The $10 million Golden Eagle takes centre stage at Royal Randwick this Saturday, with the prestigious 1500-metre contest elevated to Group 1 status for the first time and bringing together the best four-year-olds in the country, and Ladbrokes have our expert 2026 Golden Eagle Day preview and predictions right here.
Sheza Alibi headlines a star-studded field after an outstanding autumn campaign featuring victories in the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile, but she faces a strong challenge from the likes of Beiwacht, Skyhook and Autumn Boy in what promises to be a thrilling edition of one of Australia’s richest races.
Read on for my complete Randwick best bets, including my 2026 Golden Eagle tips!
DONATELLO (5) has returned to the races in smart form.
Having hit the line to win comfortably under James McDonald on the Illawarra Grange track earlier this month, Donatello took improvement into a near miss in midweek metro company at his only other start this time.
While he does face another rise in grade here, he’s got upside and this certainly isn’t the strongest race on Golden Eagle Day.
| 7. Donatello (5) 55kg51×12 | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming ran on from midfield and won by 1.0 len in a Bm64 at Illawarra Grange on October 1 over 1450m defeating No No Yes carrying 58.5kg at $2.45. Last start 2nd of 7 in a 3&4yo Bm68 at Warwick Farm on October 21 over 1400m, 0.6 len behind Prince Of Verona with 59kg at $3.70. Each way contender who looks up to this stiffer test. | |||
BLUISH HUE (6) is fit and firing and looms as the one to beat again in this week’s Highway race.
The Flying Artie gelding hasn’t finished worse than second through five appearances since resuming, flashing late to get up at Rosehill two back before another near miss here last week.
In peak order and on the quick back up, I’m confident he’ll bounce back.
| 2. Bluish Hue (6) 58.5kg22212 | |||
| At the latest run made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 12 in a Highway-C3 at this track on October 24 over 1600m, nose behind Ocean Tsunami with 57.5kg at $2.40. Before that favourite; won by a head in a Highway-C2 at Rosehill on September 26 over 1500m defeating Whateley carrying 57kg at $2.70. Fitter now and can stamp his class with the blinkers going on. | |||
Happy to stick with RUINATION (7) in his bid to return to winning form on The Golden Eagle Day.
Ruination finished midfield behind an impressive Cross Tasman in the last on The Everest Day most recently, but his form prior to that race was good and consistent, and included a smart victory in BM72 company at Canterbury.
In peak order this week, the small drop in trip should suit and Tim Clark should be able to find a nice position in behind the early speed from barrier 7.
| 4. Ruination (7) 58.5kgx1438 | |||
| At the latest run 8th of 15 in a Bm88 at this track on October 17 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Cross Tasman carrying 54kg at $8. The race before that raced on the pace when 3rd of 10 in a Bm88 at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 2 len behind Decorum carrying 54kg at $7.50. Drops a level and looks hard to hold out. | |||
The Four Pillars Midway is one of the more open races on the card and with a case to be made for many of them, I thought OCTA DE LAGO (1) represented value third up from a spell.
Octa De Lago returned to action with a fine performance to finish fourth in BM78 company at Warwick Farm and took improvement into another run for fourth, but a length closer to the winner on the Kensington track last time out.
Fitter third-up this week, he has options in the run from barrier 1 and gets some handy relief in the weights under Siena Grima.
| 2. Octa De Lago (1)SCRATCHED: | |||
PERISHER (8) takes winning form and improvement into the fifth on Golden Eagle Day.
The Australia gelding turned in some fine performances in the UK and Ireland earlier this year, while he completed an ideal debut in Australia when kicking away for a comfortable victory over 1500m on Hill Stakes Day.
He’s a winner at this point of his preparation previously, while getting out to the 2000m this week looks perfect as well.
| 2. Perisher (8) 59.5kg113×1 | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after four months won by 1.75 len in a Bm88 at Rosehill on October 14 over 1500m on a rain affected track defeating Nobler with 55kg at $3.50. Previously second-up won by a head in a 3yo Mdn Sw at Gowran Park on April 22 over 1609m on a soft track defeating Alphonsus Liguori with 61kg at $2.40. Exciting import expected to go on with it now. | |||
CHIX (3) is another second up and last-start winner I am eager to be with on Golden Eagle Day.
Chix mixed her form last time in but did produce an eye-catching performance to beat home a credible field over 1300m at Illawarra Grange most notably, but after trialling up well through august and September, she hit the ground running this prep when winning in BM72 company on the Kensington course.
That was easily her best performance to date, and with natural improvement, from the low draw and under Zac Lloyd, this looks a very winnable Saturday race.
| 7. Chix (3) 57kg519×1 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.8 len in a F&M Bm72 at Randwick Kensington on October 7 over 1250m on a soft track defeating Scenic Point with 57.5kg at $9. Previously second-up won by a head in a Bm64 at Illawarra Grange on May 5 over 1300m defeating Miss Capitale carrying 59kg at $3.80. Sharp return and maps well for this. | |||
This race continues to go from strength to strength and despite only holding Group 2 status, there’s no doubt that the 2026 Russell Balding Stakes field is packed with Group 1 talent.
Headwall’s performance in The Everest was simply too good to ignore in my opinion, and for that reason, I’ve put him on top this week.
While yet to break through at the highest level, HEADWALL (3) has continued to improve with each preparation, and he has returned to action in typically sharp form this time, finding form around Australia’s (and some of the world’s) best sprinters.
In peak order, I’m keen to see him out to 1300m this week.
| 8. Headwall (3) 56.5kg1×254 | |||
| At the latest run 4th of 12 in a G1 The Everest at this track on October 17 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $51. The start before that 5th of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at this track on September 19 over 1100m, 1.0 len behind Mazu carrying 56kg at $3.20. Raced without luck all prep and can put these away today. | |||
With $10 million on the line, a fittingly outstanding field of four-year-olds will greet the starter at the 1500m mark for the 2026 Golden Eagle.
That said, SHEZA ALIBI (5) is the classiest horse engaged and is a fitting occupant of the top line of Golden Eagle betting.
A multiple Group 1 winner, this race has been the target since her autumn preparation, and she steps out in peak order and drawn perfectly.
I’m going to select her as my winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with AUTUMN BOY (4) and SKYHOOK (14) each running into the first four.
Autumn Boy is arguably the next-best four-year-old in Australia and steps out in peak order as well, with the benefit of Zac Purton in the saddle.
Skyhook meanwhile has undoubtedly gone to another level this time in, winning both the Theo Marks and the Shannon Stakes before only just missing in the Silver Eagle a fortnight ago.
Same Race Multi selections:
- 16 Sheza Alibi (Win)
- 2 Skyhook (Top 4)
- 3 Autumn Boy (Top (4)
| 2. Skyhook (14) 57.5kg1×112 | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 14 in the LR Silver Eagle at this track on October 17 over 1300m, on a slow track; neck behind Apocalyptic with 57.5kg at $3.20. Before that won by 3 len in the G2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1500m defeating Estadio Mestalla with 58kg at $1.50. Commanding Shannon winner expected to measure up again from the sticky draw. | |||
| 3. Autumn Boy (4) 57.5kg2×827 | |||
| Most recently 7th of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 3 over 1600m, slow going 4 len behind God’s Window carrying 55.5kg at $3.80. The start before that 2nd of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Sheza Alibi with 58.5kg at $20. Had no luck in the Epsom and set to peak fourth up. | |||
| 16. Sheza Alibi (5) 55.5kg1×212 | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently 2nd in a small field in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m, head behind Land Legend carrying 56kg at $1.40. Before that favourite; came from midfield and won by 2.75 len in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1600m defeating Autumn Boy carrying 56.5kg at $1.60. Champion mare back to her own age group, looks too strong for these at set weights. | |||
The Sydney Gold Cup looks a perfect feature race for the exciting BARRENGARRY (6).
Barrengarry has always hinted at above average talent, but he’s undoubtedly started to put it all together this time in and won each of his first two starts back, right here at Randwick impressively, before only just missing at Rosehill last time out.
This is a strong field, but he takes weight from every other horse engaged, is drawn perfectly and certainly looks up to the grade as well.
| 14. Barrengarry (6) 53kg5×112 | |||
| Dual acceptor. At the latest run 2nd of 8 in a Bm88 at Rosehill on October 10 over 2000m, nose behind Anthracite carrying 55.5kg at $3.30. Before that favourite; won by 0.7 len in a Midway Bm72 at this track on September 19 over 1600m defeating All Star carrying 60.5kg at $1.65. Maps well on the limit, keep safe. | |||
This is a tough way to end The Golden Eagle Day from a betting perspective, but I am going to have something small on the resuming COMPENSATION (11).
Compensation hasn’t been seen at the races since May, but he was nearly faultless during his debut prep, filling the minors on debut before reeling off three-consecutive races in progressively stronger company.
He’s trialled up well and just needs a little luck in the run from the wide alley to be fighting out the finish.
| 3. Compensation (12)SCRATCHED: | |||