2025 Black Opal Stakes Day Preview 

The nation’s capital comes alive this Sunday, with a massive 10-race card that features four black-types races, and you can get all the good oil in our 2025 Black Opal Stakes Day Preview. 

The G3 Black Opal Stakes headlines the $1 million meeting and has attracted a full field to compete for the $200k on offer, in what has often been an integral lead up to the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes. 

Also on the menu are the Listed Canberra Cup, Listed Canberra Guineas and the Listed National Sprint where local legend Keith Dryden is aiming to win the race for the sixth time. 

I’ve delved deep into the form to provide my Canberra tips and best bets.    

Teylu (1) resumes here following a very good first preparation that saw him finish runner-up in both his races. 

The Gratz Vella-trained grey gelding was unlucky not to win on debut after being held up on the Acton track and finishing a length second. 

He fought bravely at his second start over this course and distance but ran into one better and had to settle for a close second. 

The three-year-old led a recent trial before cruising to the line and that piece of work will have warmed him nicely for this first-up assignment. 

Damon Budler can use barrier 1 to advantage and lead.  

1 Unit – Teylu (1) 

Fangela (3) looks ready for a peak performance third-up. 

The Dryden & Snowden-trained gelding improved noticeably second-up when giving a massive sight in the National Sprint Preview last start before being run down late to finish a head second. 

He’ll have come on further since that run and is a previous third-up winner over this course and distance. 

Blaike McDougall sticks and can give his mount a great run just behind what looks a strong speed. 

1 Unit – Fangela (3) 

Adolphus (2) kicked off this preparation in great style with a strong effort to win over 1400m here first-up.  

The Matt Dale-trained son of Rubick has competed well in Highway Handicaps in Sydney in his past three starts. 

Two starts back over 1500m at Rosehill he was unlucky not to win when finishing a head second before backing that top effort up last start with a half-length third over 1800m at Randwick. 

He’s three weeks between runs so I don’t mind the drop back to a mile and he gets the benefit of Tommy Berry in the saddle who will settle in a forward position. 

2 Units – Adolphus (2) 

Karmando (4) did more than enough on debut last start to suggest he can break through for his first win here. 

The O’Shea & Charlton-trained Toronado gelding found the front in the straight over 1200m at Kembla Grange but was overhauled late to finish 1.8 lengths second. 

He’s since been back to the trials where he produced a nice piece of work to finish a close second. 

The booking of Tyler Schiller is a significant improvement, and the talented hoop can drive forward and lead from the inside barrier. 

1 Unit – Karmando (4) 

French Ruler (2) returned in great order over 1300m at Rosehill last start. 

The John Sargent-trained gelding jumped well but was restrained from the wide gate before finding the line powerfully despite the slow speed not suiting to finish 2.4 lengths fourth. 

He’ll appreciate returning to his own age and went within a neck of winning second-up last preparation. 

The G3 Spring Stakes runner-up gets in well under the set weight conditions of the Listed Canberra Guineas. 

Nash Rawiller replacing the apprentice is a positive move. 

1 Unit Each Way – French Ruler (2) 

Farcited (5) impressed when debuting in the Black Opal Preview last start. 

The Waterhouse & Bott-trained Farnan colt never got closer than three-wide in the run but still demonstrated a powerful turn of foot to put his rivals away for a length win. 

He’ll have come on since that run and the rise to 1200m looks even more suitable. 

It must be noted that the stable elected to scratch him from Saturday’s Todman Stakes where he drew barrier 2 in preference of this race. 

Adam ‘Hippo’ Hyeronimus will drive forward and should prove hard to catch. 

2 Units – Farcited (5)

The 2025 Canberra Cup is a tricky race to decipher prior to Saturday as many of the leading contenders are dual accepted in the Randwick City Stakes. 

Palmetto (1) has hit form this preparation and looks close to a win.  

The John Sargent-trained gelding fought tooth and nail last start in the G3 Parramatta Cup to finish a head second to Our Anchorage. 

The outside barrier isn’t ideal but Tim Clark can roll forward and take up a prominent position.  

1 Unit Each Way – Palmetto (1) 

Highlights (4) drops back from a mile to 1400m in the National Sprint but he’s a month between runs so that should suit. 

The Bjorn Baker-trained Your Song gelding let down powerfully to win over 1600m at Randwick last start.  

While his record over 1400m isn’t flash with three placings from 10 starts, it must be noted that the majority of those below par runs were prior to joining Baker’s flying stable.  

Rachel King will drive forward and settle in a prominent position. 

1 Unit Each Way – Highlights (4) 

Autumn Aroha (5) won his maiden impressively last start and can go on with it now. 

The Richard Litt-trained son of The Autumn Sun settled back over 1880m at Newcastle before letting down powerfully to win by 2.7 lengths with something in hand. 

Given how strong through the line he was, the rise to 2000m looks ideal now that he’s at peak fitness. 

We lose nothing with Chad Schofield replacing regular rider Mitchell Bell. 

1 Unit Each Way – Autumn Aroha (5) 

Rockola (1) has his fair share of weight to carry but more than earns it given he’s the class runner in this field. 

Now with the Jim & Greg Lee stable, the Jukbox gelding returned from a 63-week spell in fine style in a significantly stronger race at Randwick where he finished off strongly for a close third. 

Prior to the long break, he’d shown talent winning his maiden by 3.1 lengths. 

Tyler Schiller retains the ride and can settle closer from the good gate. 

Connections thought highly enough of him to accept (later scratched) in the National Sprint earlier in the day. 

2 Units – Rockola (1)