The Sydney Stakes (1200m) shapes as an open contest at Randwick, with Overpass expected to push forward from his wide draw alongside Gangsta Granny.
Grafterburners is the top selection after his strong finish behind Tempted in the Premiere Stakes, with race fitness and barrier two adding to his appeal.
Overpass looks a major threat first up following encouraging trials, while Beadman is a knockout chance if the track is heavy.
Skybird enters contention after her Gilgai win, while Gangsta Granny could give a sight back at her preferred 1200m.
2026 Sydney Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Overpass: Overpass is a grand campaigner that resumes. He hasn’t raced since Royal Ascot where he did Australia proud without winning. He returns, looks to have trialled well for the return, should land on speed and take beating.
2. Jokers Grin: Send him back to WA. He looks cast.
3. Pericles: I actually thought he wasn’t too bad in the Manikato and will love getting his toe in. Think he’s one for wider exotics.
4. Yellow Brick: Ripping horse that resumes but I dare say is better suited if they wait for the Brisbane Summer Carnival.
5. Coal Crusher: Wait til he gets the Blinkers and racing at Newcastle.
6. Grafterburners: I am red hot on Grafterburners. I thought his Premiere run was unbelievable behind Tempted. He was left flat footed when they sprinted but he ran through the pain barrier and surged hard late behind the star mare. Hard fit, a drop down in overall depth, he only runs well.
7. Beadman: Career best effort came on a heavy track as a two year old. Far from disgraced in the Manikato, I think he’s a knockout chance.
8. King’s Secret: Blinkers first time but I just don’t think he’s quite up to this level.
9. Napoleonic: SCR
10. Wanaruah: SCR
11. Disneck: Wet track makes him pretty much a scratching.
12. Charm Stone: Thought she ran very well in the Manikato. Wet track is a slight query but has a good racing style.
13. Skybird: Ben Melham nearly gave me a heart attack in the Gilgai but she just got there. Confidence is up, conditions to suit, stable flying…in the mix.
14. Generosity: She is flying…if she was mine, freshen up and head to the Winterbottom for the G1 target.
15. Marhoona: Game effort in the Premiere behind Tempted and maps to get a sweet sit…just the end of 1200m at this level is the query.
16. Gangsta Granny: Gangsta Granny comes back to 1200m after racing over 1400m in the Golden Pendant where she seemingly had every chance but was far from disgraced behind Lazzura. Think she is better suited at 1200m, she lands on speed and runs a cheeky race.
17. Mal Coupe (First Emergency): Not up to these.
18. Golden Straand (Second Emergency): SCR
19. Signor Tortoni (Third Emergency): Not thanks
20. Point And Shoot (Fourth Emergency): N/A
2026 Sydney Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Grafterburners
2026 Sydney Stakes Speed Map
Massive field but there are only a select few that will press forward. Overpass will spear across from a wide gate to land on speed, likewise Gangsta Granny. Charm Stone will settle handy, while they could give Coal Crusher a dig in the ribs.
Sydney Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OVERPASS | Bjorn Baker | Tim Clark | 19 | 58.5kg |
| 2 | JOKERS GRIN | Chris Waller | Adam Hyeronimus | 9 | 58.5kg |
| 3 | PERICLES | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 12 | 58.5kg |
| 4 | YELLOW BRICK | Tony & Maddysen Sears | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 58.5kg |
| 5 | COAL CRUSHER | Joseph Pride | Regan Bayliss | 14 | 58.5kg |
| 6 | GRAFTERBURNERS | Kelly Schweida | Nash Rawiller | 2 | 58.5kg |
| 7 | BEADMAN | Peter Snowden | Zac Purton | 11 | 58.5kg |
| 8 | KING’S SECRET | Joseph Pride | Andrew Adkins | 17 | 58.5kg |
| 11 | DISNECK | Bjorn Baker | Tom Sherry | 3 | 58.5kg |
| 12 | CHARM STONE | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Chad Schofield | 13 | 56.5kg |
| 13 | SKYBIRD | Mitchell Freedman | Ben Melham | 18 | 56.5kg |
| 14 | GENEROSITY | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 8 | 56.5kg |
| 15 | MARHOONA | Michael Freedman | Ms Jamie Melham | 5 | 56.5kg |
| 16 | GANGSTA GRANNY | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Dylan Gibbons | 16 | 56.5kg |
| 17e | MAL COUPE | Stephen O’Halloran | Ms Winona Costin | 1 | 58.5kg |
| 19e | SIGNOR TORTONI | Ron Quinton | Ms Alysha Collett | 4 | 58.5kg |
Sydney Stakes Odds
