Tips Category: Chipping Norton Stakes

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2023 Chipping Norton Stakes Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

If you take a moment to look back through the honour roll of the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes, you’ll notice it’s a race that’s been won by some very good horses over the years. Another name will be added to that list on Saturday when 12 of the country’s best go head to head at Royal Randwick in the 1600m feature. 

All eyes will be on Cox Plate champ and first up Apollo Stakes victor, Anamoe, in the $600,000 weight-for-age contest as he looks to add an eighth Group 1 to his already impressive CV.

He’s come up pretty short in the market after an impressive return to racing and is currently $1.70 with Dabble. Bonny mare Fangirl is next best at $8.00 and Mo’unga is also in contention at $9.00. It’s double figures the rest, headed by Hinged at $11.

However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and upsets so often occur. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2023 Chipping Norton Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. Anamoe (3) – $1.70F
Jockey – James McDonald 59kg
Trainer – James Cummings

The 2022 Cox Plate winner who resumed in fine style here at Randwick a fortnight ago and faces a similar field here. Won at this track/ trip second up last time after a similar first up effort. Wednesday’s barrier draw was kind, McDonald rides and Godolphin are on fire at the moment. Hard to tip against.

2. Mo’unga (11) – $9.00
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 59kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham

Sat wide without cover when resuming and still finished off strongly behind Anamoe to be beaten 1.5L. Ran third at a mile in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes second up last prep and has been knocking on the door for some time now. Will need some luck from the tricky gate but has to be considered one of the main hopes.


3. Knights Order (7) – $34
Jockey – Tim Clark 59kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Sydney Cup winner who led from barrier to box first up last prep in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes. That was on a Heavy10 surface and prior to that he was not a noted fresh horse. Trials leading into this have been just fair and despite having a great Randwick record, this might be a bit tough for him.

4. Huetor (9) – $31
Jockey – William Pike 59kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden

Resumes here after finishing midfield in the Group 2 Ingham at his only run last prep. Better form is over 10 furlongs and beyond but is capable of running some sort of race fresh off the back of a nice trial.

5. Laws Of Indices (6) – $18
Jockey – Ryan Maloney 59kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham

Second of the Neasham runners who was a tad disappointing first up in the Apollo Stakes. Think he’s a better horse ridden cold and that may just be the plan here. If he can reproduce his Hong Kong Mile run two starts ago he’s in with a big chance, but he’d need to break his Randwick hoodoo, where he’s unplaced from five attempts.

6. Stockman (10) – $61
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 59kg
Trainer – Joseph Pride

Real stayer who, despite finishing 11/11 first up, actually ran through the line quite nicely. Although the extra furlong will suit here, I’d be confident in saying this race is being used as another stepping stone towards more suitable races later in his prep.

7. Arapaho (2) – $61
Jockey – Rachel King 59kg
Trainer – Bjorn Baker

Another stayer who was quite good first up in the Apollo Stakes behind Anamoe. He will more than likely roll forward again from the good draw but may lack the dash required when the heat goes on. Watch for him over further.


8. Benaud (5) – $34
Jockey – Chad Schofield 59kg
Trainer – John O’Shea

Ghostly grey who resumes here off the back of an unsuccessful Caulfield Cup campaign. Has trialled quite nicely and can sprint well fresh, as we saw first up last prep when he was beaten just 2.5L by Anamoe over 1400m. Worth including in trifectas and first fours.

9. El Bodegon (12) – $18
Jockey – Regan Bayliss 58.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Former French galloper who finished third in last year’s Cox Plate behind Anamoe. Resumed in the Apollo Stakes where he again finished behind Anamoe, this time down the track. Will benefit from that run and appreciate the rise in journey but hard to see him troubling the favourite, let alone a couple of others, off the back of that performance.

10. Montefilia (8) – $19
Jockey – Dylan Gibbons (a) 57kg
Trainer – David Payne

Four time Group 1 winning mare who resumes here off the back of a Cups campaign. Wasn’t asked to do a lot in a recent trial and usually takes a run to find her best form. Wouldn’t completely put a line through her as she can produce a dynamite finish on her day, but a place bet may be best.

11. Fangirl (1) – $8.00
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Got back and reeled off some sizzling late sectionals first up in the Apollo Stakes. She was beaten a lip in the Golden Eagle at the end of last prep, suggesting she’s in fine fettle. Inside draw allows her to race a pair or two closer and if the track is dry, she is a big threat to the favourite for mine.


12. Hinged (4) – $11
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Led them up and ran her usual honest race first up behind Anamoe. Has a brilliant second up record and should find the front again from the good draw, in a race that looks to lack a bit of early tempo. Will give backers a great sight.

Final Word

After doing the form of this race, there’s quite a clear trend that appears. Whether it was the Apollo Stakes first up, the Cox Plate of last Spring, or even a race back in the Autumn of 2022, all of these runners have been chasing the tail of Anamoe, which is why he’s an odds on favourite here.

With that said, I’m hoping the Chris Waller trained Fangirl can buck that trend. She was super first up in the Apollo Stakes, running slick late sectionals to finish third and from the rails draw here can land a pair closer in the run. Dry ground is the key and if she gets a bit of luck in the straight, feel she can really give Anamoe a run for his money.

Of course he (Anamoe) has to be considered the danger. He’s a five time winner here at Randwick and a two time Group 1 winner at this trip. He’ll get a gun run from gate three and will look the winner at the furlong.

Mo’unga has been knocking at the winners door for some time now. He ran some terrific races, without much luck, in the Spring and resumed in the Apollo Stakes with a closing fifth after racing wide. He’ll need some luck again here from the wide draw but has plenty of class on his side.

Of the others, Hinged should lead them up and run her usual honest race, and Laws Of Indices can improve up to the mile with a more patient ride. He’s also accepted for the Futurity Stakes at Sandown, so not sure where he’ll be headed.

Chipping Norton Stakes TipLogo

11. Fangirl – Each-way ($8.00/$2.25)

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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.

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2022 Chipping Norton Stakes Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

The Chipping Norton Stakes is a Group 1 mile (1600m) race run at Royal Randwick. The $600k feature is used primarily as a lead up race to the Group 1 Doncaster Mile in April. The winner of this race will be exempt from ballot in the Doncaster. 

Speaking of winners, some out and out champions have won the race. As far back as 1930 when Phar Lap saluted, to ‘The Big O’, Octagonal in 1997. Guy Walter trained, Tie the Knot, won the race four years in a row from 1999-2002, as did Champion mare Winx from 2016-2019.

The winner of this year’s race will have to handle all conditions, as the track is already in the heavy range, and more rain is forecast. Looking at the market, Sportsbet has last year’s Melbourne Cup winner, Verry Elleegant, favourite at $2.90, ahead of Godolphin mare, Colette, at $3.50, and last start Apollo Stakes winner, Think It Over, at $4.50. 


We know with horse racing that anything can happen and it can be hard to find a winner at the best of times, let alone on a bog track. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Chipping Norton Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. Think It Over (8) – $4.50
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 59kg
Trainer – Kerry Parker

Was super first up winning the G2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick. Has won second up and the step up to a mile will only further his chances. The big query here is the wet deteriorating track. His heavy track stats (3:0-0-0) aren’t flash and it could be the factor that brings him undone.

2. Kolding (7) – $61 – Scratched
Jockey – Regan Bayliss 59kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Old timer who has been a great horse for his connections. Was just fair first up in the Apollo Stakes behind Think It Over. Is yet to win on the heavy, and can’t see him doing so here.

3. Top Ranked (9) – $10
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 59kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham

UK import who has only had the one run down under. That was in the $1m Hunter at Newcastle, where he finished a good 3rd to Lost and Running. Has trialled well in preparation for this and has won twice on soft going. If he is fit enough to run a strong mile first up on a heavy track, he certainly has to be respected.

4. Mount Popa (13) – $61
Jockey – William Pike 59kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes

Stayer who resumes here, after a below par Spring campaign. Has a good record here at Randwick and likes the wet. Capable of running a race at odds.

5. Angel of Truth (12) – $61
Jockey – Jay Ford 59kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes

Two time winner first up who does race well on rain affected tracks. Has had the benefit of two trials and like his stablemate, is capable of giving some cheek at odds, but couldn’t see him winning this.

6. Stockman (11) – $26
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 59kg
Trainer – Joseph Pride

Absolute mudlark, who resumes after a good prep, highlighted by a close 4th in the G2 Villiers Stakes at this trip. Usually takes a run or two to find his best form and is stepping up to WFA now, but the heavy track brings him into contention here. Watch for him late.


7. Maximal (1) – $41 – Scratched

Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 58.5kg
Trainer – John O’Shea

His run was too bad to be true first up in the Apollo Stakes, where he was well supported. Step up to the mile is a positive, but untried on heavy ground. Happy to watch him here.

8. Verry Elleegant (4) – $2.90F
Jockey – James McDonald 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Cup Queen who looked somewhat disappointing first up in the Apollo Stakes, where she started favourite. Has a much better second up record and the step up to a mile is a big plus. Has a great heavy track record and can hit back hard here.

9. Colette (3) – $3.50
Jockey – Tim Clark 57kg
Trainer – James Cummings

Godolphin mare who resumed with an eye-catching 2nd in the Apollo Stakes. Is unbeaten on the heavy (3:3-0-0), and the step up to a mile second up looks a good stepping stone. Can go one better here. 

10. Montefilia (5) – $20
Jockey – Jason Collett 57kg
Trainer – David Payne

G1 Metropolitan winner last prep, who resumes here. Ran a big race first up last prep, when she made good late ground to grab 3rd in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes, here over the Randwick mile. Is capable of repeating an effort similar to that and has a good wet track record. Each way chance.


11. Hungry Heart (10) – $35 – Scratched
Jockey – Chad Schofield 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Talented mare who resumed with a tidy effort in the Apollo Stakes. She got back on that occasion and ran some good late splits to finish 4th. She is untried on the heavy and her soft track form is nothing to get excited about. May need one more run, but might be worth while following her after this.

12. She’s Ideel (6) – $51
Jockey – Rachel King 57kg
Trainer – Bjorn Baker

Staying mare who, like many others here, resumed in the Apollo Stakes. She got a long way back there and only beat one runner home. In saying that her final furlong was strong, in fact was the fastest of the race. The step up to a mile suits, and she has form in the wet. Can certainly make a case for her at big odds.

13. Duais (2) – $51
Jockey – Joshua Parr 57kg
Trainer – Edward Cummings

Another who resumed in the Apollo Stakes, and was good through the line. Her momentum was halted late in the race and her run was better than it reads on paper. The step up in trip is in her favour, but like a few others the query is the heavy track. Will improve on whatever she does here. 

Final Word

It’s almost a case of the Apollo Stakes all over again, with 8 of the 13 runners coming out of that race. Think It Over was ultra impressive on that occasion where he demolished his rivals, but the heavy track here poses a big question mark for him. If the track was dry here, he probably goes around a deserved odds on favourite, and is on top of the selections. 

Sadly for him, that is not the case and there are a handful of runners that may represent better value. Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant ticks a lot of boxes here second up. She revels in the wet and has a brilliant second up record. 


Colette is another mare who grows a leg on wet tracks and was very good in the Apollo behind Think It Over. Top Ranked is interesting. If he handles the wet he can win, and there are a few at odds capable of filling the exotics, namely Stockman, Montefilia and She’s Ideel.

As for the on topper, I’m going to go with Colette. I found it hard to split her and Verry Elleegant, but going off her first up run I’ve lent her way. She is looking to keep her unbeaten heavy track record intact, and take home another G1 in doing so. It might be hard to see them if the forecast comes to fruition, but let’s hope the royal blue colours of Godolphin appear first past the winning post.

Best Chipping Norton Stakes Tip: 9. Colette – Win ($3.50)

If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Chipping Norton Stakes page for all your punting needs!

*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Sportsbet.

Verry ElleegantAustralian OaksGroup 1 13 04 2019 WIN Randwick 6 922 734x460@2x

2021 Chipping Norton Stakes Runner By Runner Preview Odds & Tips

We see a champion mare Verry Elleegant take on rising star Colette here in the 2021 Chipping Norton Stakes, in what looks to be a mouth watering duel we may see a few times throughout the autum.

Let’s take a look at each and every runner in the 2021 Chipping Norton Stakes…

1 – Kolding – $5.00 👀💰

Has been in reasonable enough form this preparation without really looking like threatening. Looks ready to peak third up and the rise in trip helps, but isn’t the best on wet surfaces and he’s running into a few very smart mares here. Knockout chance but there isn’t much value in the price. If the track dries out he’ll come right into calculations.

2 – Avilius – $16

Showed that there was some life in the old legs last preparation, with a number of meritorious runs including the Caulfield Cup, where he was desperately unlucky. His best can win this but he’d really have to turn back the clock to produce it, and he never really gets warm first up.

3 – Southern France – $101

Has had the ultimate gear change but has never won under 2000m, this looks like a barrier trial for the stayer.

4 – Master Of Wine – $12 💰

Had a massive boom on him coming into the spring and was never able to deliver upon it for punters. Trialled well enough and could run a hole at the double figure quote.

5 – Prince Fawaz – $101

Price tells the tale. No.

6 – Verry Elleegant – $2.60 👀🏆💰

It looks a similar setup to last race, with many of the same horses here and no real tempo, meaning it should be a bit of a sit and sprint, which doesn’t give her the chance to shine. The step up to the 1600m is a tick but there isn’t much value in the price. Could do it on class and wouldn’t surprise at all.

7 – Colette – $3.30 👀🏆💰

Gets a similar setup to last start and won’t mind the jump to the mile. However, we were getting double figure odds about her last outing and they’re asking us to take $3.30 about her in nearly identical circumstances. Wouldn’t surprise if she won but there’s no luxury in the price.

8 – Funstar – $12

Looks a shadow of her former self and hasn’t ever really delivered at weight-for-age level.

9 – Toffee Tongue – $31

Will be better over further deeper in the prep. Not here.

Tip: 6-7-1-4

👀 = Must Watch
🏆 = Big Winning Chance
💰 = Worth Including in Exotics

HorseWinPlace
1Kolding (2)J: Hugh Bowman 59kg T: C J Waller$4.80$1.50Bet Now
2Avilius (7)J: Nash Rawiller 59kg T: James Cummings$15.00$3.40Bet Now
3Southern France (3)J: Jason Collett 59kg T: C Maher & D Eustace$81.00$13.00Bet Now
4Master Of Wine (9)J: Tommy Berry 59kg T: M, W & J Hawkes$11.00$2.60Bet Now
5Prince Fawaz (1)J: Tom Marquand 59kg T: A J Cummings$81.00$13.00Bet Now
6Verry Elleegant (4)J: James Mcdonald 57kg T: C J Waller$2.60$1.28Bet Now
7Colette (8)J: Ms Rachel King 57kg T: James Cummings$3.20$1.30Bet Now
8Funstar (5)J: Glen Boss 57kg T: C J Waller$11.00$2.60Bet Now
9Toffee Tongue (6)J: Brenton Avdulla 57kg T: C J Waller$26.00$4.80Bet Now