The Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick this Saturday has attracted a field of 11 gallopers, 10 of which will be kicking off their preparation with eyes on the A$20 million Everest (1200m) on October 14.
There are still eight Everest slots up for grabs, and the Concorde Stakes is the first opportunity to make a strong audition for the feature event later in the spring.
The warhorse pair of nine-year-old Nature Strip and 10-year-old Eduardo headline the field, with the seasoned campaigners making their return to the track as they take on some up-and-coming sprinters.
Nature Strip has drawn the car park in gate 11 but has once again obtained the services of James McDonald, while Eduardo will reunite with Nash Rawiller in the saddle.
Godolphin has a strong hand, with three runners representing the blue army.
In Secret is seemingly the class of the lot, taking out the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) before being a shade disappointing in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 1.
Zapateo and Kallos make up the rest of the trio, bringing different form through the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 20.
Other notable gallopers include the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained mare Bella Nipotina, who will be trying to replicate her peak performance from the 2022 Manikato Stakes, and Remarque, who will be seeking his first stakes win for the Hawkes team.
The Concorde Stakes kicks off the quaddie at Randwick this Saturday at 3:15pm AEST.
Concorde Stakes 2023 final field
| No. | Silks | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Nature Strip | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 11 | 60.5kg |
| 2 |  | Shelby Sixtysix | Danny Williams | Nick Heywood | 6 | 60kg |
| 3 |  | Eduardo | Joseph Pride | Nash Rawiller | 1 | 59.5kg |
| 4 |  | Kallos | James Cummings | TBC | 8 | 59kg |
| 5 | | In Secret | James Cummings | TBC | 5 | 58kg |
| 6 |  | Bella Nipotina | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Ben Melham | 3 | 58kg |
| 7 |  | Rocketing By | David Pfieffer | Jason Collett | 2 | 58kg |
| 8 | | Zapateo | James Cummings | TBC | 9 | 57kg |
| 9 |  | Remarque | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tyler Schiller | 10 | 56kg |
| 10 |  | On The Lead | Richard & Will Freedman | Brett Prebble | 7 | 56kg |
| 11 |  | Casino Lord | Cody Morgan | Rachel King | 4 | 56kg |