Saturday 15th Feb: Flemington and Randwick Best bets
APOLLO STAKES DAY @ Randwick
TRACK: SOFT 5 - RAIL: +4m
Randwick wick has a 10-race event on Saturday featuring the Expressway Stakes, Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes, TAB Light Fingers Stakes, and Apollo Stakes.
The first race starts at 12:30pm AEDT and the last ends at 5:55pm AEDT.
The rail is out 4m and track conditions are SOFT. Here are our top bets for the day!
Read on to see our free Australian Horse Racing tips and betting comment… we’ll take on sky racing tipping experts any day!
RACE 1: 11. Catch The Glory (7)
Trainer:J.C.Coyle - Jockey:T.Schiller - Weight: 54kg
Caused an upset when scoring first-up at Warwick Farm and has proven form in these conditions.
Fitter for that run, and Tyler Schiller’s booking is a big plus.
Second-up record is solid—at least a place chance, but another win wouldn’t shock.
___________________
RACE 2: 6. Vermicella (13)
Trainer:J.Cleary - Jockey:J.Taylor - Weight: 56kg
Honest performer who wasn’t far away in the Bega Cup last start after a strong Moruya win on soft ground.
Boasts a perfect record on rain-affected tracks (3 from 3) and has won two of four this prep.
Capable of closing off strongly—genuine winning chance.
___________________
RACE 3: 4. Hillier (5)
Trainer:Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald - Jockey:C.Schofield - Weight: 56kg
Strong debut effort when chasing home the winner in the G3 Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill, running second at big odds.
Better for the experience and finds an easier assignment here.
Looks well-placed to break maiden status—top chance.
___________________
RACE 4: 16. Zondee (11)
Trainer:M. & W. & J.Hawkes - Jockey:T.Schiller - Weight: 56.5kg
Progressive type who powered home to score last start at Rosehill on a soft track, proving too strong late.
Had been building towards that win and now brings confidence into this tougher assignment.
Tyler Schiller sticks, which is a big plus, and he maps well to be in the finish. Must respect—genuine contender.
___________________
💰💰 RACE 5: 5. Joliestar (6)
Trainer:C.J.Waller - Jockey:K.McEvoy - Weight: 55.5kg
Elite sprinter resuming after a 15-week spell, with a formidable first-up record (3 wins from 3 attempts), including a dominant 3-length victory in the G3 Show County at Randwick last prep. F
inished a credible seventh in the Golden Eagle, beaten just 2.5 lengths, and has trialed superbly leading into this.
Serious player fresh—expect a big statement. The one to beat.
___________________
RACE 6: 7. Bonita Queen (4)
Trainer:B.Baker - Jockey:A.Morgan - Weight: 53kg
Tough and consistent mare who set the pace last start at Randwick before fading late under a big weight.
Drops in weight here and has a strong third-up record, including a first-up win at Wyong on a soft track.
This is a deeper race, but if she finds the front comfortably, she’ll take running down.
___________________
RACE 7: 11. Shohisha (2)
Trainer:D.L.Payne - Jockey:C.Schofield - Weight: 56kg
Talented filly who has found her groove this prep, following a strong Listed Gosford Guineas second with a dominant Midway BM72 win at Rosehill on a soft track.
Draws perfectly to do no work, and while she may be looking for further soon, her class can carry her a long way.
Hard to fault—major player.
___________________
💰💰💰 RACE 8: 5. Via Sistina (IRE) (3)
Trainer:John O'Shea & Tom Charlton - Jockey:K.McEvoy - Weight: 58.5kG
World-class mare resuming after a dominant Cox Plate triumph, where she smashed the track record before backing it up with an effortless G1 Mackinnon Stakes win at Flemington.
Proven first-up performer with four wins from six attempts fresh, including a G1 Winx Stakes victory at this track and trip.
Her trial work has been outstanding, and if she brings anywhere near her best, she’ll take a power of beating. The one to beat.
___________________
💰RACE 9: 1. Disneck (8)
Trainer:B.Baker - Jockey:A.Roper - Weight: 61kg
Made up many lengths when rising in grade last start in the G3 Southern Cross, but was simply too far back to threaten.
Class runner of the race, and his previous win at this track in a BM88, storming home from last to score by 1.75 lengths, proves his quality.
Been up for a while but holding form well and maps to be a major player.
Strong winning chance.
___________________
RACE 10: 14. More Territories (3)
Trainer:John O'Shea & Tom Charlton - Jockey:Z.T.Lloyd - Weight: 55kg
Resumes after a 15-week spell, having shown ability when first-up fifth in the G2 Furious Stakes last prep, beaten just 1.4 lengths.
Won on debut at Kensington, proving she can fire fresh, and has been well-prepped with four trials leading into this.
Settles back and needs luck, but has the talent to figure—genuine knock out chace…
BLACK CAVIAR LIGHTNING DAY @ FLEMINGTON
TRACK: SOFT 5 - RAIL: TRUE
Flemington takes center stage this Saturday for Lightning Stakes Day, with Group 1 racing back in action. A stacked 10-race program features six group-level contests, headlined by the prestigious $1M Black Caviar Lightning (1000m)—a high-octane weight-for-age sprint that has produced some of the fastest horses in Australian racing history.
Despite scorching temperatures throughout the week, race day is set to bring cooler conditions (18°C) with scattered showers, meaning the track should sit around the Soft 5 range. The rail is in the true position, ensuring a fair racing surface, and the first race jumps at 12:15pm AEDT.
With $2.4 million in prizemoney on the line and elite gallopers set to clash, expect a thrilling day of high-class racing. Let’s dive into the best betting plays for Flemington’s blockbuster card!
RACE 2: 7. Sword Of Legacy (4)
Trainer:D.E.A.Sutton - Jockey:J.Melham - Weight: 55kg
Talented filly with plenty of upside, finishing runner-up in both career starts, including a narrow second in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes last start.
Showed a sharp turn of foot down the straight on debut and now returns to Flemington hard-fit and ready to peak.
Expect her to be right in the finish—key winning chance.
___________________
RACE 3: 3. Fancify (NZ) (2)
Trainer:M.J.Hickmott - Jockey:T.Pannell - Weight: 58kg
Track and distance winner from Cup Day, who led and fought on well first-up in the G3 Bellmaine Stakes at Sandown before fitness gave out late.
Strips fitter second-up, and if she finds the front, she’ll take plenty of catching.
Major player.
___________________
RACE 4: 6. Verdad (3)
Trainer:R.D.Griffiths - Jockey:E.P.Brown - Weight: 59kg
Strong return when third at Flemington first-up, making late ground despite being held up at a key stage.
Has a strong second-up record, including a close second in a BM84 at Sandown last prep.
Trialled since to stay sharp and maps to settle closer this time.
Right in the mix—winning chance.
___________________
RACE 5: 6. Shesallshenanigans (10)
Trainer:C.Maher - Jockey:B.Shinn - Weight: 56.5kg
In red-hot form and hard fit after a strong on-pace win at this track/distance two back, followed by a gutsy second at Sandown when leading throughout and just getting run down late.
Her racing style makes her hard to get past, and back to Flemington, she’ll take plenty of catching.
Major contender.
___________________
RACE 6: 4. Chorlton Lane (IRE) (1)
Trainer:W.Clarken & N.O'Shea - Jockey:J.Melham - Weight: 56kg
Ultra-consistent and in rock-solid form, following a strong third in the G3 JRA Plate at Caulfield after chasing home Coastwatch in the LR Barton Stakes.
Narrowly beaten as favourite last start, and with Blake Shinn (28% strike rate for this trainer) in the saddle, he’s well-placed to break through.
Should be winning.
___________________
RACE 7: 1. Goldrush Guru (8)
Trainer:A.J.Gluyas - Jockey:J.Melham - Weight: 59.5kg
Had a tough run fresh in the LR Durbridge, caught wide with no cover before fading late.
Fitter now, up to 1400m suits, and he’s back to his own age group, which should see him much more competitive.
Jamie Kah reunites, and with a softer run in transit, expect a much-improved effort.
Capable of bouncing back—worth another look.
___________________
RACE 8: 11. Switzerland (7)
Trainer:C.J.Waller - Jockey:J.B.McDonald - Weight: 55.5kg
Top-class sprinter resuming after a three-and-a-half-month spell, having blitzed the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at this track to close out last prep.
Was too fresh first-up last campaign, but improved sharply thereafter.
Jumped out quietly at Flemington and looked good through the line. If he brings his best form, he’s a serious player fresh—one to watch.
___________________
RACE 9: 2. Captured By Love (2)
Trainer:M.W.Walker - Jockey:B.Shinn - Weight: 59.5kg
Second-up and now under the care of Mark Walker, this promising galloper wasn’t far away in the G1 Sistema Railway first-up, closing well in a steady-run race.
Proven second-up performer, having placed in the G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas last prep, and trialed well leading into this.
Should settle close to the speed and be right in the finish—leading chance.
___________________
RACE 10: 9. Sunshineinmypocket (NZ) (1)
Trainer:C.Maher - Jockey:J.Kennedy - Weight: 57kg
Strong return from a 10-month layoff, charging home late to score first-up at Sandown-Lakeside.
Proven second-up performer, having won second-up last prep over 1300m.
Hard fit now, drawn to settle closer, and looks well-placed to go on with it.
Leading contender.
