Randwick race-by-race preview & betting tips | Saturday, March 2

Race 1: Midway Handicap BM72 (1100m)

We kick things off with a wide-open BM72 contest, where the Jarrod Austin-trained Vindication appears perfectly placed on resumption. The son of Deep Field returned a winner last preparation at Wyong on July 15, and although he didn’t put up another win in his next six starts, he still proved to be ultra-consistent with minor placings behind the likes of Mogo Magic and Eye Pea Oh. He returns on the back of an eye-catching piece of work at this track on February 22, and with the speed engaged sure to be genuine, watch for Vindication to be flashing through the wire under Regan Bayliss.

• 8
  

  VINDICATION

• 17
  

  ARTFUL PERSUASION

• 12
  

  THE EXTREME CAT

• 14
  

  MAD DARCEY

Race 2: BM88 Handicap (1200m)

It is hard to go past Our Kobison as he searches for a hat-trick of wins on Saturday. He smashed the clock in his latest effort at Rosehill on February 3, clearing out on his rivals by 3.2 lengths. He does cop a 3.5kg weight penalty while staying in BM88 company, but it simply won’t matter if he can repeat what he produced in his most recent start. The +100 is short enough considering the opposition he faces; however, unless James McDonald doesn’t get clear running from stall one when the whips are cracking, Our Kobison will take a power of beating.

• 3
  

  OUR KOBISON

• 2
  

  MORAVIA

• 4
  

  PEREILLE

• 5
  

  TINTOOKIE

Race 3: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1000m)

There is plenty of depth in this Highway Handicap, so it makes sense to default to the undefeated Perennial. The Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich-trained gelding put together two impressive wins before heading to the paddock and recently resumed his winning ways at Newcastle on February 3 when scoring by 1.7 lengths. It looks like an ideal setup for the three-year-old to continue his rise through the grades, and with the stable flying on the provincial circuit, it looks like Perennial can make the jump to metro class this weekend.

• 2
  

  PERENNIAL

• 5
  

  ONCE AGAIN MY GIRL

• 3
  

  COMPELLING TRUTH

• 1
  

  REMEMBERING JACK

Race 4: Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m)

The undefeated Storm Boy has impressed at every turn in his short career, scorching the turf in his most recent effort in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast when scoring by 2.5 lengths. The Justify colt is versatile, classy, and has been the long-standing favourite for the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) for a reason, and he should prove why once again in the 2024 Skyline Stakes.

• 1
  

  STORM BOY

• 4
  

  PARKOUR

• 3
  

  PROST

• 6
  

  INDECISIVE

Race 5: BM88 Handicap (2000m)

Redstone Well picked up his first Australian win at start three for the Annabel Neasham barn, grinding his way to victory at this track on February 17. He should only improve as he gets out further in trip to the 2000m for the first time in the preparation. Many of his key rivals in this BM88 contest he beat home last start, and although the son of Cotai Glory must give them a significant swing in the weights, Redstone Well appears classy enough to fend off all challengers once again.

• 1
  

  REDSTONE WELL

• 10
  

  LOUISVILLE

• 8
  

  MIRRACLE SPIN

• 7
  

  FLOATING

Race 6: Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m)

It is the fillies’ turn to put their hands up for Golden Slipper contention in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), where the Michael Freedman barn sends out Manaal as a short-priced commodity. The daughter of Tassort finished off best of the rest in the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill behind Lady Of Camelot, who would go on to impress with a runner-up effort in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) last Saturday. Manaal simply found the 1100m too sharp first-up from a 126-day spell, and with this 1200m contest allowing her build the revs, watch for this girl to storm over the top late.

• 1
  

  MANAAL

• 7
  

  WAVE BREAKER

• 4
  

  CHATEAU MIRAVAL

• 2
  

  CASTANYA

Race 7: Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m)

The feature of the afternoon comes with the newly named Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes, where Fangirl has throttled the market since dominating her rivals first-up in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes. The star mare meets a similar field with a sprinkling of new contenders as she looks to stake her claim as one of the best milers in the country. Will she carve them up again, or is there an upset brewing on Saturday?

Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes

Race 8: Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m)

Learning To Fly gets the nod in the Group 1 Surround Stakes after an outstanding first-up display in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago. The daughter of Justify hadn’t been sighted since last year’s Golden Slipper, and after almost a full year off the scene, she couldn’t have been more impressive in a losing effort. She should only take improvement from that, and with gate six allowing Chad Schofield to sit handier throughout the journey, Learning To Fly can go one better second-up.

• 4
  

  LEARNING TO FLY

• 5
  

  TIZ INVINCIBLE

• 2
  

  ZARDOZI

• 8
  

  MAKARENA

Race 9: Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m)

Most would consider Olentia unlucky first-up in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m), as she was crowded for room at a crucial stage and lost momentum when trying to sneak rails runs under Tommy Berry. Semana was impressive, so it’s inconclusive to suggest this four-year-old should’ve won, but she is worthy of forgiving heading into Saturday. Berry retains the ride and draws to gain a economical run in transit from gate three, and provided the Chris Waller-trained mare has taken a step forward this preparation, Olentia will justify the short quote with online bookmakers.

• 3
  

  OLENTIA

• 2
  

  HINGED

• 5
  

  MORE SECRETS

• 1
  

  DUAIS

Race 10: Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m)

The Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) rounds out a stellar day of racing at Randwick, and it is worth having a throw at the stumps with the Ciaron Maher-trained New Energy on his Australian debut. Despite the European import only having one win to his name across 11 career starts, the son of New Bay brings a promising resume that includes a runner-up effort in the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas (1609m). He won a Cranbourne jump-out prior to this event, and with barrier three giving Jason Collett plenty of options, New Energy appears a solid each-way play in the last.

• 6
  

  NEW ENERGY
  

• 4
  

  KOVALICA

• 2
  

  COAL CRUSHER

• 5
  

  DEMOCRACY MANIFEST