Our 2026 Epsom Handicap Day Tips & Preview covers a 10-race Randwick card packed with feature races. The Group 1 Epsom Handicap and Flight Stakes headline the program, with the Group 2 The Metropolitan and Premiere Stakes also on the card.
The Group 3 Breeders’ Plate and Gimcrack Stakes, plus the Listed Dulcify Stakes, add further depth. The rail is in the true position, and the track is rated a Soft 5. Heavy showers are forecast on Friday and race day, so keep an eye on the track conditions.
Ceolwulf returns after winning the Epsom Handicap in 2024 and finishing sixth last year. Autumn Boy and undefeated Kiwi mare Well Written head the market.
Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and betting opportunities across the card.
Let’s work through the meeting and find a few winners.
COLUMBUS (1) relished the step up in distance for the first time at Kensington last start.
The Les Bridge-trained gelding settled at the tail of the field after drawing the outside barrier, then circled the field on the turn and let down powerfully to win by 1.24 lengths.
He’s at peak fitness and retains the services of James McDonald.
There looks to be solid speed in the race, which should aid his chances and allow ‘J Mac’ to settle midfield or slightly better.
| 1. Columbus (5) J: James McDonald 60kg x1521 T: Les Bridge |
NONU (8) is among the first crop of Anamoe two-year-olds to head to the races, and he looks to have inherited some of his father’s ability.
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt impressed in a recent 850m Kensington trial. He jumped well to share the lead before effortlessly putting his rivals away for a 3.54-length win in good time.
He’s drawn well for Jason Collett, who can take advantage and either lead or box-seat.
| 8. Nonu (3) J: Jason Collett 56kg T: Bjorn Baker |
SHEZABLAZE (10) looks to have been well educated and ready for her debut in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes.
The Peter Snowden-trained filly jumped well in her Kensington trial to share the lead before dashing clear to easily win by 2.86 lengths.
She looked to have another gear which bodes well.
An outside barrier isn’t ideal, but she possesses good early speed so Andrew Adkins should be able to slide across and find a spot with cover.
| 12. Shezablaze (9) J: Andrew Adkins 56kg T: Peter Snowden |
GENESIS RUNNER (1) looks set to peak third-up in the Listed Dulcify Stakes.
The Richard and Will Freedman-trained colt caught the eye first-up, flashing home to finish three-quarters of a length second in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes.
He didn’t enjoy the clearest of runs last start in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality, where he was tightened for room on several occasions. Despite that, he worked to the line strongly to finish just over a length fourth.
The rise to a mile looks ideal, and he should enjoy a great run stalking the leaders for Chad Schofield.
| 1. Genesis Runner (4) J: Chad Schofield 56.5kg 41×24 T: Richard & Will Freedman |
They say you should stick with mares in form, and there would be few in better form than THE MONA LISA (9), who is aiming for her fourth consecutive win.
The Paul and Martha Caved-trained daughter of Under The Louvre showed plenty of heart to claim a head victory in this class over the course and distance last start.
That was her fifth win from six starts over the track and trip.
She’s drawn a touch awkwardly, but Andrew Calder knows her well and should be able to slide across and find cover midfield.
| 9. The Mona Lisa (10) J: Andrew Calder 57kg 12111 T: Paul & Martha Cave |
STRIKING ALIBI (2) gives every indication that the 1600m of the Group 1 Flight Stakes is what she’s looking for.
The Chris Waller-trained filly began awkwardly and was bumped leaving the gates last start in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes over 1400m here, which saw her settle near the tail of the field.
She was then shuffled back to last before the turn and held up. To her credit, she weaved through the field to record the race’s quickest final 600m and finish three-quarters of a length second to Bangkok Hottie.
That effort suggests the rise to a mile third-up is ideal.
She’s drawn well for James McDonald, who should be able to settle her on speed in the small field.
| 2. Striking Alibi (2) J: James McDonald 56kg 10×32 T: Chris Waller |
AETHELWULF (7) could be a potential staying star as he chases his fifth consecutive win.
The Matthew Smith-trained gelding has progressed nicely through the grades, winning a Class 1 Handicap by 6.5 lengths four starts ago before tackling his toughest test last start in the Group 3 Newcastle Cup.
The four-year-old made light work of that challenge, taking the lead in the back straight before dashing clear to win the 2300m contest by 2.47 lengths.
Zac Lloyd has been in the saddle for all four wins and can give him another sweet ride from the good draw.
| 7. Aethelwulf (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 51111 T: Matthew Smith |
AUTUMN BOY (3) returns to Sydney after chasing home the supremely talented Sheza Alibi in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.
The Chris Waller-trained entire gave a good account of himself, working home strongly from well back to finish 2.75 lengths second.
He has raced over a mile four times, with his only defeats coming at the hands of Sheza Alibi. As well as last start, he finished runner-up to her in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile and Group 1 Randwick Guineas.
The son of The Autumn Sun is unbeaten third-up. He won the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas over this distance and the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas over 2000m last preparation.
James McDonald can give him the run of the race from the inside gate.
| 3. Autumn Boy (1) J: James McDonald 55.5kg 12×82 T: Chris Waller |
TEMPTED (10) returned in super order in the Group 2 Concorde Stakes last start and once again looks well placed.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare showed her customary turn of foot to put her rivals away by a neck.
She looked sharp in a recent trial, which should have brought her on nicely for her second-up run.
The rise to six furlongs is ideal. She has won four of five starts over this course and distance, with her only defeat a second to the world’s best horse, Ka Ying Rising.
They should go hard in front, giving her the chance to unwind and run over the top of them.
| 10. Tempted (10) J: Chad Schofield 56.5kg 111×1 T: Ciaron Maher |
THEBLADE (13) sliced through his rivals when resuming over this distance at Rosehill last start.
The Team Hawkes-trained gelding settled outside the lead before sprinting strongly to win by 2.06 lengths.
He’ll strip fitter and has won his only previous start at the track, over 1400m in December last year.
Barriers will be crucial in this large field, and he’s drawn well in five. Tyler Schiller should be able to lead or settle close to the speed.
| 13. Theblade (4) J: Tyler Schiller 55.5kg 771×1 T: M, W & J Hawkes |
Randwick Big Bets
Following the money at Randwick? We’ve got the big bets covered for Saturday’s Epsom Handicap Day meeting.