Royal Randwick takes centre stage in Sydney this Saturday, October 31, with a quality 10-race program headlined by the $10 million Golden Eagle, one of the richest races on the Australian racing calendar. The feature event brings together an outstanding field of four-year-olds chasing one of the biggest prizes of the spring, while the Group 2 Russell Balding Stakes and Listed Sydney Gold Cup add further depth to an excellent afternoon of racing.
The Golden Eagle has quickly established itself as one of the highlights of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, attracting some of the country's most exciting emerging thoroughbreds. This year's edition is no exception, with the brilliant Sheza Alibi looking to confirm her standing among Australia's best young gallopers against a competitive field that includes Skyhook and Autumn Boy.
There's plenty of interest elsewhere on the card, particularly in the Russell Balding Stakes, where several proven Group-class sprinters clash over 1300 metres. The Sydney Gold Cup also presents an intriguing betting contest, with opportunities to find value beyond the short-priced favourites.
Track conditions will be worth monitoring throughout the afternoon. The rail returns to the true position after being out six metres last weekend, with generally fine weather forecast in the lead-up and the possibility of a shower on race day. Our selections have been made with a Good to Soft racing surface in mind.
Racing gets underway at 12:10pm AEDT, with the Golden Eagle scheduled for 4:45pm and the final event at 5:55pm. Below, we've analysed all 10 races and identified our best bets for Randwick, including a confident selection in the Golden Eagle and several attractive each-way opportunities across the program.
Meeting: Royal Randwick | Date: Saturday 31 October 2026 | First race: 12:10pm AEDT | Last race: 5:55pm AEDT
Randwick Best Bets - Saturday October 31st 2026
| Race |
Selection |
Bet |
Odds (Units) |
| Race 1 |
She Moves Too |
Win |
$5.00 (1.5 Units) |
| Race 6 |
Metallic Cat |
Win / Place |
$6.50 / $2.60 (1 Unit Win / 2 Units Place) |
| Race 7 |
Headwall |
Win |
$5.00 (1.5 Units) |
| Race 8 |
Sheza Alibi |
Win |
$1.90 (5 Units) |
| Race 9 |
Travolta |
Win |
$23.00 (0.5 Unit) |
| Race 9 |
Starzintheireyes |
Win |
$3.70 (2 Units) |
Race 1 – Toyota Forklifts BM78 - 1500m (12:10pm AEDT)
(1) Agent Zero – 4YO gelding who resumed soundly when tucked in behind waiting for a run, but when the run came, he was good through to the line and closed well. Gets an extra 100m now and will likely improve second up. Each way.
(4) She Moves Too – 4YO Mare who has continued to progress this prep and stepped up to the mile last start and bursted through the pack to hit the line in a photo finish, just being denied by SCRIPTED. She is fourth up now, rock hard fit and gets conditions to suit. Debut Sydney run and gets the booking of Zac Lloyd which adds confidence. Draws well and if she can settle a little bit closer, she looks a good bet. On top.
BEST BET
(4) She Moves Too Win
$5.00 (1.5 Units)
Race 2 – TAB Highway Hcp Class 3 – 1400m (12:45pm AEDT)
(2) Bluish Hue – 4YO gelding who ran last week and was narrowly beaten. He has continued to race well with four seconds and a win this campaign. Continues to be the one to beat and looks ready to go one step further. Goes well.
BET: NO BET
Race 3 – Mostyncopper BM78– 1300m (1:20pm AEDT)
(1) Mawjood – 5YO Gelding who returns off a 18-week spell. He was sound last prep and gets a handy draw for this resuming run with Nash Rawiller jumping into the saddle. Spec’d in the market and will be there abouts.
(4) Ruination – 4YO Gelding who has been racing well and was good through to the line most recently after blowing the start. Notched up some slick late sectionals. Conditions will suit him here and if he jumps well and gets a nice cart into the race, he will be hard to beat with his turn of foot.
(5) Damien – 4YO Gelding returning off a spell and has trialled nicely leading back into the first up run. Proven fresh and likes the soft track. Tommy Berry is in red hot form and will be thereabouts here. Value play.
BET: NO BET
Race 4 – Four Pillars Midway BM68 – 1500m – LISTED (2:00pm AEDT)
(1) Alabama State – 5YO gelding who has been racing soundly and broke through for another win last start over 1400m in a BM72. Rises in trip now and gets in okay with the 3kg claim. Poor record at the track and will need the track to remain dry for him to be a confident bet. Genuine hope.
(3) Dusty Bay – 4YO who had no luck in the Dubbo Cup two runs back but bounced back last start at Eagle Farm over 1600m on the soft deck to score by 3L. At the current quote he looks a genuine each way play.
BET: NO BET
Race 5 – Alm on-premise BM78 – 2000m (2:40pm AEDT)
(2) Perisher – 4YO Gelding who has come across from the UK and was very good in his debut Australian run winning by nearly 2L over 1500m in BM88 class. Rises to 2000m now where he has a handy record, relishes the soft track and will only be stripping fitter second up. One to watch.
(4) Samarelle – 4YO Mare who has returned in superb order. Won well in her last two runs and there is no reason why she cannot go on with things. Loves the conditions, draws well enough and gets every chance. Only concern is she gets an extra 4kg on her back now. Each way.
BET: NO BET
Race 6 –E Security Group BM78 - 1300m (3:20pm AEDT)
(5) Metallic Cat – 5YO Mare who has started favourite in both her return runs. Narrowly beaten fresh and then finished 4th last start. She has been sound enough in defeat and will be peaking now third up. Rises to 1300m where she is 2 from 2, draws well for Tim Clark to dictate on his terms. Ready to win.
(16) Sylph – 4YO Mare who is nominated here and for a later race, but id expect her to run here. Going okay and will be improving third up now. Gets the booking of Purton to boost confidence. First up run finished behind Shes An Artist who has since gone on to win easily. This looks easier.
BEST BET
(5) Metallic Cat E/W
$6.50 / $2.60 (1u/2u)
Race 7 – The Russell Balding Stakes – 1300m – GROUP 2 (4:00pm AEDT)
(1) Jimmysstar – 7YO Gelding who always gets back and makes it hard for himself even though he has a terrific turn of foot. Draws poorly here and will again lob rearward and will have to pick them all up. His win two back was very impressive, but then only fair in the Everest. The extra 100m will help and his record over the trip is sound plus his fourth up record and soft track record make him still a genuine hope. Major player.
(2) Headley Grange – 6YO gelding who rarely runs a poor race and continues improve. Dominant first up in Group 2 company and then sound in defeat at his last two. Zac Lloyd jumps into the saddle, draws fairly and gets conditions to suit. Peaking fourth up. Each way play.
(8) Headwall – 7YO Gelding who has been superb this campaign without winning, finishing less than a length from the winner in all three runs. First-up, he arguably should have beaten TEMPTED but was badly held up over 1000m. Second-up, he loomed up after peeling widest, but the leaders had controlled the tempo, making it difficult for the closers, and he was sound in defeat. He then tackled the 1200m Everest and was excellent, finishing fourth behind TEMPTED, KA YING RISING and JOLIESTAR. His form lines are elite and the drop back to Group 2 company looks ideal. Chad Schofield takes the ride, and the extra trip should suit given the way he’s been hitting the line. Rock-hard fit, maps well and gets a great chance to return to the winner’s stall. On top
BEST BET
(8) Headwall Win
$5.00 (1.5 Units)
Race 8 – Asahi Super Dry Golden Eagle – 1500m – GROUP 1 (4:45pm AEDT)
(2) Skyhook – 4YO who cannot be faulted with the way he is running. Talented type who continues to race in career best form. This is clearly his toughest test to date but looked to be on the upward spiral still and won well over this trip two back. Rock hard fit. Over the odds?
(3) Autumn Boy – 4YO has mixed his form, but his second up run behind Sheza Alibi was encouraging enough for him to slot in here. Drawn well and gets Zac Purton in with J-Mac riding in Vic. Each way.
(16) Sheza Alibi – 4YO Mare who is a super talent and is awfully hard to tip against. Flew last start to only just miss behind Land Legend, but her late splits were fast. Dropping back to 1500m now, but don’t expect that to be an issue with her class. Loves this track and never missed top 2 on the soft. At the price she looks a great bet. Hard to beat.
BEST BET
(16) Sheza Alibi Win
$1.90 (5 Units)
Race 9 – Sydney Gold Cup – 2000m – Listed (5:20pm AEDT)
(6) Travolta – 6YO Gelding who hasn’t been up to his best this campaign, but he does have a knack to bob up at odds from time to time. On paper this looks a lot easier than is previous three runs. Fit now fourth up and gets Tommy Berry back into the saddle who is in good form. At the current quote he looks a genuine blow out hope.
(9) Starzintheireyes – 5YO Gelding who continues to race well without breaking through. Form lines have been sound and has been beaten by some handy types. Hard fit now fourth up and has been well supported in the early market $3.70 in from $5.50. Drawn to effect.
BEST BET
Also Backing: (6) Travola $23 (0.5 units) - Ladbrokes
(9) Starzintheireyes Win
$3.70 (2 units)
Race 10 – Catanachs Jewellers BM78 – 1100m (5:55pm AEDT)
(3) Compensation – 4YO gelding who resumes off a 25-week break. Form hard to knock on his debut campaign when stringing together 3 wins on the trot. He has trialled up nicely which should have him ready to fire fresh. Stable and jockey combo are going well of late and look every chance here. Each way.
(14) Somerton Smart – 4YO Gelding who is hard fit with several runs under his belt but has had a three week break keeping him primed for this affair. Drawn to effect and gets the conditions he prefers. Proven over this trip and was very good last start in tougher grade at Tamworth. Capable of a good race.
BET: NO BET
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