A field of 13 will step out over the Randwick mile on Saturday to decide what is arguably one of the strongest editions of the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes.
Eight Group 1 winners will face the starter, including defending champion and current Horse of the Year, Verry Elleegant.
Champion trainer Chris Waller is chasing his 10th Chipping Norton win, and he again holds a strong hand in the race with Kolding and Hungry Heart taking their place alongside Verry Elleegant.
With plenty of rain about, Godolphin’s two-time Group 1 winning mare Colette looks to be a major player, while Think It Over has also been installed on the top line of betting after blitzing her rivals first-up in the Apollo Stakes.
For our thoughts on every runner, check out our 2022 Chipping Norton Stakes Preview below!
Think It Over
Think It Over is hoping to become the fifth horse in the last six years to complete the Apollo Stakes-Chipping Norton double on Saturday.
The son of So You Think copped a bump early and raced wide without cover first-up, but that didn’t stop him from going on to win by more than 2.5L ahead of Colette.
The Kerry Parker-trained six-year-old has missed the money only once from five starts in his second run back, and he’s also turned into a bit of a Randwick specialist with seven wins on the board.
Think It Over proved he was a Group 1 horse last year when he came out and won the George Ryder at Rosehill, and providing the track isn’t too wet, he does rate as one of the main players.
Kolding
Kolding is back for another crack at the Chipping Norton after running less-than a length fifth to Verry Elleegant last year.
The Chris Waller-trained galloper went on to claim his third Group 1 two starts later in the All Aged Stakes, but his form since has been plain to say the least.
The son of Ocean Park failed to run a place during the spring, while his first-up run in the Apollo Stakes a fortnight ago was well below average.
Has had a trial between runs and tends to go well at Randwick but still looks tough to recommend based on recent form.
Top Ranked
Top Ranked has eyes set on a start in the All-Star Mile, and he can strengthen his claims ten-fold with a win first-up in the Chipping Norton.
Annabel Neasham’s import won his first four races overseas in Ireland and was also placed in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes last year.
The six-year-old ran an impressive third on debut in The Hunter at Newcastle during the spring, and his trials suggest he’s going to be a major player right throughout the Autumn Carnival.
Mount Popa
Mount Popa went unplaced in three starts at Group 1 level during the spring.
The Hawkes-trained galloper does boast some decent first-up and heavy track form, but he appears tested in this elite field.
Angel Of Truth
Angel Of Truth’s last win came in the ATC Derby way back in 2019.
He’s run a place only four times since then and is unlikely to trouble most of these.
Stockman
Stockman returns from a freshen-up and is facing Group 1 company for the first time.
He was seen doing his best work late over the track and distance in the Villiers Stakes last year for fourth and is another one that tends to race well fresh.
Whether he finds the mile too sharp first-up is the main query, but with three wins and two starts to his name on heavy going, he’s worth considering for a place.
Maximal
It’s tough to know what to make of Maximal based on his first-up run in the Apollo.
John O’Shea’s British raider looked capable of running a place after settling midfield, only to weaken badly in the final stages to run last.
The races he ran over in Europe suggests he’s capable of better, but with little to no wet track form, he’s tough to have.
Verry Elleegant
Defending champion Verry Elleegant is the deserving favourite as she chases her 11th Group 1.
Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner failed to produce her usual turn of foot when fresh in the Apollo Stakes, but she can be forgiven on that run given 1400m was far from her best.
Out to the mile now should help her improve, while her second-up record of four wins from seven starts speaks for itself.
The reigning Horse of the Year boasts an equally impressive record at Randwick, and given she’s proven on all going, there isn’t much else that needs to be said.
Colette
It is no surprise to find plenty of early support for Colette.
The Godolphin mare ran exceptionally well first-up in the Apollo Stakes, peeling away from midfield to finish a clear runner-up to Think It Over.
The daughter of Hallowed Crown seemingly had plenty left to give when crossing the line, and like Verry Elleegant, she’ll appreciate getting out to the mile now where she’s won twice previously.
Barrier 3 should see Tim Clark settle off the speed early, and with an unblemished 3-0 record on heavy going to her name, you’d be mad not to include Colette in your numbers.
Montefilia
Montefilia ran some big races during the spring and is not without claims in the Chipping Norton.
David Payne’s four-year-old mare finished three lengths off Think It Over in the Chemslford first-up last September before going on to win her third Group 1 in The Metropolitan.
There’s no doubt she’ll be looking for further, but with a win to her name over the track and distance, and some strong wet track form, she’s a worthy each-way contender.
Hungry Heart
Hungry Heart can improve on her first-up run in the Apollo Stakes when fourth to Think It Over.
A slow start cost the Frankel mare some early ground, but she still looked good in the finish racing past a few 350m out from home.
She’s won second-up previously and has run a couple of placings over the mile, but her form on rain-affected going does look a big query.
She’s Ideel
She’s Ideel has placed twice at Group 1 level in the past, including last year when she ran second to Sir Dragonet in the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill.
The Dundeel mare was far from disgraced in last year’s Melbourne Cup, and she is a much better horse than her second-last effort in the Apollo Stakes suggests.
The Bjorn Baker-trained six-year-old gets out to her preferred trip where she’s won twice previously, and she typically relishes racing with some sting out of the ground.
Could run a nice race at a big price.
Duais
Duais never really threatened first-up in the Apollo, but he did clock the fastest final 600m of the race.
He can take plenty of improvement away from that run, but probably warrants more consideration over further.
