VERRY ELLEEGANT STAKES G1

RACE 8 - 1600m

AUTUMN GLOW / AELIANA / LINDERMANN

Chris Waller expressed no apprehension regarding the preservation of AUTUMN GLOW's undefeated record and is comfortable exposing her promising three-year-old against more seasoned and more experienced competitors. However, given the impressive nature of his recent victory upon resuming, there is a strong possibility that this record will remain unblemished by Saturday night. Nine straight is hard to knock and the four-year-old can match BLACK CAVIAR's record of 10 straight with a win in the Verry Elleegant. Winner of the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap and Golden Eagle, Autumn Glow returned first-up in the Apollo Stakes with a dominant 2 3/4-length success over stablemate AELIANA. Could be far too good again.

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The stablemate of of Autumn GLOW in AEILANA could experience a coming-of-age campaign and looks to have returned in excellent condition after finishing 2nd to the barns star girl in the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) first up. Ran 2nd to BROADSIDING in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) last Autumn, followed by a powerful display to win the Gr.1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick. Tried hard when 2nd to MR BRIGHTSIDE in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) then ran into formidable company in the Turnbull and Cox Plate. Not out of this at all and these odds seem a bit far-fetched. They'll know she's there when they get to 2000m.

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LINDERMANN is the third Waller runner and not here just to make up the numbers we believe. Gelded after losing form following his tenacious victory in the 2023 Gr.1 ATC Rosehill Guineas, Lindermann embraced life and was on fire last spring racking up a series of lucrative wins including the Gr.3 Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick. A homebred for the Debbie Kepitis’s Woppitt Bloodstock that was foaled and raised at Coolmore, the six-year-old LONHRO gelding has an overall record of eight wins and 11 placings from 36 starts with prizemoney topping $4million. Solid resuming for 3rd behind AUTUMN GLOW in the Apollo and can make up a Waller trifecta, but 1600m at touch short possibly.

☆☆

SURROUND STAKES G1

RACE 7 - 1400m 3YOF

TEMPTED / APOCALYPTIC / SAVVY HALLIE

The 2025 edition of the Run to the Rose was nothing short of exceptional and Godolphin’s blue silks came out on top with the brillant TEMPTED. At the 100m, the Golden Slipper place-getter flew past the rest of her three-year-old competition to take out the Group 2 race and basically toyed with the opposition. The Ciaron Maher-trained STREET BOSS filly would go on to run 3rd in the Golden Rose (1400m) before a stunning effort to run 2nd in The Everest (1200m) to the best sprinter in the world, KA YING RISING. Tempted was the sole three-year-old in the field and her slashing finish was the best result of any filly in the race’s history. Resumed by taking out the Gr.3 Eskimo Prince (1200m), sprinting quickly to find the front before racing away. Should be too good once again.

☆☆☆☆

APOCALYPTIC keep chasing when clear resuming in the Gr.2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick and the EXTREME CHOICE filly will no doubt be better for the experience. Won the Gr.2 Furious (1200m) in the spring taking out the Gr.2 Tea Rose (1400m) and took over to win the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) and a 2nd place to OLE DANCER in the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield. The MyRacehorse syndicated filly has certainly lived up to expectations, however it will take a phenomenal effort to hold off the brilliant TEMPTED. Regardless, the the Michael Freedman trained three-year-old should hold a fair level of fitness now and can make up the numbers with a soft run in transit.

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SAVVY HALLIE is a horse we have marked down as one to watch and the HELLBENT filly has shown a little bit in her first runs back. Trialled well before digging deep on debut over 1100m at Warwick Farm, where she was trapped three wide throughout, but put in a tough effort to finish 2nd behind KING OF POP. Took on a sharp 2yo field and wasn't disgraced in the Gr.2 Reisling at Randwick, running 5th to TEMPTED and eventual Golden Slipper winner, MARHOONA. Resumed with a 4th in the Sunlight at the Gold Coast but just not quick enough, however, kept finding to win the Gr.2 Light Fingers at Randwick last start. Can fill a placing.

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SWEET EMBRACE STAKES G2

RACE 4 - 1200m 3YOF

SPICY MISS / PEMBREY / CIARON'S STAR

The Ciaron Maher-trained SPICY MISS appears relatively well placed here with Zac Lloyd aboard and her first two runs have been highly promising. The two-year-old TRAPEZE ARTIST filly is out of a U.S STREET BOSS mare in SWEET GISEL. Ran well on debut when chasing REVEGEANCE homd in the Gr.3 Golden Gift at Rosehill, followed by a close 2nd placing to AGRARIAN GIRL in the Listed Lonhro Plate at Randwick. Found the lead in the straight but winner fought back well. Should be a tad stronger and can go close once again.

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PEMBREY is PRAGUE filly from the Tony Gollan yard who blitzed them on debut and comes down to Sydney looking for a Stakes win early in her career. Went forward at Eagle Farm over 1000m to lead them up into the turn before putting on the afterburners and drawing away to win by 5.5L. It was an impressive display with Gollan obviously doing the ground work early to ensure the filly was peaked to run a big race. James McDonald takes the ride and will surely steer with some positive intent to position her near the front turning in. Could be too good, but might not have it all her own way.

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CIARON'S STAR has put in two solid efforts to kick off and cannot be discounted as a tidy juvenile from this astute barn. No pressure on the star trainer with his name weirdly attached to this I AM INVINCIBLE filly, who ran 3rd on debut at Randwick with a very nice run, then fought too well to win the PIERRO PLATE here last start after finding the front at the 150m. She is well-related and with Jason Collett aboard could represent the best value in this at these decent odds.

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GUY WALTER PROVEN STAKES G2

RACE 6 - 1400m

MANAAL / JENNI THE FOX / IT'S A KNOCKOUT

The Micheal Freedman trained MANAAL should be much stronger this prep and the TASSORT mare didn't disgrace herself racing in formidable company last year. Won the Gr.2 Sweet Embrace before going on to win the Gr.1 Sires Produce as a slick 2YO. Returned as a three-year-old to finished 3rd in the Gr.2 Silver Shadow (1200m), then took out the Gr.2 Furious Stakes before another 3rd behind AUTUMN GLOW in the Gr.2 Tea Rose (1400m). Came back in Autumn and gave it everything from a wide draw when 5th to LADY SHENANDOAH in the Gr.1 Surround and caught wide in the Coolmore. Any amount of ability and a major player.

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JENNI THE FOX resumes after a let up and was too strong winning the Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) at Geelong in early January. The TOO DARN HOT mare trained by Maher was a bit hit and miss after running 3rd in the HKJC Stakes at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day, but didn't strike any luck in the next two including the Super Nova at Pakenham. Nice 2nd last start in the Fillies & Mares event at the Gold Coast and just too talented to overlook while in this fresh state. Could easily come out and win this if ripe to go after one soft jumpout.

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Ciaron Maher had this splendid DUNDEEL mare IT'S A KNOCKOUT in nice touch last season, and its best to forgive the first two runs back. Bolted in over 1400m at Randwick and was in fine form when victorious over 1400m at Kensington before a 2nd at Randwick, then sprinted home well to win over 1500m at Rosehill. Stuck to the chase in the next two, including a 3rd placing in the Gr.3 Aspiration (1600m) in March and ran away to win over the mile in June before a couple more placings. Needs to take it to another level now. Regardless, the mare should be race ready and this comtest presents a royal opportunity to prove her true worth.

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SKYLINE STAKES G2

RACE 5 - 1200m

WARWOVEN / FIREBALL / KNIGHTBRIDGE

SWORD OF STATE's son WARWOVEN has only been seen at the races on two occasions, but it’s been a demolition job each time. The first of those was at Randwick when leaving the likes of SHIKI in his wake before heading up to Eagle Farm and winning by more than three lengths. Sensationally scratched by the vets from the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO, with Bjorn claiming he was in fantastic condition. This time he has a well built speed machine who seems to have all the right characteristics, including supreme power and attitude. Hard to see him getting rolled here. Take the $2.00.

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FIREBALL was impressive winning the Inglis Millennium here at Randwick and the classy SNITZEL colt looked every bit the part. The argument could be whether he actually beat much as we work out who are the best two-year-olds heading towards the Golden Slipper. Forged clear to win on debut and he does have a fair bit of toe about him which will hold in good stead if able to jump away cleanly. Waller has some time for this young fella, and that speaks volumes. Decent match rsce looming herd between two very nice juveniles.

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KNIGHTBRIDGE hasn't been terrible in three intial runs for the Gai/Bott team and comes into this a much wiser horse, but facing a couple of demon two-year-olds. The FARNAN colt is out of a fine NICCONI mare in FESITVITY who won 3 from 6. Het son ran 5th on debut in the Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington in October, then resumed with a win over 1000m here at Randwick after getting the last crack at them. 5th after being bumped in the Magic Millions Gold Coast Classic and it was a good effort after being bumped. Look for him charging home late.

☆☆

LIVERPOOL CITY CUP G3

RACE 9 - 1300m

ENRICHED / MILITARIZE / ZARASTRO

The dam of ENRICHED, MISS ATOM BOMB was the first foal of a dual Listed winner called VEGAS SHOWGIRL. The second foal, the one Chris Waller was keen on, was called WINX. Her fifth live foal, three-year-old colt ENRICHED by I AM INVINCIBLE became a black type winner, taking out the Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m). Enriched debuted amidst some expectation in last year’s Pierro Plate (1100m), but ran an inglorious last of seven in a race won by a much vaunted colt having his second start, SWITZERLAND. Enriched had returned from a spell and forget the first up effort, as has trialed nicely since.

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The Chris Waller ttained MILITARIZE resumes from a break after three decent runs late in 2025, including a 2nd in the Craven Plate (1800m) here at Randwick, followed by a fine 3rd in the Listed Five Diamonds behind VIVY AIR. Needs to recapture some of that three-year-old form when 2nd in the Randwick Guineas and 3rd in the George Ryder and 3rd in thd Doncaster Handicap. Certainly wasn't at his best last Autumn but trust Waller to find the magic potion that can turns things around. Fresh ip ok and JMac aboard can only be a bonus.

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The million dollar yearling ZARASTRO, sold to Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster, only netted two city wins in nine starts before being moved from Sydney's premier stable to Tony Gollan in Brisbane, and, albeit in lower grade to begin with, the move has paid off handsomely. Zarastro has had 21 runs for Gollan for nine city wins and two seconds. He took out his first stakes victory by bolting home in Doomben’s Tatts Recognition Stakes, (1350m), and claimed the Magic Millions Falvelon by almost two lengths. The seven-year-old I AM INVINCIBLE only just missed catching JOLIESTAR in the Gr.1.Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm in June. Be very wary.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1200m

BEV'S NINE / LILAC / GATSBY'S

The O'Shea/Charlton gelding BEV'S NINE rocks up here unbeaten in four run and resumed with his typical powerful late charge to claim his 4th straight victory at Rosehill over 1100m five weeks back. The SHALAA gelding won at Wyong, Kembla Grange and Warwick Farm working through the grades from Jult 2025, but this will be his biggest test to date. Nonetheless, the gelding is a steong beast who has a good head on his shoulders and usually gets his timing right when wimding up hard. Good horse, just needs to keep progressing.

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Right stable, well bred and LILAC should be in fantastic condition for this. The well-bred JUSTIFY filly from the Neasham/Archibald stable is still learning and will need to lift to another level to run into the money. Regardless, she is by a fine Kiwi mare in PAULOWNIA (Fastnet Rock) who despite only racing four times, finished 2nd in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas. Her daughter LILAC won the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) in September and on resumption, 5th at Randwick. Stepped up to a higher grade of horse when taking on the Gr.2 Light Fingers (1200m) but found it pretty tough, battling hard to the line. In saying that, she is an improver and capable of featuring with the right run. Not totally dismissing here.

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GATSBY'S struck a form reversal when winning well at Randwick in January, then ran a solid 2nd to upset horse MOVIN OUT when nabbed late on the course. Waller strived to optimise the SNITZEL colt's performance and return him to peak condition, but he is now with Joe Pride who seems to have steuck thr right chord, and a chance of scenery and training techniques can make all the difference. Needs to reach another level this prep and can go on with it. Good jockey in Schofield on and these odds are quite enticing.

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BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 2000m

BEAR ON THE LOOSE / UNLIMITED / GLAD YOU THINK SO

Hard to knock this progressive stayer BEAR ON THE LOOSE from the Gai/Bott stable who resumed with a good effort for 3rd over 1600m at Randwick and should strip much fitter. Runner-up at Randwick in May, followed by two further 2nd placings in the Winter Cup at Rosehill (2400m) and Caloundra Cup (2400m). Plenty of trial work to build strength and will that run under the belt, the step up in trip should be highly advantageous. By GB sire FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND, this horse could well be aimed towards some big staying races this year.

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The imported Irish gelding UNLIMITED from the Waller yard was been a little uninspiring last time, but can return to form on this Sydney track with two fine wins previously. Held up at Newcastle and never clear until late, and needed the run over 1800m at Rosehill prior. Kept coming when winning at Randwick, before doing best late to win at Wyong over 2100m. The SAXON WARRIOR gelding is more than capable than most on his day, so should be running on generously.

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John Sargent will likely present the SO YOU THINK gelding GLAD YOU THINK SO in much firmer condition after one run back and we wouldn't be underestimating neither this horse, nor trainer. Chased hard for 2nd over this trip at Randwick in November, before going forward and weakening at Newcastle. Seems to enjoy this joint more and 2nd up on a wet track might not be the worst set up. Based on the eye-catching return, he could be worth a dollar if Clipperton can aim up for one final run at them.

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BEST BET: AUTUMN GLOW

NEXT BEST: TEMPTED

BEST VALUE: ENRICHED

WILDCARD: LILAC