia, understandable why he is favourite. But the way I’m reading him, he needs a soft run to see out a strong 1200m, as seen when beating Lys Gracieux at Chukyo. If he does work in the run, he could be vulnerable late. Got the A1 form to spank them, but I couldn’t back him as favourite as it stands. Prefer to wait til the final field/barrier draw is done.
Imaging
Breeding: Oasis Dream x Mirror Lake
Trainer: Chris Waller
Nationality: Australian/Irish
Career Stats: 13: 5-5-0
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1408m/1700m
Career Best Win: Gladness Stakes, April 13 2019, Naas, Good Surface
Dry Track Stats: 6: 2-2-0
Wet Track Stats: 7: 3-3-0
Target Race(s): Doncaster Mile
Short Summary: If he races the way he has been trialling, he’s certainly a contender for the Doncaster
Gladness Stakes (1408m), April 13 2019, Naas, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Good Surface
Just really liked the way he dug in here to win. Looked a beaten horse a few times but once Oisin Orr got stuck into him, he responded strongly and surged the last little bit to win. Didn’t beat a great deal, but loved the tenacity to get there.
Open Barrier Trial (1030m), February 25 2020, Rosehill, Clockwise Direction, Soft Surface
The trial on the Poly track was great at Warwick Farm but this was outstanding. Sat on speed throughout and looked to be cruising under J Mac before being grabbed late by Standout, who looks a Group l winner in waiting. He was under a really good hold, which is such a positive sign for an import in Australia.
To view this race replay click here
Liverpool Cup (1300m), February 29 2020, Randwick, Clockwise Direction, Good Surface
It’s always a good sign, especially for an unraced import, if they are well supported in betting or remain firm at their price and that is what Imaging was so the expectation was there for him to run well. Looked to be going really well until the home turn when Bossy aboard Cascadian wanted to produce some Royal Rumble moves and pretty much put the two horses out of the race. Imaging, to the eye, was poor late, but that interference sealed his fate, and was later found to be 2/5 lame.
To view this race replay click here
Final Summary: Resumed in the Liverpool Cup on you can see what happened there. A total forgive. 2/5 lame is significant so it’ll be interesting to see what the stable does with him, but clearly can’t sack him off that run, especially given he was hard in the market.
Mozu Ascot
Breeding: Frankel x India
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Nationality: Japanese
Career Stats: 21: 7-5-0
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1400m/1600m
Career Best Win: February Stakes, February 23 2020, Tokyo, Firm Surface
Dry Track Stats: 21: 7-5-0
Wet Track Stats: Untried
Target Race(s): Doncaster Mile
Short Summary: If he brings his Japanese form over for the Doncaster, they won’t be beating him
Negishi Stakes (1400m), February 2 2020, Tokyo, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
He’s horse #11 that is around 6th, three wide with cover. Just put into a beautiful spot off the speed and once he was presented with clear air, it was race over and he won very impressively, his first run since what was pretty much a barrier trial in the Mile Championship behind Indy Champ.
February Stakes (1600m), February 23 2020, Tokyo, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
Absolute peach of a ride from Lemaire. Had the suck run on the rail off what was a strong tempo. Was able to slice his way through, get into clear air around 300m from home and he gapped them. What impressed me is that despite the strong tempo of the race, he still attacked the line and was strong in winning.
Final Summary: I’m not alone in thinking that he is thrown in with 57kg for the Doncaster. Yes, his two wins have been on dirt, but it’s a formula used successfully by Yahagi, who of course trained Lys Gracieux. Just has to bring his form over from Japan and he’ll be winning I think.
My Style
Breeding: Heart’s Cry x First Niner
Trainer: Mitsugu Kon
Nationality: Japanese
Career Stats: 24: 5-4-3
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1600m/2000m
Career Best Win: Hako Kinen, July 14 2019, Hakodate, Firm Surface
Dry Track Stats: 23: 5-4-3
Wet Track Stats: 1: 0-0-0
Target Race(s): Doncaster Mile
Short Summary: His best is good enough to be around the mark. Can he beat Mozu Ascot? I’m saying no.
Mile Championship (1600m), November 17 2019, Kyoto, Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
Was very brave in defeat here in what has turned out to be such an excellent form reference. Attempted to lead all the way and generally when it comes to Japanese racing, especially at the top level, leading all the way successfully is a very tough ask. Was only beaten off late by some high class horse flesh, including one of the best milers in the world, Indy Champ.
To view this race replay click here
Hanshin Cup (1400m), December 21 2019, Hanshin, Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
Probably pin should have pulled on the prep after Kyoto. Had the good run in behind and was presented to win, but found little in the straight. The winner Gran Alegria is highly regarded in Japan and is rated as one of the potential new stars of Japanese racing so this form is certainly good.
To view this race replay click here
Final Summary: He does seem a horse who is effective with fresh legs so like that the stable come here with just one race in mind with a couple of weeks break from the plane trip to settle into Canterbury. His best is good enough to figure. Could I back him to beat Mozu Ascot? At the moment, I’m saying no.
Norway
Breeding: Galileo x Love Me True
Trainer: Chris Waller
Nationality: Australian/Irish
Career Stats: 12: 3-1-3
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1609m/2414m
Career Best Win: Paddy Power, September 14 2019, Leopardstown, Good Surface
Dry Track Stats: 8: 3-0-2
Wet Track Stats: 4: 0-1-1
Target Race(s): Sydney Cup
Short Summary: He looks a real stayer off the replays and two Sydney trials
Paddy Power (2414m), September 14 2019, Leopardstown, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Good Surface
Lovely ride form Seamie Heffernan to get the win. Rails hugging steer and didn’t go around a single horse bar the leader and stablemate Blenheim Palace, finishing too strongly for his rivals, including Buckhurst, a Joseph O’Brien stayer who I have a fair amount of time for.
Open Barrier Trial (1030m), February 25 2020, Rosehill, Clockwise Direction, Soft Surface
This trial followed a Poly trial, which are hard to get a real guide on. He sat back in this trial off the speed, was under some pressure from McEvoy and responded okay without the flashing light. Mind you there was a bit of depth to the trial, including Shared Ambition, a highly promising stayer.
To view this race replay click here
Final Summary: Too dour IMO for a Doncaster/Queen Elizabeth. Sydney Cup looks his go and go back three runs, he ran third to Logician and Constantinople. Logician is one of the best stayers in the world and arguably, Constantinople should have won a Caulfield Cup. Form reads okay. Just hope Waller can get some speed into his legs.
Olmedo
Breeding: Declaration Of War x Super Pie
Trainer: Kacy Fogden
Nationality: Australian/French
Career Stats: 13: 3-5-0
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1500m/2000m
Career Best Win: French 2000 Guineas, May 13 2018, Longchamp, Good Surface
Dry Track Stats: 6: 2-1-0
Wet Track Stats: 7: 1-4-0
Target Race(s): Doncaster Mile/Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Short Summary: Has class…maybe not the class to win during Sydney. Perhaps Brisbane and races like the Hollindale/Doomben Cup?
Prix De Moulin De Longchamp (1600m), September 8 2019, Longchmap, Clockwise Direction, Soft Surface
He was very good in defeat here running fourth to a horse who is one of the better gallopers in Europe in Circus Maximus. Yes, was held up for a few strides, but was out in time to win. Still did a really good job to run fourth nearer the inside, which wasn’t A1 ground for the meeting.
To view this race replay click here
Prix Daniel Wildenstein (1600m), October 5 2019, Longchamp, Clockwise Direction, Soft Surface
They go quicker in barrier trials, so he got pulling quite hard and was forced to come three wide earlier than what Demuro would have liked. Gave the eventual winner the perfect drag up and was too good for Olmedo, who battled away well to run second. The winner went on to run an absolute beauty at Group l level at Ascot so the form is good.
To view this race replay click here
Final Summary: From the replays I’ve seen, he looks to only have a short burst then just holds his ground so if he’s indeed going down the Doncaster/Queen Elizabeth path, he’ll need things to fall into place. In my opinion, he isn’t good enough to win those kind of races. Being trained by Kacy Fogden, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was targeted towards the Brisbane Winter and aimed at races like the Hollindale/Doomben Cup.
Young Rascal
Breeding: Intello x Rock My Soul
Trainer: William Haggas
Nationality: British
Career Stats: 10: 5-1-0
Min/Max Distance Wins: 2212m/2471m
Career Best Win: Chester Vase, May 9 2018, Chester, Good Surface
Dry Track Stats: 5: 2-0-0
Wet Track Stats: 5: 3-1-0
Target Race(s): Sydney Cup
Short Summary: Think he’s a legitimate chance in the Sydney Cup and in the right stable.
Legacy Cup (2213m), September 22 2018, Newbury, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Soft Surface
Looked very testing conditions and he was one of the first under pressure, but he just kept finding under Jim Crowley and outstayed his rivals. We know Mirage Dancer well and the third horse, Desert Encounter, is a multiple Group l winner, so the form does read quite well.
Floodlit Stakes (2413m), November 4 2019, Kempton Park, Clockwise Direction, Synthetic Surface
Overall, wasn’t the strongest field going around, but he put them away and did it in good style, beating home Loxley, a Godolphin stayer with some good form around him, including a win over the well performed Raymond Tusk.
Final Summary: Got enormous respect for William Haggas and whatever he brings over. I don’t think the 3200m will be an issue and he seems okay in at the weights, keeping in mind he did start third favourite in the 2018 Epsom Derby.
