In a well-organised return to metropolitan racing, Royal Randwick will stage an eight-race programme on Saturday, 25 April 2026, with the Australian Turf Club overseeing a card anchored by the ANZAC Day Cup. The meeting will feature a consistent schedule of handicaps across sprint and middle-distance trips, each carrying prize money of $160,000. Racing will commence at 12:45 PM and conclude at 4:50 PM, presenting a structured afternoon of competitive racing.
Opening the afternoon’s proceedings, the HMAS Sydney Handicap will be run at 12:45 PM over 1100 metres for two-year-old runners, with a purse of $160,000. Extremely Tempted, Bangkok Hottie, Dominator, Gridlock, King Of The Nile, and Whitehall are expected to line up, forming a field where early pace and sharp gate speed are likely to shape the outcome over the short trip.
Stepping into the second event, the Last Post Handicap will be contested at 1:20 PM over 1400 metres for three- and four-year-olds, again offering $160,000 in prize money. Arriving Home, Valorous Power, Enamorada, Deep Pleasure, Mojave River, and Night Agent are set to feature, with the distance expected to test both tactical positioning and sustained finishing effort.
Continuing the programme in measured fashion, the Third Australian General Hospital Handicap is scheduled for 1:55 PM over 1200 metres for runners aged three years and upwards, carrying a prize of $160,000. Jellicious, Bravissima, Nesrine, Yankee One, and Cantiamo are among those expected to compete, presenting a competitive sprint where race tempo will be a defining factor.
Maintaining the rhythm of the meeting, the Australian Flying Corps Handicap will follow at 2:30 PM over 1200 metres for three-year-olds and above, again for $160,000. Green Shadows, Midnight Dynamite, Mogul Monarch, Sergeant Major, Hillier, and Emirate are likely to take part, with the race expected to develop strongly in the closing stages as runners position for a late challenge.
Adding further pace to the card, the Gallipoli Handicap will be run at 3:05 PM over 1000 metres for three-year-olds and upwards, with $160,000 on offer. Sparring, Lulumon, Durova, Confess Our Dreams, Pokerjack, and Straand Beauty are set to contest this sharp sprint, where early acceleration and track positioning will be critical over the minimum trip.
Taking centre stage as the feature of the meeting, the ANZAC Day Cup will be contested at 3:40 PM over 1800 metres for three-year-olds and above, carrying prize money of $160,000. Nellie Leylax, Zaphod, Black Run, Flying Bandit, Redstone Well, and Kind Words are expected runners, and the race will place emphasis on stamina, balance, and well-timed moves in the latter stages.
Approaching the latter part of the programme, the First Australian Imperial Force Handicap will be staged at 4:15 PM over 1500 metres for three-year-olds and upwards, again for $160,000. Cristal Clear, Maison Louis, Depth Of Character, El Castello, Port Lockroy, and Encap are set to line up, with the contest likely to unfold tactically as runners conserve energy before the closing stretch.
Bringing the meeting to its conclusion, the Battle of the Dardanelles Handicap will take place at 4:50 PM over 1600 metres for three-year-olds and above, with a purse of $160,000. Uzziah, Luskaire, Pinhole, Bella Montagna, Fiddlers Green, and Thebudgiesmugla are expected to compete, providing a fitting conclusion to the programme.
Across the full schedule, Royal Randwick will deliver a well-balanced sequence of races, ranging from the 1000-metre sprint to the 1800-metre feature, ensuring opportunities for a variety of racing profiles while maintaining competitive depth throughout the afternoon.
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