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The Galaxy 2026 Betting Tips - Can Grafterburners Keep Progressing?

alex-marsh
Editor
Last updated: Wed 18 Mar 2026 16:35

The Galaxy, an 1100m handicap sprint taking place on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens, is a major highlight of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. Grafterburners, a Queensland visitor, stands as the favorite with odds of $4.20, having shown impressive form this season. Briasa, considered the race's class horse, comes in next at $5.50. For those looking for value, Ostraka presents an intriguing each-way option worth $19.00. This race serves as an important lead-up to the T.J. Smith Stakes and promises an exciting competition among top sprinters.

Alex Marsh 18 Mar 2026
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  • The Galaxy is a leading handicap sprint of Golden Slipper Day
  • Grafterburners is favoured with $4.20, followed by Briasa at $5.50
  • Ostraka offers value with $19.00 odds in each-way betting
Expired
Briasa resumes in The Galaxy. (Getty)

The Galaxy is an 1100m handicap sprint and rounds out the Group 1 action on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens.

A key lead-up to the TJ Smith Stakes, it stands as the premier handicap sprint of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

In The Galaxy market with Ladbrokes, Grafterburners is a $4.20 favourite.

2026 The Galaxy Tips


2026 The Galaxy Best Bet - Grafterburners

This represents another step up for Grafterburners, the Queensland visitor.

He has won all four attempts this season, including a Listed victory before bolting in over this trip during the Magic Millions Carnival.

The three-year-old arrives here first-up off a quiet trial at Doomben completed on February 24.

He has always shown ability, including a run in Sydney as a two-year-old where he arguably should have won the Inglis Millennium.

Keeping him to 1100m–1200m looks key, and this is a good chance to test him at Group 1 level, with a low weight under handicap conditions.
2026 The Galaxy Next Best Bet - Briasa

A wide alley is far from ideal, however Briasa is the class horse of the race and must be respected.

The grey quickly bounced back with a win in the TJ Smith Stakes, beating a strong lineup after a luckless run in this race last year.

Earlier campaign runs across his last two preparations showed he peaks early before tapering off.

That pattern was evident in a flat All Aged Stakes effort last autumn, while his spring dropped away after a second-up triumph.

This may be the right time to catch him fresh, and his trial work has been sharp.
2026 The Galaxy Value Bet - Ostraka

Ostraka is a hard horse to catch but is capable on his day.

The Melbourne stint early last year did not quite work out, followed by a quieter autumn in New South Wales.

His best run last campaign was first-up in the Concorde Stakes, where he was the pick of the on-speed runners.

The closers that filled the quinella were Headwall and Lady Shenandoah, while this set-up is more appealing under handicap conditions.

He draws for a soft run in transit and, from six Rosehill starts, has only finished out of the money once.

2026 The Galaxy - Field & Odds


No.HorseTrainerJockeyBarrierWeightOdds
1BriasaMichael, John & Wayne HawkesTyler Schiller1458.5kg$5.50
2MazuJoseph PrideRachel King956.5kg$12
3GenerosityChris WallerJames McDonald1755kg$12
4HedgedGavin BedggoodTim Clark355kg$9.50
5Reserve BankMick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)Damian Lane255kg$7.50
6Jedibeel (NZ)Brad WiddupTommy Berry1653kg$17
7In FlightJoseph PrideJay Ford1352.5kg$41
8MarhoonaMichael FreedmanKerrin McEvoy1052kg$12
9OstrakaAnnabel & Rob ArchibaldBen Thompson452kg$19
10Bridal WaltzPeter G Moody & Katherine ColemanLuke Cartwright (a)751.5kg$15
11The Black CloudJoseph PrideAndrew Adkins151kg$27
12EnrichedMichael FreedmanCraig Williams1151kg$12
13InfancyKris LeesAlysha Collett1251kg$67
14GrafterburnersKelly SchweidaZac Lloyd850.5kg$4.20
15eCatch The GloryJason CoyleTBA1851kg$51
16eBeadmanPeter SnowdenJamie Melham1550kg$12
17eInkarunaAnthony & Sam FreedmanCraig Williams550kg$7
18eHidden MotiveNathan DoyleTBA650kg$20

Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes & correct on 19/03/2026.

Verdict

Our tips for the 2026 Galaxy are:

Best Bet1: Grafterburners To Win $4.20 at Ladbrokes Australia - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Briasa To Win $5.50 at Ladbrokes Australia - 3 Units
Best Bet3: Ostraka Each Way $19.00 at Ladbrokes Australia - 2 Units
Grafterburners
To Win
$4.20 - 5 Units
Australia's #1 bookmaker
Use the code "BLACKBOOK"

The Ladbrokes.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Ladbrokes Australia
Briasa
To Win
$5.50 - 3 Units
Australia's #1 bookmaker
Use the code "BLACKBOOK"

The Ladbrokes.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Ladbrokes Australia
Ostraka
Each Way
$19.00 - 2 Units
Australia's #1 bookmaker
Use the code "BLACKBOOK"

The Ladbrokes.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Ladbrokes Australia

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