The Road to The Everest Heats Up at Randwick This Saturday.

 The road to the world’s richest race on turf is rarely straightforward and with only four of the twelve Everest slots filled, the race to secure a place in the $20 million showdown is about to intensify. This Saturday, Sydney’s Royal Randwick hosts the $1 million Group 3 Concorde Stakes, a key stepping stone for sprinting hopefuls eyeing a spot in The Everest.

 

All eyes will be on the brilliant four-year-old mare Lady Shenandoah from the powerhouse combination of Chris Waller and world number one jockey James McDonald. While the 1000m trip may be short of her ideal distance, she arrives off three sharp trials and will be primed to extend her five-race win streak which already includes two Group 1 victories. Standing in her way is the ultra-consistent Headwall, trained by Matthew Smith and ridden by rising star Zac Lloyd. Headwall has proven himself at the highest level with multiple Group 1 placings, including a gritty third in the T.J. Smith Stakes during The Championships in April. He’s a serious contender, ready to test the mare’s credentials. The Concorde will also serve as a launchpad for emerging talents aiming to break into Australia’s elite sprinting ranks. Lightly raced prospects like In Flight and New York Lustre will be looking to announce themselves on the big stage and a bold performance here could open the door to even bigger targets this spring. SKY Racing’s Brad Gray has taken a deep dive into the feature race in his preview alongside Sam Phillips, available here.

 

The Concorde is just the beginning of what promises to be a blockbuster day at Randwick, with three quality Group 2 contests rounding out a program that’s sure to shape the spring narrative. In the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes, former North American Group 1 winner Full Count Felicia finds a very suitable assignment as she looks to make her mark on Australian soil. She’ll face stiff opposition from Ceolwulf, who’s looking to return to the winner’s stall, and Vauban, a proven Group 1 performer across multiple continents. The ever-popular Private Eye headlines the Group 2 Tramway Stakes over 1400m, where he looks the one to beat. He’ll be challenged by the returning New Zealand Derby winner Willydoit, who kicks off his campaign with lofty goals ahead. Meanwhile, the Group 2 Furious Stakes for three-year-old fillies presents a wide-open affair, with potential Golden Rose implications just three weeks out from that major clash.

 

It’s shaping up to be a sensational day of racing at Randwick this Saturday, one that will have major ramifications not only for The Everest, but for several of spring’s biggest features. All Mosley from SKY Racing was out at trackwork this week for the latest on all the Sydney Spring contenders, available here.

 

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Kempton and Royal Ascot (UK) – 5 September 2025

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a highly competitive card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening and punters will need to study carefully. The flip side is, if you get it right there is money to be made as juicy dividends are likely.

One of the better best could come in the card opener where Mark Dixon saddles Master Du Rouvray. The gelding made a cracking reappearance after a lengthy break when touched off by the strong favourite Mohave Prince over course and distance last time out with the balance of the field a long way back. He has drawn a little wide but rates the horse to beat. However, there are a number of unraced horses in the line-up so keep an eye on the market. Of the others Next Of King has found some market support in his last two starts. He was well beaten over this distance last run but that was in the soft. Bourbon’s Beast has improved with each outing and the extra furlong should suit.

Curious Girl and Terminal Velocity could fight out the opening leg of the Bi-Pot. Curious Girl started at relatively long odds on debut given the strength of the stable and she finished a close-up third in spite of racing green. She is sure to have come on from that run. Terminal Velocity was strongly supported in the market at her last outing but finished a disappointing fourth. She does seem better than that.

Visiting Tony Peter has two runners on the night, both in with strong chances. First up is Art Nouveau who has hardly put a foot wrong at recent outings. She stays the trip well and should go close in a competitive handicap. Grand Occasion has been consistent. Her last two have been on the poly but she is in a new stable and the change of routine could bring out the best. Princess Palace is seldom out of the money and although a length behind Faizah last time out, she is 3 kg better off at the weights. Hot Strike was much improved in blinkers last run and could surprise.

The Pick 6 is likely to pay a handsome dividend given the competitive nature of all six legs.

The first leg is a very competitive handicap but Pongola, a son of staying influence Ideal World, is seldom far off the pace. He has a fair weight but steps up in trip which could suit. Global Movement was well beaten by Connoisseur last time out when starting favourite but is now 3 kg better off and can turn the tables. Connoisseur found his best form last run but got a six-point raise for that win which could find him out this time around. Pink Diamond showed up well last run over a mile. She could prefer this longer trip and could be competitive.

In the second leg, Million Voices was narrowly beaten over course and distance from a wide draw last time out and gets 2.5kg relief from the saddle which could be enough to see her home. However, Peter has a strong representative in Faithful Neo who comes with some solid Highveld form over the trip. She should be a big factor. Siesta Sunset finished just ahead of stable companion Million Voices in their last meeting but is 4.5kg worse off in the handicap but Vision To Achieve is a distance specialist with the best of the draw. She must have a strong chance again.

Mike Miller holds a strong hand with four runners. Best could be Infinity Edge who won well on debut and followed up with a smart effort in a feature. She has drawn wide but looks to have plenty of scope for improvement. Paul Lafferty’s filly has been touched off at her last two. She has a useful 4kg claimer up again and could finally go one better. Miller also saddles Magical View who has drawn wide but has dropped two points in the handicap and together with a 2.5kg claimer up she will be dangerous. Stable companion Warrior Royale is over her optimum trip and was a beaten favourite last time out.

It doesn’t get any easier in the last three on the card. In the seventh, The Mask ran three times last month and was close-up at his last two. He should be a big runner. Gorgeous Dude has the best of the draw a handy weight and his last win was over course and distance. Firelighter has been showing signs of returning to form. He is down in class and should run a decent race. Sail To The Moon tried further last run and was not far back. The blinkers are back on over what could be his preferred trip.

The eight is another competitive handicap. Lions Eye was a beaten favourite last run but has been close-up at recent outings and the step up in trip could suit. Professor Lupin showed signs of coming to hand again. He has a stronger rider aboard and can feature in a tough race. Attaboy has been consistent of late and is over his optimum trip. His claiming apprentice could make all the difference. In The Bag is another stepping up in trip. He has shown steady form since arriving from the Cape and the extra could bring out the best.

In the last, Super Fast is long overdue a fourth win after finishing runner-up at his last four. He goes well this trip has the best of the draw and a claiming apprentice up. He is the obvious choice. Dapper has drawn wide but is showing signs of coming to hand for his new stable. Voldemort is over his best trip with a 4kg claimer aboard. He is slightly better drawn than his previous start. Kimball O’Hara is seldom far back and has a handy galloping weight.

RACE 1

9 MASTER DU ROUVRAY    7 NEXT OF KIN   3 BOURBON’S BEAST   8 GOOD OMEN

Summary: MASTER DU ROUVRAY (9) made a cracking reappearance after a lengthy break when touched off by the strong favourite Mohave Prince over course and distance last time out with the balance of the field a long way back. He has drawn a little wide but rates the horse to beat. NEXT OF KIN (7) has found some market support in his last two starts. He was well beaten over this distance last run but that was in the soft. BOURBON’S BEAST (3) has improved with each outing and the extra furlong should suit. GOOD OMEN (8) has shown some improvement and can feature.  (Andrew Harrison: 9-7-3-8).

RACE 2

2 CURIOUS GIRL   7 TERMINAL VELOCITY   4 ECHO   8 CALL ME HARRIET

Summary: CURIOUS GIRL (2) started at relatively long odds on debut given the strength of the stable and she finished a close-up third in spite of racing green. She is sure to have come on from that run. TERMINAL VELOCITY (7) was strongly supported in the market at her last outing but finished a disappointing fourth. She does seem better than that. CALL ME HARRIET (8) is struggling for a win but is way better than her last effort. ECHO (4) is lightly raced and steps up in trip with a 4kg claimer aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-4-8).

RACE 3

5 ART NOUVEAU   1 GRAND OCCASION   4 PRINCESS PALACE   9 HOT STRIKE

Summary: Visiting ART NOUVEAU (5) has hardly put a foot wrong at recent outings. She stays the trip well and should go close in a competitive handicap. GRAND OCCASION (1) has been consistent. Her last two have been on the poly but she is in a new stable and the change of routine could bring out the best. PRINCESS PALACE (4) is seldom out of the money and although a length behind FAIZAH (2) last time out, she is 3 kg better off at the weights. HOT STRIKE (9) was much improved in blinkers last run and could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-4-9).

RACE 4

2 PONGOLA   12 GLOBAL MOVEMENT   8 CONNOISSEUR   11 PINK DIAMOND

Summary: Very competitive handicap. PONGLOA (2) is seldom far off the pace. He has a fair weight but steps up in trip which could suit. GLOBAL MOVEMENT (12) was well beaten by Connoisseur last time out when starting favourite but is now 3 kg better off and can turn the tables. CONNOISSEUR (8) found his best form last run but got a six-point raise for that win which could find him out this time around. PINK DIAMOND (11) showed up well last run over a mile. She could prefer this longer trip and could be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 2-12-8-11).

RACE 5

5 MILLION VOICES   7 FAITHFUL NEO   1 VISION TO ACHIEVE   3 SIESTA SUNSET

Summary: MILLION VOICES (5) was narrowly beaten over course and distance from a wide draw. She gets 2.5kg relief from the saddle which could be enough to see her home. FAITHUL NEO (7) comes with some solid Highveld form over the trip. She should be a big factor. SIESTA SUNSET (3) finished just ahead of stable companion Million Voices in their last meeting but is 4.5kg worse off in the handicap. VISION TO ACHIEVE (1) is a distance specialist with the best of the draw. She must have a strong chance again. (Andrew Harrison: 5-7-1-3).

RACE 6

8 INFINITY EDGE   2 FORWARD MOTION   9 MAGICAL VIEW   5 WARRIOR ROYALE

Summary: INFINITY EDGE (8) won well on debut and followed up with a smart effort in a feature. She has drawn wide but looks to have plenty of scope for improvement. FORWARD MOTION (2) has been touched off at her last two. She has a useful 4kg claimer up again and could finally go one better. MAGICAL VIEW (9) has drawn wide but has dropped two points in the handicap and together with a 2.5kg claimer up she will be dangerous. Stable companion WARRIOR ROYALE (5) is over her optimum trip and was a beaten favourite last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-9-5).

RACE 7

7 THE MASK   1 GORGEOUS DUDE   3 FIRELIGHTER   2 SAIL TO THE MOON

Summary: THE MASK (7) ran three times last month and was close-up at his last two. He should be a big runner here. GORGEOUS DUDE (1) has the best of the draw a handy weight and his last win was over course and distance. FIRELIGHTER (3) has been showing signs of returning to form. He is down in class and should run a decent race. SAIL TO THE MOON (2) tried further last run and was not far back. The blinkers are back on over what could be his preferred trip. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-3-2).

RACE 8

5 LIONS EYE   9 PROFESSOR LUPIN   10 ATTABOY   4 IN THE BAG

Summary: Another competitive handicap. LIONS EYE (5) was a beaten favourite last run but has been close-up at recent outings and the step up in trip could suit. PROFESSOR LUPIN (9) showed signs of coming to hand again. He has a stronger rider aboard and can feature in a tough race. ATTABOY (10) has been consistent of late and is over his optimum trip. His claiming apprentice could make all the difference. IN THE BAG (4) is another stepping up in trip. He has shown steady form since arriving from the Cape and the extra could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 5-9-10-4).

RACE 9

1 SUPER FAST   11 DAPPER   8 VOLDEMORT   6 KIMBAL O’HARA

Summary: SUPER FAST (1) is long overdue a fourth win after finishing runner-up at his last four. He goes well this trip has the best of the draw and a claiming apprentice up. DAPPER (11) has drawn wide but is showing signs of coming to hand for his new stable. VOLDEMORT (8) is over his best trip with a 4kg claimer aboard. He is slightly better drawn than his previous start. KIMBAL O’HARA (6) is seldom far back and has a handy galloping weight. (Andrew Harrison: 1-11-8-6).

RACE 1

(5) ICED MARMALADE is making progress and should be a strong contender for victory with the in-form Calvin Habib in the saddle. (7) LOTUS SILK is extremely well bred and any betting support must be respected. The yard have a solid record with unraced runners so this must be taken into consideration. (2) MONEY GALORE hasn’t been far in recent starts and has plenty of scope so is open to any amount of improvement and can win this. (1) DARLINGBUDSOFMAY ran a cracker in the last start and repeat of that will see her right in the mix. (Devonne Govender 5-7-2-1)

RACE 2

(7) SHORI KAI ran extremely well on debut at big odds and is open to progress hence she is the top selection. (4) BRIGHT ERUPTION is making progress and can build on that much improved recent run. (1) PICK A POMODORO is capable of much better and can get a lot closer on best form. (3) GREY WARRIOR can make improvement and get involved in the finish. (Devonne Govender 7-4-1-3).

RACE 3

(1) BOMBER BAY is holding consistent form and will be in the firing line, he has been running some decent races and could get rewarded for consistency. (7) GOLDEN CROC is never far back and should be able to get much closer so respect. (4) QUICK BROWN wasn’t far in the last start and could get much closer so include in larger perms. (2) LORD QUIN is unreliable and can get into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 1-7-4-2).

RACE 4

(6) FLOWER FESTIVAL is holding consistent form and will go very close. (8) ONE GIANT LEAP is never far back and should get into the mix. (9) BEER WITH THE BOYS ran well in the last start but needs to repeat that here. (5) ROTOTO is very capable on his day and must go into all bets, on best form he can win this.(Devonne Govender 6-8-9-5)

RACE 5

(7) DANISH DYNAMITE looks progressive, she was very impressive in both her victories and should be very competitive here. (1) HOERIKWAGGO wasn’t far in the last start and will be a big runner despite the short break. She makes her provincial debut and the choice of Richard Fourie must be respected. (2) SMASHING is holding decent form and a big run can be expected. Include in all bets. (6) STRANGE MAGIC has been consistent in recent runs and will be in the firing line. (Devonne Govender 7-1-2-6).

RACE 6

(1) FAIRY KNIGHT ran a cracker in the last start hence he will be the firm first selection. (3) ANUSCHKA’S WORLD won well in his last start and a repeat performance will see him making a race of this. (8) SONG OF MYSELF is holding good form and should be a lively challenger especially with the light mass, include in everything. (6) CROWNED HORNBILL is never far back and will be in the mix, he is capable of a big finish on his day and cannot be totally ruled out. (Devonne Govender 1-3-8-6).

RACE 7

(4) ABOVE THE HORIZON is capable of much better so that last run is best ignored, if he bounces back to best he will demolish this field. (8) POTENT CAPTAIN is never far back and should in the firing line, include in all bets. (7) MR BELVEDERE is always in the mix and should be able to get into the action, include in the quartets. (5) PRINCE ANTONIO won extremely well when shedding the maiden, he is open to further progress and should be respected. (Devonne Govender 4-8-7-5).

RACE 8

(1) PAINITE won a gutsy race in the last start, he has plenty of ability and can certainly win again. (3) HEART STEALER is capable of much better and that last run is best ignored, he will challenge. (2) MAKHACHEV is knocking on the door and may well test the top two selections, include in everything. (6) DYNALLEY is never far back and can run into the placings. (Devonne Govender 1-3-2-6).