The Championships Day 2 delivered on its promise to showcase the grand finals of Australian racing, according to Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys, after a thrilling day at Royal Randwick in front of 23,791 fans.

“All I can say about the racing is that it has been sheer entertainment and when you have that quality of runners it’s spectacular,” Mr V’landys said. “It’s delivered to my expectations and we’ll start planning for next year on Monday.”

The Championships races kicked off with the Bede Murray-trained Sure And Fast ($5) taking out the Provincial Series Final with a jubilant Jason Collett on board.

Young jockey Sam Clipperton then piloted Ottoman to victory in the Griven Waugh Percy Sykes stakes for trainer John O’Shea in what was a thrilling four-way finish with stablemate Caleverite, Lake Geneva and Sempre Libera.

Premier trainer Chris Waller took home the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint title after Delectation held off Peter Moody’s Bring Me The Maid.

In the first Group One of the day Gust Of Wind took out the Seven News Australian Oaks for trainer John Sargent. “It was an amazing ride. He just kept creeping up and creeping up along the fence and we know she has a strong finish so it was fantastic,” Sargent said.

Gai Waterhouse’s Amanpour denied Catkins a first Group One in the Cellarbrations Queen of the Turf Stakes with an upset win at $19.10.

Grand Marshal then ran down his stablemate Who Shot Thebarman in a thrilling Schweppes Sydney Cup with Hall of Famer Jim Cassidy on board for trainer Chris Waller.

“Who Shot Thebarman was getting a dream run following Protectionist and then to see Grand Marshal storm home down the outside, it was pretty good,” Waller said.

In the feature of the day, the $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Criterion strode away for a memorable 2 ½ length win from Red Cadeaux and Royal Descent for co-trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

“He got to the front a long way from home. It was a bit of a worry but he was still dominant. I haven’t gone into a big race for a long time as confident, he just ticked all of the boxes in the lead up to this race,” Hayes said.

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer, Darren Pearce said Royal Randwick had put on a show for the racing world.

“Today's racing was world class and has shown that The Championships are quickly becoming a major part of international racing," Mr Pearce said.

"The Championships and Sydney racing are being embraced by international racing's horses, jockeys and owners, and we will plan to make next year's event bigger and better again."