The Winx Stakes headlines a quality Randwick meeting this Saturday. It is the first Group 1 of the new racing season.
Named after the mighty Winx, the race was won by the champion mare three years in a row. This year’s field is led by Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi, while three-time winner Fangirl returns to the race.
Chris Waller has a huge hand with eight runners engaged. The Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes and three Group 3 races add plenty of depth to the card.
The track is rated a Soft 7 and should remain in the rain-affected range. The rail is in the true position, so the track conditions and any early pattern will be important.
Our race analysis focuses on the speed map, key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities across the meeting.
Plenty of class is on show, so let’s work through the Randwick card and find the best plays.
FERINZO (8) resumes here and looks set to fire fresh following two trial wins.
The Jake Hull-trained gelding looked slick when leading all the way in his first trial before working powerfully to the line in his most recent piece of work.
He boasts a terrific record of three wins and two placings from five starts, including a half-length third in this class earlier this year.
Top front-running jockey Tim Clark takes the ride and will more than likely go forward from the good draw.
| 8. Ferinzo (5) J: Tim Clark 58kg x113xT: Jake Hull | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign third of 7 at Canterbury Bm72 February 20 over 1250m, 0.5 len behind True To Form with 58.5kg at $3.90. Previous preparation first-up won by 2 len Beaumont (Newcastle) Cl1 January 15 over 1150m slow track defeating Perle De Chocolat with 57.5kg at $1.70. Keep safe after the two sharp trial wins. | |||
MAGIC SPEED (10) was friendless in the market when resuming last start in a stronger Highway Handicap.
The Paul Facoory-trained mare defied her huge price to storm home and finish third, beaten 1.05 lengths.
Given the way she went through the line, the rise in distance should suit, and she will strip fitter second-up.
There looks to be an abundance of early speed, which should see Jay Ford enjoy a nice run just off the pace before launching in the straight.
| 10. Magic Speed (6) J: Jay Ford 56kg 556×3T: Paul Facoory | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months 3rd of 13 in a Highway-C3 at this track on August 8 over 1000m, on a slow track; 1.1 len behind Ready To Rush carrying 54kg at $51. Previously second-up 6th of 8 in a F&M Bm64 at Hawkesbury on October 9 over 1100m, 4.5 len behind Twinkling Star carrying 57kg at $3.90. Genuine performer who is expected to go well. | |||
LE TROISIR (3) settled at the rear last start over this course and distance after drawing wide.
He finished strongly but was beaten by a neck, with the barrier likely costing him victory.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding was very good the start prior over this distance at Rosehill, proving too strong to win by 1.46 lengths.
He does his best work on rain-affected tracks and finally draws a good gate, which should allow James McDonald to settle him closer in the run.
| 3. Le Troisir (1) J: James McDonald 57kg 14312T: Chris Waller | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run 2nd of 9 in a Bm78 at this track on August 8 over 2400m, on a slow track; long-neck behind I Park carrying 56kg at $8.50. The run before that won by 1.5 len at Rosehill on July 18 over 2400m in the wet defeating Masoun carrying 53.5kg at $4.20. Finally drawn a decent gate and expected to go close. | |||
KING OF THE SEA (1) resumes for his second Australian preparation.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding caught the eye first-up last preparation over 1600m at Caulfield when running on from the back to finish third, beaten a neck.
He then placed in two stronger races and has warmed up for this return with two trials, including a nice piece of work in his most recent hit-out.
James McDonald is a key booking and will likely settle back from the awkward draw.
| 1. King Of The Sea (10) J: James McDonald 60.5kg x432xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Resuming after a break of three months. Finished off last preparation second of 12 at this track Bm88 May 23 over 2000m, in the wet; a nose behind Tazima with 54.5kg at $2.70. First up last campaign fourth of 12 at Caulfield Bm74 April 11 over 1600m, soft track; a neck behind Oceana Dream with 60.5kg at $6.50. Talented import primed with the two trials, leading contender. | |||
BONIFACE (5) has not won since arriving in Australia but looks close to a breakthrough.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained gelding was stiff not to challenge for the win last start in the Premier’s Cup Prelude, given he never got clear air before charging through the line to finish fifth, beaten 1.11 lengths.
This is his fifth run of the preparation, so he is rock-hard fit and looks ready to tackle this distance for the first time.
Tommy Berry can stalk what looks like a solid speed and give his mount every chance in the 2026 Premier’s Cup.
| 5. Boniface (6) J: Tommy Berry 54kg x5225T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| At the latest run 5th of 11 in a Prem Prel at this track on August 8 over 1800m, 1.1 len behind Eliyass carrying 52kg at $3.20. The start before that came from the tail of the field 2nd of 11 in a Bm88 at this track on July 11 over 1800m, on heavy track; 2 len behind Tazima carrying 56kg at $5.50. Held up badly last start and should’ve finished much closer. | |||
PRIMA BELLA (6) faces her toughest test to date in the Toy Show Quality 2026 but is racing in sublime form and chasing a third consecutive win.
Two starts ago, the Matthew Smith-trained mare raced on speed over 1000m down the Flemington straight and fought tooth and nail once headed to claim victory right on the winning post.
Last start, she demonstrated a sharp turn of foot to let down powerfully and win eased down by 1.16 lengths over 1000m here.
Given the way she found the line, the slight rise to 1100m should suit.
She has drawn to get a great run for Kerrin McEvoy.
| 6. Prima Bella (2) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 53kg 19311T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Last start came from midfield and won by 1.2 len at this track on August 8 over 1000m defeating Amazing Eagle with 52.5kg at $7. Before that won by a nose at Flemington on July 18 over 1000m in soft going defeating Next Step Iowa with 58kg at $7. Tough to beat in this vein of form. | |||
PEMBREY (2) makes the trip down from Brisbane to kick off her spring campaign.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly looked super in a recent trial win, easily accounting for her rivals by 2.5 lengths, which places her nicely to replicate her impressive debut win last preparation.
She competed well in Sydney last preparation, including an all-the-way victory in the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes.
The wide barrier is not ideal, but Big T-Dawg has employed the services of James McDonald, and Pembrey has the early speed to cross.
| 2. Pembrey (10) J: James McDonald 56kg 1510xT: Tony Gollan | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign 14th of 16 at Rosehill in the G1 G Slipper March 21 over 1200m, soft track; 6 len behind Guest House carrying 54.5kg at $19. At her first start to post a big 5.5 len win. Eagle Farm 2yo Hcp February 14 over 1000m slow track defeating Oregon Coast carrying 56.5kg at $2.35. Resumes with the one trial win and had genuine excuses in the Golden Slipper. | |||
CAMPIONE D’ITALIA (8) returns to the races for the first time since finishing second, beaten a head, in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes.
The Chris Waller-trained colt impressed during his first preparation, winning the Group 2 Skyline Stakes over this course and distance before taking out the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ Produce.
He has warmed up for this first-up assignment with two trials, with his most recent producing a pleasing piece of work.
Tommy Berry won his only previous ride aboard him and returns to the saddle in the Show County Quality.
| 8. Campione D’Italia (7) J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg 1412xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming after a four-and-a-half months break. Finished off last preparation second of 12 at this track in the G1 Champagne April 18 over 1600m, a neck behind Fireball carrying 56.5kg at $2.15. On debut ran last of 10 at this track in the LR Lonhro February 7 over 1000m, 7 len behind Agrarian Girl carrying 56kg at $5.50. Trialled well against the older horses and can pull out a big run fresh. | |||
SHEZA ALIBI (14) makes her long-awaited return and looks primed to fire first-up following two impressive jump-outs.
The Moody & Coleman-trained mare could not have been more impressive when storming home to put a crack field away by 4.29 lengths in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile at the end of last preparation.
She was undefeated last campaign, which began with a win in the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes over this distance.
Luke Nolen knows her well and should give her every chance from the inside barrier.
Don’t forget to check out our complete Winx Stakes 2026 Betting Tips, Predictions & Favourites out now!
| 14. Sheza Alibi (1) J: Luke Nolen 56.5kg x111xT: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation by posting a big 4.5 len win at this track carrying 49kg in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m slow track defeating Autumn Boy at $1.90. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 2.25 len Caulfield G2 Armanasco February 21 over 1400m defeating Salty Pearl with 58.5kg at $1.50. Exciting mare who kicks off in a strong Winx, will need to be good from the rails draw. | |||
COLUMBIA BLUE (1) has been in superb form this preparation and should be cherry-ripe fourth-up.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding was beaten a whisker first-up before storming home to win in heavy conditions over this distance at Rosehill.
Last start over this course and distance, he settled further back than anticipated after a slow start and was then held up, but still hit the line strongly to miss by a neck.
Nash Rawiller won his only previous ride on him and returns to the saddle.
There looks to be good speed in the race, which will aid his chances.
| 1. Columbia Blue (10) J: Nash Rawiller 60.5kg 6×213T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run 3rd of 10 in a Cg&E Bm78 at this track on August 8 over 1200m, neck behind Exit Fee with 60kg at $3.70. The run before that came from midfield and won by 0.5 len at Rosehill on July 18 over 1200m in heavy going defeating Snack Bar with 57.5kg at $2.30. Had excuses last start and can finish much closer here. | |||
