The time-honoured Group 1 Epsom Handicap is the feature event this Saturday at Rosehill Gardens, while racing heads to Flemington for the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes meeting.
Royal Randwick RACE 6
#2 Striking Alibi
Striking Alibi was unlucky at her latest outing. The Hanseatic filly found herself in an awkward spot as heads turned for home, and it was a hard watch for her followers. I suspect she is ready to peak third-up from a spell, and the longer trip is advantageous. She will go close with even luck-in-transit; however, her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune. Acid test!
Bangkok Hottie is winning for fun at present. The versatile Too Darn Hot filly meets the usual suspects, and she is drawn to perfection. She is ready for the step out in trip, and a win here at the top level would be a great reward for consistent effort. If she ends up piloting the field, she may be vulnerable inside the final furlong. Major player.
Suggested Bet: Striking Alibi @ $2.80
Royal Randwick Race 8
#3 Autumn Boy
Autumn Boy is ready to explode. He was stiff first-up in the Memsie Stakes, and his form behind the flying Sheza Alibi at Flemington reads incredibly well for this event. He traditionally peaks third-up from a spell, and the perfect inside draw should give his key rivals sleepless nights heading into Saturday’s Group 1 event. He may need some luck as heads turn for home, however, the super freak James McDonald knows the big boy better than himself. Yes please!
Ceolwulf looks well-placed in this company despite being asked to carry 59kg. The Tavistock gelding claimed this race in 2024, and he is a Randwick mile specialist. All run this campaign have pointed towards the Epsom Handicap, and with the blinkers being applied, you can risk the Group 1 winner at your own peril. His opening quote has received strong support, and his pilot, Chad Schofield, is in career-best form. Over the odds.
Suggested Bet: Autumn Boy @ $3.60
#10 Tempted
This event looks a mere formality for Tempted. The Street Boss mare was breathtaking fresh, and she meets similar opposition on Saturday. Her turn of foot is exceptional, and she strips fitter as a result of her first-up heroics. She will jump well into the red, and a victory here will catapult her into the world’s richest 1200m race on turf. The real deal!
King’s Secret has been exceptional without winning this campaign. The Shalaa gelding has been catching the eyes of punters late, and I suspect he has further improvement to come for the preparation. His consistency and versatility alone puts him into all winning calculations, and I suspect he is rock-hard fit after several runs under the belt for the spring. Probably out of his depth, however, he is a must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Tempted @ $1.70
Flemington Race 7
#9 Aethelwulf
The dual acceptor Aethelwulf has one hoof on the till here, and a berth in the Melbourne Cup at his mercy. The Saxon Warrior gelding broke the track record in the Newcastle Gold Cup, and he looks ultra-progressive. The talented four-year-old is building a picket fence next to his name, and this looks like his moment in the sun. He is ready for the longer trip, and a date with the first Tuesday in November awaits. Upside galore.
Litzdeel looks a good each-way play. The Dundeel mare has been there abouts all campaign, and she finds a more suitable distance on Saturday. She always performs well at headquarters, and she handles all conditions. Where she lobs in-running from the carpark draw may decide her fate during the early stages of the event.
Suggested Bet: Aethelwulf @ $2.50
Flemington Race 8
#2 Sir Delius
Sir Delius is ready to win. His effort behind Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva was rock-solid, and I suspect he is ready to peak over a more suitable trip on Saturday. His class is second to none, and a victory here would stamp him as the W.S. Cox plate favourite. The camp has been very bullish and transparent about his spring path, and the flood of early money indicates a bold and forward showing. Best of the day.
Half Yours turned heads late first-up up form a spell. The Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner will strip fitter, and if the predicted rain lobs, his quote will fold quicker than Superman on laundry day. The big boy loves Flemington, and his pilot has a tremendous winning strike-rate when she combines with the champ. Ready to fire.
Suggested Bet: Sir Delius @ $2.70
Flemington Race 9
#4 Hedged
Hedged looked the winner as they cut the ribbons at his latest outing. He strips fitter, and he looks well placed to go one better on Saturday. The Capitalist gelding meets similar opposition, and his record at the track and distance must be respected. The key appointment of Blake Shinn should fill his supporters with more confidence, and he will look home and hosed at the famous clock tower. I am unsure the inside draw is advantageous.
Skybird is a Group 1 winner up the Flemington straight. The Exosphere mare is ideally weighted for this assignment, and her best performance here could produce a times-and-margins job. Her first-up effort was ok without threatening, and her second-up record is outrageous. Her recent winning record is a concern, and there seems to be two versions of her. Take on trust!
Suggested Bet: Hedged @ $7.00
