The curtain falls on the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival this Saturday, April 20th, with the prestigious Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Royal Randwick. A $1.5 million weight-for-age showdown over the classic 1400m distance, this race attracts Australia’s finest milers in a battle for ultimate glory.

Anticipation is electric as seasoned campaigners like Zaaki and Cascadian seek to defend their crowns. However, a new generation of stars like the Guineas victor Southport Tycoon and the TJ Smith Stakes hero Chain Of Lightning are poised to rewrite the narrative.

Race overview

• Date: Saturday, April 20th, 2024
• Location: Randwick Racecourse, Sydney
• Distance: 1400 Meters
• Conditions: WFA
• Status: Group 1
• Prize Money: $1,500,000 AUD

1. Private Eye (10) – Group 1 winner. Most recently 11th of 14 at Rosehill in the G1 The Galaxy on March 23 over 1100m, 5 len behind Zapateo with 58kg at $6.50. Before that from last on the turn second last of 7 at this track in the G2 Challenge on March 9 over 1000m, 1.5 len behind Passive Aggressive carrying 58.5kg at $2.30. Best form can see him take this out.

2. Golden Mile (13) – Caulfield Guineas winner. Useful entire. Last start 4th of 18 at Rosehill in the G1 Geo Ryder on March 23 over 1500m, 2 len behind Veight carrying 59kg at $51. The run before that 8th of 11 at this track in the G3 Liverpool on March 2 over 1300m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Phearson carrying 59.5kg at $15. Genuine hope on latest effort.

3. Buenos Noches (3) – Multiple Group 1 placegetter. Useful entire. Most recently 9th of 13 at this track in the G1 T J Smith on April 6 over 1200m, in the wet; 2.25 len behind Chain Of Lightning with 58.5kg at $26. The run before that 10th of 14 at Rosehill in the G1 The Galaxy on March 23 over 1100m, 4.5 len behind Zapateo carrying 55kg at $19. Nice draw and worth thought.

4. Bandersnatch (12) – Group 3 winner. Most recently raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 16 at Rosehill in the G3 Donc Prel on March 30 over 1500m, 2.25 len behind Another Wil carrying 57kg at $41. The start before that 10th of 18 at Rosehill in the G1 Geo Ryder on March 23 over 1500m, 5.5 len behind Veight carrying 59kg at $151. Has speed but unlikely to be there at the finish.

5. Buffalo River (9) – Multiple Group 1 placegetter. Most recently tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 11 at Caulfield in the G3 Vic Hcp on April 6 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Here To Shock carrying 58kg at $3. The race before that 4th of 12 at Caulfield All-Star Mile on March 16 over 1600m, 5 len behind Pride Of Jenni carrying 59kg at $51. Will need plenty of improvement to feature.

6. Airman (11) – Multiple Group 3 placegetter. Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up sat on speed throughout when 3rd of 9 at Rosehill in the G3 M Mccarten on March 16 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Red Card with 59kg at $5. Last start 7th of 15 at Rosehill in the G3 St Kingdom on March 30 over 1200m, 3 len behind Bandi’s Boy carrying 56.5kg at $8.50. Rates highly and is among the main hopes.

7. Amenable (14) – Group 2 placegetter. Third-up today. Resuming gave a sight but was run down late 2nd in a small field at Flemington in the G3 Shaftesbury Ave on March 9 over 1400m, neck behind Von Hauke with 55kg at $1.80. Second-up 9th of 18 at Rosehill in the G1 Geo Ryder on March 23 over 1500m, 4.5 len behind Veight with 59kg at $11. Will need to improve many lengths to feature.

8. Chain Of Lightning (4) – Chasing a hat-trick. At the latest run won by a neck at this track G1 T J Smith April 6 over 1200m on a heavy track defeating Bella Nipotina with 56.5kg at $21. The race before that ran on from midfield and won by 0.8 len at Rosehill G3 B/Day Card March 23 over 1200m defeating Tashi carrying 58.5kg at $16. Drawn to enjoy a cosy run from an inside gate.

9. Espiona (8) – Coolmore Classic winner. Last start 6th of 13 at this track in the G1 T J Smith on April 6 over 1200m, on a wet track; 0.8 len behind Chain Of Lightning carrying 56.5kg at $17. Before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 7 at this track in the G1 Cant Stks on March 9 over 1300m, 1.4 len behind Lady Laguna carrying 57kg at $2.40. Watch for her dropping on these late.

10. Sunshine In Paris (2) – Surround Stakes winner. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming ran on from midfield; 2nd of 14 at Rosehill in the G1 The Galaxy on March 23 over 1100m, nose behind Zapateo with 53.5kg at $5.50. Second run from a spell 5th of 13 at this track in the G1 T J Smith on April 6 over 1200m, on heavy track; 0.7 len behind Chain Of Lightning with 56.5kg at $6.50. Definite winning chance.

11. Magic Time (6) – Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner. Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 12 at Flemington in the G1 Newmarket on March 9 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Cylinder with 53kg at $5. Second-up 7th of 13 at this track in the G1 T J Smith on April 6 over 1200m, on heavy track; 1.1 len behind Chain Of Lightning carrying 56.5kg at $10. Cannot be ruled out.

12. Southport Tycoon (5) – Australian Guineas winner. Going well. Comes here off a 49-day let-up. Most recently won by 1.3 len at Flemington G1 Aust Gns March 2 over 1600m defeating Veight with 57kg at $19. Before that held ground to the line 2nd of 8 at Caulfield in the G2 Autumn Stks on February 10 over 1400m, nose behind Snow Patrol carrying 57kg at $2. Won last start and is well-placed again.

13. Encap (7) – Group 1 placegetter. At the latest run 6th of 18 at Rosehill in the G1 Geo Ryder on March 23 over 1500m, 2.75 len behind Veight carrying 56kg at $9. The race before that 5th of 11 at this track in the G1 Rand Gneas on March 9 over 1600m, 1.1 len behind Celestial Legend carrying 56.5kg at $12. Hard to have on recent performances.

14. Tiz Invincible (1) – Multiple Group 2 winner. Last start 8th of 18 at Rosehill in the G1 Geo Ryder on March 23 over 1500m, 4.5 len behind Veight with 54kg at $41. The start before that 8th of 12 at this track in the G1 Surround on March 2 over 1400m, slow going 4 len behind Tropical Squall carrying 56kg at $7. Has a nice gate but this will test.

Expert Tips

TJ Smith Stakes winner CHAIN OF LIGHTNING (8) was a winner at this track last start, and has been in strong form with two wins from three outings this preparation. Can measure up again. Coolmore Classic winner ESPIONA (9) ran midfield last start at this track on a heavy surface. Is up in trip today, prefers this trip, expected to run well. Surround Stakes winner SUNSHINE IN PARIS (10) goes very well here with two wins from four starts at Randwick, looks one of the leading challengers. Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner MAGIC TIME (11) has been in the market at her last couple of starts since resuming but hasn’t made an impression, last start running seventh at this track. Can improve and worth including at odds. Australian Guineas winner SOUTHPORT TYCOON (12) is in strong form winning last start at Flemington following good form winning two races from four appearances last preparation, place hope.

Tips: (8)-(9)-(10)-(11)-(12)