The Grand Finals of Australian racing have arrived.
Royal Randwick kicks off The Championships with a blockbuster 10-race card this Saturday, headlined by four Group 1s and a whopping $12.9 million in prizemoney. It’s Sydney racing at its finest — and we’ve done the form so you don’t have to, read on for our Expert Group 1 Picks.
With a Heavy 8 surface and the rail in the true, conditions will be testing, but the big guns are out in force. The ATC Australian Derby, Doncaster Mile, T J Smith Stakes and Inglis Sires’ all feature deep fields, serious form lines, and elite betting opportunities.
From exposed champions to rising stars, our expert team breaks down each G1 with clear verdicts, betting confidence ratings, and free tips you can trust — including best bets, value runners over $6, and longshots to watch late.
Whether you’re a casual punter or a form fanatic, this is the weekend to dial in. Let’s find you that edge in the big ones at Randwick.
Race 6 – Inglis Sires’ (1400m)
🧠 Overview:
The form is lightly exposed, with most runners still early in their careers. Key contenders bring strong recent finishes and untapped potential into this Group 1 contest. The race tempo looks moderate to quick, with a few that like to roll forward and others happy to stalk.
🏇 Best to Back: #5 State Visit
🔥 $11.00 – Represents strong each-way value
Why:
He was one of the most visually impressive closers in the Pago Pago Stakes, clocking slick sectionals despite settling too far back. This step to 1400m looks ideal based on his late closing strength, and with a slightly better midfield position, he’s one of the most progressive in the field.
- ✅ 100% place rate from two starts
- ✅ Handles pressure late; race-fit
- ✅ Looks like he’ll relish the 1400m
- ✅ Jason Collett sticks
💰 Best Value: #6 Buffalo
💥 $18.00 – Genuine blowout chance
Why:
Buffalo hasn’t done much wrong and looks like a colt that’s just warming up. His maiden win was dominant, and he’s bred to appreciate this trip. Given his tactical speed and improvement to come, he could easily land just off the pace and run a cheeky race at big odds.
- ✅ Strong closing figures at Newcastle
- ✅ Progressive profile
- ✅ Trainer targeting this race from early on
Race 7 – T J Smith Stakes (1200m)
🔥 Group 1 Sprinting Royalty returns with a deep field of fresh and fit top-liners. Genuine speed expected with Overpass and possibly Magic Time taking up the running, while the big closers like Sunshine In Paris and Joliestar will be launching late. Track pattern could be crucial.
🏇 Best to Back: #1 Overpass
💥 Currently $6.00
Why:
He’s one of the few who can absorb pressure on speed and keep going, and his first-up record is excellent (4 wins from 8 fresh). His trial work has been faultless, and he comes off a WFA Group 1 win in Perth. If it turns into a leader’s track, he could pinch it from the front. This field will test him, but he rarely runs poorly when fresh.
- ✅ 4x first-up wins
- ✅ 4 from 6 top-two finishes at Randwick
- ✅ Could control the race tempo
💣 Best Value: #6 Sunshine In Paris
💰 Currently $9.00
Why:
She’s a proven Group 1 mare who was simply enormous late first-up in the Canterbury Stakes – the race shape was against her, and yet she still powered home with intent. Back to 1200m, she profiles beautifully second-up where she’s 2 from 3. Her late figures from the Champions Sprint stack up with the best in the country. This is her race to peak.
- ✅ 3:2-0-1 second-up
- ✅ Proven Randwick performer
- ✅ Set to peak now and maps for a slingshot late
Race 8 – Doncaster Mile (1600m)
✍️ Race Overview
Hard to go past the proven class of Tom Kitten, who is now third-up, gets back to a Randwick mile, and has drawn for a suck run. Linebacker is the value, a lightly raced colt peaking at the right time with no weight. Stefi Magnetica resumes fresh off strong trial form and should be charging late. Watch for Militarize, who resumes after a long layoff but has trialled well — one for exotics if there’s speed on.
💨 Predicted Race Tempo
Tempo: Genuine
On-Pace: 1 Gringotts, 21 Rise At Dawn, 6 Osipenko
Back in the Field: 3 Tom Kitten, 20 Linebacker, 13 Kovalica, 14 Stefi Magnetica
💣 Best to Back: #20 Linebacker
💥 Currently $6.00
Tumbles to 49kg off a brave Randwick Guineas win where he was strongest through the line. Lightly raced with upside, and maps similarly to Celestial Legend last year who won this race off the same setup. He’ll land midfield with cover and look to produce late. Right stable, right time.
💥 Currently $8.00
🔥 Next Best Runner: #3 Tom Kitten
The more you look at recent replays, the more Tom Kitten stands out. Winner of the All-Star Mile and arguably underdone in the George Ryder, yet still finished with purpose behind Gringotts. Gets the soft draw in barrier one, handles all conditions, and looks set to peak third-up with a perfect trailing run behind the pace.
Race 9 – Australian Derby (2400m)
🏇 Best to Back: #18 Aeliana
💥 Currently: ~$3.30
She was luckless in the Rosehill Guineas where she found traffic and flashed late – a clear sign she’s screaming out for the 2400m. Has a handy turn of foot, maps to settle midfield with cover, and crucially drops weight as a filly. Her prep looks perfectly timed to peak here. The tempo and draw suit – she just needs even luck.
💣 Best Value Runner: #10 Imperialist
💥 Currently: ~$101
Totally overlooked in early markets despite closing well in the Alister Clark. He’s bred to stay and looked like he wanted every bit of the 2400m that day. With a more positive ride and sharper timing from the jockey, he could surprise at big odds. Great roughie for exotics and small win play.
Colossalbet understands the ramifications of gambling beyond your means and has implemented various safeguards to protect our clients and their interests.
Colossalbet works with Gambling Help Online to offer assistance to anyone who is directly or indirectly affected by gambling. If your gambling has become problematic or the behaviour of a loved one has become a concern, Gambling Help Online offers a range of free support and counselling services about problem gambling in a variety of languages and in a safe and anonymous environment. You can contact Gambling Help Online at any time for free and confidential advice and support by:
Calling 1800 858 858.
Visiting their website https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/
Leave a Reply