One For the Ages

Saturday’s G1 All Aged S. at Royal Randwick pits a strong lineup of older sprinters against some exciting sophomores. Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) will get plenty of attention at the betting windows off his eye-catching last-to-first victory in the G1 TJ Smith S. over this strip two weeks ago over a furlong shorter, and he has winning form over this distance. Third in the TJ Smith was last year’s G1 Darley Classic winner Terravista (Aus) (Captain Rio {GB}). The 5-year-old gelding has filled that position both starts this campaign, and jockey Hugh Bowman admitted his mount will need to bounce back strongly to turn the tables on Chautauqua. 

“I thought Chautauqua was the run of the day [in the TJ Smith] and the writing was on the wall before it; I’ve got a lot of respect for him,” Bowman told Racenet. “Looking back, I think he probably had a gut buster first-up and that may have taken its toll second-up. It’s not a hard 1400 meters, we’ve drawn softly and I’ll put him where he’s comfortable.” 

Four-time Group 1 winner Dissident (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) makes his first starts since a third in the G1 Futurity S. Feb. 28, and he had previously won the G1 C.F. Orr S. over this trip first-up two weeks earlier. 

The older brigade will have to see off an intriguing trio of 3-year-olds, including last-out G1 Australian Guineas scorer Wandjina (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}). Partnered by Damien Oliver for trainer Gai Waterhouse, Wandjina is joined by last year’s G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}) and the promising Scissor Kick (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}), who is unbeaten in two tries over the course.