Randwick Tips for The Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2024

This classic weight-for-age clash revolves around the price gap between the early short-priced fancy, Group 1 Ranvet winner Via Sistina, and the big guns trying to bring her down.

Via Sistina’s elite form across the UK and Europe last season is naturally hard to knock.

However, my little query is whether she can stay at the 2000m distance in what could develop into a sit-and-sprint affair from the half-mile mark.

She possesses oodles of class being out of a Galileo mare and the weight conditions must be a plus.

However, the odds are too short, especially when pitted against one runner who looms far above the market expectations.

 

 

Randwick Race 8 - Queen Elizabeth (2000m)

Track Conditions

With the wet weather finally giving way to sunny lead-up days, the great race will be run on a Soft 5 or even closer to a Good 4.

 

Who do the All In boys like in the feature race 

 

The Speed Map

Navigating the map is tricky, considering we raced on a rain-smashed Heavy 9 just seven days ago.

Last week, the A-ground was a few lengths off the inside rail. Now, we find ourselves on “used ground,” which means that later in the day, winners are likely to come further out and down the middle of the straight.

The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth outcome may well be decided within the first 500m, as most of the better chances are either drawn in the middle or wider out.

Naturally, the bold front-running mare Pride Of Jenni ($4.50) will roll straight to the top, aiming to control the pace.

I suspect rank outsider Zeyrek, fourth-up, will also push forward, along with imported mare Place Du Carrousel ($11.00) in only her second start Down Under.

The rest of the field will likely settle in the second half, turning this race into a real cat-and-mouse game from as far out as the 1000m mark.

Exciting imported mare and early favorite Via Sistina ($2.20), stablemate Buckaroo ($19.00) fourth-up, and the great warrior Mr Brightside ($10.00) from the outside gate will all vie for positions in the next group.

Noted back-marker threat Cascadian ($9.50) will likely settle near the tail.

 

 

The Favourite

Her long-awaited arrival behind top-notch Group 1 form in the Northern Hemisphere last year was intriguing, and the first-up Group 1 Ranvet win at Rosehill had plenty of authority about it.

However, the $2.20 about Via Sistina in this company is surely way under the odds.

 

Neil's Best Bet

The stand-out big value for me is 5YO stallion Buckaroo.

He enters here a fortnight after running home from the back to be beaten under two lengths in the Group 1 Tancred over 2400m.

First up he put in a brave effort to close gamely behind Via Sistina in the Ranvet where he peaked at the 125m.

The key is the low draw, allowing him to park closer in the run than ever and be more explosive over the final part.

 

The Dangers

Naturally, Via Sistina with natural progression is a big threat.

So too is a rejuvenated Mr Brightside parked over the odds.

Lets not also forget the wonder 9YO Cascadian, a fortnight after that barnstorming Australian Cup win at Flemington, and of course dashing leader Pride Of Jenni.

 

Neil's Top Five

1. BUCKAROO
2. Via Sistina
3. Cascadian 
4. Pride Of Jenni
5. Mr Brightside

 

Access more betting tips for Saturday racing here.