A strong Randwick program on Saturday features a mix of Group racing, quality handicaps and several open betting races across the card.
The Tea Rose Stakes and Yarraman Park Shorts are among the main features, while the Kingston Town Stakes adds another important spring lead-up for the staying ranks.
Below are our best bets and feature race thoughts for Randwick on Saturday, September 19, while the
Group 1 Futures markets have the latest prices and betting moves across the spring.
Randwick Tips September 19
The Agency Real Estate Handicap Tips (Race 3)
Randwick Value Bet - Race 3 No. 6 Franz Josef
Franz Josef was always going to take a few runs to warm up after spending the best part of two years on the sidelines with a tendon injury.
He now arrives third-up after improving from his return with a fair sixth over the Randwick mile a fortnight ago.
That came in BM94 company, so the drop back to BM88 level while remaining at 1600m looks a more suitable assignment.
Barrier seven should allow Kerrin McEvoy to have him within the first few pairs on settling, while Franz Josef looked a genuine Group-class prospect before the injury and has always been held in high regard by the Ryan and Alexiou stable.
This looks the right race to find out how much of that ability remains, and at an each-way price he's worth backing in a suitable contest.
Toyota Forklifts Handicap Tips (Race 4)
Randwick Roughie - Race 4 No. 15 Alabama State
There's still no jockey declared for Alabama State, but with scratchings opening the race up, the temptation must be there for connections to run the first emergency.
Importantly, he draws barrier three after being forced to deal with wide gates in all three runs this campaign.
There was plenty of merit in his return in this grade over 1200m at Randwick on August 8, when he was ridden cold from barrier nine and finished off strongly.
He then produced another brave effort from barrier 13 second-up before remaining at 1200m last time, where he was a touch one-paced late.
The rise to 1400m looks ideal now with a stronger fitness base underneath him, and at a big price he looks capable of improving sharply under much more favourable conditions.
Asahi Super Dry Kingston Town Stakes Tips (Race 6)
Randwick Next Best Bet - Race 6 No. 12 Juja Kibo
It was a long first Australian campaign for Juja Kibo, but the Ciaron Maher-trained import continued to progress and finished that preparation with a string of strong staying performances.
He remained competitive throughout the autumn, putting together three consecutive stakes placings before finishing ninth in the Sydney Cup.
His August 20 return in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury was particularly encouraging, covering ground from barrier nine before sticking to the task strongly for third over a trip short of his best.
Juja Kibo has since returned to Warwick Farm for a 1200m trial on September 3 and moved nicely through the line, suggesting he has come on again from that first-up run.
He may still be one run short of his absolute peak, but he has never missed the placings second-up, has never finished outside the top three over 2000m and looks well placed from barrier two at a decent quote.
Grant Burge Tea Rose Stakes Tips (Race 7)
Randwick Best Bet - Race 7 No. 3 Striking Alibi
Striking Alibi was respected in the early markets for the Silver Shadow Stakes on August 22 before being scratched with an elevated temperature, which put her spring preparation slightly behind schedule.
That meant she didn't resume until the Furious Stakes on September 5, where the market suggested she may have needed the run and she was terrific late after overcoming some trouble to finish third.
The performance strongly suggested the rise from 1200m to 1400m will suit, and it looks significant that James McDonald takes over from barrier five.
Her trial work before making her first start for Chris Waller was also excellent, highlighted by a Randwick heat win on July 31, while she had shown plenty in Western Australia when winning her Ascot debut by more than three lengths in April.
This looks like the race where she can put everything together, and it wouldn't surprise if she starts favourite by jump time, although Global Goal is an each-way threat after a good return in the Silver Shadow and should also appreciate getting to 1400m.
Yarraman Park Shorts Tips (Race 9)
Randwick hosts two $1 million Group 2 races on Saturday, with the Seven Sunrise Stakes first up before the Yarraman Park Shorts takes centre stage over 1100m.
The Seven Sunrise has been reduced by scratchings and revolves around a very short-priced Autumn Glow, so the Shorts shapes as the far more interesting betting contest.
Ninja returns from a freshen-up after winning the Missile Stakes, while Joliestar was arguably Australia's best sprinter late in the autumn but now has to return from her Royal Ascot campaign, which always brings some query first-up.
Headwall is clearly knocking on the door after an unlucky second in the Concorde Stakes, while Jokers Grin is one of the more interesting runners at double-figure odds having yet to race for Chris Waller despite some encouraging trial work.
King's Secret was also unlucky in the Concorde and is a very genuine sprinter who may be wound right up for this, while Grafterburners could be the forgotten horse if willing to forgive a short Brisbane campaign and assess him on his stronger form from earlier last season.
In a tricky affair, Jokers Grin, King's Secret and Grafterburners are the three at bigger prices worth considering on an each-way basis.