Everest Rivals Renew Battle in A$3M Russell Balding Stakes
Group One Winners Headline Randwick's Richest Sprint
The Russell Balding Stakes has evolved into one of Australian racing's most prestigious consolation prizes, offering A$3 million (US$1.95 million) in prizemoney to those who contested The Everest three weeks earlier. First run in 2019 and named after former NSW Racing chairman Russell Balding from 2024 onwards, the Group One feature over 1300 metres at Randwick has become an essential fixture on Golden Eagle Day.
This year's renewal brings together an exceptional collection of talent, with multiple Group One winners seeking redemption following mixed fortunes in The Everest.
The race serves as the perfect stage for horses like War Machine and Jimmysstar to prove their class, whilst seasoned campaigners including Private Eye, Lady Shenandoah and Mazu add depth to what promises to be a thrilling contest. With Japanese Group Two winner Strauss adding international flavour, the Russell Balding Stakes continues its tradition of assembling the finest sprinters in the southern hemisphere.
Briasa Brings Outstanding Credentials
The form horse of the field arrives with seven wins from just nine career starts, an extraordinary strike rate that marks him as one of Australia's most talented sprinters. Briasa, trained by Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes, captured the Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick over 1200 metres, defeating Overpass by a head with what proved to be a performance of genuine quality.
His most recent victory came in the Gr.2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick, where he defeated Jimmysstar by half a length, demonstrating his affinity with the course.
Having secured an Everest slot, the son of I Am Invincible finished eighth behind Ka Ying Rising but remains in excellent order heading into this assignment.
The Hawkes stable also saddles Airman, who caused a major upset winning the 2024 Premiere Stakes, defeating Mazu by a neck with Bella Nipotina filling third. Michael Hawkes praised the son of I Am Invincible, noting he has been ‘knocking on the door’ throughout his recent campaign.
Jimmysstar Seeks Group One Redemption
Ciaron Maher's New Zealand-bred galloper secured his maiden Group One victory in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield over 1100 metres before stepping up in trip to claim the All Aged Stakes over 1400 metres at Randwick, defeating Joliestar by six-tenths of a length. Having secured a TAB slot for The Everest, Jimmysstar has won nine of his 18 starts with career earnings surpassing A$2.1 million (US$1.37 million).
His third placing behind Ka Ying Rising in The Everest, combined with his narrow second to Briasa in the Premiere Stakes, confirms he remains in excellent form. The versatile sprinter has demonstrated his effectiveness across a range of distances from 1100 metres to 1400 metres, suggesting the 1300 metre trip should suit perfectly.
War Machine Needs To Bounce Back
Trained by Ben, Will & JD Hayes, War Machine won seven of his 14 career starts and amassed A$2.66 million (US$1.73 million) in stakes before his disappointing tenth placing in The Everest. The Lindsay Park galloper arrived at Randwick following an impressive first-up victory in the Gr.2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington, carrying 60kg topweight and defeating Star Patrol by two lengths over 1200 metres.
His earlier triumph in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm, winning by just under a length carrying only 53kg, confirmed his class. Co-trainer Ben Hayes explained the Everest performance was better than the result indicated, noting "he just got a little crowded and ended up further back than we would have wanted, but his work through the line was very good. He ran very quick sectionals, he was strong through the line. The only horse that ran through the line better than him was Angel Capital."
The son of Savabeel remains unbeaten in four appearances for the Lindsay Park stable. Will Hayes expressed confidence, noting "he's a really special animal and he is a pleasure to train" whilst acknowledging the need to bounce back from the Everest disappointment.
Private Eye Brings Seasoned Experience
Joseph Pride's 8YO entire has amassed A$12,643,285 (US$8.22 million) in prize money from 47 starts, winning 14 times including eight black-type victories. Private Eye claimed the Gr.2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes first-up at Caulfield, defeating Desert Lightning by two lengths over 1400 metres, before adding the Gr.3 Moonga Stakes at the same venue, taking career earnings past A$12.6 million (US$8.19 million).
The veteran campaigner's consistency at the highest level makes him a genuine contender despite his advancing years. Pride also saddles Mazu, the 7YO gelding by Maurice who won back-to-back editions of the Gr.3 Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick under Jamie Melham and Jamie Kah respectively. The Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 winner has earned approximately A$7.8 million (US$5.07 million) despite finishing ninth in The Everest, having won nine times from approximately 28 starts throughout his distinguished career.
Lady Shenandoah Adds Elite Class
Trained by Chris Waller, Lady Shenandoah brings exceptional Group One credentials having claimed three consecutive elite level victories including the Surround Stakes at Randwick over 1400 metres, where she narrowly defeated Lady Of Camelot by twenty-nine-hundredths of a length. The mare followed up with victory in the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill over 1500 metres, having previously captured the Gr.1 Flight Stakes at Randwick over 1600 metres.
Having secured an Everest slot with Fairway Thoroughbreds, she finished seventh behind Ka Ying Rising, demonstrating the stable's faith in her ability against the very best sprinters. Waller saddled one of two mares who contested The Everest field, though the drop back to 1300 metres may prove testing given her preference for middle distances.
Rothfire Remains Competitive Despite Age
Trained by Robert Heathcote, Rothfire won the Gr.3 Sydney Stakes despite being described by his trainer as "past his best but he's such a competitor you can never write him off". The 8YO claimed the Gr.3 McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley over 1000 metres following serious injury, before returning to win the King of the Mountain at Toowoomba.
Heathcote's faith in the son of Rothesay remains unwavering despite the gelding's advancing years, with his competitive nature continuing to shine through at the highest level of racing. His ability to compete in Group company remains impressive given his injury history.
Jedibeel Shows Progressive Form
Prepared by Brad Widdup, Jedibeel won the Gr.2 Challenge Stakes fresh at Randwick over 1000 metres, showing a brilliant turn of foot to win by just over a length. The New Zealand-bred gelding has won eight of 18 starts, accumulating A$816,150 (US$530,500), having claimed his first black-type victory in the 2024 Listed Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick over 1200 metres with career earnings exceeding A$527,000 (US$342,550).
The son of Contributer finished eleventh in The Everest behind Ka Ying Rising, though his earlier Challenge Stakes victory suggests he possesses the class to be competitive at this level. His recent form suggests he remains a progressive galloper capable of competing with the elite sprinters assembled for this feature.
The Russell Balding Stakes presents a fascinating clash between horses seeking redemption following The Everest and those arriving in peak condition. Briasa stands out as the form horse with his Premiere Stakes victory over Jimmysstar, though Ciaron Maher's runner boasts superior Group One credentials and will relish the opportunity to reverse the placings. War Machine needs to bounce back from his disappointing Everest run, whilst Private Eye's vast experience and consistency at Group level cannot be discounted despite his eight years.
The presence of Lady Shenandoah adds further depth, though her preference for middle distances may count against her over 1300 metres. Rothfire's competitive nature ensures he remains a live chance despite his advancing years, whilst Jedibeel's progressive profile suggests he could spring a surprise. With A$3 million (US$1.95 million) in prizemoney and Group One status, the Russell Balding Stakes promises to deliver a compelling spectacle on one of Australian racing's biggest days.
BRIASA (T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes / J: Tyler Schiller)
JIMMYSSTAR (NZ) (T: Ciaron Maher / J: Ethan Brown)
WAR MACHINE (NZ) (T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes / J: Tim Clark)
PRIVATE EYE (T: Joseph Pride / J: Nash Rawiller)
ROTHFIRE (T: Robert Heathcote / J: Jason Collett)
IOWNA MERC (T: Bjorn Baker / J: Joshua Parr)
STRAUSS (JPN) (T: Ryo Takei / J: Joao Moreira)
WATERFORD (IRE) (T: Chris Waller / J: Dylan Gibbons)
GOLDEN MILE (T: Joseph Pride / J: Tom Marquand)
JEDIBEEL (NZ) (T: Brad Widdup / J: Tom Sherry)
AIRMAN (T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes / J: Zac Lloyd)
LADY SHENANDOAH (T: Chris Waller / J: James McDonald)
MAZU (T: Joseph Pride / J: Ms Rachel King)
WITH YOUR BLESSING (NZ) (T: John Thompson / J: Ms Alysha Collett)
COAL CRUSHER (T: Joseph Pride / J: Chad Schofield)
16e. AMOR VICTORIOUS (T: Bjorn Baker / J: Regan Bayliss)
17e. CABALLUS (T: Bjorn Baker / J: Not specified)
18e. FELIX MAJESTIC (T: Gary Nickson / J: Ms Molly Bourke (a))
19e. PHEARSON (T: Brad Widdup / J: Not specified)