Racing
Before The First - Tracks, Facts & Tips for your punting day
Who wins the most open Golden Slipper in years? Will Autumn Glow maintain her unbeaten record? Does Aeliana finally get that deserved big-race win?
This is a snapshot of what is an exciting Golden Slipper program at Rosehill Gardens today.
The iconic race meeting boasts five Group 1 races and there are no fewer than 19 individual Group 1 winners competing on Slipper Day.
It is $7 the field for the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper (1200m) with the fillies Streisand and Chayan equal favourites.
McDonald, who rides $12 chance Fireball in the world's richest two-year-old race, is on the shortest favourites on the program with super mare Autumn Glow at $1.30 for the $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and Aeliana at $1.55 for the $1 million Ranvet Stakes (2000m).
The champion jockey goes to Rosehill on 128 career Group 1 wins and has Damien Oliver's all-time riding record of 129 Group 1 wins in his sights.
McDonald has good chances in all five Group 1 races for the Waller stable as the jockey and trainer aim for the two wins they need to break the record for most Group 1 wins for a jockey-trainer partnership set by the legendary George Moore and Tommy Smith of 54 wins together.
The Rosehill track surface was rated a soft 6 at 6.30am with the chance of an upgrade later this morning.
However, the forecast is not encouraging with showers likely at some stage during the afternoon.
If the rain doesn't arrive, the track could improve to near the good range.
There's also Group 1 racing at Caulfield with the $1 million William Reid Stakes (1200m).
The feature sprint has eight individual Group 1 winners in the field – as does the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill – with the Ciaron Maher-trained Jimmysstar, a noted first-up specialist, a firm $2.20 favourite.
Ch 7 host Bruce McAvaney joins Ray Thomas to preview a huge 2026 Golden Slipper Day
ROSEHILL GARDENSWeather: Warm, cloudy day with a high chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 27c.
Track: Soft (6)
Rail: 2m out
CAULFIELD
Weather: Mild, partly cloudy day with light winds and a forecast top temperature of 23c.
Track: Good (4)
Rail: True
EAGLE FARM
Weather: Warm, partly cloudy day with a high chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 29c.
Track: Soft (5)
Rail: 4.5m out
MORPHETTVILLE
Weather: Warm, sunny day with light winds and a forecast top temperature of 29c.
Track: Good (4)
Rail: 9m out from 1000m to the winning post, 6m out the remainder
ROSEHILL GARDENS
BEST BET: Pinito (r3 no2) was impressive second-up when she finished fast to win the Aspiration Quality over the Randwick 1600m course. A runner-up in the Queensland Oaks last season, Pinito will be even better suited going to 1900m today. James McDonald stays with the Godolphin mare and she is clearly the one to beat. Back her with confidence.
THE NEXT BEST: Inkaruna (r10 no10) was spelled after winning the Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield back in spring and then resumed with a close second to Beadman in the Fireball Stakes Inkaruna was third on the fence coming into the straight but was held up for a run, had to ease around the heels of the eventual winner and charged late to just miss. She ran a blinder first-up in defeat and can atone in the Rosehill closer.
VALUE BET: Spicy Miss (r8 no13) appeals as a good each way bet in a very open Golden Slipper. She has been a top two finisher in each of her three runs including her tough last start win in the Sweet Embrace Stakes. She's perfectly drawn, has the tactical speed to take full advantage of her favourable draw and will give a great sight. Spicy Miss was $21 earlier in the week but is into $12.
THE WHISPER: Briasa (r9 no1) is an outstanding sprinter who won the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes and Group 2 Premiere Stakes last year. The "Grey Flash" resumes off two brilliant trial wins and looks to be going as well as ever. Drawn wide and is going to need plenty of luck but he's a top class sprinter.
CAULFIELD
BEST BET: Planet Red (r9 no1) split Autumn Boy and Observer when a very good second in the Caulfield Guineas last spring before he was sent for a spell. He's had to contend with Observer in both the Autumn Stakes and Australian Guineas in two runs this campaign, closing late for second in both races. There's no Observer (or Autumn Boy) today and bad luck in running is Planet Red's only danger.
NEXT BEST: King Zephyr (r5 no4) is a talented sprinter with an impressive strike-rate of six wins (and three placings) from 10 starts. He was runner-up in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes over 1400m here at his most recent run back in October. King Zephyr resumes over 1200m off a barrier trial and jump-out, suited by the small field and goes very well fresh.
VALUE BET: Alpha Sofie (r6 no3) takes on Point Barrow in the Casboult Classic. This does look a race in two with Alpha Sofie out to $5 appealing as a value bet compared to Point Barrow at $2.79. Alpha Sofie had excuses last start but was impressive winning at stakes level over 1100m here two starts back. Talented filly and will be in this for a long way.
THE WHISPER: Angel Capital (r8 no4) has been very costly in recent starts but he's bursting to win a Group 1 race. He's had no luck in two runs back and should have won the Newmarket Handicap last start, finishing third to Caballus without being fully tested. Angel Capital has a race fitness edge over main rival Jimmysstar and gets his chance in the William Reid Stakes to finally break through at Group 1 level.
TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
ROSEHILL GARDENS
R1, Barrengarry $15 - $6.50, Bella Khadijah $15 - $10
R2, Mr Monaco $8 - $3.90
R3, Pinito $3.60 - $2.60, Maisy $26 - $12
R4, Skyhook $4.60 - $3.60, Nashville Jack $11 - $8.50, Regal Award $15 - $10
R5, Aeliana $1.80 - $1.55
R6, Autumn Boy $2.30 - $2.15, Observer $2.80 - $2.40
R7, Autumn Glow $1.25 - $1.30
R8, Streisand $9 - $7, Fireball $26 - $14, Zambales $26 - $15
R9, Briasa $6 - $5.50, Enriched $26 - $12
R10, Inkaruna $3 - $2.10
BIG BETS
ROSEHILL GARDENS
R2, Mr Monaco – $5000 at $5.50
R3, Pinito – $10,000 at $2.7-
R5, Aeliana – $10,000 at $1.65
R6, Observer – $5000 at $2.60
R7, Autumn Glow – $30,000 at $1.30
CAULFIELD
R7, Treasurethe Moment – $10,000 at $1.70
R8, Jimmysstar – $5000 at $2.25
LADBROKES BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
ROSEHILL GARDENS
R1, Barrengarry $12-$7, My Phar Lady $500 at $5
R2, Campaldino $5.50-$4.80 with a bet of $1000 at $5.50, Juja Kibo $4.20 at $3.90
R3, Pinito $1115 and $1000 at $2.80, Polymnia $715 at $8.75, Starphisticated $500 at $12, Maisy $15-$10
R4, Skyhook $4.60-$3.90 with bets of $1000 at $4.60, $570 at $4.50, $2500 at $4.15, $500 at $4.25, $665 at $4, $500 at $3.90
R5, Sir Delius $3.40-$3.20 with bets of $500 at $3.45, $885 and $600 at $3.40, $900 and $700 at $3.20, Linderman $1000 at $11.25, Aeliana $1.95-$1.65 after bets of $2000 at $1.95, $2300 and $2000 at $1.85, $4000 at $1.70, $4000 and $2000 at $1.65
R6, Observer $3-$2.70 with bets of $930 at $3, $2000 and $1055 at $2.95, $1000 at $2.85, $2500 at $2.70
R7, Headley Grange $500 at $31, Autumn Glow $10,000 at $1.40, $10,000, $4000 and $2500 at $1.30
R8, Fireball $34-$15 after bets of $1020, $1000 and $800 at $17, $1500 at $16, Closer To Free $15-$9 after bets of $180 at $12, $1500 at $9, Guest House $11-$9 with bets of $500 at $9.75, $500w/p at $9/$3.20, Warwoven $5000 w/p at $9/$3.20, Paradoxium $500 at $10, Stretan Ruler with bets of $1000 w/p at $17/$5, $500 at $15, Zambales $26-$16,Hidrix $51-$34 with a bet of $500 at $40 , Streisand $10-$8 with bets of $500 w/p at $7.50/$2.80), Spicy Miss $19-$12, Chayan $2000 and $1000 at$6, Pembrey $26-$19
R9, Briasa $6.50-$5.50 after bets of $1000 at $6.50, $1000 at $6, $500 at $5.50, Hedged $12-$10, Grafterburners $500 at $4.30
R10, Inkaruna $2.60-$2.30 after bets of $1500, $1300 and $1000 at $2.35, $1540 and $1000 twice at $2.30, Asgarda $500 at $23
CAULFIELD
R1, Ka Ying Cheer $3.20-$2.60 with a bet of $910 at $3.20), Wolfy $10-$6
R2, Mr Bannock $3.75-$3.60 after a $1000 wager at $3.75
R3, Rich On Bubbles $3.30-$2.45 with a bet of $1050 at $2.90
R4, Getta Good Feeling with bets of $1000 twice at $1.65, $3300 at $1.60
R5, Big Swinger $670 at $4, Verdoux $3.50-$2.25 after bets of $800 at $3.50, $910 at $3.20, $1000 twice at $3
R6 Point Barrow $2.80-$2.70 with a bet of $2500 at $2.80, Alpha Sophie $900 at $5, Bassett Babe $7-$5 with a bet of $335 at $7
R7, Treasurethe Moment $1.90-$1.75 after bets of $2100 at $1.90, $2350 twice, $1800, $1500 and $1000 thrice at $1.85, $2000 twice at $1.80
R8, Jimmysstar $2.80-$2.25 after bets of $4000 at $2.80, $4000, $2000 and $1430 at $2.40, $1780, $1250 twice and $1000 at $2.35, $1000 twice at $2.30, Jigsaw $10-$7 after a bet of $285 at $6.50, Angel Capital $650 at $12, Charm Stone $18-$13 with a bet of $120 at $18
R9, Planet Red with bets of $1000 at $1.95, $2225, $1650 and $1200 twice at $1.90, $2360, $2300, $2220 and $2150 at $1.85
R10, Porter $9-$6.50 with a bet of $250 at $9, Jackknife $4000 at $8.75
| Ray Thomas Rosehill Selections – Golden Slipper Day | ||||||||
| Race | No | Horse | 2nd | Horse | 3rd | Horse | 4th | Horse |
| 1 | 5 | MY PHAR LADY | 9 | Kingston Charm | 12 | Cosmic Avenger | 4 | Titanium Miss |
| 2 | 1 | CAMPALDINO | 4 | Travolta | 14 | Mr Monaco | 8 | Juja Kibo |
| 3 | 2 | PINITO | 8 | Starphistocated | 10 | Sun Gift | 6 | Movin Out |
| 4 | 1 | HIDDEN MOTIVE | 3 | Skyhook | 2 | Beadman | 6 | Wodeton |
| 5 | 4 | AELIANA | 1 | Sir Delius | 2 | Lindermann | 3 | Trinity College |
| 6 | 1 | OBSERVER | 2 | Autumn Boy | 6 | Federalist | 4 | Green Spaces |
| 7 | 8 | AUTUMN GLOW | 9 | Lady Shenandoah | 10 | Beiwacht | 2 | Pericles |
| 8 | 14 | CHAYAN | 13 | Spicy Miss | 6 | Stretan Ruler | 9 | Campione D'Italia |
| 9 | 1 | BRIASA | 8 | Marhoona | 14 | Grafterburners | 10 | Bridal Waltz |
| 10 | 10 | INKARUNA | 3 | Catch The Glory | 9 | Oui Oui Oui | 5 | Within The Law |
| Ray Thomas Caulfield Selections - William Reid Stakes Day | ||||||||
| Race | No | Horse | 2nd | Horse | 3rd | Horse | 4th | Horse |
| 1 | 6 | KA YING CHEER | 1 | Immortal Star | 2 | Sassy Boom | 5 | Charmed Run |
| 2 | 9 | MR BANNOCK | 4 | Bluestone | 1 | Flamin' Romans | 8 | Djockovic |
| 3 | 1 | RICH ON BUBBLES | 5 | Myrho's Ruler | 3 | Fawlty Affairs | 2 | Cyclotron |
| 4 | 2 | GETTA GOOD FEELING | 1 | Strictly Business | 4 | Next Jen | 5 | Morgana |
| 5 | 4 | KING ZEPHYR | 8 | Verdoux | 5 | Big Swinger | 2 | Meridius |
| 6 | 2 | POINT BARROW | 3 | Alpha Sofie | 4 | Expulsion | 10 | Vivid Sun |
| 7 | 1 | TREASURETHE MOMENT | 2 | Damask Rose | 7 | Philia | 4 | Too Darn Discreet |
| 8 | 4 | ANGEL CAPITAL | 1 | Jimmysstar | 9 | Charm Stone | 2 | Jigsaw |
| 9 | 1 | PLANET RED | 4 | Dad And Dave | 2 | Single Choice | 5 | Savisanta |
| 10 | 8 | WATERSPORTS | 15 | Enamorada | 7 | Jackknife | 10 | Tuang |
Eagle Farm r4 no6: About To Explode
Eagle Farm r8 no2: Celestial Blaze
Morphettville r2 no5: Miss Slipstream
Morphettville r4 no3: Bring Forth
PROVINCIAL MAIL
Kembla Grange r2 no4: Coulter
Kembla Grange r6 no3: Divine Secrets
#Good luck today and I hope you back plenty of winners
| LRVt7_Ym6UI |
| Ch 7 host Bruce McAvaney joins Ray Thomas to preview a huge 2026 Golden Slipper Day |
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