Randwick Tips for October 3rd - Race-by-Race Preview for Epsom Handicap Day

Alex Marsh

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Last updated: Fri 02 Oct 2026 09:22

Alex Marsh 02 Oct 2026

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Randwick’s Saturday card is headlined by two Group 1s, the Epsom Handicap and Flight Stakes, with The Metropolitan another major feature
The 10-race program also includes the Breeders’ Plate, Gimcrack Stakes and Premiere Stakes among the key spring races
Our race-by-race guide covers every event, with form analysis, leading chances and value runners across the meeting

The Sydney spring spotlight turns to Randwick for Epsom Handicap Day on Saturday. (Getty)

A feature-packed 10-race program is set for Randwick on Saturday, headlined by the Group 1 Flight Stakes and Epsom Handicap.

Here are our free Australian racing tips for Randwick on Saturday...

Randwick Tips on October 3rd

Race 1 - Midway Handicap Tips (1800m)

Trainer Richard Litt has a very good record with tried horses and he still hasn't got to the bottom of 8. Philatelic, who has placed in all four starts this campaign.

With blinkers back on, the lightly raced gelding broke through at Hawkesbury over 1600m last start, and the win probably should have been more convincing given how wayward he was in the straight. He still has a tendency to lay in, but there is plenty of raw talent there and he drops 3kg into this Midway.

Zac Lloyd has been aboard for both of Philatelic's wins and gets barrier one to work with. The gelding has shown he can handle varying conditions and gives the impression the rise to 1800m will suit now with a strong fitness base underneath him. He's an each-way chance in a tricky opener.

2. Doradus is racing superbly with two wins and two seconds from four starts this campaign, bouncing back into the winner's stall at Canterbury on September 16. Nash Rawiller remains aboard and barrier two should allow him to roll forward, although any significant rain would be a query given all four career wins have come on good ground.

1. Columbus showed plenty of promise early and returned with a Newcastle victory before two workmanlike efforts. He regained some confidence with an 1800m Kensington win on September 9 and may still be looking for further.

7. Agita has been competitive throughout the campaign and now gets back to 1800m, with both of his previous wins at the distance.

Selections: 8-2-1-7.

Race 2 - Arrowfield Breeders' Plate Tips (1000m)

We get our first look at Sydney's two-year-old colts for the season in the Breeders' Plate, with 1. Capitano among those making early appeal.

Michael Freedman has an outstanding record with juveniles and prepared last year's Breeders' Plate winner Incognito. Capitano looked well up to the mark in his September 21 Kensington trial, where he was allowed to find his feet before working home strongly under a hold.

The son of Bivouac is bred to come to hand early, while Zac Lloyd remains aboard from that trial and barrier six gives him options.

8. Nonu heads the early market after comfortably winning his September 21 Kensington trial. The Bjorn Baker-trained colt is from Anamoe's first crop and is out of a Listed-winning mare, while his wider family includes Group 1 winners Denise's Joy and Joie Denise.

John Thompson is an underrated juvenile trainer and he prepares 7. Lucky Eighteen, who moved well enough in his trial to warrant respect.

6. Lead The Charge is a big, strong colt from the John Sargent stable who may improve with racing but does look a nice type.

Selections: 1-8-7-6.

Flying Houdini, a Trapeze Artist colt trained by @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott, holds off a wall to win the final 850m 2yo trial at Kensington in 49.05 from Capitano (Bivouac) with Heart Of Congo (In The Congo) third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/Mqz1Dls1Ro
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 21, 2026

Race 3 - Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes Tips (1000m)

The two-year-old fillies step out in the Gimcrack Stakes, a race that has produced some serious horses in recent years, with Coolangatta and Manaal among the previous five winners.

12. Shezablaze heads a competitive early market after winning her September 21 Kensington trial in impressive fashion. The Capitalist filly travelled strongly under Andrew Adkins, who stays aboard, and showed good natural gate speed in that sole public hit-out.

Barrier 10 is slightly awkward, but having clear galloping room on the outside may not be the worst thing for a field of youngsters still learning their craft.

4. Everlasting Grace looks well prepared for her debut after winning a Cranbourne jump-out before Clinton McDonald sent her north for a Sydney trial. James McDonald remains aboard and she has looked professional enough in both pieces of work.

13. Shraddha comes from the Michael Freedman yard, with Tommy Berry aboard. That combination won this race with Manaal in 2023, and the Ole Kirk filly showed enough raw ability when winning her September 21 trial.

8. Provata finished off nicely in her hit-out on the same day and comes from a family that suggests she may eventually appreciate more ground.

Selections: 12-4-13-8.

Race 4 - Cornerstone Risk Group Dulcify Stakes Tips (1600m)

The Richard and Will Freedman-trained 1. Genesis Runner looks to have found a suitable race in the Dulcify Stakes, with blinkers applied as he steps to 1600m for the first time.

He caught the eye first-up in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes on August 29 before being beaten as favourite in the Ming Dynasty, where things did not unfold ideally. He settled further back than anticipated, had to wait for clear running and still chased home solidly once into the clear.

There is less depth here than he has faced in those lead-ups and the rise to a mile looks the right progression for a colt who has been competitive without having everything go his way.

3. Vallice is worth respecting if Ciaron Maher sends him north rather than contesting the Super Impose Stakes at Flemington. The son of Maurice produced a much better effort in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude last start and has enough class and upside to make his presence felt.

We were with the superbly bred 7. Power Broker when he broke through at Hawkesbury over 1500m at start two. That followed a solid debut with excuses and he looks like a horse who should continue improving as the distances increase.

4. Wonka is another progressive type, coming off a midweek breakthrough after a string of solid efforts.

Selections: 1-3-7-4.

Simply wonderful! Persian Wonder claims the G3 Ming Dynasty in style! ✨@DPayneRacing @AshMorgan6 @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/sEhBpXqu6u
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 12, 2026

Race 5 - United Resource Management Handicap Tips (1600m)

Rachel King and Bjorn Baker have combined for 37 winners over the past 12 months at a strike rate of 23%, and King will be hoping for better fortune third-up aboard 16. Unleeshing.

The mare should have finished closer when runner-up in a strong BM78 first-up behind Decorum before again finding herself in a tricky position over 1400m at Randwick on September 19.

While this is technically a rise to BM94 level, it is not the strongest race for the grade and she drops to just 52kg, some 6.5kg less than she carried last start. Her previous preparation followed a similar pattern before she peaked third-up and then went on to win over this track and distance.

She has shortened significantly in early betting but still looks the runner to beat.

10. Knobelas could be dangerous from barrier one after an encouraging second-up run behind a handy Declichy Boulevard. That followed a return in a fast-run Goulburn Cup when covering ground and she was luckless third-up last campaign before heading to New Zealand.

5. Zaphod is the knockout hope. He should have won the Muswellbrook Cup first-up last preparation, has solid fresh statistics and is effective across varying conditions. He will improve over further as the campaign progresses but can be competitive at the mile fresh.

12. Polymnia seems to run a similar race every time she steps out. The mare has only one win from 20 starts but has placed 12 times and would hardly surprise filling another top-three or top-four position.

Selections: 16-10-5-12.

Race 6 - Darley Flight Stakes Tips (1600m)

There is very little between the leading trio from the Tea Rose Stakes, but 3. Global Goal looks the one most likely to take another step getting to 1600m in the Group 1 Flight Stakes.

Bangkok Hottie has controlled the Princess Series through 1200m and 1400m, while Striking Alibi had excuses last start, but Global Goal was a month between runs in the Tea Rose and again did her best work late.

The John Sargent-trained filly resumed over 1200m in the Silver Shadow before stepping to 1400m, and both runs have suggested the mile will bring out her best. Third-up now looks an ideal platform to peak, particularly from a stable renowned for developing three-year-olds as the distances increase.

There may even be a VRC Oaks path later in the spring, but this looks the right race at the right stage of her preparation.

The wildcard is 5. De Armas, who has genuine scope to improve sharply at a much bigger price. Her Australian debut on September 23 was little more than a pipe-opener after carrying 61kg, settling well back from a wide draw and still recording the fastest last 400m of the program.

The jump from 1200m to a mile second-up is significant, but it looks deliberate. The former New Zealand filly was a Listed winner at two, finished fourth in the Karaka Millions and drops 5kg, with Zac Lloyd getting barrier one to work with.

1. Bangkok Hottie chases a hat-trick after taking out the Furious Stakes and Tea Rose. She makes her own luck on speed and Kerrin McEvoy could again control the race, with the mile the one question she still has to answer.

2. Striking Alibi was unlucky in the Tea Rose after finishing strongly behind Bangkok Hottie in the Furious Stakes. She has a sharp turn of foot and James McDonald gets every chance to produce her at the right time from barrier two.

Selections: 3-5-1-2.

Race 7 - Asahi Super Dry Metropolitan Tips (2400m)

All eyes are on 7. Aethelwulf, who is reportedly staying in Sydney after also being accepted for The Bart Cummings at Flemington.

The Matthew Smith-trained four-year-old is one of the more exciting emerging stayers in Australia after working through the grades with ease. He followed a dominant midweek win with another soft BM78 success before producing a comfortable Group 3 Newcastle Cup victory over 2300m.

He rises only 1kg from that latest win and appears to have more upside than anything else in the field. The major query is the weather, with his least convincing performance coming on heavy ground earlier in his career.

1. The Euphrates was one-paced over the mile on his Australian debut but improved sharply when stepping to 2000m in the Kingston Town Stakes on September 19, leading throughout. The extra ground should suit on his European form and the Waterhouse-Bott runner can again make his own luck near the speed.

5. Juja Kibo has now been confirmed for The Metropolitan. I thought he may have been better placed in The Bart Cummings with a Melbourne Cup ticket on offer, but he has returned in good order this preparation and his recent form is strong enough to demand inclusion here.

3. Deakin looks better placed here over 2400m and has now been scratched from the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. He has been competitive in both runs this campaign and gives every indication that this trip is what he is looking for.

Selections: 7-1-5-3.

"He's the king of Newcastle"

Easy work for the exciting @mcsmithracing stayer Aethelwulf as he makes it four straight taking out the @newcastleraces_ Cup over outsider Steel Blaze with Bella Montagna third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/RA1TgdAXeL
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 18, 2026

Race 8 - TAB Epsom Tips (1600m)

Staying at the mile is no negative for 3. Autumn Boy, even if the Chris Waller-trained entire may ultimately prove best around 2000m.

He has already won the Caulfield Guineas over 1600m and Rosehill Guineas over 2000m, while all three of his defeats at the mile have come behind the outstanding Sheza Alibi. That is a serious form line to bring back into handicap conditions.

After carrying 58.5kg when runner-up in the Makybe Diva Stakes at weight-for-age level, he drops to 55.5kg and looks particularly well treated in an Epsom that does not appear as deep as some recent editions.

Rain is more of an unknown than a genuine negative. Autumn Boy is a dual winner on soft ground and handled a Soft 7 when runner-up in the Doncaster Mile over this track and trip. His Memsie return can be forgiven after he was held up at key stages, while his Flemington run last start suggested he is ready to peak.

This looks the right race at the right time.

19. Mr Miller lost no admirers when his winning run ended as the odds-on favourite in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.

A wide draw forced the lightly raced gelding further back than anticipated and he still worked home strongly in a race that favoured those closer to the speed. He now drops to just 50kg, has handled good and soft ground and gives every indication the mile will suit.

This is a serious rise from benchmark company into an open-age Group 1, but we still do not know where his ceiling sits.

A genuine roughie is 16. God's Window, particularly if Randwick becomes testing. The Chris Waller-trained gelding won over this track and trip on heavy ground in May and most of his best form has come with give in the surface.

His latest run had merit when he finished strongly along the inside and recorded the third-fastest last 200m. With only 50kg and proven wet-track form over the Randwick mile, he can easily outrun a big price.

6. Well Written is the fascinating runner, arriving from New Zealand unbeaten after seven straight victories. Her form is difficult to line up precisely against this level of Australian opposition, but an unbeaten mare arriving in this sort of form has to be respected.

Selections: 3-19-16-6.

Race 9 - Precise Air Premiere Stakes Tips (1200m)

It is becoming difficult to argue against 10. Tempted as Australia's leading sprinter given how consistently the Godolphin mare continues to perform at the top level.

She has won four straight since finishing runner-up in last year's Everest as an early three-year-old and has established 1200m as her sweet spot, winning four of five starts over this track and distance.

The sole defeat came in the Everest, while she returned this campaign with another victory in the Concorde Stakes on September 5. There should still be improvement to come and, although this is not her grand final, her consistency makes her the deserving favourite.

A genuinely heavy track would be the main unknown, with the worst surface she has encountered being Soft 6.

15. Plaintiff has plenty of upside and could be the each-way play. She won her first three starts before taking out a Group 3 over this track and trip last campaign, and with more luck she arguably wins the Sheraco Stakes first-up, where she recorded the fastest closing sectionals and Group 1 winner Lazzura franked that form last Saturday.

The one with the most intent may be 2. Caballus, with the Group 1 winner still searching for an Everest slot. His trial work suggests there is plenty in the tank, including a dominant 900m Rosehill hit-out on September 22.

8. Grafterburners is a roughie worth including in exotics. He should have finished closer behind Tempted in the Arrowfield Stud Stakes last autumn and was badly held up when resuming in The Shorts on September 19.

Selections: 10-15-2-8.

Race 10 - TAB One Pool Handicap Tips (1200m)

A big price is available for 7. Navy Pilot in the finale, and the Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old looks better suited switching to Randwick.

He was against the race pattern when resuming at Rosehill on September 12 but still worked home well for third, recording the fastest last 600m of the entire program.

His previous campaign was mixed but bookended by wins, including a strong return and another confidence-building victory at Doomben in July. The class was evident through his two- and early three-year-old seasons, and keeping him to shorter sprint trips could be the key.

Adam Hyeronimus taking over is another positive and the price looks generous in a very open finale.

14. Nepo Baby can also improve second-up after having few favours at Randwick on September 19. She covered ground but still produced the fastest last 400m and 200m of the race, while barrier one should provide a far kinder run this time.

Some of her three-year-old references read very well and she remains lightly raced enough to improve further.

20. Amazing Eagle needs another scratching to gain a start but remains an interesting emergency. He is still searching for his second win after 10 starts, although his return behind subsequent Group 3 winner Prima Bella caught the eye before he was badly held up in a strong Randwick BM88.

Market leader 13. Theblade has won his past two starts, including an easy September 12 return in the key lead-up for this race. This setup may not be quite as favourable, but his record continues to build and he has to be included.

Selections: 7-14-20-13.

Theblade carves them up in the last at Rosehill ⚡@G1TySchil @HawkesRacing pic.twitter.com/Yzib6TnQin
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 12, 2026