A Group 1 double awaits at Royal Randwick this Saturday with some of the country – if not the world’s – top talent on display in both the Surround and Verry Elleegant Stakes.
Rain from Thursday right through to race day could have us racing on a wet track, although the rail remains in the True position at time of publish.
Looking for best bets and tips ahead of a bumper 10-race program? Check out our full Verry Elleegant Stakes Day Preview by scrolling below.
ZOUTASTIC (3) has gone up nice double-figure odds again for a mare who continues to race well.
She was third here last start over 100m shorter, returning off a four-week let-up to find the line well after leading along the fence for most of the way.
The daughter to Zoustar has some nice wet track experience on her resume and she’s still only to improvement on less of a turnaround now.
MRS GOLDBERG (10) gets in nicely thanks to the apprentice claim.
The filly by Yes Yes Yes hasn’t done much wrong in four career starts, winning for a second time two back on the Sunshine Coast, before stepping out at Eagle Farm where she found one better over the late stages after racing up on the speed.
She’s another one that will appreciate some sting out of the track, and she maps to find the front early again from the inside alley.
MR MONACO (6) doesn’t have the best second-up record, but he still warrants big respect with a pair of wins to his name over 2000m.
Ciaron Maher’s talented stayer resumed over the mile at Caulfield to start the month, finishing midfield over a distance well short of his best.
You could argue he’ll be wanting longer again as he grows in fitness, but from a nice soft gate that should allow him to settle just off the speed, he appeals big time in a race like this.
SPICY MISS (2) did enough on return to warrant consideration second-up in the 2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes.
This is a slightly harsh step up to 1200m, but she was strong to the line two weeks ago when searching for a run along the inside before Agrarian Girl too strong over the final furlong or so.
The daughter to Trapeze Artist was equally encouraging on debut at Rosehill during the spring last year and it feels as though she’s close to putting it all together now.
WARWOVEN (4) basically picks himself here in the Skyline Stakes.
Bjorn Baker’s colt has the Slipper in his sights if he wins this, and from an inside gate following a confidence-boosting win at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago, it’s no surprise to find him at very short odds.
He’s still got a bit left to prove after having his prep interrupted around Magic Millions time, but on class and sheer ability, he’s the one they all have to beat.
Happy to give GERRINGONG (5) another chance off a bit of a forgive run in the Triscay Stakes last start.
The Blue Point mare was away awkwardly upon spotting the rest of the field a decent start from the back, eventually charging home when it was much too late after weaving her way through traffic down the straight.
A previous Group 2 placegetter, she’s capable of making amends second-up with Nash Rawiller taking back over in the saddle from a perfect gate in the Guy Walter.
She might be a little on the short side, but TEMPTED (1) still looks incredibly hard to beat in this small field.
Her first-up win of the Eskimo Prince Stakes a few weeks ago was nothing short of impressive, putting paid to her rivals by more than a length thanks to an absolute peach of a ride from Chad Schofield.
A few query here over 1400m for just the second time, but after savaging the line so well, she should be back early off the speed and looking to pounce when it matters most again.
What more needs to be said about AUTUMN GLOW (8)?
Her win two weeks ago in the Apollo Stakes was arrogant to say the least, and if she repeats that performance only marginally, she should be staring at an unbeaten 10 on the trot with bigger races in her sights.
For value, AELIANA (9) is worth including in a multi or even for a place. She’s second-up with the inside gate working in her favour and the rise to the mile also looking ideal at this stage of her prep.
THE INSTRUCTOR (3) finds an easier race here in the Liverpool City Cup after being thrown in the deep end a couple of weeks ago in the Apollo Stakes.
The Waterhouse/Bott five-year-old was outclassed despite finishing fourth, holding his own all the way to the line in what was still a somewhat brave performance stepping up to 1400m.
He should appreciate this drop back in class on Saturday as well as the slight step back to 1300m. The wide gate likely sees him roll forward and contest for the front early in a race that looks to pack a bit of early speed.
I was with BEV’S NINE (11) before he was scratched from last week’s sprint race, and I’m not about to hop off.
Granted, he’s tackling a slightly longer trip here off a five-week freshen-up, but unbeaten in four starts, there’s no reason to doubt him – especially off a very likeable Canterbury trial between starts.
His latest win at Rosehill was also impressive, chasing hard down the outside of the straight to win with a lot left in the tank. On form alone, a similar performance would see him hard to beat.