The spring spotlight burns bright this weekend with The TAB Everest and Caulfield Cup leading a blockbuster lineup of races across Randwick and Caulfield. From the world’s richest turf sprint to the time-honoured staying test, Group 1 racing is front and centre — with stars like Ka Ying Rising, Mr Brightside, and Half Yours set to thrill punters nationwide.
After tipping three winners in last week’s blog, our form team is back with a full card of previews, best bets, and value selections for every key race. It’s the biggest weekend of the spring — and we’ve got you covered from the first at Randwick to the last at Caulfield.
🏇 Randwick Race 1 — Bisley Workwear Reginald Allen Quality (1400m)
📝 Race Overview:
We kick off the card with a strong Group 3 for 3YO fillies where emerging talent meets potential upside. Conditions should suit those who can settle on pace and quicken late, and a few lightly raced types look capable of taking the next step.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
SNITZEL DANCER (Odds: $4.80)
⚡ “Building nicely into her prep and maps to get the perfect run just behind the leaders. Her closing sectionals last start were excellent, and a clean jump should see her right in the finish this time.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
SAMARELLE (Odds: $5.50)
💥 “Trialled impressively here on October 7th and looks to have come back a stronger, sharper filly. From a good draw, she can stalk the speed and prove dangerous late if she gets clear air.”
🏇 Randwick Race 2 — Delta Building Automation St Leger Stakes (2600m)
📝 Race Overview:
Staying types line up for the Listed St Leger, and the form clearly revolves around The Metropolitan from a fortnight ago. The tempo looks even, with Travolta likely rolling forward to set the tone. Several proven stayers return here, but all eyes will be on whether Soul of Spain can finally convert his strong recent runs into another win.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
SAM HAWKENS (Odds: $2.60)
⚡ “The UK import comes into this unbeaten in his last three starts before spelling, and the William Haggas yard rarely misses when targeting Sydney staying races. If he’s tuned up, he could announce himself in style first-up in Australia.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
SOUL OF SPAIN (Odds: $5.00)
💥 “He’s been ultra-consistent, placing in six of his last eight and performing admirably in Group company. Draws well, handles all surfaces, and this trip is ideal — he’s clearly the horse they all have to beat.”
🏇 Randwick Race 3 — Big Dance Wild Card Handicap (1600m)
📝 Race Overview:
A strong edition of the Wild Card, with two key qualifiers eyeing off the $3M Big Dance on Cup Day. Expect a solid tempo, with Mawjood and Detonator Jack likely to push forward early. Vivy Air nearly won this race last year before another huge run in the Big Dance itself — she looks primed to go one better.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
SWIFTFALCON (Odds: $3.20)
⚡ “Runner-up in this race last year and returned with a slashing second to Headley Grange at Newcastle. Proven fresh, loves this trip, and looks perfectly placed to peak ahead of the Big Dance.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
VIVY AIR (Odds: $6.00)
💥 “Always promised plenty and his closing effort in the Epsom suggests he’s edging back to form. Back to a mile is ideal, and if he gets tempo on his side, he’s capable of running over the top late.”
🏇 Randwick Race 4 — Asahi Super Dry Angst Stakes (1600m)
📝 Race Overview:
A typically open edition of the Group 3 Angst, featuring several mares in strong form this prep. Expect Perfumist and Idle Flyer to roll forward, while Aberlour and Shohisha settle off speed looking to pounce late. The race sets up nicely for those who can handle the genuine tempo and sustain a long run.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
PERFUMIST (Odds: $3.00)
⚡ “Dominant winner last start at Randwick, controlling the race from the front and finding plenty late. She’s building the same way she did last prep when she strung together four on the trot — hard to oppose in this vein.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
ABERLOUR (Odds: $11.00)
💥 “Comes back from a solid Melbourne run and is much better suited here back home on a spacious Randwick track. If she finds cover early, she’s the knockout hope who could surprise late at double-figure odds.”
🏇 Randwick Race 5 — The Kosciuszko (1200m)
📝 Race Overview:
One of the most anticipated races of the spring — the country’s best sprinters clash for big prize money and bragging rights. A deep field as always, but all eyes will be on the evergreen Front Page, who returns for a fourth crack at the title. Expect strong early speed with Compelling Truth and Without Parallel pressing on, while the proven finishers launch late.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
FRONT PAGE (Odds: $4.00)
⚡ “A true country racing cult hero aiming for a third Kosciuszko victory. His Galaxy run earlier this year proved he can still mix it with the elite. Loves this setup, handles all conditions, and maps beautifully to stalk the speed.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
CLEAR THINKING (Odds: $6.00)
💥 “Lightly raced and full of upside, returning from a 32-week break off a sharp trial win. If the tempo is hot up front, she’s the one who can power home down the outside late at a big price.”
🏇 Randwick Race 6 — Toyota Forklifts Sydney Stakes (1200m)
📝 Race Overview:
A quality edition of the Sydney Stakes featuring several Everest-adjacent sprinters. There’s not an abundance of speed here, so position in running will be key. With Your Blessing looks the likely leader, but strong closers like Disneck and Beauty Charge will be poised to strike late.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
DISNECK (Odds: $11.00)
⚡ “Randwick specialist who thrives on this track, boasting four wins here and proven against tougher opposition. He maps beautifully to get the run of the race and should be primed to launch late — the one they’ll all need to hold off.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
COAL CRUSHER (Odds: $26.00)
💥 “Back to his preferred distance and historically fires second-up in this very race. With a softer tempo expected, his on-speed pattern gives him every chance to run a bold race and sneak into the finish at double-figure odds.”
🏇 Randwick Race 7 — The TAB Everest (1200m)
📝 Race Overview:
The jewel of the Sydney spring and one of the world’s richest turf races, The Everest always delivers a spectacle — and this year is no exception. Expect Mazu and Overpass to roll forward early, setting a genuine tempo before the powerhouse finishers unleash down the straight.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
KA YING RISING (Odds: $1.70)
⚡ “The Hong Kong superstar has done everything right in the lead-up — dominant first-up win, flawless trial, and a perfect draw to stalk the speed under Zac Purton. His turn of foot is world-class, and if he brings his best, he could make history for his connections on Australian soil.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
WAR MACHINE (Odds: $12.00)
💥 “Lightly raced colt with untapped upside. His four straight wins show he can adapt to any tempo, and from the draw, he looks set for the dream trail behind the leaders. A rising star who could run a huge race at a backable price.”
🏇 Randwick Race 8 — Silver Eagle (1300m)
📝 Race Overview:
An intriguing contest that shapes as a key Golden Eagle lead-up. Plenty of depth here, with several returning stars and progressive 4YOs clashing over the tricky 1300m. Expect Gerringong and Sabaj to roll forward, while Linebacker and Harlem Queen will look to swoop late.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
LINEBACKER (Odds: $3.50)
⚡ “Showed plenty of fight despite racing wide first-up and has since trialled impressively at Randwick. He’s clearly taken another step forward since being gelded and looks ready to peak here. If he finds cover this time, his class should shine through.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
SABAJ (Odds: $7.00)
💥 “A genuine talent resuming off strong jumpout form and proven against smart opposition. His last campaign ended with a placing behind subsequent Group 1 winner Reserve Bank — that’s elite form for this level, and he’s over the odds fresh.”
🏇 Randwick Race 9 — King Charles III Stakes (1600m)
📝 Race Overview:
A royal Group 1 showdown worthy of its name. Pride of Jenni brings her trademark front-running aggression, while Mr Brightside and Lake Forest loom as the big closers in what promises to be a high-class, tactical mile. The map suggests Jenni will roll to the front, with Brightside stalking closely throughout.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
MR BRIGHTSIDE (Odds: $5.50)
⚡ “The benchmark miler in the country. He was devastating winning the Makybe Diva last start, and while this setup is different, his adaptability and relentless consistency make him the one to beat again. Proven at Randwick and thrives at 1600m.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
LAKE FOREST (Odds: $7.50)
💥 “Golden Eagle winner who returns to his favourite trip and reunites with Zac Purton — a huge booking. He’s been freshened since his Queensland campaign and maps to sit just off the speed. If the tempo is genuine, expect him to be flashing home late.”
🏇 Randwick Race 10 — The Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool (BM88, 1400m)
📝 Race Overview:
A deep and competitive closer to finish the Randwick card. Plenty of talent here, but the tempo looks modest on paper — those settling on-speed could hold the advantage. Rock Empire maps to lead, while Lavish Empire and Lord of Biscay will be hunting for cover before unleashing late.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
ROCK EMPIRE (Odds: $6.50)
⚡ “Steps up from midweek grade but is a natural improver who makes his own luck in front. He’ll take catching if left alone early, especially under the light weight. The type you want on your side in a slow-tempo affair.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
LAVISH EMPIRE (Odds: $15.00)
💥 “Ultra-consistent and genuine, particularly when ridden patiently. He’s been excellent this prep and gets the services of Tyler Parr, with whom he boasts a superb strike rate (2 wins and 5 placings from 9). If he sees daylight turning for home, he’ll be hard to hold out.”
🏇 Caulfield Race 7 — Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m)
📝 Race Overview:
A cracking edition of the Thousand Guineas with several rising stars clashing over the mile. The tempo looks moderate, and barriers could prove decisive — Apocalyptic maps perfectly just off the speed, while Ole Dancer will be hunting clear air late.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
OLE DANCER (Odds: $6.00)
⚡ “A classy filly who’s been building beautifully this prep. Her closing sectionals in both the Atlantic Jewel and the Prelude were outstanding, suggesting the 1600m is right in her wheelhouse. From gate five she should settle closer and get every possible chance to storm over the top late.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
FERIVIA (Odds: $14.00)
💥 “Continues to elevate with every run and is flying under the radar despite three wins from five this prep. Her Prelude victory was strong, and she maps for another soft run just behind the leaders. Genuine winning chance at an each-way quote”
🏇 Caulfield Race 8 — Sportsbet Moonga Stakes (1400m)
📝 Race Overview:
A fascinating renewal of the Moonga with a mix of proven Group-class sprinters and emerging milers. The race sets up nicely for those sitting just off the pace, and a return to Caulfield should favour Private Eye after a string of strong Sydney runs.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
PRIVATE EYE (Odds: $2.60)
⚡ “Class act of the field. The Everest runner-up brings elite 1200–1400m form and was excellent chasing home Joliestar and Briasa in Sydney. Drawn to settle forward and gets a golden chance to convert that consistency into a well-deserved win.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
MEDIA WORLD (Odds: $9.00)
💥 “Has come back a more mature and versatile horse this prep. His last-start win at Flemington was full of merit, and the 1400m looks his sweet spot. Meets several key rivals well at the weights and could take catching if allowed to roll along early.”
🏇 Caulfield Race 9 — Sportsbet Caulfield Cup (2400m)
📝 Race Overview:
The grand old race returns with a stacked international field and several local hopes in peak form. With genuine tempo expected from the likes of Adelaide River and Deakin, this year’s Caulfield Cup should provide a truly run staying test — one worthy of shaping the Melbourne Cup picture.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
HALF YOURS (Odds: $2.60)
⚡ “Continues to impress this preparation, producing a powerhouse Naturalism win before charging late behind the slow tempo in the Turnbull. Drops significantly in weight and maps beautifully for a midfield run with cover. Ready to make the leap into elite company — looks the horse to beat.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
LAND LEGEND (Odds: $14.00)
💥 “A proven performer at this level and well suited by the 2400m. His late sectionals in both the Underwood and Turnbull were excellent despite unfavourable race shapes. With more tempo here and a drop of 2.5kg, he profiles as a genuine knockout chance at double figures.”
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