Mad Monday: Epsom Day

How The Track Played?

Once again, we saw an outstanding track present at Randwick. rail true, good 4 surface is the fairest track in Sydney – it played well throughout the meeting and allowed punters to bet with confidence.

Moment Of The Day: Autumn Glow Shines Bright in Breakthrough Group 1 Epsom Win
Autumn Glow confirmed herself as a star with a brilliant win in Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick, extending her unbeaten record to seven. Overcoming barrier 14, a rise to the mile, and even losing a shoe mid-race, the Chris Waller-trained mare showed her class and tactical versatility to surge past her rivals under Kerrin McEvoy and score by over a length. It marked her first Group 1 triumph and stamped her as one of the most exciting prospects in the country.

She again hit her customary flat spot at the top of the straight before surging away late — and the further they went, the easier the watch became for punters. The stable has confirmed she won’t have an over-taxing spring, with the Golden Eagle likely to be her next and final start of the prep.

She currently sits as a $2.75 favourite for the Golden Eagle and is clearly the horse to beat.

A Shooting Star – Race 2 #6 Incognito – Michael Freedman

The colt - by Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside, whom Freedman himself trained — surged late to edge out I’m Ya Huckleberry by half a length, with Revengeance close behind in third. Incognito stopped the clock at 57.31 seconds, a time faster than Shiki’s Gimcrack Stakes win later on the card.

Freedman acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment, saying, “To win it with a son of a colt we trained to win the Golden Slipper is an extra big thrill.”

Following Marhoona’s Listed Heritage Stakes win and Manaal’s Group 2 Golden Pendant victory, Incognito’s Group 3 success further cements Freedman’s reputation - not just as a master of fillies and mares, but now as a serious force in juvenile and colt ranks as well.

Talent Scout: R3 #10 Shiki

Shiki announced herself as a filly of immense promise with a gutsy all-the-way victory in the Group 3 Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick. The daughter of Too Darn Hot jumped quickly, controlled the race from the front, and showed enormous determination to hold off late challengers, stopping the clock at a slick 57.54 seconds. Trainer duo Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott praised her natural brilliance, noting she’s still learning but already showing the toughness and talent of a top-class filly. Jockey Tim Clark labelled her “really brave,” impressed by both her professionalism and will to win.

A filly we will monitor throughout the 2yo ranks.

The Flashing Light

R5 – Idle Flyer: Heavily backed into $2.60 coming off a smart last-start win. She rose to 1600m and enjoyed a good run in transit but was no match for a dominant Perfumist. The big gap back to third and the high-rating race suggest she’ll be hard to beat next start.

R8 – Pericles: He is absolutely flying under the care of the Baker yard. He trucked up behind Autumn Glow before letting down well. He finished third but definitely has another win in him this prep.

R10 – Beauty Charge: Started $41 but ran an outstanding first-up race on his Australian debut. The ex-Hong Kong galloper sat on speed before ripping through his gears late. Second up, he’ll be very hard to beat.

“They” Knew - Punters Go The Cash

R6 – Apocalyptic: She sat around the $1.90 mark all week before the punters stepped in late, Apocalyptic Sat around the $1.90 mark all week before the punters stepped in late, firming into $1.55 and winning with ease. Smart filly.

R8 – Autumn Glow: Drawing gate 14 of 14 saw Autumn Glow drift to $2.40 before the money came again late — she started odds-on and delivered. $2.40 into $1.70 from Friday afternoon.

R9 – Royal Supremacy: $10 into $7 late — and the punters did know. Perfectly ridden by Robbie Dolan, who added another Group 1 to the tally.

They Left It In The Bag

R2 – I’m Ya Huckleberry: $3.20 into $2.70 late. He got every possible chance in transit but found one better with Incognito running over the top late. Next time out, look for fitness to improve.

R6 – Idle Flyer: Backed late from $2.90 into $2.60 to start favourite, Idle Flyer looked well placed throughout before Perfumist absolutely torched them. Still, Idle Flyer finished strong to the line..

R7 – Jimmysstar: Market opened at $3.80, backed into a $3.00 2^nd favorite come the jump. May have left his run a little too late, flew down the outside in eye catching fashion to try run down Briasa, a narrow 2^nd.

What You May Have Missed?

Private Harry was found to be lame in the near foreleg after his run in the Premiere Stakes. Trainer Nathan Doyle has confirmed he has been ruled out for the remainder of the Spring Racing, Which has ruled him out of a crack at the Everest. Private Harry will now undergo further veterinary assessment.

Jedibeel locked in for The Everest.
The Mulberry-owned galloper will run for their slot, and as you could imagine, there were plenty of opinions about this. Is he in the top 12 sprinters in the land? No. But as a business decision, it looks the right one for Mulberry Racing, who own the horse.

Queen Of Clubs pulls up with Cardiac Arrythmia.

The 3yo filly was an eye-catcher in the Tea Rose and looked well placed stepping up to 1600m but pulled up with an issue. She went around as a $10 shot and may come up at juicy odds next time out to bounce back sharply.

Social Media Sin Bin?

This punter has copped 10 minutes in the bin after an outfit issue struck at a crucial stage as he went to lob into the Flemington grandstand. It could’ve been a wad of cash pulling his pants down, but we’ll wait for the stewards’ report to confirm