King Charles III Stakes: runner by runner preview

Red = horse who aren’t suited. Blue = horses who are suited and look to be the main dangers.

1. Mr Brightside (12) – Ben, Will & JD Hayes – Craig Williams – $4.80
The 10-time G1 winner heads up the Hume and lands at Randwick. He was solid first up in the Memsie before a G1 Makybe Diva win second up when getting favours out in front. There have been question marks around him post the HK excursion, but what we saw in his barrier trial on October 7 at Randwick was a horse in career-best form. He can slide across from the kind 1609m starting point and land in a stalking spot here – from there he looks the horse to beat.

2. Royal Patronage (3) – Waterhouse & Bott – Tim Clark – $21.00
He looked to have needed that first-up run over 1400m in the G3 Bill Ritchie. The move out to 1609m with four weeks between runs suggests the work has been poured into him. He maps well and should land in behind Pride Of Jenni. How far will she get in front? Will he have to do all the donkey work for the rest of the field? Those are the two big question marks.

3. Ceolwulf (9) – Joseph Pride – Chad Schofield – $10.00
It’s D-Day for Ceolwulf – his career peak and best win came in this race 12 months ago when he ate up the Pride Of Jenni tempo and stormed to victory. He gets the blinkers back on and is full of fitness now, fifth up this prep. He draws to get the perfect trail behind the hot speed and should get every possible chance to be at his best — and his best is good enough to win this, no doubt.

4. Lake Forest (2) – William Haggas – Zac Purton – $7.00
Last year’s Golden Eagle winner returns to Australian shores in search of more rich prize money. He hasn’t quite been in the same form leading in, but we always have to give William Haggas and his horses the utmost respect. He will likely get back in the run from the inside draw, which is a concern, and he’s tackling 1600m for the first time. Respect him, but he looks up against it here.

5. Tom Kitten (7) – Anthony & Sam Freedman – Ben Melham – $23.00
Which Tom will turn up? At his best, he can win this race, but he’s had his fair share of issues this prep and hasn’t fired a shot. The move back to Randwick – which he knows well – could spark the best version of Tom.

6. Pericles (5) – Joseph Pride – Josh Parr – $10.00
The rising 6yo has found a new lease on life under the Pride stable. Dominant first-up win in the G2 Tramway before he trucked up in the G1 Epsom to only be beaten 1.5L by the star Autumn Glow. He hits this race third up now, sticking to his best 1600m trip. He maps to get a lovely suck run just behind the hot speed and can use the likes of Royal Patronage to tow him into the race. Right in this.

7. Yellow Brick (10) – Tony & Maddysen Sears – Jason Collett – $126.00
A tricky horse to catch who finds another class rise here and draws poorly.

8. Pier (8) – Darryn & Briar Weatherley – Ethan Brown – $31.00
Smart draw in barrier 1 where he can tag the back of Royal Patronage throughout. He’s been solid in two runs back this prep in the Theo Marks and Epsom, both times beaten by Autumn Glow. Yet to see him over 1600m in a fast-run race – Saturday could show us his best version.

9. El Castelo (9) – Joseph Pride – Adam Hyeronimus – $71.00
We know this G1 Spring Champion winner will see out a fast-run 1609m, but does he have the brilliance to beat this field? Looks a throw at the stumps, but don’t be surprised to see him hitting the line strongly late.

10. Fangirl (11) – Chris Waller – James McDonald – $4.20
The queen of the field – a 4-time G1 winner – coming off a bounce-back win in the 7 Stakes. She’s come up rather short here though and has drifted to $4.20. We know the elite turn of foot she possesses, but the query is whether she can produce that off the back of a strongly run first half. History shows that’s when she’s vulnerable. Class act, but I’m happy to take her on.

11. Pride Of Jenni (8) – Ciaron Maher – Declan Bates – $4.60
What a mare she is. She wound back the clock last start for an emphatic all-the-way win in the Feehan Stakes, beating Treasurethemoment. She has a 2000m G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes win on her CV when beating Via Sistina, plus much more. I like the 3-weeks between runs, but I don’t like the kind nature of the 1609m start – this will likely allow her rivals to keep her within striking distance. The other concern is the speed around her: Pericles and Royal Patronage should keep her honest while also giving the rest of the field a tow up to her.

12. Within The Law (6) – Bjorn Baker – Rachel King – $21.00
The first 3yo to tackle the King Charles III Stakes, and with the distance now sitting at 1600m, the 3yo’s get in very light. She comes off strong 3yo filly form, but this is a big step up in class. She’ll get a lovely tempo to run on from the back – we’ll know how good she is come the 200m mark.