Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick – 6 September 2008

Racing returns to Randwick on Saturday for the first time since June 15 when the track was closed for World Youth Day Celebrations during July. It is also the first spring racing at Randwick for two years as Equine Influenza destroyed last year’s Spring Carnival. The feature event on Saturday is the Group 2 $200,000 weight-for-age Chelmsford Stakes over 1600 metres. There are only five horses in the field and the favourite is Doncaster winner Triple Honour.

Triple Honour won the Premiere Stakes on 16 August in his first race since the Doncaster. That race also had only five starters. Trainer Chris Waller trialled him without blinkers in a 1200 metre Warwick Farm barrier trial last Friday and both he and jockey Glen Boss were happy with the horse. Boss has won the Chelmsford Stakes before on Eremein (2006) and Juggler (1997). Triple Honour has won six of his ten starts and is currently the second favourite behind Racing To Win for the Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 4.

Second favourite in the Chelmsford is Gallant Tess who ran second behind Racing To Win by only a short neck when returning to racing in the Warwick Stakes on 23 August in her first run since the Doncaster. She looked very classy in the Warwick Stakes, but has never won second up. She will be ridden by her regular jockey Jeff Lloyd. Trainer David Payne won this race back-to-back with Nevis in 2005 and Unearthly in 2004.

Third in the betting is Kishkat who has won five and been placed twice from eight starts. This will be her first weight-for-age race but she looks up to the company as she won her last start by 3 lengths in the Listed $100,000 Toy Show Quality Handicap over 1400 metres at Warwick Farm on August 23. She has won her last 4 starts in a row and is trained by Gai Waterhouse who last won this race in 1997 with Juggler.

The Chelmsford Stakes was first run in 1895 and has had Group 2 status since 1979. Famous horses to win the race include Lonhro (2002 and 03), Might and Power (1998), Filante (1996), Dr Grace (1992), Stargazer (1990 and 91), Sky Chase (1988), Emancipation (1983), Kingston Town (1980 and 81), Ming Dynasty (1978), Gunsynd (1970), Tulloch(1960), Bernborough (1946) and Phar Lap (1930).

by Jo Jackson

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