Inglis Sires’ Tips - Waller and McDonald combination to claim the first Group 1 of The Championships

An unlucky 4th in the Golden Slipper, the son of Snitzel came from well back in the premier juvenile race a performance that was full of merit after he gave up significant ground early on the hot speed, found a run through the middle and then had to come wide when trying to build momentum. 

Despite that, he finished strongly and his final sectionals backed up the eye, producing one of the better closing efforts from the beaten brigade. Chris Waller flagged pre-Slipper that he was the runner with the “wow factor”, and the rise from 1200m to 1400m looks perfectly suited to that sustained finishing profile.

The likely Good to Soft track is another positive. With only 1–10mm forecast and fine weather in the lead-up, Randwick should remain in a range where acceleration still matters, and Campione D’Italia’s ability to settle midfield and build through his gears late gives him every chance to show that class edge.

Streisand is the obvious danger after going 8.9 lengths faster than standard in the Golden Slipper, comfortably the best benchmark figure any runner in this field has produced. Her toughness has already been proven through the Blue Diamond (1200m) and Golden Slipper, and from barrier 5 she maps to get the right run just behind the speed.

Five contenders in the Sires come out of the Slipper and that has been the proven lead up over the years towards the Sires, providing 21 of the past 31 winners. Streisand, Campione D’Italia, Zambales and Paradoxium account for the top four in the market for the Sires, while Fireball is a $20 contender. 

Zambales remains the major forgive horse out of the Slipper. He had severe interference at a key stage after Nash Rawiller said he found all sorts of trouble trying to maintain momentum. The rise to 1400m suits and from barrier 10 he should finally get the uninterrupted running he missed last start.

Paradoxium is another that can improve sharply after racing wide without cover throughout in the Slipper. His Todman Stakes win still reads strongly and in a smaller field here, he gets the chance to settle much more economically.

Fireball also profiles as a sneaky improver. James McDonald’s “good run, will improve next prep” comment looks highly relevant with the extra 200m and a more measured tempo, especially after producing the second-fastest late splits of the Slipper runners.

Miss Chanel heads those that come out of separate races and was runner-up in the VOBIS Gold Platinim (1200m) at Caulfield at her most recent start. Despite entering this as a Maiden, she produced some solid figures and being from the Waterhouse/Bott camp, she must be respected. Tornado Valley, Wolf Gap and Rachini are other contenders under the $20 in the 14-horse field. 

Campione D’Italia has drawn barrier 3, which looks ideal for Damian Lane to find cover just behind the speed and angle into the clear at the top of the Randwick straight.

Streisand from gate 5 maps in the first four pairs, while Fireball and Miss Chanel can also settle handy enough without burning fuel.

Paradoxium from barrier 14 has options to either press on and sit outside the lead or look for cover midfield, while Zambales from 10 should land one-off in clear air.

The map looks much kinder than the Slipper and that should suit the horses with sustained closing speed over the final 300m.

Campione D’Italia

This looks his race. The Slipper run had enormous merit after giving up ground early, copping traffic and still producing one of the better closing efforts. Up to 1400m, drawn to get the perfect smother and with the “wow factor” Waller referenced, he gets every chance to produce his peak juvenile performance.

Zambales

A complete forgive from the Slipper after severe interference at the crucial stage. The rise to 1400m is ideal, the map from barrier 10 is cleaner, and the likely Good to Soft track can help him build momentum. At the quote, he is still the clear value play.