The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival features all the best racing early in the year and attracts the attention of racegoers with large crowds and colourful fashion the norm. The carnival runs from late January until the end of April with some of Australia’s most famous races run during that time.
With over $30 million in prize money available, the Autumn carnival is one of the highlights of the Australian thoroughbred year.
The Best Autumn Carnival Races
With so many big races in the Autumn it is hard to decide which races are the best. All the Group 1 races attract fantastic fields, with the four races below having the most prize money.
The Golden Slipper
With $5,000,000 on offer, the Golden Slipper is the world’s richest 2yo race. The “Slipper” is the headline event on Australia’s biggest day of Group 1 racing that also includes the George Ryder Stakes, Ranvet Stakes, The Galaxy and Rosehill Guineas.
TJ Smith Stakes
The race has become the feature sprint race of the Autumn and attracts the best sprinters in the land and with a total prize pool of $3,000,000 it’s no surprise! In 2022 Nature Strip won his third TJ Smith in a row, matching the feats of the enigmatic Chautauqua from a few years earlier. Can Nature Strip make it 4 wins on the trot this year?
Doncaster Mile
First run in 1866 as the Doncaster Handicap, the Doncaster Mile has a rich history and a long list of notable winners including Sunline, Gunsynd, Super Impose (twice) and Winx. With $4,000,000 in prize money on offer the Doncaster attracts the best middle-distance horse in the land and the Handicap conditions lead to a spirited betting race and exciting finish.
Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Run over 2000m under weight-for-age condition, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes attracts a terrific field battling it out for $5,000,000 in riches. In 2020 and 2021 UK visitor Addeybb defeated local superstar Verry Elleegant in stirring finishes that brought the crowd to their feet.
Horses To Watch
After a brilliant debut win at Caulfield back in October King’s Gambit has gone down as favourite in his last two runs in Sydney as he heads towards the Golden Slipper. On face value he has been a little disappointing OR is he ready to peak in the big race? I’m with Team Snowden to get him up for the big day and the Golden Slipper Betting Odds of $12 on offer looks the goods.
Giga Kick surprised many when he finished too strongly for his rivals to win The Everest in the Spring and you would expect the 3yo to improve after a spell. His only defeat was when he was beaten by less than a length down the straight at Flemington when he was at the end of his first prep. The $6 on offer for him to win the TJ Smith Stakes looks a great price.
New Zealand galloper I Wish I Win lived up to his hype when he won the Golden Eagle last year, showing that he can handle the big fields and big occasions in the process. His first up run in the Lightning Stakes was terrific and he looks set for a big Autumn. The Doncaster Mile Betting Odds of $11 for him to win looks value.
The best horses tend to run well in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and there is no better horse in Australia than Anamoe. He has dominated the big races in recent times and the 2000m trip at weight for age looks ideal. He won’t be big odds, but he should be winning.
Betting on the Autumn Racing Carnival
The emergence of the internet has made it easier than ever to bet on racing and sports. Online betting is a growth industry with a number of new bookmakers appearing regularly. It is crucial to bet with trusted and licensed online bookmakers in Australia.
Palmerbet is a third-generation bookmaking family that is 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.
When you bet with Palmerbet you are betting with an established and trusted bookmaker.
Visit their website at Palmerbet.com or download the Palmerbet app via the app store and bet local!
