We’re back to Royal Randwick on Saturday for a bumper 10-race card for 2026 Surf To Turf Day, headlined by the $1 million 7 Stakes over the mile.
The Group 2 Kingston Town and Tea Rose Stakes help make up the bulk of the program, coinciding with dual Group 1s on Underwood Stakes Day in Melbourne.
Some rain during the week has the track rated a Soft 5 with the chance of an upgrade, while the rail remains out 6m.
For race analysis and our best bets, we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you in our Surf to Turf Day Tips & Preview!
IMPENDOR (3) is an honest type who typically puts his best foot forward first-up from a spell.
Matthew Dunn’s gelding ran second in a similar Highway race here over the track and distance last November, wrapping up the summer finishing just outside the money at Ipswich against his own sex over slightly further.
He was sent to the paddock and has been off the scene going on 12 months, so you could argue he might need the run. Even so, he’s got the runs on the board to suggest he can be competitive with two solid trials leading into his return.
| 3. Impendor (6) 59.5kg4x24x |
BARRENGARRY (2) figures to have strong support as the favourite after dominating his rivals over 1400m in a similar Midway contest last time out.
This lightly-raced four-year-old barreled home down the outside to win by three-quarters of a length, showing plenty of late acceleration all the way through the line.
Off that, the rise to the mile poses no issues and with an identical gate at his disposal, Zac Lloyd just needs to keep him close enough in running.
| 2. Barrengarry (8) 60.5kg115×1 |
DECLICHY BOULEVARD (1) is the pick here on class and recent form.
A multiple Stakes placegetter, this Snitzel mare worked home well in the Goulburn Cup fresh from a spell, finishing a length third to Just Party after setting up in behind the speed.
James McDonald has some experience in the saddle and from another soft gate, she should be rolling to the front again and looking to make her presence felt.
| 1. Declichy Boulevard (5) 59.5kgx15x3 |
UNLEESHING (7) should have her fair share of admirers here second-up.
She’s always been a mare capable of running an honest race, and that was again the case first-up over 1200m when she held up and forced to shift out midway down the straight, eventually running on impressively into second.
Another handy gate is the key to her chances on Saturday, and we’ve seen her run some nice races over these middle-distance trips in the past.
| 7. Unleeshing (2) 58.5kg152×2 |
MATCHA LATTE (10) has claims in a very open and competitive edition of the Bill Ritchie Handicap over the 1400m trip.
We’ve seen the son to Maurice come out and win similar races like this right through his career, notably winning the Provincial Championship Qualifier at Hawkesbury last time in work.
I thought he stuck on well here fresh a few weeks ago when contesting the Show County Quality for third, and he’s typically been a horse that improves second-up over longer. With fitness and Ashley Morgan carrying only 53kg, he has to be taken seriously.
| 10. Matcha Latte (1) 53kg613×3 |
JUJA KIBO (12) likely has bigger races than this in her future if she takes care of business on Saturday.
Ciaron Maher’s gelding is a Group 1 placegetter ready to take the next step coming off a solid effort for third in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury fresh off a spell last month.
The Irish import angled into the clear down the centre of the straight and stuck on well for third and has since been given a nice soft trial between runs to prepare him for this rise in trip.
Fitter, down at the weights, and drawn perfectly, he has to be considered a key chance.
| 12. Juja Kibo (2) 55kg339×3 |
STRIKING ALIBI (3) was first-up in the Furious Stakes and hands down one of the runs of the race.
The Perth filly came storming home for third in behind Bangkok Hottie and Chilly Girl, indicating that she’s in for a big prep and likely looking for longer.
James McDonald takes over now second-up, and she maps to get a dream run off the speed from barrier 5 this time.
| 3. Striking Alibi (4) 56kg10×3 |
AUTUMN GLOW (4) is the obvious on-topper coming off a breathtaking win over the Winx Stakes first-up.
Assuming Lindermann and Lady Shenandoah accept in Melbourne, which leaves a very thin Seven Stakes field and few Same Race Multi opportunities.
That said, GRINGOTTS (4) was outstanding fresh in the Winx Stakes running on well for third, while CEOLWULF (5) has the class to match. Those three to fill the Top 3 is the way I’m playing it.
Same Race Multi
- Autumn Glow (Win)
- Gringotts (Top 2)
- Ceolwulf (Top 3)
| 4. Autumn Glow (1) 57kg113×1 | ||
| 1. Ceolwulf (5) 59kg66×52 | ||
| 2. Gringotts (4) 59kg924×3 |
More than happy to take the price here for JOLIESTAR (2) in The Shorts 2026 betting.
This multiple Group 1 winning mare is having her first run back since contesting the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, where she certainly lost no admirers running third.
Chris Waller has given her two soft trials between runs and on pure class, she looks to have a bit on these.
| 2. Joliestar (10) 56kg11x3x |
ICE KOOL (5) resumes for David Pfieffer having last raced over the track and distance here in June where he was the beaten favourite in the end.
A wide run in transit cost him after driving forward to land on the speed, but he’s well-deserving of a mulligan after winning back-to-back starts here over shorter prior.
He made short work of his rivals leading all the way to win a recent trial, and if Jay Ford can offset the wide gate early and land on the speed, he’ll be one of the hardest to catch.
| 5. Ice Kool (8) 59kg7×114 |