October has arrived and that means the quality of racing in Sydney increases dramatically at Royal Randwick, and Ladbrokes are here with our expert 2026 Epsom Day preview and predictions.
A stunning ten-race program is headlined by the 2026 Epsom Handicap and the Flight Stakes, but with races like The Metropolitan and the Premiere Stakes also set to run, it is shaping as one of the year’s standout betting cards.
You can find my complete Randwick best bets below, including my 2026 Epsom Tips!
A strong Midway Handicap gets us underway on Epsom Day and with a case to be made for a few of them, I’ve ultimately put DORADUS (2) on top.
Doradus has been a model of consistency this time in, winning two of four starts and finishing the runner up as many times, finding form around some quality opposition in the process.
In peak order this week and with Nash Rawiller retaining the ride, it looks a great opportunity for him to successfully transition back into Saturday metro company.
| 2. Doradus (2) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg x2121 T: John P Thompson | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start favourite; won by 1.3 len in a 5yo+ Bm72 at Canterbury on September 16 over 1900m defeating Millie De Lune carrying 58kg at $2.05. The race before that set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 12 in a Midway Bm72(70) at Rosehill on August 29 over 1800m, on a slow track; nose behind Proxima Dea carrying 57kg at $3.40. Maps well and hard to beat in this sort of form. | |||
Epsom Day gives us the opportunity to see the new crop of two-year-olds in action for the first time competitively, and the Breeders’ Plate field will see some exciting colts and geldings in action.
Without any exposed form to study, NONU (3) for Bjorn Baker and Jason Collett does look to be one we can have some confidence in.
By Anamoe and out of Easifar, Nonu cruised home to easily win an 850m trial on the Kensington track here and looks well placed on debut.
| 8. Nonu (3) J: Jason Collett 56kg T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Bjorn Baker trained two-year-old colt lining up for first race start. Looked good when an easy trial winner. Good draw will assist chances. Impressed in the trial win and well drawn for this. | |||
The same race but for the fillies, the Gimcrack field features 13 juveniles on debut, including SHRADDHA (3) for Michael Freedman and Tommy Berry.
She too cruised home to win a trial on the Kensington track last month and looks to have plenty of ability.
She’s drawn well and can hit the ground running.
| 13. Shraddha (3) J: Tommy Berry 56kg T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Michael Freedman trained two-year-old filly lining up for debut. Looked good in a recent trial win. Good draw will assist chances. Makes debut on home track, has a low draw and can make an immediate impact. | |||
With one eye on the Spring Champion Stakes, some classy three-year-olds get out to the mile in the Dulcify Stakes and GENESIS RUNNER (4) looks set to make an impact third up from a spell.
While yet to strike this time in, Genesis Runner was only just denied by Plagiarism in the Up And Coming Stakes when resuming before being beaten only a length in the Ming Dynasty Quality last time out.
By Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Gun Runner, Genesis Runner should relish getting further out in trip this week and is drawn to receive the run of the race.
| 1. Genesis Runner (4) J: Chad Schofield 56.5kg 41×24 T: Richard & Will Freedman | |||
| Third-up today. First-up sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 10 in the G3 Up and Coming Stakes at Rosehill on August 29 over 1300m, 0.7 len behind Plagiarism carrying 53kg at $4.40. Second run from a spell 4th of 10 in the G3 Ming Dynasty Quality at Rosehill on September 12 over 1400m, 1.1 len behind Persian Wonder carrying 53kg at $4. Ready for this trip and set to peak third up. | |||
This is another wide-open affair with plenty of winning chances engaged, but I am keen to be with POLYMNIA (10) second up from a spell.
Polymnia doesn’t win out of turn, but she’s also rarely far away and turned in several typically strong performances last time in, finishing second in an Epona Stakes most notably.
Having returned to action with a fine effort behind the impressive Perfumist in the Tibbie Stakes, she strips fitter, drops in class and retains the services of Zac Lloyd.
| 12. Polymnia (10) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 234×3 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months ran on from midfield; 3rd of 14 in the G3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 18 over 1400m, 3 len behind Perfumist with 55kg at $5. Previously second-up 3rd of 12 in the G3 Aspiration Quality at this track on March 7 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Pinito with 53kg at $10. Nice return and will appreciate the good tempo, place best. | |||
I am of the opinion that STRIKING ALIBI (2) was a good thing beaten a fortnight ago and I am very keen to stick with her when she takes her place in the Flight Stakes field.
The former Perth filly is yet to strike in two runs for Chris Waller this time in, but after filling the minors of the Furious Stakes first up last month, she was caught in a pocket in the straight in the Tea Rose Stakes last time out and attacked the line when finally finding clear air.
With only six other fillies engaged, and with James McDonald aboard, I think she’ll be afforded every opportunity to go one better.
| 2. Striking Alibi (2) J: James McDonald 56kg 10×32 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming ran on 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. Last start 2nd of 9 in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 0.7 len behind Bangkok Hottie with 56kg at $2.70. Has been behind the eight ball all prep and set to deliver over the mile. | |||
While it has been downgraded to a Group 2 race in 2026, The Metropolitan field still boasts some of the country’s best stayers including AETHELWULF (4), who demands his position on the top line of betting.
He’s been nothing short of outstanding this time in, and after returned to winning form over a mile at Kembla Grange back in July, Aethelwulf has only continued to improve as the bar has been raised and as he has gotten further out in trip, culminating in another easy victory in the Newcastle Gold Cup last time.
This is his target and I’ve got him on top, but I’m going to pump up my odds by including him in a quinella with impressive last-start winner, THE EUPHRATES (2).
The Euphrates enjoyed several outstanding results in Ireland and the UK earlier in his career, while he made a positive debut for the Waterhouse & Bott yard when fourth in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes last month.
He was vastly improved when kicking away to win the Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m last time out, and he’s sure to give plenty of cheek up on the speed again this week.
| 1. The Euphrates (1) J: Tim Clark 59kg 17×41 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Lindermann carrying 59kg at $31. Second-up won by 0.9 len in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m defeating Juja Kibo carrying 55kg at $5. Talented import who can measure up again over this trip. | |||
| 7. Aethelwulf (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 51111 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Dual acceptor. On a four run winning streak. At the latest run favourite; came from midfield and won by 2.5 len in the G3 Newcastle Cup on September 18 over 2300m defeating Steel Blaze carrying 54kg at $1.20. Before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.25 len in a Bm78 at Rosehill on August 29 over 2000m defeating Anthracite carrying 58kg at $1.35. Goes to a new level again and not sure where the ceiling is. | |||
It’s always a standout of the Sydney Spring Carnival and the 2026 Epsom field is dripping with talent.
In my opinion, it shapes as another great opportunity for several bets, and I’ve ultimately put AUTUMN BOY (1) on top.
If not for Sheza Alibi, Autumn Boy would already be a four-time Group 1 winner and probably in the conversation for the best horse in the country. Having turned in a sharp performance to finish the runner up in the Makybe Diva Stakes last time out, he’s fitter third up, has options from the rails draw and will be partnered by James McDonald.
At around $13 in the Epsom betting market, I’m also keen to have an each way play on CEOLWULF (7).
A multiple Group 1 winner in his own right, Ceolwulf is already an Epsom Handicap winner, while he has turned in three eye-catching performances since resuming this time.
Under topweight, he’ll be looking to emulate the feats of horses like Hartnell and Happy Clapper.
| 1. Ceolwulf (7) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 6×523 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Most recently 3rd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $15. The run before that came home 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 carrying 59kg at $3.60. Going much better this prep and place preferred. | |||
| 3. Autumn Boy (1) J: James McDonald 55.5kg 12×82 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 8th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Beiwacht carrying 58.5kg at $9. Second run from a spell 2nd of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 58.5kg at $20. Returned good figures in the Makybe Diva, top three player. | |||
The Everest is only a fortnight away and many of the country’s best sprinters will take their places in this stacked Premiere Stakes field.
TEMPTED (11) is the only horse other than the superstar, Ka Ying Rising, currently up at single figures in The Everest futures markets ($7 at publish), and I simply have to have her on top of my Premiere Stakes selections.
Having also run second in The Everest last year, Tempted went unbeaten in three starts through her autumn prep last year and picked up where she left off when striking in the Concorde Stakes first up last month.
She’s been kept up to the mark with a trial, Chad Schofield retains the ride and with even luck in the run, she’ll be right in the finish again.
| 10. Tempted (11) J: Chad Schofield 56.5kg 111×1 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months favourite; won by a long-neck in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m defeating Headwall with 58kg at $1.95. Previously second-up favourite; won by a head in the G1 Surround Stakes at this track on February 28 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Savvy Hallie carrying 56kg at $1.60. Can sit wide off the speed and put these away. | |||
I’m happy to give BESKAR (4) another chance second up in the last on Epsom Day.
Beskar clearly needed his first run back this time to tune up, but he was excellent last time in and is a horse that tends to enjoy sharp second up improvement.
From the good draw and with James McDonald engaged, he’s well placed in a race like this one.
| 4. Beskar (4) J: James McDonald 59.5kg 118×8 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 8th of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m, 3 len behind Tempted carrying 57.5kg at $31. Previously second-up won by 0.9 len in the LR Darby Munro Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Agarwood with 56kg at $81. Talented gelding who will find this more to his liking. | |||
