Randwick race-by-race preview & best bets | October 26, 2024

Race 1: Kirkham Plate (1000m)

The opening event is for the two-year-olds, where the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Arabella Star appears primed for a first-up assault. The Star Turn filly has won both her jump-outs in Melbourne before heading up the highway, catching the eye in her most recent piece of work when leading all the way at Seymour on October 14. She’s shown versatility in her both trials, so regardless of where Beau Mertens lands in the run from barrier two, punters can expect Arabella Star to be right in the finish.

• 6
  

  ARABELLA STAR

• 2
  

  COMEDY

• 8
  

  LAPIS LAZULI

• 1
  

  CHICAMA

Race 2: BM72 Midway Handicap (1200m)

In what must be considered the most open race of the afternoon, The Kim Waugh-trained Mogul Monarch gets the nod in this BM72 Midway. The son of Capitalist was impressive dispatching his rivals at Hawkesbury on October 10, and although it was only a BM64 contest, the three-year-old has shown plenty of ability in the past to suggest he’s not out of place in metro grade. Jay Ford gets the chance to lob into the one-one from barrier six, and provided the break fall his way, punters can expect Mogul Monarch to figure in the finish.

• 11
  

  MOGUL MONARCH

• 14
  

  LET’S GO AGAIN

• 15
  

  FRENCH RULER

• 3
  

  PANJANTI

Race 3: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1600m)

Straight Fire has had no luck from the barriers of late, and it ruined her chances of victory in her latest effort at Rosehill on October 12. It forced her back and wide in the middle stages, blunting her turn-of-foot in the final furlong as she fought to within 1.6 lengths of Who Ever Thought. The 1600m journey should no issue from barrier two, and with clear air at a crucial stage this time around, Straight Fire should finally chalk up career win number three at start 10.

• 17
  

  STRAIGHT FIRE

• 3
  

  MARENARO

• 1
  

  DON STEFANO

• 4
  

  VOLCANIC LOVE

Race 4: Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m)

Amazing Eagle returns after a 230-day spell, and although the son of Capitalist is winless after three starts, his trials suggest he’s a much-improved three-year-old. He’s been impressive in both trials at Rosehill and has the ability to lead or take a sit under Tyler Schiller. With no real speed engaged here, expect Schiller to take this race by the scruff of the neck from barrier seven, and once kicking clear of this small field, his rivals may have plenty of ground to cover.

• 8
  

  AMAZING EAGLE

• 4
  

  SMASHING TIME

• 1
  

  HIGH OCTANE

• 2
  

  KING OF ROSEAU

Race 5: Group 2 Callander-Presnell (1600m)

Just Party gets his chance for redemption after being narrowly defeated by Anode last start in the Listed Tapp-Craig at Rosehill on October 12. The Justify colt arguably should’ve won with any luck in transit, only getting clear in the final furlong to get within a nose of Anode right on the wire. The 1600m is some query, however, with barrier one allowing Jay Ford to slot into the perfect stalking position with cover, Just Party should get every conceivable chance to turn the tables in the Group 2 Callander-Presnell (1600m).

• 2
  

  JUST PARTY

• 1
  

  ANODE

• 5
  

  ALTHOFF

• 3
  

  PROST

Race 6: Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m)

Lindermann warrants forgiving for a hapless first-up effort at Rosehill on October 12. He was never in contention after being dragged back from barrier 15 in the Allan Brown Stakes (1400m), and although he was well-beaten by 8.2 lengths, it was nothing more than a glorified barrier trial for the son of Lonhro. He has a terrific second-up record of five starts for two wins and two more minor placings, and with a lack of tempo engaged in the Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m), watch for the ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira to utilize barrier one to make every post a winner.

• 3
  

  LINDERMANN

• 6
  

  DEMOCRACY MANIFEST

• 5
  

  REDIENER

• 10
  

  NEW ENDEAVOUR

Race 7: Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m)

The three-year-olds take centre stage in the $2 million Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, with the team Hawkes-trained Swiftfalcon currently holds the call at $3.40 with online bookmakers. El Castello ($3.90) and Henlein ($4.80) are being paid plenty of respect on the second and third lines of betting, while Harlem Queen brings a differing form-line into the event. Will the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) be the right form-line to follow? Or is it worth looking elsewhere?

Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Spring Champion Stakes

Race 8: Group 2 The Invitation (1400m)

Zougotcha was too bad to be true in the 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 21 and looks well-placed against the girls in The Invitation (1400m). The Zoustar mare was sensational at this course and distance the start prior in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 28, and provided she can get back to that form, she must be considered the one to beat. Joao Moreira should be able to dictate from barrier five, and provided she’s back to her brilliant best, Zougotcha is right in this.

• 1
  

  ZOUGOTCHA

• 10
  

  COCO JAMBOO

• 5
  

  OLENTIA

• 2
  

  MAGIC TIME

Race 9: Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m)

Territory Express showed a stunning turn-of-foot first-up in the Allan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on October 12 and should take major benefit heading into this second-up assignment. He draws awkwardly in barrier 13, however, with Zac Lloyd has an outstanding association with the son of Territories, boasting three starts for two wins and another minor placing to his name. Assuming Lloyd can navigate a passage from the rear of the field, Territory Express will be exploding down the centre of the course in the Five Diamond Prelude.

• 12
  

  TERRITORY EXPRESS

• 7
  

  YELLOW BRICK

• 11
  

  IKNOWASTAR

• 5
  

  OSIPENKO

Race 10: Filante Handicap (1600m)

Riyazan is overdue a win, with two of his last three performances resulting in a minor placing. The nine-year-old hasn’t been beaten more than three lengths in his last four starts, proving a model of consistency for team Hawkes. He gets in on the minimum 52kg in the final event, and with even luck in transit, Riyazan can bpick up a much-deserved victory.

• 10
  

  RIYAZAN

• 6
  

  CAFE MILLENIUM

• 7
  

  ZOOLOGY

• 5
  

  KINTYRE