Autumn Everest Feel At Royal Randwick For Doncaster/Derby Day

1 April, 2026

Four Group 1 races packed with a cavalcade of stars are the centrepiece of Day One of the Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday, established as a signature event on the Australian racing and sporting calendar.

Royal Randwick’s renowned Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile, the time-honoured Group 1 $2 million ATC Australian Derby, an “Autumn Everest” field in the Group 1 $3 million Asahi Super Dry TJ Smith Stakes and the Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires’ are part of nine Group races on a 10-race card.

The raceday offers a suite of other attractions for racegoers including free public transport for all Royal Randwick attendees, an After The Last concert with smash-hit Aussie DJ Cyril and fashion and food spread across the racecourse.

Australian Turf Club Interim CEO Steve McMahon said Saturday offered world-class racing with exceptional value for money into the early evening.

“Doncaster/Derby Day at Royal Randwick on a holiday long weekend is a Sydney tradition which offers day-long action and entertainment,’’ Mr McMahon said.

“The Asahi Super Dry TJ Smith stakes is the Everest of the Autumn and in itself a mouth-watering reason to see a field of world-class sprinters looking to throw down the gauntlet to Ka Ying Rising’s crown.

“We may even see another visit from Hollywood royalty to Royal Randwick with movie star Matt Damon’s horse Are You Kidding running in the ATC Australian Derby.

“All public transport modes lead to Royal Randwick with free travel included in all General Admission and ATC members tickets for a long weekend of fun and value for your dollars.’’

The Agency Randwick Guineas winner Sheza Alibi for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman and star jockey Jamie Melham is the overwhelming punters favourite for the Doncaster Mile – the filly a dominant $2.10 TAB Fixed Odds favourite.

She would be the 12^th three-year-old filly to win the prestigious race and the first of her age and sex since Sunline in 1999.

Chris Waller and Kerrin McEvoy combine with Autumn Boy ($7.50 TAB) ahead of stablemate Sixties (Rachel King) at $13 TAB.

Either of those three-year-old colts would become the 30^th winners of the race in that bracket and the fifth in a little over a decade.

In the ATC Australian Derby, Observer for trainer Ciaron Maher and champion jockey James McDonald has been strongly supported early – $3-$2.80 TAB Fixed – to become just the fifth horse to win the Victoria/ATC Derby double since the Sydney race was switched to the Autumn in 1979.

Green Spaces for Bjorn Baker and Rachel King is a well-supported second favourite – $3.60-$3.40 TAB – as the jockey aims to be the first female jockey winner of the race in its 165-year history.

Several of the world’s best sprinters contest the Group 1 $3 million Asahi Super Dry TJ Smith Stakes – with Tentyris (Anthony and Sam Freedman/Mark Zahra) opening $3.60 TAB, ahead of Chris Waller’s star mare Joliestar at $3.60 TAB with James McDonald aboard.

The race contains a host of horses who will also look ahead to the TAB Everest in Spring.

The Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires sees a return clash of the second and fourth placegetters in the TAB Golden Slipper – Streisand $3.50 TAB (Clinton McDonald/Ben Melham) and Campione D’italia at $4.20 TAB (Chris Waller/James McDonald).

Of the past 20 Inglis Sires’ winners 11 have come through the TAB Golden Slipper.

Full fields for Royal Randwick are available here and full TAB markets are found here.

For all racing, general and ticketing information go to theraces.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MEDIA CONTACT:

Brett de Vine

0419 613 455

bdevine@theATC.com.au