Best Bets For Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick

The Russell Balding Stakes is one of the feature races at Randwick on Saturday. The $3 million contest is run over 1300 metres, and it is a conditions race. It was won in 2024 by Bella Nipotina for trainer Ciaron Maher.

Here is a look at the best bets for the 2025 Russell Balding Stakes and some of the supporting races on the excellent card at Randwick.

BEST BET: JIMMYSSTAR

Russell Balding Stakes (Race 7)

Jimmysstar put up a spirited performance against the highest-ranked horse in the world when he was third behind Ka Ying Rising in the Everest at Moonee Valley in October. It was the second straight race that he had gone close to success, as he was also second in the Precise Air Premiere Stakes.

Ciaron Maher’s sprinter has a great opportunity to get back into the winner’s enclosure in the Russell Balding Stakes as his form is arguably the best in this field. He often produces his best at the course, as he showed when winning the Group One All Aged Stakes last season.

Now at the age of six, Jimmysstar remains one of the elite sprinters in the world. This 1300-metre distance is ideal for him, and he has featured three times already in the campaign, so he should be at peak fitness.

Lady Shenandoah represents the chief challenge in the Russell Balding Stakes, but she could only finish seventh in the Everest, so she needs to produce much more if she is to finish ahead of Jimmysstar on this occasion.

SECOND BEST BET: BRAVE ONE

Bisley Workwear Sprint (Race 6)

After recording back-to-back victories at Randwick (1300m) and Rosehill (1400m) earlier this year, Brave One comes into this sprint contest looking to complete a hat-trick. The four-year-old appears to be improving with every run, so he has a great chance of a third straight win.

The Hawkes team have opted to drop Brown One down in distance here to 1100m, and that is unlikely to be a problem as the son of Exceedance showed a lot of speed on the track as a three-year-old.

Brave One has 11 rivals to beat in this handicap contest. He has been given a good draw in barrier five, and after a recent trial run at Rosehill, he should be ready for this assignment.

BEST VALUE: SUN GOD

Toyota Forklifts (Race 5)

Chris Waller has a strong hand in the fifth race on the card at Randwick, as he will saddle United Kingdom and Sun God. The latter represents the best value of those two runners, and he can outshine his stablemate for his second straight triumph.

The five-year-old gelding ended a long losing sequence when landing a nine-runner handicap at Warwick (1600m) in early October. If he can take another step forward on that performance, he can add to his tally on this step up in distance.