The curtain falls on the Sydney Autumn Carnival this Saturday at Randwick, with All Aged Stakes Day delivering a fitting finale to one of the nation’s premier racing showcases.
A strong 10-race program headlines the afternoon, featuring two Group 1 contests alongside four Group 3 events, ensuring quality and depth across the card.
Campione D’italia headlines the Group 1 Champagne Stakes, adding further intrigue to the juvenile feature, while the All Aged Stakes boasts a cracking field.
Jimmysstar returns to defend his title against fellow star and past winner Giga Kick, with added depth from Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours and All Star Mile victor Tom Kitten in what shapes as a standout contest.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5, though improving conditions are expected with mostly fine weather forecast, setting the stage for competitive racing throughout.
Read on for my Randwick tips as we look to finish the Autumn Carnival on a high.
MAILATA (3) was never on the track first-up over 1200m at Rosehill, racing three-wide throughout yet still fighting on well to finish 1.29 lengths fourth to Audrey’s Lane.
He meets the winner 2.5kg better at the weights this time around.
Unfortunately, the Bryce Heys-trained gelding uncharacteristically led in the Wyong Provincial-Midway Championships qualifier last start and that proved counter-productive as he weakened late to finish three lengths third.
He’ll strip fitter and gets a massively positive jockey change with James McDonald taking the ride.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see him enjoy a nice run just off the pace from the low draw.
CRUIZINGTHESTARS (12) faces her toughest test to date in her young career but has so far risen to the occasion every time.
The unbeaten Scott Collings-trained filly debuted at Goulburn three starts ago to easily win by 3.22 lengths before returning to that venue second-up where she impressively won.
She showed her versatility last start over 1300m at Canberra where she sat off the speed before bursting through after being held up to salute by just under a length.
She’s at peak fitness and should appreciate the rise in distance.
SIGNOR TORTONI (2) will appreciate the drop in class after giving an amazing account of himself last start in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes where he fought on the finish for a close third.
The Ron Quinton-trained gelding was a sick watch two starts back when badly held up on the fence in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes and finishing 2.89 lengths fifth.
He won back-to-back races prior to that including once with 61.5kg which is a similar impost to what he’ll carry here.
The previous winner over this course and distance should get every chance with an on speed run from barrier 3.
PLAINTIFF (1) made a brilliant return in her latest start, extending her perfect record to four wins from four starts.
The Peter Snowden-trained filly raced wide and at the tail from the car park draw in the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes before making a sweeping run around the turn and letting down powerfully to win by a neck.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise in distance should suit given how strong she was late.
She’s drawn to enjoy a much better run and while she rises 2kg, it’s hard to see that stopping her.
MATIAS (1) was taken back from a wide barrier when resuming in the Phar Lap Stakes and never really played a part, but he did work to the line well in the second quickest final 600m of the race.
With a positive jockey change last start, the Ryan & Alexiou-trained gelding produced a cracking effort to storm home for a nose third in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes.
He’ll won his only previous third-up race and will appreciate the rise in distance given he won the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes last preparation.
Nash Rawiller will give him a sweet run from an inside barrier in the Frank Packer Plate.
SHE’S A DEALER (4) has been given the visitor’s draw in the JRA Plate, but she arrives in Australia in excellent form.
The James & Wellwood-trained mare was enormous in the Group 1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Trentham where she worked early and never got closer than three-deep but still powered home to win by just under a length.
That followed up a head second in the Group 3 Wellington Cuddle Stakes where she stormed home from well back.
The rise in distance won’t faze her given she fought gamely for a two-length fifth after racing wide and making a sustained run in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks last winter.
I was all over CAMPIONE D’ITALIA (1) in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ last start and he duly saluted, letting down powerfully to win by just under a length.
The Chris Waller-trained colt was outstanding two starts ago in the Group 1 Golden Slipper when charging home from a long way back despite being held up to finish 2.05 lengths fourth.
Three starts back he won the Group 2 Skyline Stakes to stamp his class.
He should enjoy the rise to a mile and James McDonald will give him a great run from the nice draw.
PRIVATE EYE (1) returns to the races for the first time since being nailed on the line in the Supernova at Pakenham.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding races well fresh, having won five of 12 first-up races with three minor placings.
Three trials will have him wound up to fire with his most recent trial seeing him hard held in a pleasing piece of work.
Regular rider Nash Rawiller is back in the saddle and will give him every chance from the potentially sticky draw.
Selections: 1-4-8-9
JIMMYSSTAR (2) won the Group 1 All Aged Stakes last year when he managed to find a way through the traffic and sprint strongly to the line.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding hasn’t had much go right in two runs this preparation where he drew barrier 1 on both occasions.
First-up he resented having to race inside runners in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes before a bump out of the gates saw him settle a long way back last start in the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes where he did his best work in the final furlong to finish 2.28 lengths fifth.
The rise to 1400m is in his favour as is the wide barrier which will allow him to get the clear air that he craves.
LORD PENMAN (6) will appreciate the drop back to this class after competing well in stronger company.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding gave a great sight last start in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude where he finished 2.2 lengths third.
Three starts ago when he last competed in this grade, he won over this distance at Rosehill.
The draw is a touch sticky, but he gets the services of James McDonald to navigate through any trouble.