Tips and previews for racing at Randwick on Saturday

Ray HicksonAugust 20, 2026 — 5:00pmRace 1: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1200M)1. Clear Proof is racing well this time in and the form around him is holding up too, particularly from two starts back where he split Watson and Unstopabull. Too good from the front at Canterbury last time and if he’s able to get comfortable again up on the speed he’ll take running down. 16. Isawyou is the wild card coming off a maiden win at Illawarra Grange a few weeks ago. He won narrowly but overcame plenty of hurdles. It’ll be interesting to see how he measures up but missing an easier race on Thursday where he was favourite is a good pointer. 8. Ferinzo has a handy record and did beat Astronomix at Gosford in February. Ran well in a BM72 at Canterbury before a break and has trialled impressively. Definite chance. 12. Let’s Go Again is rarely too far away at this sort of level and boxed on okay two weeks ago in this grade. Each-way hope.How to play it: Clear Proof to win.Race 2: BUY YOUR KOSCIUSZKO TICKETS AT TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1100M)6. Andrea will appreciate a return to Highway company after a midfield finish behind Gatwick at Rosehill three weeks back. Wasn’t disgraced and it’s proven an okay form race. Narrowly beaten in a Highway last month on a wet track, draws to have every chance and if he can repeat that, will go close. 22. Ellofadude is a lightly raced gelding first-up on the back of quite a nice trial at Newcastle earlier in the month. Was a strong winner at Gunnedah before a spell as favourite and is worth an each-way look. 18. Lovecats has form around Grinzinger Champ and was placed behind that horse though not as effective last time. Highway company looks to suit and is a good chance. 1. Tom Vegas missed last week’s Highway with a minor issue and 1100m is probably not ideal given it was 1300m last week but he has trialled sharply and could run a cheeky race.How to play it: Andrea each-way.Race 3: JERSEY DAY ANDREW WISEMANTEL HANDICAP (2400M)3. Le Troisir is holding his form nicely and was left with a bit too much to do circling from last when runner-up in a similar event two weeks ago. Massive turnaround in barrier fortunes which can see him settle that couple of pairs closer and he has a big chance to go one better. 2. I Park was the winner of that race and is 1.5kg worse off for under half a length. He was handier in the run and took full advantage there. Wouldn’t shock if he repeats. 9. Forbidden Riff bumped into a promising one when chasing home Aethelwulf at Canterbury but it was a return to form for him and he’s drawn nicely. Has placed at the trip previously and stays in the mix. 6. Foire De Trone switches states and was a month between runs when scoring on a heavy 10 at Sandown last time out. Trip is no issue obviously, track won’t be as testing.How to play it: Le Troisir to win.Race 4: DRINKWISE MILE (1600M)2. The Creator found himself a long way of the speed after going back from the outside gate two weeks ago and he performed strongly to run fourth. He can take advantage of the inside and land much closer to the speed. A bit of sting off the track, suits too. Good each-way chance. 1. King Of The Sea probably has more promise than most of these and is resuming at a trip he should be competitive at fresh. Unfortunate not to win his last two before a freshen up, trialling well and should be running on hard. 12. Avista ran some slick sectionals to arrive in time to deny Mind Ya Bizz, a subsequent winner, two weeks ago and the mile will suit better. A good case for her to be competitive. 9. Puntin threw the cat among the pigeons by opening up a huge mid race lead a couple of weeks ago and while stopping quickly late, he held on for third. It was a return to form for him and if he can conserve a bit more energy he can feature.How to play it: The Creator each-way.Race 5: GOLD COAST TURF CLUB PREMIER’S CUP (2000M)5. Boniface should have won the Prelude two weeks ago after being badly held up for runs until the race was all over. He surged strongly late when clear to be beaten a length. It’s an interesting mix of horses and he’s the one peaking, with luck he can post a deserved win. 2. Thebudgiesmugla has been freshened up since his Caloundra Cup win seven weeks ago and 2000m with some give in the track should be okay for him. Happy to forgive last run at the trip where he was backing up in seven days after winning over 2400m. He’ll be around the mark. 9. So You Are was placed behind Thebudgiesmugla twice before running a handy fourth in the Grafton Cup. Now a stablemate of that horse and he should be competitive. 7. Matusalem has been excellent in two runs back and was hitting the line well when runner-up in the Prelude. Yet to win in 11 starts at this track.How To Play It: Boniface to win.Race 6: SCHWEPPES TOY SHOW QUALITY (1100M)2. Apocalyptic had the two starts in the autumn and while winless you’d have to say they weren’t failures, with a second in the Light Fingers and fourth in the Surround. Just below expectation. If the way she’s trialling is any guide she’s appreciated the longer break and returned well. So if she is near her best she’s the winner. If not, then 1. Savvy Hallie will take full advantage. She did win that Light Fingers in February and was nosed out in the Surround before finding the Coolmore a bit far. She’s also trialling nicely. 6. Prima Bella is racing in great form and has the fitness edge on the two classy mares up top. She was dynamic at 1000m last time out and showed she’s not just a wet tracker. If we’re dealing with a wet track that aids her. 9. Gatwick is another coming up in class but she beat a subsequent winner at Rosehill three weeks ago to earn a shot at something better.How To Play It: Apocalyptic to win.Race 7: HKJC WORLD POOL SILVER SHADOW STAKES (1200M)1. Cherry Bomshell kept improving through the autumn and it culminated with a dominant win in the Percy Sykes in April. She’s trialled well against older group horses and has a draw that gives options. It’s an open race and if she has taken a step forward she can be in the finish. 2. Pembrey was an all the way winner of the Magic Night before lining up in the Golden Slipper and beating a couple home. She’s trialled strongly in Queensland and while drawn out has the speed to be prominent. 3. Agrarian Girl was a tough winner at odds at her debut. You’d expect a horse like her to trial well and she’s done that. 5. Bangkok Hottie had no luck when resuming in a Midway against older horses two weeks ago and she was excellent running third off no barrier trial. Fitter, drawn wide but the option is there to follow Pembrey. She looks to have some quality.How To Play It: Cherry Bomshell each-way.Race 8: HYLAND RACE COLOURS SHOW COUNTY QUALITY (1200M)Three-year-olds rarely contest this so it’s interesting to see 8. Campione D’Italia returning against the older horses and not really getting any weight advantage. He kept improving in the autumn running fourth in the Slipper and winning the group 1 Sires’ and he was only narrowly denied in the Champagne. His trial behind Gringotts was sound and if he doesn’t swamp them he should go close. 3. Enriched had a bit of a mixed preparation last time in with just the one placing in the Liverpool City Cup second-up. His latest trial was an improvement as he held off Plaintiff and he might get a few on pace favours. 2. Disneck loves the Randwick 1200m and if the track dries out, he can be particularly dangerous. Led and won his first trial then ridden more conservatively last time. 7. Matcha Latte may well end up in the Goulburn Cup on Sunday but if he’s here it says he’s sharp enough for 1200m. He generally races well fresh too.How To Play It: Campione D’Italia to win.Race 9: WINX STAKES (1400M)Well, isn’t this some sort of race? 14. Sheza Alibi wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t going pretty well at home and put on a show in her two starts at Randwick in the autumn as she smashed them in the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile. Granted this is now weight-for-age and the best field she’s met but unbeaten in blinkers and can’t see gate one as a negative. Everyone’s expecting her to be a star of the spring and she’ll at least make it interesting. 8. Autumn Glow is the logical benchmark with her only defeat in 12 starts being that brutally run Queen Elizabeth at 2000m. Seen nothing in her trials or last week’s gallop to say she’s not every bit as good. She’s going to be a huge stumbling block. 5. Beiwacht is a 1400m specialist and that makes his presence interesting in a race where there’s no other horse that could match him early at the short trip. He may well get some control and if they forget about him, he’s the upset horse. 2. Gringotts chased home Autumn Glow in the Ryder and Sheza Alibi in the Doncaster so we know he’s around the mark. Looked good winning his latest trial and a placing is within reach.How To Play It: Sheza Alibi to win.Race 10: TAJIMA WAGYU HANDICAP (1200M)7. Call Me Gorgeous ran some ripping sectionals at the end of 1000m when resuming in a race that was too sharp for him, especially as he took on some real 1000m horses. He’s back to his right grade, up to his pet sort of trip and has the run under his belt. If they’re running on he’ll be hard to hold out. 1. Columbia Blue was a little unfortunate not to get closer than he did when third over this track and trip at the same meeting. If he finds the right run in transit he’s another that can finish over the top of them. 6. Alabama State loomed as a possible winner of that race but made his run a bit too early and felt the pinch late. Still a good effort to run fourth. Fitter and while drawn out it’s not the worst thing coming to the last race. Each-way hope. 9. Snack Bar went around at $1.70 at Canterbury last time and had every chance. But if you took that sort of price then he’s worth a look at double figure odds because you know he’ll be thereabouts.How To Play It: Call Me Gorgeous to win.Supplied by Racing NSWFrom our partners