The prospect of a rain affected track on day two of ‘The Championships’ at Randwick on Saturday will suit The United States who has maintained favouritism for the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
The United States will apppreciate the soft ground in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Senior part owner Lloyd Williams expects The United States to be comfortable on the Randwick track that has been rated a Soft 6 on Friday afternoon.
The Irish import was a winner at the Curragh in Ireland on a heavy surface and Williams said that the Galileo breed can handle wet ground.
“Most of those Galileos like the soft, he’ll certainly enjoy the soft,” Williams told Racing.com’s Racing Ahead on RSN 927.
“That’s not a consideration, it’s just a matter of if he turns up on the day and he’s good enough to beat the others.
“He’s in good order, he’s in Sydney, he’s travelled well.
“I’m expecting him to run very well.”
The United States put himself into contention for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with an impressive win in the Group 1 $700,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 19 which prompted connections to pay the $66,000 late entry fee to secure a place in the field.
While Williams is giving his horse a great chance in the Autumn Carnival feature, he admits that The United States is facing a tough field of quality weight for age performers.
“I think it’s a pretty even race – you could make a case for a few of them,” Williams said.
“There are four or five of them that wouldn’t surprise me.”
Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride again on The United States after steering him to victory in the Ranvet Stakes and is certain to give the six year old a good run midfield from barrier eight.
The United States heads the market order at $4.20 for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of last year’s winner Criterion and the Chris Waller trained Preferment who share the second line of betting at $5.50.
Queen Elizabeth Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.20 The United States, $5.50 Preferment, Criterion, $8 Hauraki, Lucia Valentina, $12 Happy Clapper, $17 It’s Somewhat, $21 Rising Romance, $26 Dibayani, $31 Mongolian Khan, $34 Awesome Rock, $51 Fenway, Happy Trails, $101 Leebaz, Weary.
