We have The Invitation tips and predictions for the Group 2 1400m race at Randwick on Saturday.
The Invitation odds have Lazzura favoured to win, but it should be a close contest in Sydney.
Lazzura is a clear top pick for The Invitation after a stellar preparation for trainer Chris Waller.
The five-year-old mare by Snitzel comes into this off a brilliant second-up win in the Group 2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill, where she proved too strong for Verona Rose over 1400m.
She handles this distance exceptionally well and goes particularly well third-up. With Tommy Berry taking the ride from barrier 12, she has class on her side and is well-placed to add another feature win to her record.
There is some value in the current odds. We priced her at around $2.80, and although this field is packed with talented types, she is good enough to put them away. She goes on top in our Invitation predictions.
| 1. Lazzura (12) 59kg12×31 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up sat on the pace when 3rd of 8 in the G2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1200m, 0.6 len behind Savvy Hallie carrying 58kg at $2.90. Second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.2 len in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m defeating Verona Rose carrying 58kg at $1.85. Definite winning chance. | |||
Verona Rose comes into this race after a stellar runner-up finish in the Group 2 Golden Pendant behind Lazzura.
She settled near the rear before flashing home late to miss by a narrow margin over 1400m, proving she can measure up against the favourite. Prior to that, she posted a strong second-up third in the Group 3 Theo Marks Stakes, so she’s knocking on the door of a win.
Drawn ideally in barrier 4 with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, she will get a far more economical run than Lazzura, so this is her chance to turn the tables on the favourite, and she’s trending in the right direction.
Our Invitation tips are happy to include her at the current odds, which could firm on race day.
| 3. Verona Rose (4) 58.5kg50×32 | |||
| Third-up today. First-up 3rd of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m, 1.5 len behind Skyhook carrying 54.5kg at $7. Last start came home strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 7 in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 1.2 len behind Lazzura carrying 56kg at $13. Fitter now and making headway. Will take beating. | |||
Modella is worth including in The Invitation picks at double-digit odds. The Lee & Cherie Curtis-trained mare has been racing in great heart, coming off a victory in BM88 grade followed by a close third-place finish in the Group 3 The Nivision over 1200m.
She steps up to her optimal 1400m distance here, where her record is solid, and she could sneak under the radar at nice odds. We priced her at around $14, so punters get value odds, and she’s good enough to win this race.
Andrew Adkins just needs to find cover from a wide draw, and she could be the one storming home to cause an upset.
| 12. Modella (10) 58kg68×13 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up settled well back; won by a neck in the LR Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong on September 4 over 1350m defeating Mrs Maree carrying 56kg at $2.80. Last start 3rd of 7 in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Lazzura with 54kg at $6.50. Others going much better heading into this one. | |||
Punters get value odds with our The Invitation SRM, which includes our three selected runners.
We have Lazzura Top 2, Verona Rose Top 3, and Modella Top 5, which pays $17.50 for our three-runner SRM.
We’re banking on Lazzura and Verona Rose fighting out the finish, and although they don’t need to win the race, they need to be in the placings. Modella Top 5 adds value to picks, and the $17.50 odds are worth the risk.
| 1. Lazzura (12) 59kg12×31 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up sat on the pace when 3rd of 8 in the G2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1200m, 0.6 len behind Savvy Hallie carrying 58kg at $2.90. Second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.2 len in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m defeating Verona Rose carrying 58kg at $1.85. Definite winning chance. | |||
| 3. Verona Rose (4) 58.5kg50×32 | |||
| Third-up today. First-up 3rd of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m, 1.5 len behind Skyhook carrying 54.5kg at $7. Last start came home strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 7 in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 1.2 len behind Lazzura carrying 56kg at $13. Fitter now and making headway. Will take beating. | |||
| 12. Modella (10) 58kg68×13 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up settled well back; won by a neck in the LR Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong on September 4 over 1350m defeating Mrs Maree carrying 56kg at $2.80. Last start 3rd of 7 in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Lazzura with 54kg at $6.50. Others going much better heading into this one. | |||
Latest The Invitation 2026 Odds
The Invitation 2026 Odds
| 1. Lazzura (12) 59kg12×31 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up sat on the pace when 3rd of 8 in the G2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1200m, 0.6 len behind Savvy Hallie carrying 58kg at $2.90. Second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.2 len in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m defeating Verona Rose carrying 58kg at $1.85. Definite winning chance. | |||
| 2. Idle Flyer (8) 59kgx6440 | |||
| Most recently 14th of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 3 over 1600m, on a slow track; 6 len behind God’s Window with 55kg at $18. The race before that eased back early on ran second last in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m, 2 len behind Autumn Glow with 57kg at $26. Expected to go well. | |||
| 3. Verona Rose (4) 58.5kg50×32 | |||
| Third-up today. First-up 3rd of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m, 1.5 len behind Skyhook carrying 54.5kg at $7. Last start came home strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 7 in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 1.2 len behind Lazzura carrying 56kg at $13. Fitter now and making headway. Will take beating. | |||
| 4. Super Smink (14) 58.5kg060×0 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months 10th of 14 in a G3 The Nivison at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m, 3 len behind Gerringong with 57kg at $26. Previously second-up 8th of 13 in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on April 25 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Geegees Mistruth carrying 56.5kg at $26. Unlikely to threaten. | |||
| 5. Infancy (9) 58.5kg89644 | |||
| Comes off a 36 day let-up. Last start 4th of 14 in the G3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 18 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Perfumist carrying 58kg at $10. Before that 4th of 8 in the G3 Show County Quality at this track on August 22 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Midnight In Tokyo carrying 57.5kg at $15. Will need to lift. | |||
| 6. Stylish (2) 58.5kg27351 | |||
| At the latest run raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.5 len in the G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1400m in the wet defeating Gold Medallist carrying 55kg at $7. The run before that 5th of 12 in a Bm84 at Caulfield on September 19 over 1400m, 0.6 len behind Fiorenot with 57.5kg at $14. Nice draw and worth thought. | |||
| 7. Firestorm (11) 58.5kgx08x0 | |||
| Second-up. Comes off a 42-day let-up. First-up after three months 11th of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m, 5 len behind Skyhook with 53kg at $15. Previously second-up 8th of 17 in the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on June 27 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Splash Back carrying 57kg at $26. Needs to lift. | |||
| 8. Tuileries (13) 58kg010×4 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 4th of 14 in a G3 The Nivison at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m, 0.5 len behind Gerringong with 56.5kg at $15. Previously second-up won by a long-neck in the G3 Newcastle Stakes on March 6 over 1400m defeating Churchill’s Choice with 55kg at $5.50. One of the top chances. | |||
| 9. Gerringong (7) 58kg234×1 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months favourite; won by a nose in a G3 The Nivison at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m defeating Arabian Rose carrying 54kg at $3.70. Previously second-up ran on from midfield; 3rd of 17 in the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on June 27 over 1400m, slow going 2.25 len behind Splash Back with 57kg at $5. Fitter and worth including. | |||
| 10. Perfumist (6) 58kg71×10 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming won by 2.5 len in the G3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 18 over 1400m defeating Mareth carrying 55kg at $3.60. Second-up ran last of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 3 over 1600m, on a slow track; 16 len behind God’s Window with 50kg at $13. This race is well within her grasp. | |||
| 11. Arabian Rose (3) 58kg171×2 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 14 in a G3 The Nivison at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m, nose behind Gerringong carrying 55kg at $13. Previously second-up 7th of 11 in the LR Hinkler Quality at Eagle Farm on June 13 over 1200m, in the wet; 2.25 len behind Midnight In Tokyo with 53kg at $9.50. This will test. | |||
| 12. Modella (10) 58kg68×13 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up settled well back; won by a neck in the LR Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong on September 4 over 1350m defeating Mrs Maree carrying 56kg at $2.80. Last start 3rd of 7 in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Lazzura with 54kg at $6.50. Others going much better heading into this one. | |||
| 13. Asgarda (5) 59kg715×6 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months 6th of 14 in a G3 The Nivison at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m, 1.4 len behind Gerringong carrying 54kg at $41. Previously second-up 12th of 14 in the G3 Birthday Card Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1200m, slow going 4.5 len behind Catch The Glory with 53.5kg at $15. Unlikely to threaten. | |||
| 14. Miss Freelove (1) 58kg13×40 | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 4th of 10 in the G3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1200m, 2 len behind Point Barrow carrying 56kg at $19. Second run from a spell raced on the pace before fading ran second last of 14 in a G3 The Nivison at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind Gerringong with 55kg at $16. Well held last time and facing tough task today. | |||