King Charles III Stakes Tips - Best bets for the George Main Stakes replacement
- Runner-by-runner guide to new King Charles III Stakes
- Mr Brightside is the one to beat
- Who will win the Randwick Group 1?
Formerly the George Main Stakes, the King Charles III Stakes is a new Group 1 race run over 1600m at Royal Randwick under weight-for-age conditions.
The George Main was first run in 1945 it has been won by some champion horses including Kingston Town (1982), Lonhro (2003) and Anamoe (2022).
This year it has moved date and been given a new name. We have gone through every runner in the 2023 edition below and given our tips with odds from bet365.
1. Think It Over (4)
Caused a massive upset when storming down the outside rail to win the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at a massive price before succumbing to injury.
Returned to the races for the first time since that win when beaten 1.5 lengths in the Group 1 Winx Stakes before placing in the Chelmsford.
Then followed that up with a narrow victory over Zaaki last start and has drawn perfectly in barrier four for this.
His best is good enough and he is one that looks a great each-way bet.
2. Mr Brightside (8)
Has proven the best middle distance horse in the country since the retirement of Anamoe.
The Hayes trained gelding has won his last five in a row including all three so far this prep.
Beat Alligator Blood by 1.5 lengths last time out and that horse subsequently came out and won which proves just how good this guy is going right now.
There’s no doubting he is the deserving favourite but I want be diving into even money.
3. Zaaki (7)
Has been an incredible horse at the top level for quite some time now and although he has failed to win in both starts so far this prep, he’s been beaten less than half a length both times.
Has placed in 11 of 15 career Group 1 starts and so long as Jamie Kah doesn’t continue a poor run of form in the saddle, he will again be one of the major players.
4. Huetor (12)
Made it back-to-back Doomben Cup wins during a successful winter campaign and should have some residual fitness from that long prep.
Not sure he can mix it with these top liners over a mile.
5. Light Infantry Man (6)
Has placed in nine of 12 career race starts mostly in France and the UK although he did come out to Sydney during last year’s spring carnival.
He was beaten under two lengths in the Golden Eagle in his only run during that trip but there is plenty of early support in betting.
This is a quality Group 1 event with many local horses racing well so I’d be happy to him on at single figure odds.
6. My Oberon (3)
This Annabel Neasham trained gelding is going far better than his form on paper suggests.
He has been beaten two lengths in all three runs so far this prep including the Group 1 Epsom Handicap last time out.
He rises just 3kgs in weight and meets horses like Rediener and Kovalica far better off at the weights for this contest.
Was also narrowly beaten by Mr Brightside in the Doncaster in April.
He will get a gun run from barrier three and is one that appeals at a massive price.
7. Buckaroo (10)
Will make his Australian racing debut at Group 1 level on Saturday.
Three wins from 11 career starts has earned him a trip to the southern hemisphere in an attempt to win some of our massive prize money and there has been some support in betting.
Hugh Bowman will steer from barrier 10.
8. Zeyrek (13)
Zeyrek has been excellent in all three runs so far during his spring campaign beaten 2,3 lengths or less in each.
He has had four attempts at Group 1 level for no placings however and will need a career high rating to win.
9. Nugget (9)
Carried just 54kg in the Epsom Handicap last time out when beaten four lengths but has two placings from four starts at Group 1 level.
Should get a nice run from barrier four but will need to take a big step forward to be competitive.
10. Democracy Manifest (16)
The Chris Waller trained horse is capable of producing some exceptional late sectionals as seen when winning the Group 3 Cameron at Newcastle two back.
He again stormed home in the Epsom to get within 1.3 lengths of the winner but rises 7.5kg here at weight-for-age.
Will need a tonne of luck from the awkward barrier.
11. Golden Mile (5)
Was very ordinary in his first two runs this prep but all concerns are gone after two impressive runs since.
He took out the Group 2 Theo Marks and was then run over in the concluding stages in the Epsom Handicap.
Meets a lot of those horses much better at the weights here and has drawn to get a gun run in transit from barrier five.
12. Kovalica (15)
Is yet to miss a place from three career starts at Group 1 level including a narrow defeat in the Epsom last time out at this track and distance.
In fact, he has only missed a placed twice in his 11 start career.
The wide barrier is of some concern but his best is good enough.
13. Redeiner (1)
Couldn’t have been much more impressive when winning first up at Group 3 level before securing his maiden Group 1 win in the Epsom Handicap last start at this track and distance.
He meets a lot of those horses much worse at the weights rising 8.5kg and I prefer others.
14. Fangirl (2)
Broke through for her second career Group 1 victory when resuming in the Winx Stakes and managed a third last time out behind Think It Over.
She’s been an incredibly consistent mare over her career finishing in the top two in five of 10 career starts at the highest level.
She is again right in this race from the good draw.
15. Atishu (11)
A good return to the races when beaten less than two lengths at Group 2 level and, while well beaten, she finished second behind Espiona.
She’ll appreciate the step up in distance at this stage of her prep and represents good value at her current price.
16. Hope In Your Heart (14)
Finished within two lengths of the winner Rediener in the Epsom second up from a spell and is another that meets a lot of those horses better at the weights.
Her winning record of late is ordinary and she always seems to find a few better.
Happy to take her on in a race of this quality.
Verdict
SELECTIONS
1st: My Oberon
2nd Mr Brightside
3rd: Think It Over
4th: Fangirl
1st: My Oberon
2nd Mr Brightside
3rd: Think It Over
4th: Fangirl
My Oberon
Each-Way
@33/1 - 1 Unit
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