While the Melbourne Cup takes centre stage at Flemington, Royal Randwick hosts an excellent ten-race program of its own on Tuesday, headlined by the $3 million Big Dance. The Sydney meeting has become an important part of Melbourne Cup Day, bringing together some of the country's leading country, provincial and metropolitan performers.
Two-time Big Dance winner Gringotts returns chasing an unprecedented third consecutive victory, but faces a talented field headed by Formal Display. The $750,000 Little Dance and $300,000 Choisir Handicap provide further betting opportunities on a competitive afternoon of racing.
We've assessed the leading contenders in the three feature races and identified our preferred Randwick best bets for Tuesday.
Randwick Best Bets – Tuesday, November 3rd 2026
| Race |
Best Bet |
Odds |
| R5 – Big Dance |
(2) Formal Display (Win) |
$7.00 (2 units) |
| R7 – Little Dance |
(4) Fukubana (Win) |
$4.20 (1 unit) |
| R8 – Choisir Handicap |
(6) Kerguelen (Win) |
$3.40 (2 units) |
Race 5 – Big Dance Listed (1600m) – 2:20pm AEDT
(1) Gringotts: The headline act returns chasing a remarkable third consecutive Big Dance victory. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding won this race in both 2024 and 2025 and has since added a Group 1 George Ryder Stakes to his impressive record. Although he hasn't won in three starts this preparation, his latest seventh in the Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill was more encouraging than the finishing position suggests. Nash Rawiller takes the ride from barrier nine, but the significant challenge is his 62kg impost. He's unquestionably the class runner, although that weight makes him vulnerable against several progressive rivals. His price has also eased from an opening $3.20 to $3.70, suggesting the market isn't entirely convinced.
(2) Formal Display: The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained gelding looks one of the strongest challengers following his impressive victory in the Group 3 Alan Brown Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill. That performance came at the expense of several Big Dance rivals, including Gringotts, and confirmed his credentials for this assignment. Chad Schofield has drawn barrier two, giving him an excellent opportunity to settle just behind the speed and conserve ground. With 56.5kg, he receives a substantial weight advantage over the favourite and should appreciate stepping back up to 1600m. His price has firmed from $8.50 to $7.00, adding further confidence.
(5) Fully Lit: The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding is another serious contender after displaying plenty of ability in strong company. His victory earlier this preparation demonstrated his capacity to control a race from the front, although he was disappointing at his latest appearance. Barrier 18 is a considerable obstacle, particularly with other runners capable of applying early pressure. Regan Bayliss may need to be aggressive to find a suitable position, but if Fully Lit crosses without spending too much energy, he has the talent to remain competitive. At $11.00, he offers some appeal for those looking beyond the leading market chances.
BEST BET – RACE 5
Gringotts deserves enormous respect given his extraordinary record in this race, but conceding at least 5.5kg to his principal rivals is a difficult assignment. Formal Display looks ideally placed following his recent win and should enjoy a much more economical run than several of the other leading chances. The market support is another positive, and he's our strongest selection across the three feature races.
(2) Formal Display WIN
$7.00 (2 Units)
Race 7 – Little Dance (1600m) – 4:10pm AEDT
(2) I'mintowin: The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has been racing consistently without winning this preparation and looks particularly well placed in the Little Dance. He resumed with a narrow defeat in Benchmark 100 company at Rosehill before finishing runner-up to Fully Lit in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle. His latest fourth over 1600m at Randwick was another solid performance, and a subsequent trial should have kept him in excellent condition. Regan Bayliss takes the ride from barrier five, providing the opportunity to settle close to the speed. He looks the runner to beat on exposed metropolitan form and has attracted market support, shortening from $3.60 to $3.30.
(1) Estadio Mestalla: The Joseph Pride-trained gelding is another genuine winning chance after producing some encouraging performances this preparation. He was narrowly beaten over 1400m at Rosehill before working home strongly over the Randwick mile. His ability to finish off his races makes him particularly dangerous if the leaders establish a genuine tempo. The concern is barrier 19 and his hefty 62kg, which could leave him covering additional ground or settling further back than ideal. Nevertheless, he has the class to feature prominently with even luck in running and is currently trading around $6.00.
(4) Fukubana: The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding appeals as a genuine winning chance following a series of competitive performances. He has finished in the first two at each of his past four starts, including a narrow defeat at Lismore before producing another encouraging effort at Eagle Farm. Barrier one is a significant advantage in a large field, particularly with Chad Schofield aboard and just 55kg to carry. The obvious risk is becoming held up along the inside when the field begins to sprint, but an economical passage could give him every opportunity to finish strongly. His price has eased from $3.80 to $4.20, which is worth noting given the support for I'mintowin.
BEST BET – RACE 7
I'mintowin has the strongest recent metropolitan form and is clearly the horse to beat, particularly from his favourable barrier. However, Fukubana has been remarkably consistent and gets a favourable weight advantage over the two main dangers. His inside draw should allow him to save ground throughout, and we're prepared to back him for the win at $4.20. With the price shorter than originally anticipated, we'll keep the stake to one unit.
(4) Fukubana WIN
$4.20 (1 Unit)
Race 8 – Choisir Handicap (1100m) – 4:50pm AEDT
(6) Kerguelen: The Joseph Pride-trained gelding is one of the leading contenders in this Benchmark 100 sprint and looks well placed following an encouraging return from a spell. He finished third first-up and should derive further benefit from that outing. Nash Rawiller takes the ride from barrier one, providing the opportunity to secure an economical run and settle close to the speed. With 59kg, he's favourably treated compared with some of the higher-weighted runners. His price has shortened from $3.80 to $3.40, making him the current market favourite and suggesting confidence in an improved second-up performance.
(2) Wanaruah: The Brett and Georgie Cavanough-trained gelding is a major threat following an impressive victory at his latest appearance. His recent form reads exceptionally well, having won three of his past five starts, and he has demonstrated the ability to perform strongly in competitive sprint races. Braith Nock takes the ride from barrier two, and the 1.5kg claim helps offset his substantial 61.5kg allocation. He should be able to settle prominently and make full use of his inside draw. At $3.50, there's very little separating him and Kerguelen in the market, and he looks the principal danger.
(9) Polyglot: The Michael Freedman-trained sprinter arrives in excellent form, having won twice and placed on another two occasions in his past four starts. His recent performances in Brisbane have been particularly encouraging, including a victory over 1110m at Doomben followed by a close third over 1000m at Eagle Farm. Dylan Gibbons takes the ride from barrier three, while the 55kg weight provides another advantage. With race fitness on his side and the ability to settle within striking distance, Polyglot shapes as a major danger. At $7.00, he offers a considerably bigger price than the two market leaders.
BEST BET – RACE 8
Kerguelen and Wanaruah dominate the early betting, and there is very little separating them on price. Wanaruah brings stronger recent winning form, but Kerguelen has the advantage of Nash Rawiller and should improve second-up after his encouraging return. Polyglot is the value alternative at $7.00, particularly with his light weight and favourable draw. We're narrowly siding with Kerguelen, although his price of $3.40 doesn't leave much room for error.
(6) Kerguelen WIN
$3.40 (2 Units)
