This year’s 7+ Sport Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick has been narrowed down to eight runners following the early withdrawal of Zardozi.

Despite the smaller field, the competition remains fierce for the $1 million prize. Leading the odds at $2.10 through Ladbrokes, Chris Waller’s multiple Group 1 winning mare Fangirl is the favourite to improve on her third-place finish last year.

Ridden by James McDonald, the consistent Sebring six-year-old will start from the outside alley.

She recently finished a close third in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) and is expected to perform well over the mile distance.

Another strong contender from Chris Waller’s stable, Zougotcha, is priced at $4 in the latest 7 Stakes betting markets.

The five-year-old daughter of Zoustar, ridden by Tommy Berry, narrowly missed victory in the Winx Stakes.

With a solid track record at Randwick, she is a formidable opponent.

Priced at $11 from the same stable to give Waller three chances in the 7 Stakes field, Hinged is looking to break a long winless streak going back to her Surround Stakes win in the mud in 2022.

The now six-year-old Worthy Cause mare has been competitive in recent races, including a close second in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).

The market mover, backed into $5, is Royal Patronage, trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott.

Tim Clark will ride this six-year-old entire, who recently won the Group 2 Tramway Stakes in an impressive Australian race debut.

At $9.50, Detonator Jack, trained by Ciaron Maher, is another top value hope. He has a decent second-up record and is looking for his first win since last November’s $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange.

The 2024 7 Stakes is set to run as Randwick Race 8 at 3:55 PM (AEST) on Saturday’s 10-race card.

With a quality field and high stakes, the 7+ Sport Stakes at Randwick is set for an exciting second edition.

2024 7 Stakes Field

Table Credit: Racing Australia.