Track: Soft   Weather: Showers

There were 12 acceptances for the $150,000 Christmas Classic but there have been two early scratchings of Athiri (who was the early favourite) and Southern Lad. Three of the runners (including the two scratchings) had their last start in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap over 1200m at Randwick on 12 December, two had their last start in the Magic Millions 3&4YO race over 1200m at Wyong on 16 December and four are resuming from a spell. There are five four-year-olds, two five-year-olds, one six-year-old and two seven-year-olds. There is only one mare.

The early favourite is Eleven Eleven who won the Wyong Magic Millions for 3&4YOs last start and has five wins from 17 starts. Second favourite is Discharged who is resuming from a 12 week spell and looks primed for a good first-up run with a 4.5 length win at the Rosehill trials on 18 December on soft going. Third favourite is Hightail who won the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas back in May then ran in black-type races at his next three starts. He resumes after 20 weeks and has trialled well.

Chat has placed at his last two starts and drops 5.5 kg from his last start. Spaceboy was 3rd in the Wyong Magic Millions for 3&4YOs. Easy Eddie finished 7th in the Listed Starlight Stakes last outing four weeks ago. Quackerjack resumes from a 13 week break and goes well first-up, while Inanup ran 4th in the Starlight Stakes then 5th in the Razor Sharp Handicap. The other two runners are currently 30 to 1 or longer.

1. Easy Eddie

Finished 7th in the Listed Starlight Stakes last outing four weeks ago

2. Quackerjack

Resumes from a 13 week break and goes well first-up.

3. Spirit Of Valor

This seven-year-old has only won two of his 25 starts and resumed for last of six runners over 1100m at Randwick. Has had an eight-week let-up and this looks too hard.

4. Athiri  – SCRATCHED

5. Hightail

Won the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas back in May then ran in black-type races at his next three starts. He resumes after 20 weeks and has trialled well.

6. Southern Lad  – SCRATCHED

7. Eleven Eleven

Won the Wyong Magic Millions for 3&4YOs last start and has five wins from 17 starts.

8. Chat

Has placed at his last two starts and drops 5.5 kg from his last start.

9. Tahitian Dancer

The only mare in the race now that Athiri has been scratched. She had six starts last campaign abnd didn’t finish better than 7th. Not here.

10. Inanup

Ran 4th in the Starlight Stakes then 5th in the Razor Sharp Handicap.

11. Discharged

Resuming from a 12 week spell and looks primed for a good first-up run with a 4.5 length win at the Rosehill trials on 18 December on soft going.

12. Spaceboy

Was 3rd in the Wyong Magic Millions for 3&4YOs.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
5 Hightail
7 Eleven Eleven
11 Discharged
1 Easy Eddie

Group 3 Standish Handicap 2021 (Flemington 1200m)

Listed Bagot Handicap 2021 (Flemington 2800m)

Group 2 Perth Cup 2021 (Ascot 2400m)

Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate 2021 (Eagle Farm 1400m)