The race of the Autumn, the clash of the year is what the build up is for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday, where all eyes will be on Australian champ Anamoe and overseas raider Dubai Honour.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes
2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Speed Map
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact leader. Mo’Unga and Numerian look the main speed influences and they potentially get control. The x factor there is Anamoe. With little speed, I think J Mac will force the issue and go forward. He could land outside the leader or even lob 1/1 and from there, he’s very dangerous. Unicorn Lion has early speed and drawn out, I think Damian Lane will roll the dice in looking to get a spot in the front half.
2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Anamoe: We can only hope the race on paper delivers on race day. This has the potential to be a race for the ages. Anamoe has the runs on the board and this is his swan song for Australian racing so you can only assume James Cummings has him wound right up for the farewell. Wide no cover in the George Ryder and was there to be beaten but he found when required and class got him home. People will look at the form in the Ryder not standing up in the Doncaster, but he’s just a winner Anamoe and last time he was at 2000m, he won the Cox Plate. He’s here for redemption from last year and to farewell Australia on the right note.
2. Dubai Honour: Any hint of improvement from Dubai Honour and it could be a case of good luck beating him. His Ranvet win was outstanding, the change up speed and the way he made an absolute mess of them. The Ranvet form, as a whole, was terrible in the Tancred a week later, so while you can pot the Ryder form, you can easily pot the Ranvet form. But, he has the William Haggas polish and the stable have an unbelievable record in the race.
3. Alenquer: To me, he still needs time to settle into Australian life. He jumped out like a donkey leading into the All Star Mile and ran accordingly. Yes, that form was A1 in the Doncaster last Saturday, but he needs to improve significantly and I can’t see him doing that.
4. Cascadian: He is an absolute ripper for James Cummings. Placed to perfection the last 6-12 months, he comes into this off the back of an Australian Cup triumph where he would have been a moral beaten had he not got clear but he managed to get out and class came to the fore. I don’t think he wins, but he is an absolute must for exotics.
5. Mo’Unga: Has looked very one paced this prep so for me, his best chance will be to roll on speed and make it a proper 2000m test. He proved in the Ranvet that a sit/sprint isn’t his go at all and was no match for Dubai Honour. He can run top four, but doubt he wins.
6. Numerian: He’s done a super job this time in. Game effort fresh in the Peter Young before having fresh legs into the Australian Cup where he was near the speed and for a few strides, was hailed as the winner, but had no answers late for the finale produced by Cascadian. He’ll land near the front and try hard…just don’t think he has the class/quality to win.
7. Unicorn Lion: This track needs to dry right out for Unicorn Lion. If it does, he is hot on the heels of Anamoe and Dubai Honour as a key chance. He is the Japanese factor in the race and more often than not, the Japanese spank anything, as seen previously in Australia and recently at Dubai. This guy is probably closer to the end than the beginning but Yahagi is a gun trainer and wouldn’t be coming over here for a holiday.
8. Zeyrek: Absolutely flying this guy and deserves a crack in a race like this. He produced one of the runs of the day when winning the Neville Sellwood last time and that form has proven to be a good formula for Team Hawkes with Mount Popa. He’s flying, he handles all conditions…one for exotics.
9. Protagonist: He is similar to Unicorn Lion. He needs this track to dry right out. He found a bog in the Doncaster last Saturday and couldn’t pick his feet up in the conditions. To me, this seems a throw at the stumps, so happy to go past him.
10. Gear Up: I don’t think he is sharp enough to trouble these. Australian debut in the Neville Sellwood was a definite pass mark behind Zeyrek, but I would be highly shocked if that form turned out to be the winning form reference for this race.
11. Hezashocka: Ran a ripping third in the Champions Stakes in the Spring. Needed the run in the Blamey before the Australian Cup where he ran a close up fifth to Cascadian. Think he would be more well placed at Sandown in the Easter Cup more so than here, but has upside and off that Champions Stakes effort, he’s in with a shout.
12. Montefilia: Ripping mare who is bursting to win a Group l again. Can easily make a case to say she wins the Tancred had she not stumbled on the turn. She balanced up and drove hard late to just miss. 2000m, a truly run 2000m, looks ideal for her, she’ll be strong late and handles cushion in the track.
13. El Patroness: El Patroness has to be given some level of respect here for Danny O’Brien. Thought it was a very patient/negative ride in the Australian Cup and she should have finished much closer IMO behind a star in Cascadian. Proven at 2400m on this day last year in the Oaks and she is a mare with good upside to come. Not sure she wins, but wouldn’t shock me entirely if she pinched a first four spot at a big price.
2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
Backing in the local champ and having $100 Win on Anamoe.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $5750
Group l Strategy Return: $3809.50