A Royal Return – 19th September 2026

She’s two-from-two at 1600m and seven-from-eight at Randwick, gets 57kg while Ceolwulf, Gringotts and Lindermann carry 59kg, and has drawn barrier 1 with James McDonald riding. Most importantly, she’s already beaten several of these. When they met over 1400m at Randwick on 21 August, Autumn Glow beat Gringotts by 3.3 lengths, with Lady Shenandoah fourth. She also beat Gringotts by 2.8 lengths over 1500m at Rosehill earlier this year. The main tactical threat for me is Lindermann. He has the early speed to control the race and comes here after winning over this exact Randwick 1600m. If he gets an uncontested lead, he could make Autumn Glow work to run him down. Expect short odds but with that comes a decent amount of confidence.

Rating 7 out of 10

He was beaten only 0.4 lengths by Tempted first-up over 1000m at Randwick, despite beginning awkwardly, and finished comfortably ahead of several horses he meets again here, including King’s Secret, Marhoona and Mal Coupe. He now steps to 1100m and carries 56kg. The horse that worries me most is Joliestar. She’s a high-class mare, has an excellent Randwick record, and James McDonald rides. 

Rating 6 out of 10

We have to side with our old friend Cosmic here who did us a favour last month. He comes in with form of 1st–1st–3rd from his last three starts, has barrier 3 and William Pike aboard. My main danger would be Lindermann. He’s drawn barrier 1, has Blake Shinn aboard and comes off a win. I think Cosmic Crusader will go off at shorter odds than I would like but looks the most likely winner to me.

Rating 6 out of 10

She gets 56kg, barrier 1 and Craig Williams. I particularly like the inside draw in a big, competitive field, and she has the class to win a race like this.

The one I’d be most wary of is Regal Award. She’s down to 52.5kg, and draws barrier 4. Warnie also interests me after winning last start, with 55kg and barrier 3.

Rating 4 out of 10

She comes off a last-start win, gets 56kg, has Michael Rodd riding and, importantly, has barrier 3. That last win was a dominant performance at Doomben and she has major chances. She came from off the pace to win impressively and should be capable of making the step back into Saturday company. The horse I’d be most concerned about is Carravilla. She’s been improving through this preparation, was beaten less than a length at Doomben last start, draws barrier 4, and is a good each-way selection.

Rating 6 out of 10

He arrives in excellent form with three consecutive wins at Belmont: 1400m, 1650m and then the Listed Farnley Stakes over 1400m. In that latest race he beat Royal Toronado by 0.9L. The obvious question is the 60kg, because Royal Toronado gets 57kg this time. But Too Dardy has already shown he’s effective around the mile and has 6 wins from 19 starts at Belmont, so I’m happy to keep him on top despite the weight.

Rating 5 out of 10