We take a look a today’s Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick which looks to be a good betting race with a wide open field to compete. Take a look at our Russell Balding Stakes betting tips and horse previews for each of the runners in the race.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Russell Balding Stakes.
2025 Russell Balding Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Briasa: He was plain I thought in The Everest. Yes, not given the best of rides, but still expected more. I think he’s well and truly overrated.
2. Jimmysstar: If there is petrol left in the tank, which you’d assume there is, then good luck beating Jimmysstar, and it is a big IF. He was the run of The Everest I thought. FINALLY ridden with intent, he was three/four wide the trip but he kept finding the line in defeat behind Ka Ying Rising. Gets to 1300m, no KYR here… clearly top seed as far as I’m concerned.
3. War Machine: War Machine looks suited up to 1300m for Team Hayes. Electric winner of the Gilgai but he found them too sharp in The Everest and was never really a factor. Much better suited up in trip and third up, hard fit, he appeals.
4. Private Eye: It was a deadset barrier trial he won the Moonga, but the value is clearly with Private Eye. Love Jimmysstar, think he’s the likely winner, but Private Eye looks the one at odds because he is a tough bastard who can sit on speed, he loves firm ground and will just give his all.
5. Rothfire: He got an all time ride from Purton to win the Sydney Stakes. Needs things to fall into place I think. Can’t entertain.
6. Iowna Merc: Just missed in the Sydney Stakes, driving hard late to just miss. The gate does make things very tricky and this is much harder.
7. Strauss: Wary of the Japanese raider but can’t back with confidence. He’ll go in the Quaddie though.
8. Waterford: Hit and miss type but think he’ll be missing here.
9. Golden Mile: Had excuses when resuming in the Sydney Stakes. He’s good enough if he’s right but not sure he is right just yet.
10. Jedibeel: SCR
11. Airman: Solid effort in the Alan Brown and isn’t racing too bad but the task is too hard from the draw.
12. Lady Shenandoah: Lady Shenandoah was very good in The Everest. She slipped and lost crucial momentum on the turn just as she was building into the race and just couldn’t quite get there but she was game in defeat. If the breaks go her way, she can win.
13. Mazu: He was game in The Everest but just think 1300m at this level is too far.
14. With Your Blessing: Gee he’s racing well this guy. Ran so well in the Sydney Stakes and maps well once again… doubt he wins, but a must for exotics.
15. Coal Crusher: He’s flying this horse and will give a good sight in front but he is completely set for The Hunter.
16. Amor Victorious: Happy to risk this horse. He will jump at big odds.
2025 Russell Balding Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$50 Win Jimmysstar, $10 Win / $40 Place Private Eye
Russell Balding Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRIASA | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tyler Schiller | 6 | 58.5kg |
| 2 | JIMMYSSTAR (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 4 | 58.5kg |
| 3 | WAR MACHINE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Tim Clark | 7 | 58.5kg |
| 4 | PRIVATE EYE | Joseph Pride | Nash Rawiller | 11 | 57.5kg |
| 5 | ROTHFIRE | Robert Heathcote | Jason Collett | 10 | 57.5kg |
| 6 | IOWNA MERC | Bjorn Baker | Josh Par | 14 | 57.5kg |
| 7 | STRAUSS (JPN) | Ryo Takei | Joao Moreira | 16 | 57.5kg |
| 8 | WATERFORD (IRE) | Chris Waller | Dylan Gibbons | 1 | 57.5kg |
| 9 | GOLDEN MILE | Joseph Pride | Tom Marquand | 8 | 57.5kg |
| 11 | AIRMAN | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Zac Lloyd | 17 | 57.5kg |
| 12 | LADY SHENANDOAH | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 13 | 56.5kg |
| 13 | MAZU | Joseph Pride | Rachel King | 9 | 56.5kg |
| 14 | WITH YOUR BLESSING (NZ) | John Thompson | Ms Alysha Collett | 5 | 56.5kg |
| 15 | COAL CRUSHER | Joseph Pride | Chad Schofield | 19 | 56kg |
| 16e | AMOR VICTORIOUS | Bjorn Baker | Regan Bayliss | 15 | 57.5kg |
Russell Balding Stakes Odds
2025 Russell Balding Stakes Speed Map
A fair amount of speed comes via the emergencies. If they don’t get a run, I suspect Coal Crusher will lead. With Your Blessing will settle handy, as will Rothfire. Mazu and Briasa, notably the former, will also go forward.
