Racing returns to Royal Randwick this Saturday, September 19th and ten races are headlined by the Seven Sunrise Stakes.
While the Seven Sunrise Stakes doesn’t boast Group 1 status, every horse engaged in the field has saluted at the highest level, and we’ll get to see Autumn Glow in action for the second time this season.
You can find my tips for that race and my complete 2026 Surf To Turf Day Preview & Randwick best bets below.
Typically, there’s a case to be made for a few of them in Saturday’s Highway race including IMPENDOR (7), who I’ve put on top.
Impendor hasn’t been seen at the races since December, but he turned in some fine performances last year, and only just missed over this route when first up last time.
Yet to finish worse than second in four previous fresh attempts, he’s had the benefit of a couple of trials ahead of this return and is drawn well under Nash.
| 3. Impendor (6) J: Nash Rawiller 59.5kg 4x24x T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of ten months. Finished off last campaign fourth of 9 at Ipswich Cg&E Cl3 December 3 over 1100m, a long neck behind The Hamo carrying 59.5kg at $4.60. First up last campaign second of 9 at this track Highway-C3 November 4 over 1000m, soft track; 3 len behind Petticoat carrying 59.5kg at $3.50. Expecting a strong run fresh with the two trials. | |||
BARRENGARRY (9) was excellent fresh, and he gets a great chance to go on with it this week.
Having turned in several fine performances last time in, the Ghaiyyath gelding was caught wide in the run but still proved too good for his rivals over 1400m here a fortnight ago.
Having won his only other second up race to date, getting out to the mile suits and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
| 2. Barrengarry (8) J: Zac Lloyd 60.5kg 115×1 T: Joseph Ible | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months won by 1.2 len in a Midway Bm72 at this track on September 5 over 1400m defeating Vexxy carrying 58kg at $5.50. Previously second-up won by 2 len in a Prov Mdn-Sw at Newcastle on March 6 over 1600m defeating Almonzo carrying 58.5kg at $2.15. Talented gelding destined for better company. | |||
DECLICHY BOULEVARD (5) can return to winning form in the third at Randwick this week.
Having won when resuming back in May, Declichy Boulevard was freshened after a fair performance in the Magic Millions National Classic at Eagle Farm, while she returned to action to fill the minors in the Goulburn Cup last month, beaten less than a length.
She’s a winner at this point of her preparation previously and gets the services of James McDonald, and a rise in trip this week.
| 1. Declichy Boulevard (5) J: James McDonald 59.5kg x15x3 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 3rd of 16 in a Goul Cup Mbm98 at Goulburn on August 23 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Just Party with 55.5kg at $6.50. Previously second-up 5th of 15 in a Nat Clas Fm-Wfa at Eagle Farm on June 6 over 1600m, 1.0 len behind Surfin’ Bird carrying 57kg at $9. Stakes placed mare who profiles well for this. | |||
CRUISERWEIGHT (110 is up in Sydney for the first time in his career, and I am confident it can be a winning weekend for him.
The former Kiwi has turned in several fine performances since arriving in Australia, winning his first two starts this time before a couple of tough performances at his two latest.
In peak order this week, he boasts a class edge over a lot of these rivals and just needs some luck in the run from a wider draw.
| 9. Cruiserweight (11) Scratched: | |||
HEADLEY GRANGE (5) takes winning form and improvement into the Bill Ritchie Handicap.
The Exosphere gelding has always boasted above-average talent, but he undoubtedly went to another level last time in, peaking with a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup.
Having stormed home to win the Group 2 Tramway over this route when resuming, he owns a strong second up record and has drawn perfectly this week under Adam Hyeronimus.
| 1. Headley Grange (4) J: Adam Hyeronimus 61kg 510×1 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months won by a nose in the G2 Tramway Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1400m defeating Soothsayer carrying 58kg at $3.80. Previously second-up 5th of 12 in the G1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1500m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $41. Hard to stop in this vein of form. | |||
GREEN SPACES (12) is third up into a winnable edition of the Kingston Town Stakes.
The Street Boss entire capped in excellent three-year-old season with a dominant win in the Group 1 ATC Derby, and while he clearly needed his first run back this time when finishing nearly seven lengths behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes, he improved to finish a credible six in the Chelmsford last time out.
With further improvement, he gets out to an appropriate trip this week, and with one eye on races like the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, he can stamp himself as a legitimate contender this week.
| 1. Green Spaces (12) J: Rachel King 58kg 21×86 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 8th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Autumn Glow with 58.5kg at $101. Last start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 3 len behind Lindermann with 58.5kg at $9. This should see him ready to peak next start. | |||
STRIKING ALIBI (5) looks perfectly placed in the Tea Rose Stakes field, in my opinion.
Striking Alibi made only two appearances at the races during her debut prep in Perth, stamping herself as one to follow with a dominant win over 1000m at Ascot most notably, while she debuted for the Waller stable with a fine performance to fill the minors in the Group 2 Furious Stakes.
She was less than a length behind the winner that day, keeping her best work for late in the contest, and with natural improvement and a rise in trip this week, she rates highly.
| 3. Striking Alibi (5) J: James McDonald 56kg 10×3 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 10 in the G2 Furious Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1200m, 0.8 len behind Bangkok Hottie carrying 56kg at $21. Previously second-up 12th of 16 in the G2 Karrakatta Plate at Ascot on April 18 over 1200m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Afireofgidgeecoals with 55kg at $14. Is a run behind most of these but sure to go close. | |||
AUTUMN GLOW (4) has opened the $1.22 favourite in Seven Sunrise Stakes betting.
Given she’s been defeated only once, and she returned to action for a dominant victory in the Winx Stakes, leading home Sheza Alibi who has since franked the form further, it’s impossible not to have Autumn Glow on top.
I’m going to select her as my winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with CEOLWULF (7) running into the first three, and GRINGOTTS (6) running into the first four.
Ceolwulf has been excellent in each of two runs back and looks set to peak this weekend, while Gringotts remains one of the country’s toughest horses and is also open to improvement second up.
Same Race Multi selections:
- To Win – No. 4 Autumn Glow
- Top 3 – No. 1 Ceolwulf
- Top 4 – No. 2 Gringotts
| 1. Ceolwulf (5) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 66×52 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, slow going 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $61. Second run from a spell ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Lindermann with 59kg at $3.60. Likely to be giving these too much start, place best. | |||
| 2. Gringotts (4) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 924×3 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $21. Previously second-up 2nd of 12 in the G1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1500m, slow going 2.75 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $19. Nice return in the Winx and will be fighting out the minor placings. | |||
| 4. Autumn Glow (1) J: James McDonald 57kg 113×1 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months favourite; won by 1.4 len in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Sheza Alibi carrying 57kg at $1.70. Previously second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by a long-neck in the G1 Verry Elleegant (Chipping Norton) Stakes at this track on February 28 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Aeliana with 57kg at $1.26. Champion mare who will prove too sharp for these. | |||
An outstanding field of sprinters has accepted for The Shorts, and it shapes as arguably the race of the day at Randwick this week.
JOLIESTAR (11) resumes and with some typically lofty targets set this time, I’ve got her on top for a fresh victory.
We know how good Joliestar is – she’s a multiple Group 1 winner, but after arguably her best campaign so far that saw her win the Canterbury Stakes and the TJ Smith Stakes in autumn, she was last seen finishing third after a tough run in the Group 1 Queen’s Jubilee at Royal Ascot.
She’s had a couple of trials ahead of this return and understandably, retains the services of James McDonald.
| 2. Joliestar (11) J: James McDonald 56kg 11x3x T: Chris Waller | |||
| Back from a spell. Only had one start last campaign sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 18 in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Ascot on June 20 over 1207m, neck behind Almeraq carrying 58kg at $2.90. Won previous preparation first up favourite; won by 1.2 len in the G2 Expressway Stakes at this track on February 14 over 1200m defeating Caballus carrying 57kg at $2.60. Trialled on September 8 at Rosehill over 900m and finished sixth. Expected to go close again despite drawing | |||
This is an open race to end the Randwick program and with a case to be made for many of them, I’ve put GOLDEN STRAAND (1) on top.
We haven’t seen Golden Straand at the races since May, but he enjoyed a strong three-race preparation back in the autumn, winning his first two starts before filling the minors of the Listed Ortensia Stakes at his latest start.
With the benefit of a couple of trials under his belt, he looks fit and forward enough to win, and something like this looks a nice campaign launchpad for him.
| 2. Golden Straand (1) J: Nash Rawiller 60.5kg x113x T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation third of 16 at Scone in the LR Ortensia May 16 over 1100m, 1.1 len behind Bev’s Nine carrying 53kg at $2.90. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 1.4 len Warwick Farm Bm78 April 15 over 1100m defeating Sweethearted with 59kg at $3.20. Will improve on whatever he does in this. | |||
