2026 Golden Eagle Day Tips & Preview (Randwick) | Saturday 31 October

Having hit the line to win comfortably under James McDonald on the Illawarra Grange track earlier this month, Donatello took improvement into a near miss in midweek metro company at his only other start this time. While he does face another rise in grade here, he’s got upside and this certainly isn’t the strongest race on Golden Eagle Day.

Bluish Hue hasn’t finished worse than second through five appearances since resuming, flashing late to get up at Rosehill two back before another near miss here last week. In peak order and on the quick back up, I’m confident he’ll bounce back.

Ruination finished midfield behind an impressive Cross Tasman in the last on The Everest Day most recently, but his form prior to that race was good and consistent, and included a smart victory in BM72 company at Canterbury. In peak order this week, the small drop in trip should suit and Tim Clark should be able to find a nice position in behind the early speed from barrier 7.

Octa De Lago returned to action with a fine performance to finish fourth in BM78 company at Warwick Farm and took improvement into another run for fourth, but a length closer to the winner on the Kensington track last time out. Fitter third-up this week, he has options in the run from barrier 1 and gets some handy relief in the weights under Siena Grima.

Perisher turned in some fine performances in the UK and Ireland earlier this year, while he completed an ideal debut in Australia when kicking away for a comfortable victory over 1500m on Hill Stakes Day. He’s a winner at this point of his preparation previously, while getting out to the 2000m this week looks perfect as well.

Chix mixed her form last time in but did produce an eye-catching performance to beat home a credible field over 1300m at Illawarra Grange most notably, but after trialling up well through august and September, she hit the ground running this prep when winning in BM72 company on the Kensington course. That was easily her best performance to date, and with natural improvement, from the low draw and under Zac Lloyd, this looks a very winnable Saturday race.

Headwall’s performance in The Everest was simply too good to ignore in my opinion, and for that reason, I’ve put him on top this week. While yet to break through at the highest level, Headwall has continued to improve with each preparation, and he has returned to action in typically sharp form this time, finding form around Australia’s (and some of the world’s) best sprinters. In peak order, I’m keen to see him out to 1300m this week.

With $10 million on the line, a fittingly outstanding field of four-year-olds will greet the starter at the 1500m mark for the 2026 Golden Eagle. That said, Sheza Alibi is the classiest horse engaged and is a fitting occupant of the top line of Golden Eagle betting. A multiple Group 1 winner, this race has been the target since her autumn preparation and she steps out in peak order and drawn perfectly. I’m going to select her as my winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with Autumn Boy and Skyhook each running into the first four. Autumn Boy is arguably the next-best four-year-old in Australia and steps out in peak order as well, with the benefit of Zac Purton in the saddle. Skyhook meanwhile has undoubtedly gone to another level this time in, winning both the Theo Marks and the Shannon Stakes before only just missing in the Silver Eagle a fortnight ago.

Same Race Multi selections:

• 16 Sheza Alibi (Win)
• 2 Skyhook (Top 4)
• 3 Autumn Boy (Top (4)

Barrengarry has always hinted at above average talent, but he’s undoubtedly started to put it all together this time in and won each of his first two starts back, right here at Randwick impressively, before only just missing at Rosehill last time out. This is a strong field, but he takes weight from every other horse engaged, is drawn perfectly and certainly looks up to the grade as well.

Compensation hasn’t been seen at the races since May, but he was nearly faultless during his debut prep, filling the minors on debut before reeling off three-consecutive races in progressively stronger company. He’s trialled up well and just needs a little luck in the run from the wide alley to be fighting out the finish.