Horse Racing is a big business in Australia. Feature races highlight the racing calendar, with the best horses from Australia and abroad battling for prize money and prestige.
The type of races a horse competes in depends on the horse’s ability, with Maiden races (those for horses who have never won) the lowest class and Group 1 races for the best horses in Australia. It is common for horses to travel from overseas to race in Australian Group 1 races due to the large amounts of prize money on offer.
Group 1 racing also provides fantastic betting opportunities due to the quality of horses entered into the big races. All the horses have raced before, and experts argue that assessing the form lines heading into the big races is easier. That is why Group 1 races are the best to bet in April.
The Autumn Racing Carnival
The Autumn Racing Carnival is the premiere racing carnival in Sydney each year. With millions of dollars in prize money, the carnival attracts the best horses in Australia and overseas raiders. It mixes fantastic racing with fashion, and big crowds attend Randwick and Rosehill on race days. Undoubtedly, the race track is the place to be seen.
Group 1 Races in April 2023
There are 10 Group 1 races running in Sydney during April. They are listed below:
Dating back to 1866, the Doncaster Mile is run under handicap conditions and draws a capacity field who battle it out in search of a share of the $4 million in prize money as Doncaster Mile winners. The large field and different runners’ weights lead to a competitive race and typically an exciting finish.
The TJ Smith Stakes is the feature sprint race of the Sydney Autumn Carnival. The enigmatic Chautauqua came from well back on all occasions to win the race thrice from 2015 -2017 in crowd-pleasing finishes.
The Australian Derby gives 3yo horses a chance to step up in the distance to 2400m for the first time. It is a race where many staying stars have launched their careers.
The Sires’ Produce Stakes is the second leg of the 2yo Triple Crown. Run over 1400m horses that finish off well in the Golden Slipper are horses to follow.
First, run in 1851; the Queen Elizabeth Stakes endured many changes over the decades. Initially run over 4800m, the length of the race has consistently decreased and is now run over 2000m. The superstar WINX notched up a hat trick of Queen Elizabeth Stakes wins in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Despite the recent decline in popularity for staying races, the Sydney Cup run over 2 miles (3200 metres) is still one of the feature races of the Championships. However, it has been a tough race for punters, with The Offer (2014) the last favourite to salute.
Australian Oaks allows the filly’s to showcase their staying prowess over 2400m. Verry Elleegant won the 2019 Oaks and has become a star of Australian racing.
Raced over 1600m, the Queen of the Turf Stakes is the Grand Final for Australia’s best middle-distance Fillies and Mares. Gai Waterhouse has dominated the race, training five winners in the last 12 years.
Run under weight for age conditions; the All Aged Stakes is a 1400m race that attracts some of the best middle-distance gallopers in Australia. It is run on the last day of the Autumn Carnival and is generally Grand Final Day for its participants.
Run over 1600m; the Champagne Stakes is the final leg of the 2yo Triple Crown. The young horses step up to 1600m for the first time, and this can lead to some exciting results, with some fancied runners struggling over the trip while some roughies appreciate the extra ground.
Where To Bet
The emergence of the internet and technological advancements in the late 1990s has made it easier to bet on racing. Punters can now bet on horse racing on their telephones and portable devices. However, punters must bet with a licensed bookmaker guaranteed by a reputable authority.
Palmerbet is a third-generation bookmaking family owned locally and operates under the regulation of Racing NSW. They are financially guaranteed by the NSW Bookmakers Co-Operative and licensed by the NSW government. You can bet with confidence when betting with Palmerbet.
Palmerbet is your one-stop for all your betting tips, racing, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting odds. Visit their website at Palmerbet.com or download the Palmerbet app via the app store.