Royal Randwick hosts a 10 Race card with the first Group 1 of the season kicking off in Race 9 (Winx Stakes). Punters get to see the almighty clash of AUTUMN GLOW v SHEZA ALIBI for the first time in this 1400m affair. The rail is true for the meeting and selections are for a SOFT track with fine/overcast weather predicted – watch and monitor if possible. The first race kicks off at 11.40am AEST.
Shannon Buckley has done the form to bring you his best bets for day from Randwick, with odds thanks to Next2Go - your new punting playground! And if you’re after more free tips for this weekend’s key meetings, then head over to our Racing Tips page!
Royal Randwick Racing Tips: Saturday, August 22nd 2026
Race 8 – Hyland Race Colours Show Country Qlty - 1200m – GROUP 3 (3:50pm AEST)
(3) Enriched – 5YO Gelding who hasn’t been up to his best of late, but has previously shown signs of being capable at this level. Resuming off a 15 week break, draws well and is thereabouts in the market. Place hope.
(8) Campione D’Italia – 3YO Colt who was outstanding in his debut campaign winning twice, including at group 1 level. On paper he probably looks the best horse in the race, but draws a sticky gate and maps to settle reward which may require some luck over 1200m. However, handles the conditions nicely and will have likely only further improved with a break. May need a run under his belt though. Do not overlook.
(9) Soothsayer – 7YO Gelding who was terrific through the Queensland winter, closing out his prep with two very impressive wins, including a dominant BM85 victory over 1200m before storming home from last and three-wide throughout to win a Listed race over 1350m. Returns off a freshen-up and has trialled nicely without being asked for an effort. Barrier 1 is a major positive and should allow him to settle much closer, while he is proven in the conditions. Happy to take on CAMPIONE D'ITALIA, who draws wide and maps rearward. Looks ready to take the next step at Group 3 level and if he's close enough turning, he can win this. Goes well.
(9) Soothsayer - Win
$5.50 (1.5 Units)
Race 9 – Winx Stakes – GROUP 1 – 1400m (4:30pm AEST)
(8) Autumn Glow – 5YO Mare who looked like she was going to be invincible but struggled to run out the 2000m ending her campaign last time in. Returns now and is still deserving of the short price as she has proven she is an elite type and arguably the best horse in the country at the moment. Unbeaten on rain affected going and flies fresh. J-Mac steers, draws well and maps for another handy run. The one they all need to beat and anything over $2.00 is worth a play.
(11) Idle Flyer – 5YO Mare who looks to be the blow out hope of the race. She was very good closing things out last campaign and looks to have some upside. Enjoys this track and distance and has good credentials on the rain affected tracks. May need this run under her belt, but more than capable of running a big race and at the huge quote, is worth a small nibble and I wouldn’t leave her out of exotics.
(14) Sheza Alibi – 4YO Mare who was outstanding last preparation, going three from three in dominant fashion. Resumed with a 2.2L Group 2 win over this trip, then stepped up to Group 1 level and bolted in by 3.2L in the Randwick Guineas before finishing the prep with a huge 4.3L win in the Doncaster Mile. Elite form lines and she has proven she can mix it with the best. Gets in with the bottom weight, draws barrier 1 and maps kindly. She does meet champion AUTUMN GLOW for the first time, but that is reflected in the price and she looks worth a crack at the current quote. Her late splits have been outstanding and if she gets the right run, she can be launching late and giving AUTUMN GLOW plenty to think about. Major player
(14) Sheza Alibi - Win
$3.00 (2.5 Units)
Race 9 – Tajima Wagyu BM78 – 1200m (5:05pm AEST)
(1) Columbia Blue – 5YO gelding who has been sound this prep and is deserving another win. Rattled home from the tail last start lugging 60kg and was only narrowly denied. Rock hard fit now fourth up and with a slightly kinder run he will be hitting the line intently once again. Nash steers this time only boosting the confidence. Goes well.
(11) Hidrix – 3YO Colt who showed plenty of talent on debut, producing an explosive performance to defeat several talented types and immediately stamping himself as a horse with plenty of ability. He backed that up second-up in Group 2 company, finishing strongly to hit the line well, before failing to fire in his next two outings when stepping into Group 2 and Group 1 company. He has since been given a spell and has had two quiet trials leading into this campaign, with the jockeys seemingly happy to keep the handbrake on in both. He should have taken plenty of natural improvement from his time off and looks ideally placed to kick off this preparation in a BM78. This is a significant drop back in grade from the company he was contesting last preparation and, on his best form, he has the class to be very competitive here. J-Mac takes the ride, he draws favourably and maps to get a lovely run in transit. If he can reproduce anything close to his debut or second-up efforts, he should be right in the finish. The class is there, the setup looks ideal and at the current price, he looks well over the odds
(11) Hidrix - E/W
$11/$3.30 (0.5U/1.5U)
