We’re all set for the return of Group 1 racing in Australia at Royal Randwick this weekend!
Owing to its position on the calendar, the Winx Stakes is always a high-quality affair, but this year’s edition is set to go to another level as for the first time, we’ll be treated to a showdown between star mares, Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi.
Check out our Randwick tip sheet, including 2026 Winx Stakes best bets below!
While we haven’t seen Ferinzo at the races since February, he hasn’t turned in a poor performance since debuting; winning three of five starts and placing on the other two occasions. He’s trialled up extremely well and can hit the ground running this week.
| 8. Ferinzo (5) J: Tim Clark 58kg x113xT: Jake Hull | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign third of 7 at Canterbury Bm72 February 20 over 1250m, 0.5 len behind True To Form with 58.5kg at $3.90. Previous preparation first-up won by 2 len Beaumont (Newcastle) Cl1 January 15 over 1150m slow track defeating Perle De Chocolat with 57.5kg at $1.70. Keep safe after the two sharp trial wins. | |||
Dee Dee Express has raced consistently through four starts this time in, recording an eye-catching win in Class 1 company at Moruya before filling the minors over 1100m at Canterbury last time out, beaten less than half a length. In peak order this week, her form is good enough to see her salute in something like this.
| 9. Dee Dee Express (20) J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg x7213T: Matthew Dale | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 9 in a F&M Bm64 at Canterbury on August 5 over 1100m, 0.5 len behind Raskol carrying 59kg at $8. The start before that won by 0.8 len at Moruya on July 10 over 1210m on a rain affected track defeating Foreign Encounter with 57kg at $3.30. Poorly drawn and happy to watch. | |||
Kiwi raider I Park takes winning form into another winnable race at Randwick. Having finished off the pace at Rosehill at his first Australian start, I Park took plenty of improvement into a near miss over 1900m at Canterbury before hitting the line to get up in a similar race over this route last time out. In peak order this week, he does rise in the weights, but he need only hold his form to be right in the thick of it again.
| 2. I Park (7) J: Tim Clark 57kg 18031T: Lauren Brennan | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently ran on from midfield and won by a long-neck at this track on August 8 over 2400m on a soft track defeating Le Troisir with 54.5kg at $12. Before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 7 in a Bm72 at Canterbury on July 22 over 1900m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Velaris carrying 58kg at $10. Has more to offer and can handle the weight increase. | |||
King Of The Sea turned in some competitive performances without recording an elusive victory during his debut Australian preparation, and he was last seen finishing an agonizingly close second behind Tazima at Randwick in May, beaten a photo. With the benefit of two recent trials to his name, he launches over a mile this week and is further boosted by the booking of James McDonald.
| 1. King Of The Sea (12) J: James McDonald 60.5kg x432xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Resuming after a break of three months. Finished off last preparation second of 12 at this track Bm88 May 23 over 2000m, in the wet; a nose behind Tazima with 54.5kg at $2.70. First up last campaign fourth of 12 at Caulfield Bm74 April 11 over 1600m, soft track; a neck behind Oceana Dream with 60.5kg at $6.50. Talented import primed with the two trials, leading contender. | |||
While yet to strike in four runs back this time, Boniface hasn’t been far away at his three latest starts, finishing the runner up in a pair of BM88 contests here most notably, while he was only a length away in the Premier’s Cup Prelude last time out. He’s drawn ideally this week under Tommy Berry, gets into the race well under the conditions and should appreciate getting further out in trip.
| 5. Boniface (6) J: Tommy Berry 54kg x5225T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| At the latest run 5th of 11 in a Prem Prel at this track on August 8 over 1800m, 1.1 len behind Eliyass carrying 52kg at $3.20. The start before that came from the tail of the field 2nd of 11 in a Bm88 at this track on July 11 over 1800m, on heavy track; 2 len behind Tazima carrying 56kg at $5.50. Held up badly last start and should’ve finished much closer. | |||
Apocalyptic was outstanding last spring, recording three-consecutive black type victories, including the Group 1 Flight Stakes, before only just missing again in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas. She made just two appearances during the autumn of this year and while she failed to win, both performances were full of merit. Two recent trials have suggested she’s furnished into a strong horse, and with regular rider Tommy Berry engaged, she should get her chance to return a winner.
| 2. Apocalyptic (5) J: Tommy Berry 58.5kg 2x24xT: Michael Freedman | |||
| First-up. Finished off last campaign fourth of 8 at this track in the G1 Surround February 28 over 1400m, soft track; 5 len behind Tempted with 56kg at $5. Previously first up; second of 9 at this track in the G2 Lghtfinger February 14 over 1200m, 0.8 len behind Savvy Hallie with 56kg at $1.50. Multiple Group winner who looks set for a good prep. | |||
Queenslander Pembrey returns to action and adds plenty of intrigue in the Silver Shadow Stakes. We haven’t seen her at the races since Slipper Day, and she did finish well off the pace in that contest, but Pembrey was otherwise good during her two-year-old prep, winning in dominant fashion up at Eagle Farm before heading south to take out the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes. A Deagon trial performance earlier this month suggested she’s returned a better horse and with James McDonald engaged, I think she’ll get her chance.
| 2. Pembrey (10) J: James McDonald 56kg 1510xT: Tony Gollan | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign 14th of 16 at Rosehill in the G1 G Slipper March 21 over 1200m, soft track; 6 len behind Guest House carrying 54.5kg at $19. At her first start to post a big 5.5 len win. Eagle Farm 2yo Hcp February 14 over 1000m slow track defeating Oregon Coast carrying 56.5kg at $2.35. Resumes with the one trial win and had genuine excuses in the Golden Slipper. | |||
In five starts during his debut preparation, Campione D’Italia experienced a meteoric rise to prominence, winning the Group 2 Skyline Stakes at just his second start before adding the Group 1 Sires’ Produce to his CV two starts later. Those performances bookended a credible fourth placing in the Golden Slipper, while he was last seen finishing a head second in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes. Having trialled well around some excellent older horses, this looks an ideal campaign launchpad for him.
| 8. Campione D’Italia (7) J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg 1412xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming after a four-and-a-half months break. Finished off last preparation second of 12 at this track in the G1 Champagne April 18 over 1600m, a neck behind Fireball carrying 56.5kg at $2.15. On debut ran last of 10 at this track in the LR Lonhro February 7 over 1000m, 7 len behind Agrarian Girl carrying 56kg at $5.50. Trialled well against the older horses and can pull out a big run fresh. | |||
It’s the first Group 1 of the season, and what a Group 1 it is! The Winx Stakes field is always packed with talent, but the showdown between Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi adds all the more intrigue this year. All things considered, I’m going to have a Same Race Multi and include both mares to finish in the Top 2. While she did suffer the first defeat of her career at her latest start in April, Autumn Glow remains a star of the Australasian Turf and is unbeaten at this point of her prep, while Sheza Alibi deserves her position in the market following her incredible domination of the Doncaster Mile. I’m also going to include Lady Shenandoah to finish in the Top 4. A multiple Group 1 winner in her own right, Lady Shenandoah has been a model of consistency since debuting and is unbeaten over 1400m.
Same Race Multi selections:
- 8 Autumn Glow (Top 2)
- 14 Sheza Alibi (Top 2)
- 12 Lady Shenandoah (Top 4)
| 8. Autumn Glow (3) J: James McDonald 57kg 1113xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation third of 7 at this track in the G1 Queen Eliz April 11 over 2000m, 2.5 len behind Sir Delius with 57kg at $1.30. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 2.75 len this track G2 Apollo February 14 over 1400m defeating Aeliana carrying 57kg at $1.40. | |||
| 12. Lady Shenandoah (2) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 57kg 3342xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation second of 11 at this track in the G1 Queen Turf April 11 over 1600m, 0.9 len behind Idle Flyer with 57kg at $3.50. When resuming last campaign third in a small field at this track in the G2 Expressway February 14 over 1200m, 1.3 len behind Joliestar carrying 57kg at $6. | |||
| 14. Sheza Alibi (1) J: Luke Nolen 56.5kg x111xT: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation by posting a big 4.5 len win at this track carrying 49kg in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m slow track defeating Autumn Boy at $1.90. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 2.25 len Caulfield G2 Armanasco February 21 over 1400m defeating Salty Pearl with 58.5kg at $1.50. | |||
Columbia Blue can bounce back in the last on Winx Stakes Day. Having recorded a dominant victory over 1200m at Rosehill two back, Columbia Blue was simply set too big of a task when settling off the pace and rattling home to only just miss here last time out. In peak order, she he can settle just a little handier to the speed this time before calling on that big turn of foot again.
| 1. Columbia Blue (10) J: Nash Rawiller 60.5kg 6×213T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run 3rd of 10 in a Cg&E Bm78 at this track on August 8 over 1200m, neck behind Exit Fee with 60kg at $3.70. The run before that came from midfield and won by 0.5 len at Rosehill on July 18 over 1200m in heavy going defeating Snack Bar with 57.5kg at $2.30. | |||
Best – Race 10 No. 1 Columbia Blue
Next Best – Race 6 No. 2 Apocalyptic
Value – Race 2 No. 9 Dee Dee Express