Tips and race-by-race preview for Randwick on Saturday

1 month ago 4

By Ray Hickson

January 22, 2026 — 5.00pm

Race 1: 12:35PM KIA ORA BLOODLINES TO HEADLINES HANDICAP (1000M)

2. Zambales is a very interesting colt on debut, he’s a half-brother to TAB Everest runner-up Tempted, and there’s been a bit to like about his trials. In his latest he sat up outside the leader and wore it down to win. If there’s a concern it’s staying at the 1000m after a trial over a similar trip but he’ll get his chance from the inside gate. 7. Home And Dry is out of a smart mare called Invictus Salute who won six races including a stakes. This filly did everything right in her latest trial win last week and given the stable’s handling of youngsters she’s a threat. 5. Caloocan Beauty has been handy in both trials, run down late by Profitabelle in the latest of them. Imagine she’ll be on speed and worth keeping safe. Stablemates 9. Miss Scandal and 11. Sequinned chased Home And Dry in their latest trial. Both drawn out but it’s a fair starting point and wouldn’t want to leave them out.
How to play it: Zambales WIN.

Racing is back on at Randwick on Saturday.

Race 2: 1:10PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1600M)

Might be a good chance for 9. Kingston Charm to break through in an open Midway. She’s rarely far away and finished alongside subsequent winner Oakfield Saturn two starts back over this course before a luckless seventh at Warwick Farm. Ideally suited if the breaks can go her way. 10. Tenbury Wells is doing a fair amount of threatening with close up fourths at his past two starts from back in the field. He’s shown an ability to be handy previously which may be an option from the wide gate. Gets another chance. 7. Artful Persuasion was midfield in the Midway here on December 20 when in the market then loomed at Kembla Grange last time in third. Draws down and down 2kg so he can be competitive. 3. Dumebi was a solid winner of the Narooma Cup before he started favourite in the Moruya Cup and was beaten two lengths in fourth. He’s racing well and no reason why he couldn’t show up.
How to play it: Kingston Charm EACH-WAY.

Race 3: 1:45PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200M)

10. Kingdom Underseige makes his Highway debut having won three of his four starts for Matt Dunn including a couple of pretty soft wins on end at Murwillumbah and Lismore. Lands in a competitive Highway but draws to effect and when the stable brings one down it’s usually a target. 11. Show ’Em Howl hasn’t raced since a close second in a 1400m Highway in September and is getting ready for the Country Championships. Rarely runs a bad race and versatile as far as racing pattern goes. Should do well. 15. Micro Mikki ran a nice race when resuming behind Cougars in a Highway almost a month ago. Tracked wide with cover and found the line well beaten under a length. Draw is more favourable and he’s an each-way chance. 8. Beaumista was a bit unlucky not to win the Highway at Wyong two weeks ago but regardless his effort to charge down the outside and just miss was excellent. If he can hold form, he’s one of the chances.
How to play it: Kingdom Underseige WIN.

Race 4: 2:20PM JONESWAY FABRICATIONS HANDICAP (1400M)

Have to stay with 8. Bella Corazon and hope she can get the start right this time. It’s cost her in her last couple but she’s still run well, particularly at Wyong in this grade as she sailed into third from back at the tail. When she won three back she landed on the back of the speed and if she can do that here she’ll go close. 1. Pretty Powerful was a first-up winner at this trip before going up in class and 100m for a battling third behind Alabama Fox. With the claim he’ll carry the same weight and promises to get a nice run. One of the major hopes. 5. Cinsault was sent out favourite over this track and distance three weeks ago and was arguably a bit disappointing in fourth. Back a notch in grade and if she finds a good run from the wide gate she’s a winning chance. 4. Loving scored a confidence booster in lesser grade second-up then led and weakened into fourth at Wyong. There’s a chance he could get some control in this and could bounce back.
How to play it: Bella Corazon WIN.

Race 5: 2:55PM CHANDON HANDICAP (2000M)

6. Sounds Unusual is ready to win now after three runs back and he was just found out when up 500m in trip at Wyong as the sprint went on. He was left flat-footed but picked up again to run into second. Hopefully the flat spot doesn’t get him this time but the bigger track will give him the chance to get through it. If all goes well this looks perfect for him. 1. Townsend will be fitter for his first-up run in The Lakes at Wyong and getting out in distance will be a plus. He’s right down in class on what he’s been taking on so expect him to be a big improver. 2. Elliptical has put two good runs together with placings at Randwick and Wyong behind Unlimited. This is no harder than last time and he should be around the mark again. 11. Trapalanda has been collecting second placings in Victoria and was a beaten favourite at Flemington over 2000m two weeks ago. Right down in the weights and given his honesty he’s in the mix.
How to play it: Sounds Unusual WIN.

Race 6: 3:30PM RACING AND SPORTS HANDICAP (1200M)

It’s a bit of a risk but 1. Gatsby’s did enough at his first run for the new stable to suggest he could be on the way back to form. He drew the outside and went back to last but made some good ground in what’s been a nice form race so far from three weeks back. Up 100m and draws a lot kinder, he has the chance to show something. 3. Bundeena has the wide gate to deal with but he’s been putting himself on the speed of late and probably looks to do that again. Game effort over this course a month ago and has a case. 4. Applaud comes back to the 1200m after a couple of close up efforts over a little further. Swept home from the back on soft going to win first-up at Kembla Grange and if there’s enough speed on he could repeat that. 11. Highway Strip is a real enigma. He’s talented, a close second to Clear Thinking shows that, but he’s not been helping himself with his racing manners. If he puts his best foot forward this is very winnable but have to take him on trust.
How to play it: Gatsby’s EACH-WAY.

Race 7: 4:05PM IRRESISTIBLE POOLS AND SPAS HANDICAP (1600M)

6. Welcometotheshow has one thing on his side that rivals don’t: a string of strong wins. Impressive last time over the Flemington mile, so Randwick shouldn’t bother him, he can race off the speed in the small field and there’s no reason why his winning run couldn’t continue. 3. Sun God is a threat. He left it a bit late in The Lakes but ran well for fourth and didn’t have a lot of luck the start before. 7. Rolling Magic is the likely leader and he fought on well while no match for Alabama Fox after leading three weeks ago. Nowra Cup winner at the mile prior and if he’s allowed to dictate he can take catching. 2. Hellsing didn’t run a bad second-up race despite only beating a couple home behind Cool Jakey last time and shapes as though the step up in trip will suit.
How to play it: Welcometotheshow WIN.

Welcometotheshow on its way to another victory.

Race 8: 4:45PM SCHWEPPES CARRINGTON STAKES (1400M)

All eyes on how 5. Whinchat gets away from the stalls. If he handles it all professionally he’ll land in a powerful position either in the lead or right on the speed. He did it well to score an overdue win at Wyong two weeks ago, getting control and running fast over the 1350m. The one to beat. 1. Sandpaper will find himself in a nice spot just off the speed and he wasn’t disgraced in the Buffering at Eagle Farm last time. A repeat of a close second to Know Thyself over this track and distance two runs ago has him a major player. 3. Matcha Latte resumes from a decent break but he’s such an honest horse you can expect him to run well even if he’s in need of the hit out. Won the Provincial-Midway Championships in April and well worth keeping an eye on. 9. Green Fly is often a knockout type, he has a dynamic finish on him and did win fresh last preparation. His form after was mixed but he goes in an each-way hope.
How to play it: Whinchat WIN.

Race 9: 5:20PM SPELLING AT COOLMORE MT WHITE HANDICAP (1200M)

3. Candlewick has always shown potential and her effort at her first run for the new stable was promising. The form out of the race is good, the winner has run very well since, and she should be suited going to the 1200m. Draws ideally, Zac Lloyd knows her well and should be hard to beat. 5. Super Norwest was so dominant in winning a similar sort of race a month ago and the form out of it has been good with the second and third horses winning since. Just up that little bit in weight but if the same horse turns up she’s a big chance. 11. Beside The Ocean overcame trouble to win over 1000m at this track fresh then not disgraced despite starting favourite in a close fourth at Wyong two weeks ago. Back to Randwick and up another 100m helps and she’s in the mix. 7. Thames is a big watch at her first run for the Portelli stable since placing in a Listed race at Scone in May. Fitter for a recent trial win and she’ll improve on whatever she does.
How to play it: Candlewick WIN.

Race 10: 5:55PM TAB HANDICAP (1400M)

No reason to jump off 2. Althoff at a track and trip that is made for him. Ran right up to his first two runs over 1200m when scoring at Wyong two weeks ago and he was pretty strong at the finish there too. At his peak, carries 1kg less with the claim and if he gets a crack at the right time will be hard to stop. 4. Captain Furai was meant to contest that Wyong race first-up but was a late scratching so he’s resuming with another trial. A better wet tracker but he’s pretty honest and any support would be a push. 3. Puntin was a bit disappointing when resuming in that Wyong race but he’s better than that and no surprise to see him improve. Unbeaten second-up and if he can overcome the alley he’s a chance. 5. Interjection was too good when running on from midfield to win over this course a month ago and his form ties with Althoff a bit. Likely needs a run on pattern or genuine tempo but not leaving him out.
How to play it: Althoff WIN.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au