Australia: 3-year-olds chase Group 1 glory at Randwick

The Sydney Everest carnival continues Friday at Royal Randwick, with more than US$4.5 million in prize money up for grabs on a thrilling night of elite racing. The energy is electric, the fields are deep, and the stage is set for one of the season’s most anticipated showdowns, the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes over 1 1/4 miles, where the next generation of champions go head to head. First post is at 9:25 p.m. EDT.

A quality field of 15 will face the starter in this year’s renewal, promising an outstanding betting contest for punters and fans alike. At the top of the early market sit Shangri-La Boy and Attica, joint favorites at 3-1 on the morning line. Shangri-La Boy dominated his last start, winning with authority and stamping himself as a genuine Group 1 contender. He maps perfectly for this race and finds himself clearly on top of the tips after such an impressive display. Attica, on the other hand, is a powerful closer who does his best work late. Expect him to be charging home strongly if the tempo up front is genuine.

However, there is intrigue further down the market with Officiate, the improving son of Justify, hailing from the Chris Waller barn. Sitting at 25-1 on the morning line, this colt has been sharpening with every start, and his powerful pedigree suggests he’ll relish the trip. Fans of Justify will no doubt be watching closely, as Officiate could be the one to deliver a surprise result at big odds.

Before the feature, all eyes will be on Lindermann in race 6. The classy galloper has found his groove and appears ideally placed to deliver another victory. For those structuring exotic tickets, Lindermann is the standout single to anchor your plays across the evening.

For punters chasing value, there’s a $10,000 pool guarantee on the late Pick 4 at Randwick covering races 7-10, a terrific opportunity to land a healthy dividend on one of the biggest nights of the season.

With top-class fields, rising stars, and the electric atmosphere that defines Randwick’s spring racing, the Spring Champion Stakes meeting promises an unforgettable night. The feature starts Saturday at 1:30 a.m. EDT, Friday at 10:30 p.m. PDT.

Watch live on FanDuel TV or live-stream every race in high definition on the Sky Racing World App, skyracingworld.com and all major ADW platforms including FanDuel, TwinSpires, Xpressbet, NYRABets, WatchandWager, HPIbet, TVG and AmWager. Wagering is also available via these ADW platforms. Fans can get free access to past performances and expert picks on all races at skyracingworld.com.

Coverage of Randwick for Horse Racing Nation is made possible through a sponsorship by Sky Racing World.