By DEJA VU
A week ago, Britain's monarch, delivered a rare address to her subjects in the United Kingdom and Australia, regarding Planet Earth's current situation.
Now, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes is running at Royal Randwick in Sydney another quartet of Group One races are prevalent, matching Day 1 of “The Championships”.
First staged in 1851 as the Queen's Plate, in honour of Queen Victoria, the weight-for-age Queen Elizabeth Stakes has soared in stature to become the showpiece.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II witnessed the 1954 running. Its past three editions were won by Winx, who cemented her unsurpassable legacy in the 2019 renewal – 33rd consecutive victory.
Unforgettable scenes unfolded in front of a rapturous, capacity crowd of 42,000 fans – a stark paradox to this year's spectator-free auditorium.
The world-class field of 13 entries, is a wide open affair. Favourite is Danon Premium 3-1, a lightly raced Japanese 5-year-old who makes his 2020 and Australian debut.
He is the son of Deep Impact. Connections spent two weeks in a self-isolation facility set next to the equine quarantine centre.
James Macdonald is riding Danon Premium. He already manufactured nine winners in only a few days. McDonald worked Danon Premium six furlongs and was highly complimentary of amazing class, balance and execution.
English gelding Addeybb (Tom Marqand 7-2) is also being marketed at second best.
He has the benefit of a local race where he pipped Verry Elleegant - also on a rematch mission.
New Zealand stablemates Te Akau Shark 5-1 and Melody Belle (10-1), merit huge respect, while rising star Master of Wine 8-1 continues his exciting journey to upper echelon spheres.
The Coolmore Legacy features fillies and mares at weight-for-age. Funstar 2-1, had developed a compelling rivalry with Probabeel that was building toward the Australian Oaks.
However, the pair is now taking divergent paths after trainer Chris Waller decided that Funstar is better for this one.
In the 1.5 mile Australian Oaks, emerging stayer, Colette 2-1, showed she was ready for bigger leagues with a slashing win in a recent prep-up. Probabeel 3-1 and Shout the Bar 7-2, are vying against Collette.
Avid followers can watch on skyracingworld.com, for live streaming.
