Randwick Blackbookers from 2020 Chipping Norton Stakes Day

It was a New Zealand double for the group one features at Royal Randwick on Saturday with Jamie Richards and Opie Bosson combining for Probabeel in the Surround Stakes before securing a much deserved Australian victory for Te Akau Shark in the Chipping Norton Stakes following a barnstorming effort from well back in the field.

Among a card of many highlights, we've included three runners to follow from the 2020 Chipping Norton Stakes Day meeting below.

Should he find a way into the 2020 Golden Slipper field, then this Peter & Paul Snowed-trained colt could be one of the forgotten about contenders.

In what was a tough watch for both gallopers from that stable in the Skyline Stakes (Argenteus no luck as well), this son of Star Witness probably should've taken this event out.

Back towards the rear and inside in what become a race dictated by those up front, he was badly inconvenienced at the the 300m when kept in a pocket by Mission River which in-turn placed Tommy Berry and Aim onto the heels of his stable mate.

Managed to pick-up when it was all over with a strong last 100m for third and had clearly the fastest last furlong of the race along with the second slickest last 600m (34.90).

Likely Target: Do they make a last bid at the Golden Slipper via the Group Three Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill on March 14?

With Te Akau Shark looking likely to head George Ryder Stakes next, it gives the 2019 Ranvet Stakes winner a great chance to defend his title on Golden Slipper day.

He doesn't quite have the brilliance to go with that talented Kiwi over the mile and on a good surface, but with that impressive winner aside, this Godolphin gelding was clearly the pick of the rest on the clock.

Avilius had safely the second best splits of this race late and with the 32.79 last 600m (next best was 33.25), he's followed up his nice return in the CF Orr stakes with an effort that suggests ten furlongs next time out will be perfect.

Ideally he would like some more rain about where third-up and over further, he does look ready to strike in more favorable conditions

Likely Target: The Group One Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on March 21.

Like many of the runners produced by the John Sargent stable, she can be a little hard to catch for the punters but that astute yard have clearly always had an opinion of this four-year-old mare.

Following a string of competitive efforts in her three-year-old season at stakes level, she won third-up after a little freshen-up on November 16 and was then tipped out for another little spell after a third placing on January 4.

In what looked effectively a barrier trial in coming all the way back to six furlongs off no public trials, her performance was better than the ninth placing at 100/1 suggested.

With plenty more to offer on the line and with 2000m eventually in mind, she's one to keep an eye on and although likely to be another run short, is every chance of going around at huge odds again.

Likely Target: Do they stay in benchmark company for now before a stakes tilt over longer in the autumn?