Randwick Betting Tips for August 22, 2026 - Race-by-Race Preview for Winx Stakes Day

Alex Marsh

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Last updated: Thu 20 Aug 2026 08:31

Alex Marsh 1 hour ago

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Winx Stakes Day launches the spring at Royal Randwick, with the first Group 1 of the Australian racing season headlining the 10-race card
Sheza Alibi and Autumn Glow clash in the feature, while several black-type races add depth to the supporting program
Our race-by-race preview covers all 10 events, with selections, value runners and key betting angles throughout the afternoon

Royal Randwick hosts a blockbuster 10-race card on Saturday, headlined by the Group 1 Winx Stakes. (Getty)

The spring carnival gets underway at Royal Randwick on Saturday, August 22, with Winx Stakes Day headlined by the first Group 1 of the Australian racing season over 1400m.

Randwick Tips August 22
Race 1 - 11:40AM Midway Handicap Tips (1200m)
Race 2 - 12:15PM Buy Kosciuszko Tickets At TAB Highway Tips (1100m)
Race 3 - 12:50PM Jersey Day Andrew Wisemantel Handicap Tips (2400m)
Race 4 - 1:25PM Drinkwise Mile Tips (1600m)
Race 5 - 2:00PM Gold Coast Turf Club Premier's Cup Tips (2000m)
Race 6 - 2:35PM Schweppes Toy Show Quality Tips (1100m)
Race 7 - 3:15PM HKJC World Pool Silver Shadow Stakes Tips (1200m)
Race 8 - 3:50PM Hyland Race Colours Show County Quality Tips (1200m)
Race 9 - 4:30PM Winx Stakes Tips (1400m)
Race 10 - 5:05PM Tajima Wagyu Handicap Tips (1200m)

The supporting program has plenty of depth, with the Highway and Midway joined by the Toy Show Quality, Silver Shadow Stakes and Show County Quality, while the Winx Stakes brings together some of the country’s leading gallopers in an early-season highlight.

Below is our race-by-race preview and tips for all 10 races on a huge day at Randwick, while Live Racing & Sports Updates has the latest analysis, previews and coverage from across all codes.

Randwick Tips August 22

Race 1 - 11:40AM Midway Handicap Tips (1200m)

At an each-way quote in a typically competitive Midway is 15. Twinkling Star, who didn't have much go right second-up in the August 8 Midway here when held up at key stages in the straight.

She was trying to angle for an outside run that never came before finding herself on heels late, so happy to forgive that performance.

Twinkling Star was a first-up winner on Soft ground in July and also saluted third-up in spring last season when covering ground throughout at Hawkesbury, and while unproven at 1200m, she gives the impression she's looking for it now.

Connections opted to scratch 16. Isawyou from a Class 1 on Thursday and this is well worth a try, having been good in a handy maiden on debut before overcoming plenty of trouble to break through last start, while the low weight and soft map give her every chance to progress.

The main query with favourite 8. Ferinzo is tackling six furlongs first-up given 1250m at Canterbury saw him out, but he's talented and lightly raced, with intent here fresh following his latest Rosehill trial win, while at huge odds 13. Grinzinger Pod faces a much sterner task but is going well for new connections and maps nicely after a brave Gosford victory.

Selections: 15-16-8-13.

Race 2 - 12:15PM Buy Kosciuszko Tickets At TAB Highway Tips (1100m)

A roughie worth respecting in Saturday's Highway is 15. Empress Tsarina, who was spelled after a sole autumn outing at Muswellbrook before changing stables to Todd Howlett in winter, with both runs this year full of merit.

The mare was completely unsuited by the race shape first-up before heading to a metropolitan BM64 at Canterbury and recording the fastest closing sectionals of that August 5 event.

She drops sharply in the weights with 3.5kg less here, while there were some consistent form lines throughout a long and spaced-out first campaign last year, and ideally she can land a little closer this time before chiming in late off a good speed.

It wouldn't surprise if 6. Andrea started favourite, with an each-way price available for the gelding after an eye-catching second in the Rosehill Midway on July 18, where he recorded the fourth-fastest last 200m of the meeting, before a flat second-up effort in a much stronger BM72.

Also respecting 1. Tom Vegas despite thinking he was better placed over 1300m last Saturday, while 5. Mrs Goldberg heads the betting for the powerful Matthew Dunn and Nash Rawiller combination, who boast a 23% career strike-rate together.

Selections: 15-6-1-5.

RASKOL holds on in a tight finish and delivers the goods at Canterbury for @SnowdenRacing1 & @KPMcEvoy! 👏@aus_turf_club @racing_nsw pic.twitter.com/wZn3d9CjNb
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 5, 2026

Race 3 - 12:50PM Jersey Day Andrew Wisemantel Handicap Tips (2400m)

Hard to get overly enthused by a lowly staying BM78 where five runners at single-figure odds bring the most consistent form, but none are world-beaters and the majority have been up for a while.

If chasing something at a price, 12. Michelangelo could be the play after proving pretty consistent since joining the Dean Mirfin yard, with back-to-back wins in May before he wasn't disgraced in the Group 1 Queensland Derby over this trip.

He now has two winter runs under the belt, the latest when working home well despite being comfortably held behind the smart Aethelwulf, and he drops 4kg from that effort.

At even longer odds is 14. Anulfa, a mare likely to put herself on speed and give a sight with a 2400m run under the belt, a low draw and no weight.

Another outsider is 16. Autafinna, who interestingly contests this as a maiden but has upside and looks suited by the rise in trip, so while there isn't much confidence in the race, these three could outperform their prices.

Selections: 12-14-16-3.

Race 4 - 1:25PM Drinkwise Mile Tips (1600m)

While 1. King Of The Seas was unable to break through in three runs during his first Australian campaign for Ciaron Maher, there was plenty of merit in each of those autumn performances.

The first came at Caulfield on April 11, where there wasn't much intent fresh with 60.5kg before he went back and came up the inside, which was inferior ground, yet only just missed in a race that has since produced First Chorus, who completed a winter hat-trick.

He then stepped to 2100m at Gosford and launched late for third behind Monopolistic, conceding that runner 5.5kg before Monopolistic subsequently finished second in the Queensland Derby, while King Pedro was on equal weights and went on to win his next two, including the Listed Grafton Cup.

The form is hot and James McDonald takes this fresh engagement, while 3. Montepellier has been a tease but possesses plenty of raw ability for the Archibald yard, with the tongue-tie going on after a disappointing Brisbane run potentially offering an explanation if he choked down.

Also respecting 16. Anthracite at long odds after following a good return and a forgivable effort when heavily supported at Canterbury, while 9. Puntin is the hard-fit runner after going too quickly in front on August 8 when backing up on seven days.

Selections: 1-3-16-9.

Race 5 - 2:00PM Gold Coast Turf Club Premier's Cup Tips (2000m)

After whacking away fairly on his Australian debut at Sandown over a mile, 5. Boniface has improved sharply since switching to Sydney, recording a pair of runner-up finishes at BM88 level over 1800m behind Tazima.

When contesting the same track and trip on August 8, it was a messy watch for anyone who backed the import, with Boniface badly held up and arguably unlucky not to win.

The market was always going to respect him off that luckless performance and, while untried at 2000m, he gives every indication the extra furlong will suit with a strong fitness platform now underneath him and Tommy Berry taking the ride.

1. Thebudgiesmugla might just need this coming back to 2000m off a freshen-up after his Caloundra Cup triumph, as despite an excellent 2400m record, his two most recent attempts around this distance range have left him a little flat-footed, although the 1kg rise to 55kg after back-to-back Listed wins leaves him very well treated.

9. So You Are brings the same winter form through Thebudgiesmugla after placing behind him twice before a fourth in the Grafton Cup, while 7. Matusalem is building nicely and should appreciate 2000m third-up after finishing runner-up in the same race Boniface comes through.

Selections: 5-2-9-7.

Eliyass is back in the winners stall‼️

It's been 23 months between drinks, but the former Group 1 contender looks back on track 💪@cmaherracing pic.twitter.com/WitZViVhCh
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 8, 2026

Race 6 - 2:35PM Schweppes Toy Show Quality Tips (1100m)

An interesting little clash sees 1. Savvy Hallie and 2. Apocalyptic renew their rivalry, with the former getting the better of the early market elect in both of their summer meetings, including the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes on February 14.

Apocalyptic was then well held in the Surround Stakes won by Tempted, while Savvy Hallie subsequently pushed that Godolphin filly, so it will be interesting to see what the market does late given their recent head-to-head record.

Despite not being at her best in that short autumn campaign, I still think Apocalyptic is the more talented of the pair, with her early spring form last season outstanding as she completed a hat-trick including the Group 1 Flight Stakes before narrowly missing in the Thousand Guineas.

While proven at a mile, class took her a long way against the fillies and there is plenty to like about her being prepared as a sprinter this time around, with both trials leading into Saturday sharp and this sets up well.

Savvy Hallie has also been working well and won her latest 900m Rosehill trial after being knocked around in her first winter hit-out, while at a big price 5. Catch The Glory deserves respect given her excellent fresh record of four wins from five attempts, including a Group 3 victory over this trip in autumn.

Selections: 2-1-5-6.

Race 7 - 3:15PM HKJC World Pool Silver Shadow Stakes Tips (1200m)

A very competitive opening leg of the quaddie and perhaps more of a learning race going forward than a genuine punting proposition, with most of the class runners from the juvenile season yet to appear as three-year-olds.

Of those already up and going, Bangkok Hottie and Krasina were both beaten in Midways last start, although the former could improve sharply, while Coco Affair was a very soft Wyong winner but that came second-up in a provincial maiden.

There has been good early support for 9. Striking Alibi, the former WA filly making her stable debut for Chris Waller after a blowout first-up victory at Ascot in April before attempting a seven-day back-up in the Karrakatta Plate, and off her recent trial work she has arguably been the pick of the resuming fillies.

1. Cherry Bombshell improved sharply from her debut to win her next three starts, including the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes over this track-and-trip, with that hot juvenile field featuring Medicinal, who arrived off back-to-back victories including a Group 3 success, and Satono Glow, an impressive Group 3 winner in Melbourne.

2. Pemberley won two of three in her first preparation before backing up in the Golden Slipper and is likely to push forward despite the wide draw, while 3. Agrarian Girl was a little plain in her latest trial but runners from this yard can often look workmanlike in their hit-outs, and she was an all-the-way debut winner before placing at Group 2 level.

Selections: 9-1-2-3.

Race 8 - 3:50PM Hyland Race Colours Show County Quality Tips (1200m)

Another tricky affair, with the placement of 8. Campione D'Italia particularly interesting as an early three-year-old taking on older horses when there are several upcoming options against his own age.

That move demands respect from the Waller yard with the Inglis Sires' winner, whose only failure came on debut when pulling up lame, while he didn't quite see out the mile when rounding out autumn with a close second as favourite in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes.

His two appearances over 1200m have resulted in a win and a fast-finishing Golden Slipper performance, and with a liking for Soft ground, there is every chance we are yet to see his ceiling while most of these older rivals are already exposed.

1. Midnight In Tokyo visits from Brisbane and could receive the favours on speed under Ben Thompson, who also travels south after partnering her to a Doomben trial victory on August 11, and she is better suited back to this trip after a tough run in the Tatt's Tiara.

5. Infancy has been good to us before, winning the Sapphire Stakes at massive odds in autumn last year before flashing home for second at 50/1 when we were with her again in this year's renewal, and while she isn't the easiest to catch, she is often dangerous fresh over the Randwick 1200m, while the honest 7. Matcha Latte is included despite being better suited over further.

Selections: 8-1-5-7.

1⃣ Gringotts
2⃣ Beiwacht
3⃣ Campione D'Italia

The dual Big Dance 💃 winner stretches out late to win a 1000m trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday. Also trialling were Light Infantry Man, Buckaroo and Piggyback. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/6ZxucrsMXX
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 3, 2026

Race 9 - 4:30PM Winx Stakes Tips (1400m)

It's great for racing that Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman have elected to head north with 14. Sheza Alibi, setting up a terrific clash with Autumn Glow when next week's Group 1 Memsie Stakes was another option closer to home.

She was spelled following a brilliant autumn highlighted by Group 1 victories in the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile, giving her a perfect two-from-two record at Randwick, while two improving Pakenham jump-outs should have her forward enough first-up.

Barrier one has prompted some discussion, but Sheza Alibi has the tactical versatility to take a position and, with further improvement still to come, she can make this a genuine contest.

The two recent defeats beside 11. Idle Flyer are forgivable, with last spring's Empire Rose Stakes potentially one run too many before she resumed over an unsuitable 1200m against Group-class sprinters in March.

She quickly atoned and was ultimately spelled after a career-best victory against high-class opposition at set weights, while two quiet but sound trials should have her ready to produce a strong return over the much more suitable 1400m.

Still lightly raced with further upside, Idle Flyer possesses a sharp turn-of-foot and appeals as the value runner at a bolter's quote.

8. Autumn Glow had been bombproof before her colours were lowered for the first time in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and with her tactical versatility and adaptability across conditions, she remains the obvious benchmark.

Could almost raffle the remainder, with 2. Gringotts perhaps better suited than most by the 1400m and looking forward enough from his trials to run well fresh.

Selections: 14-11-8-2.

Race 10 - 5:05PM Tajima Wagyu Handicap Tips (1200m)

The 1000m was always going to be the query first-up with 7. Call Me Gorgeous, and while it ultimately proved too sharp, he was hard to miss late in that August 8 return when charging home from the rear for fourth with the fastest closing sectionals of the entire program.

He now steps to 1200m, having recorded a comfortable double over this distance in autumn before being badly held up as a beaten favourite over this track-and-trip when third behind Midnight Dynamite, who has since won another three races, the latest two at Listed level.

Inside draws proved problematic in that attempt and again at Scone next time, with Call Me Gorgeous a horse who needs clear galloping room, so barrier 11 could prove ideal here with Kerrin McEvoy retaining the ride.

1. Columbia Blue has a wide alley to overcome but is remarkably genuine with four wins and four placings from nine starts, and after scoring second-up, he returned the fastest last 400m and 200m of what was effectively the same race here a fortnight ago, while he's equally effective on good and wet ground.

Don't be surprised to see sharp improvement from 3. Zouper Fund, who looked set for a good preparation after his June 13 return in Melbourne in stronger company before becoming a touch underwhelming subsequently, while 6. Alabama State would also warrant respect off his fresh effort if taking his place.

Selections: 7-1-3-6.

From Flemington to Randwick, Prima Bella makes it two in a row 👌@mcsmithracing pic.twitter.com/2eXrQkJqL1
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 8, 2026

Verdict

Randwick - August 22

Our best & value tips for Saturday's Randwick card are:

Boniface

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King Of The Seas

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Call Me Gorgeous

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