Champion's Roar Suited by Class Drop

Winner of the Gr1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) three starts back before fourth in the Gr1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and a third in the Gr1 Australian Derby (2400m), the John O'Shea-trained Lion's Roar (Contributer-Minnaleo, by Black Minnaloushe) will appreciate the class drop and should prove extremely hard to beat in the Gr3 Frank Packer Plate over 2000m at Randwick. Never out of a place at the track or trip, the Champion Thoroughbreds-purchased galloper has the services of regular jockey Brenton Avdulla, and from barrier eight, one from the outside, he will more than likely settle in last and – assuming there is pace up front – charge home late in his customary racing pattern. Only one other runner is backing up from the Derby, with fifth placed Khoekhoe (Turffontein-Walvis Bay, by Cape Cross) looking like he could prove the sticking point for the favourite as his solid form of late should see the multiple winner rock hard fit and ready to acquit himself well. The only other runner in the nine-horse field currently under double figure odds in the betting is the Richard and Michael Freedman trained High Supremacy (Savabeel-Lady Chaparral, by High Chaparral) who comes into the race off a solid fourth behind Kiku (Zoustar) in the Gr3 Carbine Club Stakes over the Randwick mile; form watchers should note that Kiku runs two races earlier on the day in the Gr3 JHB Carr Stakes.

Lion's Roar will appreciate being out of Group 1 company (pic: Steve Hart)