Aeliana will be hard to beat in the Gr 1 Ranvet Stakes (Martin King / Sportpix)
Adam Page justhorseracing.com.au
Race 1. 03H20 SA Time) Midway (Bm72) 1500m
I am giving 1 Northern Eyesone last chance. I have been red hot on him this prep but he’s had no luck in both runs. Latest came at Warwick Farm when tardy to begin, got further back, and was never a factor. Think drawn wide, he can take time coming across, ideally landing on speed, and the way he trialled leading in, he went too well to ignore.
Danger
5 Tenderize should be around the mark for Gary Portelli, as seen two weeks ago in the Midway over the mile at Randwick when on speed throughout and tried hard but couldn’t quite sustain the run when fourth to Zenmaster. Like him back in trip, good racing style, he appeals.
Long Shot
2 Agita is a David Payne trained gelding that resumes. He is first up, having not raced since Nov 29 when far from disgraced over 1800m here. Fresh at 1500m I do like and he looks to have trialled well enough so watch betting.
Race 2. (03H55 SA Time) N E Manion Cup 2400m
8 Juja Kibo had an awful set up leading into the Randwick Stakes two weeks ago. He was several weeks between runs, rising to 2000m from the mile, and in a fast run race, plus was chasing the hot speed. He was entitled to knock right up but he kept chasing and was game in defeat. Hard fit now and 2400m, he’s in the mix.
Danger
You had to like the way 1 Campaldino went about his business in the Randwick Stakes, really getting better as the race went on and stamped himself as a Sydney Cup top seed. This isn’t the Grand Final and right up in the weights, but he has to be respected.
Long Shot
5 Athabascan will just keep running it seems like and 2400m is no issue. He ran in the Randwick Stakes a fortnight back where he was going nowhere at one stage but he kept chasing and was strong in defeat when second to Campaldino. Like him up in trip, he’s a leading contender.
Race 3. (04H30 SA Time) Epona Stakes 1900m
Hard to get away from 2 Pinito. Was the real eye catcher first up in the Millie Fox before going to the Aspiration when given a 12/10 by J Mac and the mare finished best to score. She’ll love getting to 1900m and despite the wide gate, is a clear top seed.
Danger
7 Polymnia commands respect. O’Shea/Charlton trained mare that ran third in the Aspiration a fortnight back. She settled back off speed and worked home pretty well behind Pinito. Like the rise to 1900m for her. Just hoping she can get a more positive steer.
Long Shot
11 Sweltering is racing like a rise in distance will suit. She comes through the Aspiration where she seemingly had every chance from just off the pace but lacked the killer finale to go with them late. Like her up in trip and her best is good enough to be dangerous.
Race 4. (05H05 SA Time) Darby Munro Stakes 1200m
2 Skyhook is a class animal that resumes for Ryan/Alexiou. He hasn’t raced since the Coolmore Stud when down the track behind Tentyris. Been given a good break with this and the Arrowfield in mind, and his trial work has been very good. Hard to beat.
Danger
9 Caffe Florian should love the rise to 1200m. She was excellent in defeat in the Fireball when wide no cover throughout but kept chasing and was a definite pass mark behind Beadman. Better run in transit, she’s one of the leading contenders.
Long Shot
11 Bellazaine is a GaiBott trained filly that resumes. She last raced on Oct 4 when down the track over the mile in the Edward Manifold. Given a good break, back to being trained as a sprinter and has trialled well. Knockout hope.
Race 5. (05H40 SA Time) Ranvet Stakes 2000m
It’s hard to get away from 4 Aeliana. She has run out of her skin in both runs back, the latest run seeing her push Autumn Glow all the way in the Verry Elleegant when a narrow second. Hard fit, 2000m, no Baby Winx here… it all points to her.
Danger
1 Sir Delius looks the most obvious threat. He resumed in the Verry Elleegant where the race shape was totally against him but he kept on and was a definite pass mark in defeat behind Autumn Glow. Fitter, 2000m, settles on speed and is tough. He’ll just keep running.
Long Shot
Was hard not to miss the finale of 3 Trinity College in the Verry Elleegant. He was back in the run and while he was never a winning threat, he kept chasing and was quite good in defeat behind Autumn Glow. Fitter, 2000m, can settle closer, he’s one for exotics.
Race 6. (06H15 SA Time) Rosehill Guineas 2000m
When in doubt, just go with the class, and the class here is clearly 1 Observer. Dominant/arrogant first up win in the Autumn Stakes before going to the Australian Guineas where he got an all time ride by Brown and class kicked in when it mattered to score. He is the class runner, will press forward and take a power of beating.
Danger
The blinkers are still not back on for 2 Autumn Boy, telling me the Grand Final is two weeks time, the Doncaster, more so than this race. He tried hard in the Randwick Guineas but was simply no match for Sheza Alibi. IMO, I am not sure he runs 2000m but has class as well.
Long Shot
4 Green Spaces should love the rise to 2000m. He’s just found them too sharp in both runs back but loved the way he kept chasing in the Randwick Guineas behind Sheza Alibi. Getting towards peak fitness and rising to a more suitable trip, he’s very dangerous.
Race 7. (06H50 SA Time) George Ryder Stakes 1500m
It’s hard to get away from Baby Winx aka 8 Autumn Glow. To the eye, just a win in the Verry Elleegant but when you break down the race shape, the sectionals, I thought she was unbelievable once again. Back to 1500m no issue, she loves her home track, the depth here, as a whole, isn’t deep… she wins again.
Danger
9 Lady Shenandoah was unbelievable in the Canterbury Stakes. Nash gave her a sore back and how she managed to attack the line like she did in defeat behind Joliestar and ran third… incredible effort. If that hasn’t busted her, surely she appeals against these.
Long Shot
1 Gringotts won this race last year… doubt he wins the 2026 edition but is an absolute must for exotics. He resumed in the Canterbury Stakes when back near last in the run and while he was never threatening, he kept chasing and was quite good. Fitter and up in trip, can settle closer, he can run first four.
Race 8. (07H35 SA Time) Golden Slipper 1200m
I have been hot on 4 Warwoven for this race since before the Skyline, he had excuses there, but bounced back in style in the Pago Pago and I am convinced nothing has jumped out of the ground to say they are better than this guy. He got the dream run in the Pago Pago but he had to take advantage and he duly did to win. He’ll press forward, be strong late…very hard to beat.
Danger
Very wary of 5 Paradoxium. He was prepped right up for the Todman given he needed to win and yes, he got complete front end control, but he gave nothing a look in and was quite dominant on the line in winning. Good racing style, 1200m no issue, he’s a clear danger.
Long Shot
3 Guest House is the one I want from the Blue Diamond. I think with clear air he wins but he didn’t get it until it was too late. He still does a bit wrong but clearly has an engine under the hood. If he does everything right, I am convinced he’s going to be in the finish.
Race 9. (08H15 SA Time) The Galaxy 1100m
I have been hot on 3 Generosity for this race for a couple of months and won’t be dropping off her, especially after her Challenge Stakes win first up where she got a 12/10 by J Mac and the ride was the difference between winning and losing. Waller has figured her out I think. Fresh is best and don’t do much with her between runs. She’s going to take beating here.
Danger
1 Briasa looks prepped right up for Team Hawkes. He won the TJ Smith last year, and first up in this race last year he was enormous in defeat against the pattern. He has looked very sharp in trial work and does have the runs on the board vs the rest.
Long Shot
4 Hedged is in the mix. He was unbelievable in the Oakleigh Plate. He lumped the 59kg and tried his guts out when second to Tropicus. If that hasn’t busted him, he’s going to run really well against these for mine.
Race 10. (08H55 SA Time) Birthday Card Stakes 1200m
I want to give 17 Eagle Express another look. I was keen on her running well in the Wenona Girl but unfortunately she got stuck wide no cover and the hard run just told late, but I thought she was far from disgraced. Better run in transit, I think she’ll only run well.
Danger
4 Monte Supreme should love the rise to 1200m after resuming over 1000m in the Challenge Stakes where she got back off speed and was never threatening but did like the way she finished her race off in defeat. Fitter, 1200m, back to Mares grade, she takes beating.
Long Shot
15 Dollar Magic is a Scott Singleton trained mare that resumes. She is first up, having not raced since Jan 3 when placing at Randwick, running her usual honest race. Loved the way she went in a recent trial at Scone and is always around the mark.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Four Number 2 Skyhook
NEXT BEST: Race Three Number 2 Pinito
LONG SHOT: Race Ten Number 17 Eagle Express
Quaddie Tips (Races Seven Through To Ten):
Leg One: 8
Leg Two: 4, 5
Leg Three: 1, 3, 4, 9
Leg Four: 4, 5, 10, 15, 17
