An outstanding field of 16 has assembled for the inaugural running of the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) this Saturday at Royal Randwick.
Formerly known as the George Main Stakes, the now $5 million feature has brought together a field boasting nine Group 1 winners as Mr Brightside headlines the blockbuster line-up.
He’s opened a clear +150 favourite with online bookmakers on the back of two Group 1 victories this preparation, saluting in both the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) respectively.
The two-time Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) winner will seek to continue his undefeated reign at Randwick, with jockey Craig Williams travelling to Sydney to secure the mount for team Hayes.
Fangirl is a clear second pick at +550 with online betting sites as James McDonald reunites with the Chris Waller-trained mare.
The ever-consistent Zaaki shares the third line of betting alongside European import Light Infantry Man at +800 apiece, as the latter makes his Australian debut for team Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Double-figure odds are available for every other runner, including 7 Stakes (1600m) winner Think It Over (+1100) and Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) runner-up Kovalica (+1000 sure to have plenty of admirers.
Buckeroo (+1600) brings differing European form to the race as well, as Joesph O’Brien acquires the services of Hugh Bowman, while Kathy O’Hara will be seeking three straight wins on Rediener (+3000) after her Epsom success.
The King Charles Stakes is the penultimate race on the Randwick program this Saturday and is scheduled to get underway at 5:35pm AEDT.