Royal Randwick Roars Into Autumn With Group 1 Double

5 March, 2026

Two Group 1 events and crucial qualifying races for the Group 1 $5 million TAB Golden Slipper are among seven Group races at Royal Randwick this Saturday – one week from the official start of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

The Group 1 $1 million The Agency Randwick Guineas features many of Australia’s best three-year-olds including a filly in Sheza Alibi as favourite who is looking to become the first in 13 years to win the feature mile.

A crack field lines up in the Group 1 $750,000 Super Seth @ Coolmore Canterbury Stakes – headed by Chris Waller’s star mares in Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah.

A field of 11 in the Group 2 $300,000 Darley Todman Stakes and 14 fillies in the Group 2 $300,000 Petaluma Reisling Stakes will all be aiming to qualify ballot free from the world’s richest race for two-year-olds at Rosehill Gardens on 21 March.

Added to the sensational card are the Group 2 $500,000 Schweppes Challenge Stakes, Group 3 $250,000 Asahi Super Dry Aspiration Quality and Group 3 $250,000 Kia Ora Wenona Girl Quality.

Australian Turf Club Interim CEO Steve McMahon said Saturday provided a star-studded prelude to the $46.2 million Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

“Sydney is already shining with the glow of Autumn and Royal Randwick will again put on a racing and entertainment experience equal of anywhere in the world,’’ Mr McMahon said.

“Saturday again features some of the best horsepower in the land as we head into six more weeks of world-class racing across the iconic Sydney Autumn.

“The two-year-old features this week will be amongst the most important yet in shaping the field and TAB markets for punters ahead of the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper.

“The Group 1 The Agency Randwick Guineas is the first leg of the Autumn three-year-old triple crown before the Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas and time-honoured Australian Derby.

“The Group 1 Toyota Forklifts Canterbury Stakes has attracted more of the nation’s best sprinters with the field of 10 containing six Group 1 winners and in total more than $26 million in prizemoney.’’

Full fields for Royal Randwick are here and full TAB markets for all races here.

Filly Sheza Alibi for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman with jockey Luke Nolen is a $2.40-$2.50 favourite for The Agency Randwick Guineas – she would be the first of her sex to win the race since Mosheen in 2013 and just the eighth to win in its history.

Autumn Boy for Chris Waller and James McDonald leads the male division at $2.90 TAB ahead of Ninja (Michael Freedman/Tommey Berry) at $6-$5.50 TAB.

In the Group 1 $750,000 Super Seth @ Coolmore Canterbury Stakes Chris Waller’s two mares head early TAB Fixed Odds betting – Joliestar (James McDonald) at $2.40 and Lady Shenandoah (Nash Rawiller) at $4.80.

Gringotts for Ciaron Maher and Tommy Berry and Napoleonic for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton and jockey Zac Lloyd are next both at $8.50 TAB.

TAB Golden Slipper training record holder Gai Waterhouse with Adrian Bott saddle up favourite Agrarian Girl in the Group 2 $300,000 Petaluma Reisling Stakes at $2.70-$2.90, with jockey Tim Clark, followed in betting by Chayan at $4.80 TAB for Annabel and Rob Archibald and James McDonald.

In the Group 2 $300,000 Darley Todman Stakes, Paradoxium trained by Bjorn Baker and with jockey Jason Collett opens $3 TAB ahead of Silver Slipper winner Stretan Ruler (Phillip Stokes/Chad Schofield) is at $3.20 TAB.

For all racing, general and ticketing information including booking for the upcoming Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival go to theraces.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MEDIA CONTACT:

Brett de Vine

0419 613 455

bdevine@theATC.com.au