2017 June Stakes Day Preview & Tips

It is an outstanding day’s racing set to take place at Royal Randwick in Sydney on Saturday afternoon and the Listed June Stakes (1100m) headlines the impressive nine race card.

Flippant is set to make an appearance in the Listed June Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart

Flippant is set to make an appearance in the Listed June Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart

All nine races have drawn strong fields and we have analysed every runner in each, to help you find a winner on 2017 June Stakes Day.

The card is set to get underway with the running of the Club Redfern Plate (1000m) at 11:30am, the feature race will be contested at 3:10pm and June Stakes Day will officially draw to a close following the Leith Group Handicap (1200m) at 4:30pm.

Race 1 (11:30am) Club Redfern Plate (1000m)

A small but exciting field of six two-year-olds will line up for Race 1 at Randwick on Saturday. Godolphin will be offered two good chances of winning the race after trainer Darren Beadman confirmed both Florid (barrier 2) and debutant Evict (barrier 6) in the field. The former will return to the races for the first time since breaking his maiden in March, while the latter has trialled well in the lead-up to this race. Pymble (barrier 5) carries winning form into the race, but undoubtedly faces a big step up in class, while Lipizzan (barrier 1) also faces something of a step up in class, but could receive the run of the race from the rails draw.

Tip: No. 5 Lipizzan ($3.80)

Race 2 (12:05pm) Anderson Handicap (1100m)

A classy field of three-year-olds has been confirmed for Race 2; the Anderson Handicap. Jason Coyle’s stable has been flying of late and will be represented in this race by Memes (barrier 3). The Time Thief filly returned to the races for consecutive and dominant wins in a pair of minors sprints, before placing third amongst notable company in the Saintly Hall Of Fame BM78 (1100m) last time out. In Times Of War (barrier 5) carries winning form into the race and has finished no worse than second in each of his four starts this time in, while Best Guess (barrier 2) has also been terrific and was last seen winning a Canterbury sprint over 1250m by more than three lengths on May 24th.

Tip: No. 3 In Times Of War ($4.20)

Race 3 (12:40pm) TAB Highway Handicap (1000m)

Ten country and provincially-trained horses will line up for Saturday’s Highway Handicap, including two for Canberra-based Matthew Dale; Clipper (barrier 7) and Il Bandito (barrier 2). Clipper returned to the races for a smart win in the comfortable win in a Highway Handicap over 1100m at Randwick a fortnight ago and shouldn’t have an issue stepping back in distance, while Il Bandito is yet to taste anything but success through his short but impressive career so far. Nictock (barrier 9) has not been seen at the races since January, but is also undefeated through three career starts and has trialled well in the lead-up to this race. Mr Pumblechook (barrier 5) stormed home to finish second at Gunnedah first-up and is not without a chance in this race at odds.

Tip: No. 3 Clipper ($2.80)

Race 4 (1:15pm) Leading The Way Stayers Cup (3200m)

Nine stayers have been confirmed in the final field for Race 4; many of whom will make their first-ever appearance in a two-mile race. Veteran runner Soviet Courage worked to the line well to finish third in the Listed McKell Cup (2400m) a fortnight ago and appears as though he’ll enjoy a step up in trip. Broadside (barrier 1) stormed home to win a talent-stacked Rosehill race over 2000m on May 20th, but was no match for Allergic when second in the McKell Cup last time. Dane Hussler (barrier 4) has steadily built to the task this time and appears as though he’s ready to peak in this race, while Diamond Made (barrier 7) is also not without a chance at odds.

Tip: No. 1 Broadside ($2.50)

Race 5 (1:50pm) Heard Agency Handicap (2000m)

A classy field of three-year-olds has been confirmed for Race 5 at Randwick on Saturday, including San Pablo (barrier 3). The horse was unlucky to finish a close second at Canterbury last time out and will relish a step up to 2000m into this field. Mandalay Bay (barrier 2) is an emergency runner for Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Derby at Doomben and will be tough to beat amongst this company, should he not gain a start in the Doomben feature. Vaucluse Bay (barrier 7), Outback Rain (barrier 13) and So Splendid (barrier 4) are all chances of winning the race at double-figure odds.

Tip: No. 5 Mandalay Bay – Each Way ($6/$2.30)

Race 6 (2:30pm) Pemulwuy Handicap (1400m)

Thirteen Saturday horses will line up for the Pemulwuy Handicap and there is a case to be made for close to the entire field. Quick Feet (barrier 10) is a proven performer amongst fields stronger than this, but she has been charged with overcoming a wide draw and a race-high 61kgs. Wine Tales (barrier 6) promised plenty in the early stages of her career and while never reaching the pinnacle, is more than capable amongst this company on the right day. Test The World has posted three wins form as many starts this time in and while undoubtedly facing a step up in class into this field, is drawn ideally and appears capable of continuing her form.

Tip: No. 8 Test The World – Each Way ($6/$2.30)

Race 7 (3:10pm) Listed June Stakes (1100m)

Twelve sprinters have been confirmed in a strong field for Saturday’s Randwick feature; the June Stakes. Felines (barrier 6) has returned to racing in terrific form this year and while charged with carrying topweight, should still prove extremely tough to beat under the conditions of the race. Flippant (barrier 12) has not been seen at the races since running third in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) in February, but has trialled well in the lead-up to this race and her class is sure to count for plenty. Veteran Centre Pivot (barrier 7) will return to racing in the June Stakes and is worth consideration for an each-way bet at long odds, while Godolphin entrant Grunderzeit (barrier 9) should prove tough to beat with in-form hoop Brenton Avdulla in the saddle and only 53kgs in tow.

Tip: No. 10 Grunderzeit – Each Way ($7/$2.60)

Race 8 (3:50pm) Souths Juniors Handicap (2000m)

Pelorus Jack (barrier 12) has returned to racing in excellent form this season and leads a smart field of thirteen confirmed for Race 8. Second in a Canterbury minor over 1200m first-up on April 17th, the Rothesay gelding has since post wins in each of his three most-recent starts, including the Schweppes BM72 (1600m) last time out on May 31st. This is a step up in class, but his form suggests that he is still the horse to beat. Curragh (barrier 2) has finished fourth and his two most recent starts and could receive the run of the race from barrier 2, while Dowdstown Charlie (barrier 7) appears as though he is ready to peak in form, in what will be his third-up appearance this time in.

Tip: No. 7 Pelorus Jack – Each Way ($5/$2.10)

Race 9 (4:30pm) Leith Group Handicap (1200m)

June Stakes Day will draw to a close when a capacity field steps out in Race 9; the Leith Group Handicap. In what is an extremely open race from a betting perspective, Godolphin runner Bratislava (barrier 1) remains a $5 favourite, carries strong and consistent performer into the race and will be partnered by in-form hoop Tim Clark. Clear The Beach (barrier 17) returned to the races for a smart win in the Lloyd Williams Hall Of Fame BM72 (1100m) on May 20th and will only improve second-up and over 1100m. Knit ‘N’ Purl (barrier 7) went somewhat amiss last time out, but is drawn ideally into this field and has the class to be right in the finish.

Tip: No. 10 Clear The Beach ($6.50)

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.