Ray Hickson
March 19, 2026 — 5:00pm
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Race 1: 12:20PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1500M)
14. Barrengarry is an interesting runner as he jumps straight to a Midway after a nice maiden win at Newcastle. He’s had three starts so gives away plenty of experience but the way he won that maiden suggests he is a progressive type. Overcame some trouble when making his run and was still far too good. He gets a 5.5kg weight drop and if he’s as promising as he looks, he’ll go close. 8. My Phar Lady comes back a notch in class after winning an open BM72 at Rosehill a month ago. She sat handy enough and was able to finish over the top of the leader late. Has her chance to repeat. 4. Titanium Miss is in super form, she handles all conditions and comes into this an impressive winner at Newcastle two weeks ago. Only been beyond 1400m once and that was a Group 3 as a three-year-old, she’ll be hitting the line. 2. Agita is hit and miss but his best is good enough to see him in the finish. His last couple of wins have been at 1800m so this sort of distance will give him some chance.
How to play it: Barrengarry each-way.
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Race 2: 12:55PM PRECISE AIR N E MANION CUP (2400M)
8. Juja Kibo put the writing on the wall with a solid performance in the Randwick City Stakes coming off a month between runs. He had to do a fair bit of chasing without cover and stuck on nicely to hold third. 2400m with a bit of sting out of the track is ideal for him and he should be hard to beat. 1. Campaldino won that race and he has to be a threat despite a 4kg rise in weights. He was strong at the finish there and was dominant last year when he reached 2400m and beyond. Logical danger. 13. Saganti is in Sydney after three runs from a long break due to a kissing spine injury. He looks back on track based on a much improved third at Caulfield a month ago, he doesn’t mind a soft track and is worth including in the chances. 10. Sam Hawkens has been disappointing from a market perspective in two runs back particularly as the soft ground at Canberra was expected to suit. How to play it: Juja Kibo to win.
Race 3: 1:30PM BISLEY WORKWEAR EPONA STAKES (1900M)
7. Polymnia looks ideally suited to have her best chance to win a race in some time. She’s only won one of them, but she’s been placed in nine other starts including her nice third in the Aspiration two weeks ago. Thought she ran on pretty well there into third and meets the two that beat her home a bit better from a map perspective. Only win so far was at 1800m, good chance. 2. Pinito was the winner of that race and she rounded them up with an impressive burst from the second half of the field. She faces having to go back from the outside and there doesn’t look to be high speed so it may be how much start she gives away that’s the telling factor. 8. Starphistocated was game in defeat when runner-up to Pinito proving she is up to this sort of company. Probably has to go forward and won’t be far away. 6. Movin Out backed up her surprise first-up win with a closing fourth behind the above trio and if she can continue to hold form, she’s an each-way chance.
How to play it: Polymnia each-way.
Race 4: 2:05PM HKJC WORLD POOL DARBY MUNRO STAKES (1200M)
2. Skyhook stands out a bit first-up having raced in the A grade in the spring and holding his own. He was impressive winning on a heavy first-up before chasing home Tempted and Beiwacht in the Run To The Rose and finishing fourth in the Golden Rose. There was plenty to like about his recent trial win as he raced past the leader running slick time. Draws well, handles all ground and should take some beating. 9. Caffe Florian was far from disgraced first-up in the Fireball, she was back and wide and kept coming to be beaten just over a length. Likely has to be ridden conservatively. 6. Wodeton ran a handy race when resuming in the Eskimo Prince behind Tempted before being outclassed in the Newmarket down the straight. This is one of the easier races he’s contested for a while and a bit of rain wouldn’t harm. 3. Beadman faces a bit of a task from the wide barrier but he did return a winner of the Fireball two weeks ago. A wet track would really enhance his prospects, but the main factor will be the work he needs to do early.
How to play it: Skyhook to win.
Race 5: 2:40PM RANVET STAKES (2000M)
Small field but fascinating contest. It does look like the race for 4. Aeliana to claim a second Group 1 given she’s been the best of the chasers behind Autumn Glow. And she’s run that mare to the shortest margin of any horse in their Verry Elleegant clash three weeks ago. A stalking spot with a genuine leader or two engaged, softish track a plus, she is the horse to beat. Won’t be underestimating 1. Sir Delius despite the 3-1/2 length margin he has to pull back on Aeliana. He was outsprinted in that race over the mile but he did hold third comfortably and gets out to 2000m which is much more his go. Has wins over the likes of Buckaroo and Via Sistina from the spring so he commands respect. 5. Stefi Magnetica didn’t perform to expectation in the All Star Mile but her first-up run in the Apollo was sound. Has to tick the 2000m box but you don’t win a Doncaster if you’re weak and she’s not to be forgotten. 3. Trinity College is entitled to improve up in trip second-up and 2. Lindermann can’t be ignored if the track isn’t as wet as some predictions suggest.
How to play it: Aeliana to win.
Race 6: 3:15PM SKY RACING ROSEHILL GUINEAS (2000M)
1. Observer has taken all before him in Victoria winning the Derby in the spring and returning with strong wins in the Autumn Stakes and Australian Guineas. What he has on his side is tactical ability, he could lead this field if needed and he’s effective taking the sit. There are no question marks at 2000m and he’s the one to beat. 2. Autumn Boy goes on trial at the 2000m after his Randwick Guineas placing behind Sheza Alibi two weeks ago. He loomed to win that but was given windburn. Sire won this race and he’s the logical danger. 4. Green Spaces is coming along well from an ATC Derby perspective showing nice improvement second-up in the Randwick Guineas. He must finish around the money to prove he’s on track for that race. 5. Victorious Spirit has form around Observer and he hasn’t been too far away from him either in two runs back. Lightly raced and the stable has spoken highly of him so he’s one to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Observer to win.
Race 7: 3:50PM THE AGENCY GEORGE RYDER STAKES (1500M)
There’s no reason to tip against 8. Autumn Glow as she stares at 11 from 11. This, however, is a real race despite what the market suggests. She was given a real test by Aeliana in the Verry Elleegant and if she is forced to do it the hard way from a potentially tricky gate, then we’ll find out how good she is. We know she’s very good and that’s why she’s $1.30 or thereabouts. 1. Gringotts will be a big improver on his first-up run behind Joliestar in the Canterbury Stakes. He ran ninth of 10 but it was an outstanding run, he was strong late. He won this race last year and is worth respect. 9. Lady Shenandoah has found Joliestar too slick in her two runs back but she’s been excellent running third in both. Steps up to this for the first time since she won the Coolmore Classic last year, draws a gate she can work with and is good enough to cause trouble. 2. Pericles gave Autumn Glow 3kg in the Epsom in the spring and ran a nice third. He comes off a Group 1 win in Melbourne, his second-up form is strong and he’s not to be overlooked.
How to play it: Autumn Glow to win.
James McDonald rides Autumn Glow to the Golden Eagle.Getty Images
Race 8: 4:35PM TAB GOLDEN SLIPPER (1200M)
Being in the right place at the right time will probably decide an open Golden Slipper and 12. Streisand looks to hold a few aces so she’s going on top. All the form around her Blue Diamond win has been holding up. She won that race sitting three wide and was too strong and she’s proven herself in a bit of soft ground. She has a positive racing pattern and can run a big race. 3. Guest House ran third in the Blue Diamond and there’s a case to say he was a bit unlucky. When he got across heels he was pegging ground back and the stable has gone for a gear change aiming to help him settle. Looks a big threat. 6. Stretan Ruler was a dominant winner of the Silver Slipper and you can’t be hard on him for his second in the Todman in a sprint home. He was still coming on the line and a bit of pressure ahead of him would suit. 5. Paradoxium is going to need a lucky break and/or a smart ride to overcome his alley but in his favour is that Todman win wasn’t hard on him so he should have a deal of improvement. 14. Chayan’s Reisling win has to be respected and 1. Fireball with the blinkers on next best.
How to play it: Streisand to win.
Streisand, the one to beat in the Slipper on Saturday.Getty Images
Race 9: 5:15PM KIA ORA GALAXY (1100M)
8. Marhoona won the Slipper last year and is on target with a brave second chasing the speed before being ambushed by Generosity in the Challenge two weeks ago. She fought hard when the winner moved alongside her and that middle gate gives her options. She’s only raced on a good track so there’s a small unknown if it is wet. 2. Mazu comes through the Challenge and he set a good tempo but he didn’t give up the fight either. Any rain really enhances his chances especially if he’s able to get some control. 14. Grafterburners is unbeaten as a three-year-old and this is his biggest test. Dominant in the Sunlight at the Gold Coast, the same race Private Harry came through a year ago, and with the light weight he’s a definite chance. 1. Briasa was hampered in this last year by a wide gate and it’s déjà vu for him with his draw. He’s trialling the house down, we all know how good he can be and if he has any luck he’ll be storming home.
How to play it: Marhoona each-way.
Race 10: 5:55PM TAB BIRTHDAY CARD STAKES (1200M)
10. Inkaruna was missed by nobody when she resumed with a luckless second behind Beadman in the Fireball. She was a strong winner at 1200m before a spell, she draws well and while she’s not seen a wet track we’ll know by this stage of the day what we’re dealing with. The one to beat on face value. 4. Monte Supreme was excellent running best sectionals in the Challenge Stakes when resuming. She was outclassed but her form around Gangsta Granny from the spring reads well and she handles any ground. 5. Within The Law is a big query from a spell. Drawn nicely which doesn’t happen to her very often and usually performs well fresh, doesn’t mind some give in the ground. 12. Asgarda is one to throw in if there’s a soft track, she tried hard fresh behind Gangsta Granny two weeks ago on a good track. One for the trifectas as she’ll be up on speed giving a sight.
How to play it: Inkaruna to win.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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