The 2026 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) at Randwick looks a wide-open affair, with a mix of strong straight-track form, key Sydney lead-ups and progressive fillies stepping up. The tempo should be genuine, giving most their chance, but it may favour those with race fitness and proven form at the trip. Satono Glow and Cherry Bomshell both bring impressive recent wins and look capable of measuring up, while Lumbini has the talent to improve sharply if she produces her best.
Rachini looks the standout play, coming off a brave effort in the Sires’ where 1400m just stretched her late. Back to 1200m, against fillies and with that run under her belt, she maps to get every chance and should be right in the finish. With value in an even race, the strategy is $20 win and $80 place on Rachini.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Percy Sykes Stakes.
2026 Percy Sykes Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Medicinal: Dominant over 1100m two back at Ballarat before an impressive win over 1000m down the Flemington straight. 1200m is a whole new ball game for her, and she’s been given the weight penalty for the Group win. I want to risk.
2. Satono Glow: Satono Glow comes back to Sydney for Tom Charlton after an impressive win two weeks ago at Flemington down the straight, getting better as the race went on and was impressive in the run to the line. Good test here but think she can measure up.
3. Lumbini: Lumbini is four weeks between runs since racing in the Magic Night, trying to get into the Slipper, but didn’t fire a shot behind Pembrey. Tick over trial was pretty good and if she brings her best, she is dangerous.
4. Screen Icon: Tried hard in the Sweet Embrace but just found Spicy Miss a fraction too good. More depth here though for me and just not sure on her at a strong 1200m at this level.
5. Ciaron’s Star: Didn’t do a bad job in the Magic Night and is talented but not sold on her at 1200m.
6. Cherry Bomshell: Cherry Bomshell has been too good for them of late in Brisbane so keen to see how she goes in Sydney. Impressive winner several weeks ago at Eagle Farm, giving them a start and a beating in an impressive effort. Good test here but think she can measure up.
7. Rachini: Rachini is very dangerous here. I thought she ran a beauty in the Sires last Saturday when on speed and tried hard but the end of 1400m at that level just found her out late. I think back to 1200m and back to Fillies grade, with that hard run under the belt, gee I think she’ll run a beauty.
8. She’s Extra: Tried hard on the Kenso but was no match for the winner, who had things to suit. Genuine filly but 1200m seems a bridge too far.
9. Reachin Out: Spanked them on debut but was a touch flattered by the way the track played and has that sense of timing but this looks different gravy and I want to be against her.
2026 Percy Sykes Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Rachini
Percy Sykes Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MEDICINAL | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Ms Jamie Melham | 7 | 57kg |
| 2 | SATONO GLOW (NZ) | Tom Charlton | Zac Lloyd | 4 | 57kg |
| 3 | LUMBINI | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 9 | 55kg |
| 4 | SCREEN ICON | John Thompson | Chad Schofield | 1 | 55kg |
| 5 | CIARON’S STAR | Ciaron Maher | Tommy Berry | 5 | 55kg |
| 6 | CHERRY BOMSHELL | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Ben Thompson | 8 | 55kg |
| 7 | RACHINI | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 2 | 55kg |
| 8 | SHE’S EXTRA | Kris Lees | Damian Lane | 6 | 55kg |
| 9 | REACHIN’ OUT | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Regan Bayliss | 3 | 55kg |
Percy Sykes Stakes Odds
2026 Percy Sykes Stakes Speed Map
Small field but a bit of speed engaged. Rachini should hold a forward spot from the inside gate but has company via Reachin Out and Ciaron’s Star. She’s Extra, Medicinal and Lumbini may want to drive across from wide gates so the tempo should be genuine.
