Randwick full racing preview & best bets | Saturday, April 19

Race 1: BM72 Midway Handicap (1400m)

The Kim Waugh-trained Northern Eyes appears ready to strike heading into this fourth-up assignment after contesting some testing Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifiers, with the Zoustar gelding taking a dramatic drop back in grade. He was a Midway winner at this course and distance towards the end of last preparation, stringing together a four-straight win in stylish fashion. He fits in nicely after the claim of apprentice hoop Anna Roper, and with barrier three allowing the pair to slot into the one-one, Northern Eye is a good each-way play with horse racing bookmakers to kick-off the card at Randwick.

• 1
  

  NORTHERN EYES

• 14
  

  ENGINE ROOM

• 12
  

  STARBOARD

• 5
  

  APOLLO MISSION

Race 2: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1400m)

Rouge Moulin was simply outclassed in his most recent outing in the $1 million Country Championships (1400m) at this same track and trip on April 5. He couldn’t chase a hot speed on that occasion and wants a bone-dry track, which is exactly what he should get in this Highway contest. Clayton Gallagher will be looking to drop in for cover from stall seven, and provided the breaks fall his way when trying to get clear, Rouge Moulin has the class to get the job done at this level.

• 7
  

  ROUGE MOULIN

• 9
  

  WIN THE DAY

• 7
  

  MCKEON

• 6
  

  HEIR JORDAN

Race 3: Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m)

Swiftfalcon must be considered one of the better bets of the day as he steps out in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m). There’s no doubt he’s been testing the patience of punters, finishing in the minor money on all four occasions this preparation; however, this appears to be an ideal setup for the son of Exceedance. The likes of Shangri La Spring and Plymouth should mean they go along at a genuine clip, and although Swiftfalcon will be dropped out the back by Tyler Schiller from gate seven, watch for this guy to circling them all at the top of the straight, securing a much-deserved victory for believers.

• 1
  

  SWIFTFALCON

• 7
  

  MAISON LOUIS

• 2
  

  FIRM AGREEMENT

• 10
  

  MISS ALEXIS

Race 4: Group 3 James H.B. Carr Stakes (1400m)

Punters can be more than forgiving of Clean Energy last time out, sitting three-and-four deep without cover when finishing fourth behind She’s Got Pizzazz in the Group 3 P.J. Bell Stakes (1200m). She was brave to still finish within a half-length of some key rivals lining up here, and the daughter of Zoustar should have no issues in handling the step-up to 1400m fourth-up into the campaign. Tim Clark has the option to lead or slot into the one-one from barrier two, and provided Clean Energy can bounce back to her best after a testing effort, She’ll have no issue justifying the short price with .

• 1
  

  CLEAN ENERGY

• 2
  

  ZEITUNG

• 4
  

  LILAC

• 3
  

  SNOW IN MAY

Race 5: BM88 Handicap (1200m)

Countyourblessings returns after a 92-day spell and represents good value at the $9 with . The daughter of I Am Invincible comes back to Sydney after a disappointing trip to Queensland, finishing unplaced in two slow run affairs. She needs a hot speed to execute at her peak, with the BM88 contest presenting as the deal setup. Barrier one should allow Kerrin McEvoy to slot into a stalking position mid-field with cover, and provided the inside running is still good enough late in the day, watch for Countyourblessings to dart clear in the concluding stages.

• 9
  

  COUNTYOURBLESSINGS

• 15
  

  GETAFIX

• 8
  

  NEED SOME LUCK

• 2
  

  TOPANGA

Race 6: Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m)

Flying Bandit gets his first crack at black-type and appears well placed in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m). The son of Trapeze Artist had to be gritty in his latest effort at Hawkesbury on April 9, lifting off the canvas after copping a chequered passage when turning for home. He still got the job done and now gets in on the minimum (53kg), dropping 6.5kg after lugging the big weight to a dominant win. Jay Ford maps to gain the run of the race from barrier three, and if he’s good enough, Flying Bandit should get every chance to keep rising through the grades.

• 14
  

  FLYING BANDIT

• 3
  

  ENCAP

• 4
  

  KLONDIKE

• 6
  

  NEW ENDEAVOUR

Race 7: Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m)

The Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) is for the two-year-olds, where a quality field of 12 has assembled for the $1 million feature. The team Hawkes-trained Federalist gets the nod at a good each-way price with after a moderate effort in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m), unable to sprint off a slow tempo in the second leg of the two-year-old triple crown. There should be plenty of speed as many of these step-up to the mile for the first time, and with Nash Rawiller likely to smoke the pipe towards the rear of the field, watch for Federalist to come with a withering burst to claim the 2025 Champagne Stakes.

• 6
  

  FEDERALIST

• 1
  

  STATE VISIT

• 7
  

  WITHIN THE LAW

• 3
  

  BUFFALO

Race 8: Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m)

A star-studded field of 14 are set to battle it out for the $1.5 million prize in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m). 12 of the 14 runners engaged have already attained Group 1 honours in the past, including this year’s dominant favourite with horse racing bookmakers Briasa ($3.50). Jimmysstar, Joliestar and Broadsiding all share the second line of betting at $6.50 and have been well backed to cause an upset, while last year’s winner Magic Time ($12) leads the charge of those at double-figure odds.

Click here for our full preview of the 2025 All Aged Stakes

Race 9: Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m)

Mazu was well held in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) on April 1, where race rival General Salute was simply too strong to the line. He gets an all-important 6.5kg swing in the weights, however, and looks to gain complete control of this race from barrier one. Jamie Melham should land onto the leaders’ back throughout, and if Mazu can get back to his brilliant best, he’ll prove hard to hold out in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).

• 5
  

  MAZU

• 7
  

  OSTRAKA

• 9
  

  GENERAL SALUTE

• 1
  

  JEDIBEEL

Race 10: BM100 Handicap (1400m)

The dartboard may be required for the final race of the program, with a stacked field of 15 set to go round in this BM100. It’s Tavi Time gets the nod, however, returning from a 114-day spell as he pinched a Group 3 success before heading to the paddock. He’s trialled nicely heading into this first-up assignment, and with the son of Tavistock luring Australia’s leading hoop, it suggest this guy can get the job done to round out All Aged Stakes Day.

• 5
  

  TAVI TIME

• 10
  

  I’MINTOWIN

• 12
  

  GREEN FLY

• 8
  

  STRAIT ACER