Legendary trainer Bart Cummings and his grandson James captured the inaugural race of The Championships with lightly raced colt Hallowed Crown in an event marred by a fatal injury to a rival runner.

Canberra-trained I Am Snippety was travelling well in the lead before her off-foreleg gave way shortly after she entered the home straight.

The filly was eased out of the race, but could not be saved.

Hallowed Crown showed superior acceleration to score a debut win in midweek company last month and was just as adept on a heavy Randwick track on Saturday.

Settling with the backmarkers, Hallowed Crown ($12) improved his position before the turn and put paid to the leaders to score by 1-1/4 lengths over first starter Washington Heights (7.50) with Klammer ($7.50) the same margin away third.

James Cummings was thrilled their considered plan to target the Group Three Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) paid dividends.

"He won on debut here two-and-a-half weeks ago and we made a long-range plan on that day to come to the Kindergarten," Cummings said.

"We doubted ourselves ever since, but he keeps improving.

"This horse will be a real carnival horse for years to come."

Cummings was unsure of immediate plans for the winner, preferring to see how he came through the race.

The minor placegetters, both trained by Gerald Ryan, will be spelled.

"Klammer probably got to the front too soon after the leader broke down. The other horse went super, but the 1100 was probably a bit too short," Ryan said.