In winter we're happy with 1 stakes race on a day, on Jan 1 we've got 6!
Eclipse Stakes (G3 1200m 2yo)
The biggest 2yo race of the season so far. Last year Grand Dancer won it at 40-1. Haven't heard of him since.
It looks like most of the good early 2yos are going to be there, like Vincent Mangano, Silk Spur, San Bernardino and Minstrel Court.
Royal Stakes (G2 2000m 3yo fillies)
Satinka's going to try to do what hasn't been done for a long time, winning the Eight Carat Classic-Royal Stakes double. Not sure who else is going there at the moment, Satinka will be the favourite though. Last year Keep The Passion won it (25-1), she's been disappointing since, but Dorabella was 2nd.
Dunstan Championship (2200m Handicap)
This is a really good race for finding good horses for the following season. A horse called The Fuzz won it last year, now he's running some good races in Australia for David Hayes. The favourite for it is Aukay, who has so far only won 2 races but has been in the first 3 14 times out of 16. Looks like a talented horse.
Rich Hill Mile (G2 1600m Handicap)
Sir Slick's going in this! He'll have a massive weight, but that can't stop him when he's at his best. One of the best mile races of every year. Dezigna won it last year.
City Of Auckland Cup (G2 2400m Handicap)
Pasta Post: 7 starts, 6 wins. There are 2 last-start G2 winners in the race, Everswindell and Mirkola Lass, but Pasta Post is at even money. This is a really good horse. Last year Highflying was a 40-1 winner, she's been G1 placed since.
Railway Handicap (G1 1200m Handicap)
Our sprint championship. Is Needuask the real deal? Looked like it in the Concorde and Newmarket. He's favourite to make it 3 in a row but he's a long-priced favourite at 6-1. Others in the field are 2005 winner Baldessarini, back from a 18-month injury layoff, and some very fast fillies in Jazella, Crossyourheart, Martini Red, Magic Tryst, Imananabaa and Brianna. Should be awesome. Another 30-1 longshot won it last year, Donna Rosita. She never raced again, they decided to retire her.