The Chipping Norton Stakes is one of two Group 1 features on the nine event race program at Rosehill on Saturday alongside of the Group 1 Surround Stakes for the three year old fillies.
The 1600m weight for age race has attracted a field of fourteen runners with another trans Tasman battle looming with the Kiwi Group 1 winner Te Akau Shark taking on the Australian stars again.
The James Cummings trained Avilius, the people’s favourite Happy Clapper, the Chris Waller trained Verry Elleegant and Group 1 performer Dreamforce will be trying to keep the Chipping Norton Stakes Trophy on Australian shores.
We have analysed the entire field and our complete 2020 Chipping Norton Stakes tips can be found below!
Avilius
Avilius is a two times winner over the Chipping Norton Stakes course and distance and he will strip fitter after one run back from a spell for a fifth in the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8. Hugh Bowman takes over from Damian Lane on the James Cummings trained six year old who has a good second up record and appears to be one of the main chances.
Happy Clapper
The people’s favourite Happy Clapper is also fitter for one run back from a spell for a solid third in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 15. Happy Clapper has a great record over the Chipping Norton Stakes course and distance with three wins and five placings and has a great chance to figure amongst the prizemoney again. Tommy Berry rides again.
Te Akau Shark
Te Akau Shark has been the favourite for the Chipping Norton Stakes in pre-post betting at Ladbrokes.com.au but the Kiwi has been handed the visitor’s draw and will jump from gate thirteen in the fourteen horse field. The Jamie Richards trained Te Akau Shark was very competitive during the 2019 Spring Carnival which included a third in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley and landed back in Australia following a win in the Group 1 NZ$200,000 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in New Zealand on February 8. Has a great chance to claim a Group 1 win on Australian soil.
Dreamforce
Dreamforce is yet to win a Group 1 but has performed creditably at that level with three placings, including two over the Chipping Norton Stakes course and distance with a second in the 2019 Doncaster Mile during the Autumn Carnival and a second in the 2019 George Main Stakes during the Spring Carnival. The John Thompson trained Dreamforce was runner up in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 15 when resuming and has a handy second up record. Is one of the main chances with the blinkers going back on.
Fierce Impact
Fierce Impact proved during the 2019 Spring Carnival that he is a genuine Group 1 performer with back to back wins at that level in the Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield and in the Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. The Matthew Smith trained six year old resumed for a second in the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8 and can figure in the finish in a tough race.
Danceteria
The Kris Lees trained European import Danceteria has a Group 1 win in Germany on his record but failed to beat a runner home at his only start in Australia when last of fourteen in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley during the 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival. Betting on the day will be the best guide for his chances in the Chipping Norton Stakes.
Homesman
Homesman has performed well at this level and has won first up in the past and is not the roughest. The European import will be having his first start for the Anthony Freedman stable and his first start since finishing down the track when eleventh in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley during the 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival. Homesman has won a recent Werribee barrier trial and the betting will be the best guide to his chances.
Come Play With Me
Come Play With Me claimed Group 1 glory during the 2019 Sydney Spring Carnival with a win in The Metropolitan over 2400m at Randwick. The Chris Waller trained five year old has had one run back from a break for a ninth in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes over 1400m at Randwick and will be better suited over more ground later on in his Autumn Carnival campaign.
Life Less Ordinary
Life Less Ordinary is another stayer from the Chris Waller stable that will be looking for a longer journey later in his preparation. The eight year old has had one run back for a sixth in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Angel Of Truth
Angel Of Truth scored an all the way win in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) during the 2019 Sydney Autumn Carnival but has failed to finish in the placings at his next six runs. The Gwenda Markwell trained four year old resumed for an eighth in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Carif
Carif has fair form at Group 3 level with his best performances being over longer journeys. Carif is yet to win first up and will be facing the starter for the first time since running second in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on the last day of the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Djukon
European import Djukon is a three times winner in Germany in weaker company over 2000m plus and will be having his first start for Chris Waller and his first start on Australian soil in the Chipping Norton Stakes and betting on the day will be the best guide to his chances. Will be better suited in the longer contests later on in the Autumn Carnival.
Verry Elleegant
Verry Elleegant proved to be the superior staying filly during the 2019 Sydney Autumn Carnival with wins in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick. The Chris Waller trained mare has won over the shorter distances in the past and will strip fitter for a first up fourth in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 15. Not the worst.
Danzdanzdance
Danzdanzdance is a Group 1 winner over 1600m in New Zealand and made up some ground first up this campaign when fifth in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 15. A win here would surprise.