Tips and previews for racing at Randwick on Saturday

Ray Hickson

July 23, 2026 — 5:00pm

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Race 1: MARCELLIN COLLEGE RANDWICK HANDICAP (1100M)

5. Letters Patent has had the good grounding of two starts, including a handy debut behind Omolong and a Newcastle win, and that should set him up to run well in what is a solid end of season two-year-old field. Always in control last time outside the speed and handled the ground nicely. Should run well. 3. Scintillation led all the way to a popular debut win before ducking down to Melbourne for a group 3 placing in March. She showed good speed in both those runs and can make some use of the barrier to be prominent again. 12. Iced Fury is coming off a Wyong maiden win on debut but it was against older horses and she looked to have a bit in hand. This is harder but no surprise to see her measure up. 9. Half Pipe is another that brings an easy out of town win into this race, he accounted for four rivals at Muswellbrook by a handy margin. He was in the market on debut at Randwick in December and finished midfield. Keep safe.
How to play it: Letters Patent to win.

Race 2: TAB HIGHWAY PLATE (1800M)

11. Leovanni surprised a few when running down the favourite to win two weeks ago over the mile and she gets in better at the weights for what was a dominant performance. She tracked the runner-up into the straight and was edging away on the line with a good gap to third. On that she should relish the extra 200m and be hard to beat. 1. Moon Sweeper looked to have his chance sitting outside the leader and kicking before being run down in that race. Without a claim here he rises 3kg and while still well served under the conditions he has to lift. Was third in this last year. 8. Maples is unbeaten after three starts in the Hunter and two of those have been at 1700m, she was strong at the finish of the latest so the trip looks to suit. She has to take the step up to Highway grade but she’s hard to fault. 10. Hurry Miss was a real eye-catcher in a 1200m Highway first-up and she might not have handled the testing ground up in class two weeks back. Sharp jump in trip but can’t overlook.
How to play it: Leovanni each-way.

Race 3: STAND WITH JAI MIDWAY (1600M)

1. The Mona Lisa looks well-placed even though she’s creeping up in the weights on the back of her past few Midway efforts. Sitting shot for Perfect Justice last time after a tough run but was brave going down under half a length. Has a softer time in transit which will be a plus and is the one to get past. 11. All Star was a class 1 winner at Kembla Grange before stepping to midweek level and leaving the track wondering what might have been after he was badly held up at a vital stage. Recovered well to be beaten two lengths. Good chance. 4. Swift Legend has been scratched two weeks in a row due to heavy tracks so he hasn’t raced since a solid first-up effort at Warwick Farm a month ago. Wants the track to continue to dry out and he can be effective if it does. 2. Forbidden Riff had no luck with a wide run at Rosehill last time out and it wouldn’t surprise at all to see him improve sharply with a kinder run and drop to Midway level again. Each-way hope.
How to play it: The Mona Lisa to win.

Race 4: HAPPY RETIREMENT LYNNE MCLEAN HANDICAP (1300M)

2. Astronomix showed a new side to himself when he sat back and stormed down the middle at Canterbury to score impressively second-up from a break. He’d previously been on speed in his races so that versatility is handy. Drawn the outside again, might not be the worst thing with a bit of tempo engaged and with luck he can go close. 4. Sequista is looking for the track to improve further, she was scratched from the heavy last week, as her second to Hello Captain earlier in the month reads well for this race. 9. Lady Invictus will roll forward and she got the job done on a heavy track at Canterbury to make it two from three this preparation. Between those wins the form around Benevac looks pretty good and she’s in the mix. 1. Sanctified is back a notch in class after an even fourth at Rosehill where he was a solid favourite and looked to have his chance. He is racing well so he can be competitive.
How to play it: Astronomix to win.

Race 5: B \& K GROUP AUSTRALIA HANDICAP (1800M)

13. Horizons might have found a race where she can get a level of control on the speed after doing a lot of chasing over this course two weeks ago. Fought on well before that when leading and the improved track looks in her favour. Each-way chance. 1. Aroha Stone revelled in the conditions and produced a strong finish to score over 1400m in a big form reversal on her first two runs back. She has won up to a mile and if there’s enough juice in the track she can make an impact. 9. Satono Jasmine has charged through the grades with three wins at a mile from a Gosford maiden through to the Warwick Farm midweeks and done it on good and heavy tracks. Bred to appreciate the trip and has to be respected. 2. All Kinds Of Folk appreciated the heavy and the solid tempo when running over the top over this track and trip two weeks ago. Up 4.5kg which is the test for her.
How To Play It: Horizons each-way.

Race 6: ATC THANK YOU STABLE STAFF HANDICAP (1800M)

8. Perfect Justice comes out of Midway grade but appears to have landed in a race that will suit his style. He likes to build into his races, which he was able to do last time tracking the runner-up and being too strong late. Ready for the extra ground, conditions are ideal and he should run well. 3. Sly Boots produced an eye-catcher two runs back on a soft 5 in a race that has held up which was run in conditions he doesn’t relish. So he’s performed well to run third. Close to a win and his chances improve with the track condition. 11. Trapalanda had a hard luck story to tell second-up when in the market at Canterbury. No run opened for him. This is a little harder but gets weight relief. 12. Existential Bob has been around the mark and was ridden off speed when third behind All Kinds Of Folk. Each-way chance again.
How To Play It: Perfect Justice to win.

Race 7: SYDNEY ROOSTERS PARTNERS HANDICAP (1100M)

1. Benevac was aided by a number of scratchings two weeks ago but he always looked in control leading over this track and distance, atoning for a couple of close calls. Rises 2kg and if the inside is holding up the draw is ideal, if it isn’t, gate three is handy. Can repeat. 9. Sir Les was impressive winning his first two starts out of town before having to work overtime to find the lead at Rosehill two months ago. He had to weaken and to be only beaten a length was brave. 10. Zoufame was no match for Benevac when they met last time though he does have a 2.5kg swing a track away from the heavy range. Promising enough and worth another chance. 6. Oakfield Neptune is building a good record this preparation on her home track and is worth a look at something tougher after an easy win under 60kg a month ago.
How To Play It: Benevac to win.

Race 8: ATC THANK YOU TRAINERS HANDICAP (1600M)

Must give 3. Lugh another chance, potentially he was a half a run short last time when a solid favourite over the 1400m. He rallied strongly late suggesting the mile is what he’s wanting and don’t mind that he’s drawn out a bit. Ran third in the Big Dance at his last run over the track and trip and a repeat would be good enough. 10. Narbold is looking dangerous with James McDonald on board having run on nicely for third in the same race. He was back 100m in trip there too. Has a great mile record and should be in the finish. 15. Seven’s was gutsy in defeat after working hard two weeks ago and comes back down in the weights. He was competitive in this class two runs back, only query is whether it’ll be heavy enough for him. 4. Mickey’s Medal overcame the outside barrier to score nicely in the 1400m event a fortnight ago. Claim offsets the weight rise and if he can hold his form he’s a chance.
How To Play It: Lugh to win.

Race 9: ELITE SAND AND SOIL HANDICAP (1100M)

5. Ice Kool goes on top in what is an interesting test for this promising sprinter. Saved from Rosehill last week so doesn’t have the luxury of the light weight but where he’s drawn might be gold by this time of the meeting, if last year is any guide. He’s done nothing wrong, showed fight last time off a tough run. Hard to beat. 12. Big Red Tequila can’t be undersold, she has form around Ice Kool from her two runs before she scored nicely at Rosehill three weeks ago. Has a slight weight advantage and looks a danger. 6. Hawker Hall is a speedy type who has trialled up pleasingly in the lead up to his first-up run. McDonald rode him to his last win at the Gold Coast and if he happens to find the front he could take catching. 2. Torque To Be Sure is an intriguing runner. That wide gate may be of no consequence and his Queensland summer form reads nicely. Check betting.
How To Play It: Ice Kool to win.

Race 10: ATC THANK YOU OWNERS HANDICAP (1300M)

4. Smashing Time is putting it all together and though 61kg and gate 14 looks ordinary we are talking the last race and he’s a horse that makes his own luck. So if they need to be off the fence he can be there, and if not, he can cross to the rails. Likely finds the front either way and back in grade after being run down by Dark Glitter. 9. So You Pence has had a couple of false starts since her win in the Barn Dance last November but she’s a well above average mare that should be competitive fresh. Drawn okay, a soft track is ideal and while she’s entitled to improve, a win isn’t out of the question. 2. Sir Artie isn’t far off a win and if the race pans out in his favour he can run into the finish. Has tended to get a bit far back of late but that wide gate may not be an issue. 13. Silvanito is rarely too far away and comes off a solid win at Rosehill three weeks ago. No harder here and while up 2kg he can be expected to run a handy race.
How To Play It: Smashing Time to win.

Supplied by Racing NSW

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