The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill this Saturday shapes as one of the more open races on the program, with a deep field of sprinters bringing different form lines and profiles into the contest. With plenty of speed engaged and pressure expected throughout, it looks set up for a high-pressure race where positioning and timing will be crucial.
Briasa brings proven top-level form and looks primed for a big return, while Generosity has been targeted at this race and comes off a strong first-up win that suggests she is ready to peak. Hedged also brings high-quality form through the Oakleigh Plate, while Mazu and Jedibeel add further depth on speed. With several genuine winning hopes and conditions likely to play a role, this year’s Galaxy looks a competitive and intriguing sprint where the race shape could prove decisive.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 The Galaxy.
2026 The Galaxy Runner Preview:
1. Briasa: Briasa looks prepped right up for Team Hawkes. He won the TJ Smith last year, and first up in this race last year he was enormous in defeat against the pattern. He has looked very sharp in trial work and does have the runs on the board vs the rest.
2. Mazu: Game as ever in defeat in the Challenge when on speed and fought hard, only to be nabbed late. He should press forward once again and any rain about helps his cause big time.
3. Generosity: I have been hot on Generosity for this race for a couple of months and won’t be dropping off her, especially after her Challenge Stakes win first up where she got a 12/10 by J Mac and the ride was the difference between winning and losing. Waller has figured her out I think. Fresh is best and don’t do much with her between runs. She’s going to take beating here.
4. Hedged: Hedged is in the mix. He was unbelievable in the Oakleigh Plate. He lumped the 59kg and tried his guts out when second to Tropicus. If that hasn’t busted him, he’s going to run really well against these for mine.
5. Reserve Bank: He’s a good horse. But, I think he’s been trialling like a camel and I am not sure how well he’s come back. With that in mind, I feel he is gross unders.
6. Jedibeel: Thought he did a really good job first up in the Oakleigh Plate and will love sting out of the track. Just a matter of where he gets to from the draw.
7. In Flight: Better suited here vs WFA of the Challenge but I did want to see her do more there and I can’t have her.
8. Marhoona: Tried her guts out in the Challenge but was nabbed on the peg. Racing well and is genuine…just the end of 1100m at this level is the query.
9. Ostraka: The weather determines his chances. If it’s a wet track, I’d treat him as a scratching. If the track does dry out come jump time, I think he’s a real knockout hope. Loved his recent trial and maps to get run of the race.
10. Bridal Waltz: Class got her home first up at Flemington but not sure that was a deep race and this looks much harder.
11. The Black Cloud: Maps to settle much closer in the run vs the Challenge but she needs to improve too much.
12. Enriched: Scratched from the Maurice McCarten last week. Think he’s going okay but not well enough to measure up.
13. Infancy: Has a booming finish on her but I dare say has eyes on the Sapphire during The Championships.
14. Grafterburners: If you listen/read Kelly Schweida quotes, you wouldn’t take double figures this horse. Interrupted prep and while I am convinced he is a rocket, this is a fair step up and will need luck. I can’t have him as favourite.
2026 The Galaxy $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Generosity at $17/$5
Group l Strategy Outlay: $4500
Group l Strategy Return: $3783
The Galaxy Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRIASA | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tyler Schiller | 14 | 58.5kg |
| 2 | MAZU | Joseph Pride | Ms Rachel King | 9 | 56.5kg |
| 3 | GENEROSITY | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 17 | 55kg |
| 4 | HEDGED | Gavin Bedggood | Tim Clark | 3 | 55kg |
| 5 | RESERVE BANK | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Damian Lane | 2 | 55kg |
| 6 | JEDIBEEL (NZ) | Brad Widdup | Tommy Berry | 16 | 53kg |
| 7 | IN FLIGHT | Joseph Pride | Jay Ford | 13 | 52.5kg |
| 8 | MARHOONA | Michael Freedman | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 52kg |
| 9 | OSTRAKA | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Ben Thompson | 4 | 52kg |
| 10 | BRIDAL WALTZ | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Cartwright (a) | 7 | 51.5kg |
| 11 | THE BLACK CLOUD | Joseph Pride | Andrew Adkins | 1 | 51kg |
| 12 | ENRICHED | Michael Freedman | Craig Williams | 11 | 51kg |
| 13 | INFANCY | Kris Lees | Ms Alysha Collett | 12 | 51kg |
| 14 | GRAFTERBURNERS | Kelly Schweida | Zac Lloyd | 8 | 50.5kg |
The Galaxy Odds
2026 The Galaxy Speed Map
They are going to go really hard here. The Black Cloud and Bridal Waltz look your main speed players, with Marhoona, Mazu, maybe even Ostraka, pushing forward. If they get a run, you can add Beadman and Hidden Motive. They will go fast.
