The road to the world’s richest race on turf is rarely straightforward and with only four of the twelve Everest slots filled, the race to secure a place in the $20 million showdown is about to intensify. This Saturday, Sydney’s Royal Randwick hosts the $1 million Group 3 Concorde Stakes, a key stepping stone for sprinting hopefuls eyeing a spot in The Everest.
All eyes will be on the brilliant four-year-old mare Lady Shenandoah from the powerhouse combination of Chris Waller and world number one jockey James McDonald. While the 1000m trip may be short of her ideal distance, she arrives off three sharp trials and will be primed to extend her five-race win streak which already includes two Group 1 victories. Standing in her way is the ultra-consistent Headwall, trained by Matthew Smith and ridden by rising star Zac Lloyd. Headwall has proven himself at the highest level with multiple Group 1 placings, including a gritty third in the T.J. Smith Stakes during The Championships in April. He’s a serious contender, ready to test the mare’s credentials. The Concorde will also serve as a launchpad for emerging talents aiming to break into Australia’s elite sprinting ranks. Lightly raced prospects like In Flight and New York Lustre will be looking to announce themselves on the big stage and a bold performance here could open the door to even bigger targets this spring.
The Concorde is just the beginning of what promises to be a blockbuster day at Randwick, with three quality Group 2 contests rounding out a program that’s sure to shape the spring narrative. In the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes, former North American Group 1 winner Full Count Felicia finds a very suitable assignment as she looks to make her mark on Australian soil. She’ll face stiff opposition from Ceolwulf, who’s looking to return to the winner’s stall, and Vauban, a proven Group 1 performer across multiple continents. The ever-popular Private Eye headlines the Group 2 Tramway Stakes over 1400m, where he looks the one to beat. He’ll be challenged by the returning New Zealand Derby winner Willydoit, who kicks off his campaign with lofty goals ahead. Meanwhile, the Group 2 Furious Stakes for three-year-old fillies presents a wide-open affair, with potential Golden Rose implications just three weeks out from that major clash.
