Trainer John Thompson has confirmed a Queen Of The Turf Stakes 2016 run for Emancipation Stakes winner Zanbagh this weekend, while the Ron Quinton-trained Coolmore Classic champion Peeping has been ruled out of the race.
Emancipation Stakes winner Zanbagh is confirmed to run in Saturday’s 2016 Queen Of The Turf Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart.
One of four elite levels at Randwick Racecourse for Day 2 of âThe Championshipsâ, the $1 million Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) runs this year as The Coolmore Legacy Stakes.
Thompson chases his first win in the fillies-and-maresâ clash this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with Bernardini five-year-old Zanbagh who took out the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) on March 26 at Rosehill.
Blake Shinn rode her to victory in The BMW Day clash with a half-length to spare over Supara on the line in the race that has produced the past two Queen Of The Turf Stakes winners.
In 2014 Diamond Drille improved on a fourth to win the Group 1 as a 40/1 shot on a Heavy track before Gai Waterhouse made it four wins in five years with stablemate Amanpour coming off an Emancipation Stakes second to win in another upset paying 20/1.
Thompson believes Zanbagh âwill be hard to beatâ in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes this year, the bookies installing her as the current $7 second favourite in all-in markets.
âZanbagh is in great order although she is probably more advantaged if the track was wet,â he told The Daily Telegraph.
âSheâs come through the Emancipation in really good order and will be hard to beat this weekend.
âI think the bigger track will only help her and it doesnât matter where she draws.â
Thompson however is yet to confirm a run in the race for stablemate First Seal, who needs a firm track to perform at her best.
The super-consistent Fastnet Rock four-year-old has had three Group 1 runs this time in, her best being a second to Holler in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on March 5.
A George Ryder fourth over 1500m behind Winx followed before she struggled form the inside alley in last Saturdayâs Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), beaten over 13 lengths by Chris Wallerâs odds-on Queen Elizabeth Stakes favourite for this weekend.
âIt was too soft for her in the ÂDoncaster,â Thompson said. âBut sheâs come through the run well.â
As for Peeping, Quinton said the four-year-old daughter of Redouteâs Choice would not attempt the Coolmore Classic â Queen Of The Turf Stakes double.
She instead heads to the paddock for a quick break before returning to tackle the riches of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.
Current Queen Of The Turf Stakes odds are led by the Ciaron Maher-trained Azkadellia ($2.80) who ran third in last weekendâs Doncaster and who is also still in the mix for a rematch with Winx in the $4 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
To back your favourites in all of Saturdayâs feature races at the right price, head to Ladbrokes.com.au now and quote the code BETBONUS as a new depositing player to also enjoy up to $500 in bonuses for a short time only!