The awards are for excellence from last season

Without a doubt, one of the top nights of the horse racing year. The horses who we have done battle against the betting sites with over the last year are set to discover who is the best.

There is an excellent group of nominations as always for the awards this year. The main prize of the evening could be argued in favour of all five which will make for a fascinating night. We already know that Chris Waller (G1 Trainer of the Year), James McDonald (G1 Jockey of the Year) and I Am Invincible (Champion Sire) are winners this year.

Australian Racehorse of the Year

Five exceptional nominations for the Racehorse of the Year. Imperatriz, Mr Brightside, Pride Of Jenni, Riff Rocket and Without a Fight will battle it out for the top spot. A stayer has not won this since Makybe Diva and we think this year will be another mare who wins. It’s close between Imperatriz and Pride Of Jenni but we’ll go with the latter as her performances were spectacular.

Our Selection: Pride Of Jenni

Champion two and three-year-olds

The nominations in this category are Broadsiding, Hayasugi, Lady Of Camelot, Manaal, Storm Boy. The last name looked like he would run away with this early but then Lady Of Camelot won the Golden Slipper and Broadsiding took the Champagne and the J J Atkins. That late charge can win it for the Godolphin colt.

Our Selection: Broadsiding

Two awards for the three-year-old division, one for the boys and one for the girls. The boys are Celestial Legend, Cylinder, Riff Rocket, Veight and Warmonger. Riff Rocket could get this award posthumously given his three Group 1 wins. Celestial Legend beat the older horses in the Doncaster Mile, however, and that could just set him apart.

Our Selection: Celestial Legend 

For the girls, there is Autumn Angel, Stefi Magnetica, Tropical Squall, Orchestral and Zardozi. A tight category with no real standout star. Tropical Squall won two Group 1 races which could give her the edge but Stefi Magnetica beat her older rivals.

Our Selection: Stefi Magnetica

Champion Sprinter and Middle Distance

A competitive sprint division contains Asfoora, Bella Nipotina, Imperatriz, I Wish I Win and Think About It. Asfoora achieved most on her travels abroad while the form of Think About It fell away after his Everest win. It is hard to get away from Imperatriz here. Six races, five Group 1 wins and a runner-up should be enough.

Our Selection: Imperatriz

The middle distance nominations consist of Alligator Blood, Fangirl, Mr Brightside, Pride Of Jenni and Romantic Warrior. It is an excellent group. The first named sadly missed the autumn while the latter only won once on Australian soil. Mr Brightside dominated the spring but was no match for Pride Of Jenni in the autumn.

Our Selection: Pride Of Jenni

Champion Stayer and Jumper

The stayers in line for the award are Circle Of Fire, Fawkner Park, Riff Rocket. The Map and Without A Fight. A third nomination for Riff Rocket but he is surely going to find it hard to beat a Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner in Without A Fight. That runner missed the autumn but his two big cup wins in the spring should be more than enough.

Our Selection: Without A Fight

The final award is the jump horses. Bell Ex One takes on Count Zero, Port Guillaume, Stern Idol and Wil John. There have been some solid performances in here but it is hard to see beyond Stern Idol winning this one.

Our Selection: Stern Idol

We wish all of the nominees the best of luck in their quest to take home the awards on Tuesday. It looks set to be an incredible night and the results are sure to set some conversations going.