Randwick hosts a blockbuster 10-race card this Saturday for The Everest Day. The $20 million Everest headlines the meeting, with the world’s best horse, Ka Ying Rising, back to defend his crown as a red-hot favourite.
Ceolwulf is chasing a third straight win in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes. Wonder mare Autumn Glow won’t make it easy.
The card also features the Group 2 Sydney Stakes, Group 3 St Leger Stakes, Angst Stakes and Reginald Allen Quality, plus the Listed Silver Eagle and The Kosciuszko.
The track sits at Heavy 8, with further showers forecast throughout the week. We’ll assess the track conditions, speed maps and key runners to find the main winning chances and betting opportunities.
Let’s dive into the form, find our strongest plays and make this Everest Day count.
MATIAS (6) resumes after a solid trial, where he cruised around and appeared to be working well within himself.
The Ryan and Alexiou-trained gelding had excuses when resuming last preparation but ran well two campaigns ago when finishing a close second over 1400m at Rosehill.
That race was on a rain-affected track, and his breeding suggests a heavy surface shouldn’t faze him.
Kerrin McEvoy can use barrier one to advantage and drive forward to settle in a prominent position.
| 6. Matias (1) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 53kg 831×4 T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months 4th of 10 in the G3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 18 over 1500m, 3.5 len behind Fully Lit carrying 54kg at $17. Previously second-up made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 12 in the G3 Carbine Club Stakes at this track on April 4 over 1600m, slow going nose behind Autumn Break with 58kg at $6.50. Underrated gelding set to peak with just the 53kg. | |||
SAFFRON VEIL (4) could arguably be unbeaten heading into the Reginald Allen Quality.
The Chris Waller-trained filly raced greenly when finishing a whisker second on debut, then was held up at Warwick Farm second-up before finishing a long neck away in second.
James McDonald rode her last start over 1250m at Canterbury, settling outside the lead before proving too strong in the run home.
She’s had a tick-over trial since that win, which should have brought her on nicely.
The rise in distance suits, and she should enjoy a nice run just off what looks like a strong speed.
| 4. Saffron Veil (7) J: James McDonald 56kg 221 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Form hard to fault. Comes here off a 31-day let-up. At the latest run favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.6 len in a 3yo Mdn at Canterbury on September 16 over 1250m defeating Affari with 57kg at $1.90. The start before that 2nd in a small field in a 3yo Bm64 at Warwick Farm on September 2 over 1200m, long-neck behind Sequinned carrying 55.5kg at $5.50. Progressing well in her first prep and deserves her chance here. | |||
UNLEESHING (8) is rarely far from the action, having finished outside the top three just twice in 13 starts.
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare stepped up to her preferred mile third-up here and found the line well to win by half a length.
She’s at peak fitness and follows a similar fourth-up path to last preparation, when she won over this course and distance with Jason Collett in the saddle.
Collett rides her again and can look to overcome the wide barrier by rolling forward and finding a position better than midfield in the Angst Stakes field.
| 8. Unleeshing (9) J: Jason Collett 54kg 2×221 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 0.5 len in a Bm94 at this track on October 3 over 1600m on a soft track defeating Polymnia with 52kg at $1.80. The race before that settled towards the rear 2nd of 11 in a Bm78 at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Night Agent with 58.5kg at $4. Key runner who makes plenty of appeal in this stronger race. | |||
KLONDIKE (3) surprised the market when returning from a 69-week spell in the Group 2 Kingston Town Stakes.
The O’Shea & Charlton-trained gelding didn’t have a great deal of room in the straight but worked home strongly to finish 2.97 lengths fifth.
He’s been given time to get over that run and has run well second-up in the past, including a win over 2790m at York.
Gun jockey Zac Lloyd takes the ride and should enjoy a decent speed.
| 3. Klondike (8) J: Zac Lloyd 57.5kg x06x5 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Second run back. First-up after about 18 months 5th of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m, 3 len behind The Euphrates carrying 56kg at $101. Previously second-up 6th of 12 in the G1 Doomben Cup on May 24 2025 over 2000m, 7 len behind Antino carrying 59kg at $101. Slashing return and looking for this trip now, respect. | |||
CHIDIAC (2) finished just under a length third in last year’s Kosciuszko and returns with stronger credentials.
In the 12 months since, the Brett and Georgie Cavanough-trained mare has won three of her five starts, including the Hawkesbury Crown.
Connections are playing to her strengths by bringing the daughter of Better Than Ready into this race fresh. She also boasts a perfect first-up record, with three wins from three starts.
She’s had two trials and should have taken plenty of benefit from her latest, where she won by more than three lengths.
The draw is a touch awkward, but James McDonald takes the ride for the first time.
| 2. Chidiac (10) J: James McDonald 58kg 1110x T: Brett & Georgie Cavanough | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation when last of 11 at this track in the LR Bob Charley Ao June 6 over 1100m, soft track; 4 len behind Wanaruah with 55kg at $6.50. Previous preparation first-up won by neck Muswellbrook H&Nw Champ March 8 over 1280m defeating Fingers Hunter carrying 55.5kg at $3.20. Ran third here last year and capable of a bold return. | |||
GRAFTERBURNERS (6) has performed better this preparation than his form guide figures suggest.
The Kelly Schweida-trained entire ran out of room when resuming in The Shorts and went to the line not fully tested, finishing eighth, beaten 1.79 lengths.
He again had trouble last start in the Premiere Stakes, where he was chopped out at the top of the straight by eventual winner Tempted. After regathering himself, he rocketed home to finish fourth, beaten 3.16 lengths.
He looks ready to peak third-up, and Nash Rawiller takes the ride for the first time.
From a good barrier, Rawiller should be able to give him an excellent run not far off the action.
| 6. Grafterburners (2) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 00×84 T: Kelly Schweida | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 8th of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at this track on September 19 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Mazu with 55kg at $26. Second run from a spell 4th of 12 in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m, slow going 3 len behind Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $41. Sharp sprinter expected to go close. | |||
A heavy track looks like the main obstacle standing between KA YING RISING (1) and back-to-back Everest wins.
The world’s best horse arrived in Australia in ripping form, resuming with a 7.75-length win in the Chief Executive’s Cup and breaking his own track record by just under a second.
He should be able to cross and lead from the wide draw, with third or fourth looking the worst-case scenario.
Trainer David Hayes has no concerns about his champion handling a wet track. Ka Ying Rising has won 21 races in a row, so why should we doubt him?
If you’re happy to take the short price or include him in a multi, that’s an option. Another way to approach the race is to back JIMMYSSTAR (2) for a place. He loves getting his toe in and rarely runs a bad race.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding finished third in The Everest last year and relished the addition of blinkers when winning the Manikato Stakes last start.
| 1. Ka Ying Rising (11) J: Zac Purton 58.5kg 111×1 T: David A Hayes | |||
| Second-up. Comes off a 41-day let-up. First-up after four months won by 7 len in the G3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin on September 6 over 1200m defeating Copartner Prance with 61kg. Previously second-up won by 1.2 len in a G1 The Everest at this track on October 18 over 1200m defeating Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $2. World’s best sprinter who can stamp his authority again. | |||
| 2. Jimmysstar (8) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 42×91 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 9th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 5 len behind Beiwacht carrying 59kg at $3.80. Last start settled well back; won by 0.8 len in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m defeating Extragalactic carrying 58.5kg at $6.50. Finished third here last year and appears to be going just as well. | |||
SKYHOOK (3) has returned in cracking form this preparation.
The Ryan and Alexiou-trained entire impressed first-up in the Theo Marks Stakes, finding the line strongly to win by 1.13 lengths.
He backed that up last start in the Shannon Stakes, leading all the way to score by 2.9 lengths.
He’s unbeaten in two starts on heavy tracks, including a 3.32-length win to finish last preparation in the Gunsynd Classic, where he overcame an outside barrier with ease.
Kerrin McEvoy can stalk Beiwacht and make his run late in the Silver Eagle.
| 3. Skyhook (5) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 57.5kg 21×11 T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up favourite; won by 1.2 len in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m defeating Magnatear carrying 56kg at $2. Last start favourite; won by 3 len in the G2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1500m defeating Estadio Mestalla with 58kg at $1.50. In career best form and makes plenty of appeal. | |||
AUTUMN GLOW (5) looks hard to beat in the King Charles III Stakes.
The Chris Waller-trained mare has been beaten only once in 14 starts, when tested over 2000m in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the end of last preparation.
It’s difficult to see her rivals turning the tables after they tried to take her on last start in the Sunrise Stakes over this course and distance. She put them away with ease.
Pride Of Jenni is in the field this time, so Autumn Glow may not have to lead as she did last start.
She’s at prohibitive odds, making a multi with Ka Ying Rising an option if you’re looking for an interest. Another approach is an exacta with Autumn Glow to win and CEOLWULF (1) to finish second.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding is a two-time King Charles winner, gets blinkers on and was excellent last start.
| 1. Ceolwulf (1) J: Chad Schofield 59kg x5232 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently 2nd of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 3 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind God’s Window with 59kg at $9.50. The race before that 3rd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $15. Ready to win and ticks plenty of boxes today. | |||
| 5. Autumn Glow (4) J: James McDonald 57kg 13×11 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up favourite; won by 1.4 len in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Sheza Alibi with 57kg at $1.70. Last start favourite; won by 1.3 len in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m defeating Aeliana carrying 57kg at $1.16. Champion mare who will need to be on her game. | |||
ERTIJAAJ (18) is a lightly raced import who has won three of her four Australian starts.
The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old returned in great order last start, letting down powerfully to win by 2.24 lengths over 1300m at Rosehill.
She should take further benefit from that run and won second-up last preparation in heavy conditions.
This is a stronger race, but she has plenty of upside and drops from 60.5kg to just 52kg.
She’s drawn well for Andrew Adkins and should enjoy a nice run on speed.
| 18. Ertijaaj (4) J: Andrew Adkins 52kg 115×1 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months came from midfield and won by 2.25 len in a F&M Bm72 at Rosehill on September 30 over 1300m defeating Titanium Miss with 60.5kg at $5.50. Previously second-up won by a nose in a 3&4yo Bm72 at Rosehill on May 30 over 1500m in heavy going defeating Island Dream with 54.5kg at $3.90. Big chance to make it back-to-back wins. Jumps a few grades and can get the job done again. | |||
Randwick Big Bets
The big bets are in for The Everest Day. See which runners are attracting attention at Randwick.