2026 Verry Elleegant Stakes Day Preview

SHAGGY gets a great chance to win at Randwick on Verry Elleegant Stakes Day.

This time last year, he looked like he could have been anything, and while Shaggy hasn’t quite developed into the serious black type horse we perhaps thought he could, he has continued to build to the task this time in.

He was only just denied at double-figure odds in BM72 company at Canterbury last time out, and in peak order this week and from the good draw, I think he can and will make his presence felt.

MRS GOLDBERG has returned to the races in good form and rates as a key chance in this week’s Highway race.

Mrs Goldberg has won two of her four career starts so far, including a 1200m handicap on the Sunshine Coast two starts back.

Having only been denied in a strong race at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago, this looks the perfect way for her to transition in Saturday Sydney metro company, and she has options in the run from the rails draw.

I’m keen to stick with BEAR ON THE LOOSE second up and out to the 2000m this week.

Bear On The Loose was a consistent performer during his first year in Australia in 2025 and found form around some excellent horses, including the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup champion, Half Yours.

I was pretty keen on his chances launching over the mile here at Randwick earlier this month and while he ultimately finished third that day, I’m confident he’ll take big improvement into this race, and if he finds his way to the lead again this week, he’ll be in it for a long way again.

Queenslander PEMBREY is an interesting acceptor in the Sweet Embrace Stakes field.

Pembrey has only made one appearance at the races so far, but she simply could not have been more impressive, extending to win that Eagle Farm 1000m handicap by more than five lengths.

While there is a question mark over the quality of opposition she beat that day, it’s hard to ignore a performance of that quality, and she’s another one that should only improve this week.

With James McDonald engaged from a perfect barrier, I think she gets plenty of ticks.

The same race but for the colts and geldings, the 2026 Skyline Stakes field features the returning WARWOVEN, who I simply have to put on top.

He’s only made two appearances at the races so far, but both of those were nothing short of outstanding, and he won the paird by a combined five-and-a-half lengths.

While he was an unfortunate scratching from the Magic Millions Classic field, we know the horse has above-average talent, and he can re-affirm himself as a leading Golden Slipper contender by winning this.

VERONA ROSE is second up and primed to strike in the Guy Walter Stakes.

Verona Rose went to the paddock after recording an eye-catching win in the Inglis Bracelet during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and after trialling up nicely around some good types, she worked into the minors of the Triscay here a fortnight ago.

The rise in trip suits and she’s yet to finish worse than second at this point of her preparation.

TEMPTED has understandably opened an odds-on favourite in Surround Stakes betting.

She was excellent throughout 2025, winning multiple features amongst her own age group and ultimately ending her year an incredible second behind Ka Ying Rising in The Everest.

Having returned to action with a smart performance to win the Gorup 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes comfortably, she’ll improve second up, out to 1400m and back into fillies’ company.

I’m going to select her as my winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with APOCALYPTIC running into the first three and OLE DANCER running into the first four.

Apocalyptic and Ole Dancer both recorded Group 1 victories during the Spring Carnival and are each second up this week after positive returns to racing in February.

Same Race Multi selections:

• 1 Tempted (Win)
• 2 Apocalyptic (Top 3)
• 3 Ole Dancer (Top 4)

What. A. Field.

As is so often the case, the 2026 Verry Elleegant Stakes field is absolutely dripping with talent, but with the unbeaten record going on the line again, I simply have to stick with AUTUMN GLOW.

Autumn Flow has extended that record to nine wins from as many starts now, and after winning races like the Epsom and The Golden Eagle in spring, she picked up where she left off with an easy and frankly, an incredible victory in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes.

With natural improvement, James McDonald and an inside draw, I’ll be staying with her until she gives me a reason not to.

She’s another one that has come up a clear favourite in the market, so with her as my winner, I’m also going to include CEOLWULF and AELIANA running into the first four.

Both Group 1 winners, Aeliana and Ceolwulf will take improvement from their respective fresh runs in the Apollo Stakes.

Same Race Multi selections:

• 8 Autumn Glow (Win)
• 2 Ceolwulf (Top 4)
• 9 Aeliana (Top 4)

AXIUS takes winning form into the Liverpool City Cup.

Three runs back from a break have returned two impressive victories, highlighted by his performance to get up in the Magic Millions Sprint on the Gold Coast last time out.

He’s been kept fit with a recent trial in Sydney, drops in the weights and looks to be drawn to get the run of the race this week.

BEV’S NINE remains undefeated and puts the record on the line again in the last on 2026 Verry Elleegant Stakes Day.

Three victories from increasingly difficult races is how his debut preparation concluded in August, but Bev’s Nine returned to action last month to beat a similar field to this one over 1100m at Rosehill.

He’s been back to the trials and while he was scratched last week, I don’t think this race is any harder than that one would have been, and I had him on top of my selections there as well.