Another ten races at Royal Randwick on Saturday, September 5th are headlined by the time-honoured Chelmsford Stakes.
While there isn’t a Group 1 feature race to sink our teeth into, other contests like the Furious Stakes, the Concorde Stakes and the Tramway make this Randwick program one of the season’s most key form cards.
You can find my complete Randwick best bets, including my 2026 Chelmsford Stakes Tips below!
This looks a typically competitive Midway Handicap with several runners bringing strong recent form.
LONG LEGS (9) has the class edge on ratings and should be fitter for this second-up run, while DUSTY BAY gets James McDonald and KRASINA brings consistent form at the weights.
I’m leaning towards Long Legs on top, with Dusty Bay and Krasina the main dangers.
| 4. Long Legs (9) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 460×7T: Gary Portelli | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months eased back early on 7th of 11 in a Midway Bm72 at this track on August 22 over 1200m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Clear Proof carrying 59kg at $5.50. Previously second-up 4th of 16 in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic on March 13 over 1600m, slow going long-neck behind Feminino carrying 55kg at $7.50. Blinkers go on and stays in the mix. | |||
Another wide-open Highway race looms with several runners arriving in strong form.
WAYBURN (16) has been outstanding this preparation with two wins and a second from his past three, while MRS GOLDBERG resumes off a win and gets Nash Rawiller aboard; TROPIC is another to consider after back-to-back victories, albeit in weaker races.
In peak order, I’m keen to stick with Wayburn.
| 2. Wayburn (16) J: Jett Newman 58.5kg 41221T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Form hard to fault. Returns from a 35-day let-up. Most recently won by 2 len at Rosehill on August 1 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Nimble Star carrying 59kg at $3.90. Before that held ground to the line 2nd of 14 in a Highway-C3 at this track on June 6 over 1100m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind She Within with 58.5kg at $2.90. Proven at this level and claim helps from the wide gate, each way. | |||
This is another competitive field, with KIMBERLEY SECRETS (10) bringing strong and consistent form, and the field’s strongest rating.
PETTICOAT has been consistent this preparation with two recent placings, while ERNAUX draws perfectly in barrier one and gets James McDonald aboard; BREMEL and TEQUILA BABY are also capable of featuring.
Looking to step out this week in peak order, and with the benefit of a claim, this looks a great opportunity for Kimberley Secrets to get up.
| 1. Kimberley Secrets (10) J: Coriah Keatings 58kg 2×252T: Nick Olive | |||
| At the latest run held ground to the line 2nd of 11 in a Bm78 at Rosehill on August 29 over 1100m, head behind Oh Arthur with 55.5kg at $6. The race before that crossed from a wide gate to settle just off the pace but gave ground when 5th of 11 in a Bm78 at Rosehill on August 15 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Polyglot with 56kg at $5. | |||
The first black type of the day sees nine stayers step out over 2400m, including THEBUDGIESMUGLA (7), who I have on top.
Having won both the Listed Winter Cup and the Caloundra Cup to close out his winter prep, Thebudgiesmugla returned to action to finish on the placegetters’ heels in the Premier’s Cup a fortnight ago, finishing just over a length behind the winner.
With natural improvement and out in trip, he looks perfectly placed in something like this.
SO YOU ARE is another major player after a string of consistent performances, while FERNAO has placed in his past three and gets in with just 53kg.
| 1. Thebudgiesmugla (7) J: Dylan Gibbons 59kg 16114T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 8 in the G3 Premier’s Cup at this track on August 22 over 2000m, on a slow track; 1.1 len behind Boniface with 55kg at $6. The start before that won by 0.6 len in the LR Caloundra Cup at Sunshine Coast on July 4 over 2400m in soft going defeating So You Are with 54kg at $2.35. | |||
Race 5 on Chelmsford Stakes Day looms as an open BM78 sprint with plenty of key chances engaged, including CLEAR PROOF (12).
Having stripped fitter with a few fair performances earlier this prep, Clear Prof returned to winning form with an eye-catching performance over 1250m at Canterbury and franked that performance by getting up again over this route last time out.
While he has been charged with lugging topweight from a wide alley, he has the runs on the board and can get the job done again.
UNLEESHING has plenty of upside after a strong winning preparation last time in, while BARTOLF draws nicely in barrier two and can improve off his first-up effort.
| 1. Clear Proof (12) J: Dylan Gibbons 60kg 04211T: John P Thompson | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start favourite; won by a head at this track on August 22 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Isawyou with 60kg at $3.60. Before that favourite; won by 2 len at Canterbury on August 5 over 1250m defeating Snack Bar carrying 59kg at $3.60. | |||
PEMBREY (7) was nothing short of outstanding at her first run back this time and can go on with it in the Furious Stakes.
She stamped herself as one to follow during a two-year-old prep that peaked with victory in the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes, but Pembrey’s performance to win the Silver Shadow over this route when resuming a fortnight ago suggested she’s gone to another level.
With natural improvement, she can go forward again, and I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish once more.
| 2. Pembrey (7) J: Tommy Berry 56kg 510×1T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months won by 2.5 len in the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Bangkok Hottie carrying 56kg at $4.40. Previously second-up 5th of 8 in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes at this track on February 28 over 1200m, slow going 1.5 len behind Spicy Miss with 56.5kg at $2.45. Great chance to make it two in a row. | |||
This is a quality edition of the Tramway Stakes with plenty of depth, featuring five Group 1 winners including my on topper, IDLE FLYER 3).
Idle Flyer went to another level last time in, winning two of three starts including the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes, while she returned to action with a credible midfield performance behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes.
She’s unbeaten in four previous second up attempts and gets the services of Zac Lloyd from a perfect draw.
PRIVATE EYE resumes with a strong first-up record and has the class to feature, while TRANSATLANTIC and HEADLEY GRANGE also bring plenty of ability.
| 7. Idle Flyer (3) J: Zac Lloyd 56kg 411×6T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 6th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, slow going 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $31. Previously second-up won by 0.7 len in the G2 Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill on March 28 over 1500m in soft going defeating Blindedbythelight with 56kg at $1.90. | |||
It’s proven to be one of the standout Sydney Spring Carnival sprints since The Everest’s inception and the Concorde Stakes is now a Group 2 feature, attracting yet another headline field to Randwick this Saturday.
TEMPTED (7) returns to action after an unbeaten Autumn Carnival preparation that saw her add races like the Group 1 Surround and the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint to her CV, while two strong recent trials add further confidence to her first up ambitions.
HEADWALL is another major player, particularly at this point of his preparation, while multiple Group 1 winner MARHOONA and ROSELYN’S STAR also have claims in something of this quality.
| 4. Tempted (7) J: Chad Schofield 58kg x111xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last campaign won by 1.2 len this track G2 Arrowfield April 11 over 1200m defeating Devil Night carrying 54.5kg at $1.60. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 1.3 len this track G3 Esk Prince February 7 over 1200m defeating Napoleonic with 57.5kg at $1.60. | |||
The 2026 Chelmsford Stakes field is packed with talent but after an eye-catching fresh performance, I have to have CEOLWULF (7) on top.
The multiple Group 1 winner just didn’t come up in the autumn, and his campaign was abandoned after only two starts, but winding back to his spring prep last year, and Ceolwulf was victorious in both the King Charles III and the Champions Mile, both at the highest level.
LINDERMANN has plenty of class and will undoubtedly make his own luck on the speed, while CAMPALDINO has an excellent winning record, and ATTICA can be competitive from the low draw.
| 1. Ceolwulf (7) J: Chad Schofield 59kg x66x5T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months 5th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $61. Previously second-up 6th of 9 in the G1 Verry Elleegant (Chipping Norton) Stakes at this track on February 28 over 1600m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $14. | |||
SNEAKY SUNRISE (9) looks well placed after showing plenty of ability in her recent preparation and carries just 55.5kg.
Having trialled up nicely, she needed her first run back in BM90 company down at Caulfield to tune up, finishing just under three lengths behind the likes of Ten Commandments and Home Rule.
MICKEY’S MEDAL draws Barrier 2 and gets a 1.5kg claim, while THE MONA LISA a arrives in winning form after back-to-back victories and can continue to improve.
| 5. Sneaky Sunrise (9) J: Tim Clark 55.5kg 217×6T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after six months eased back early on 6th of 10 in a Bm90 at Caulfield on August 15 over 1400m, slow going 2.75 len behind Ten Commandments with 54.5kg at $15. Previously second-up 5th of 12 in a Bm70 at Caulfield on October 15 over 1440m, 7 len behind Surfin’ Bird carrying 59.5kg at $9.50. | |||