Irish Import Cap Saint Martin Primed for First Australian Victory at Randwick
An increase in distance is expected to pave the way for an Irish import to achieve his maiden win on Australian soil as he tackles a competitive field at Wednesday's feature meeting on the Kensington Track at Randwick. Cap Saint Martin, a typical and sparingly raced four-year-old reared in Ireland, is set for just his eighth career start since debuting nearly two years ago.
Cap Saint Martin's Journey from Ireland to Sydney
As a son of the outstanding triple Group 1 winner in France, Persian King, Cap Saint Martin broke through as a hot favourite at his third start in late 2024 at The Curragh, the home of Irish racing. The gelding had only three more runs through 2025, including a dominant victory in a lower graded handicap at Naas before a spell.
He was subsequently transferred to Australia and placed under the care of Annabel and Rob Archibald at Warwick Farm, a stable with a strong track record of success with UK and Irish imports. Given ample time to acclimatise and two quiet trials, Cap Saint Martin impressed in his first Sydney outing just a fortnight ago, powering home from near last to secure a place at Warwick Farm over 1600m at Benchmark 78 level.
Now stepping up to 1800m in the Hawaii Five Oh @ Vinery Stud Handicap, he faces similar opposition and is primed to make a significant statement, positioning himself for potential Saturday company later in the campaign. Cap Saint Martin opened as the $3.30 TAB favourite in early betting for what promises to be a robust and competitive race.
Competitive Field and Track Conditions
Progressive three-year-old Without Peer is quoted around $4.60, ahead of Randwick-based duo Kenmare Bay at $5.50 and Glad You Think So at $6.50. The Kensington circuit was rated a Heavy 9 late Tuesday, but with clearing weather expected, it is likely to improve to an 8 or even a Soft 7 by raceday.
Neil Evans's Selections for Kensington Races (Wednesday)
The track is rated a Heavy 9 with the rail in the TRUE position. The forecast predicts a sunny day with a top of 27 degrees on raceday.
Race-by-Race Analysis and Tips
Race 1 - 1:45PM VINNIE - THREE-TIME CHAMPION SIRE HANDICAP (1100M)
- Top Selection: 2. NAADRA ($3.10 favourite) can bounce back strongly after a suboptimal ride in Group 2 company at her second start. Back 100m in distance to midweek company is a significant advantage. First time on rain-affected ground, but bred to handle it.
- 1. She's Extra ($3.20) is a promising Newcastle juvenile with two dominant wins, the latest by over three lengths at Warwick Farm on a Soft 7.
- 5. Moscow Maid ($4) is a filly by Russian Revolution and a big market watch on debut for the Hawkes stable.
- How to play it: Naadra to WIN.
Race 2 - 2:20PM INGLIS XTRA BONUS MAIDEN PLATE (1300M)
- Top Selection: 2. LONTRICE ($5) is a promising son of D'argento, resuming for just his second start behind two progressive soft track trials. Well over the odds.
- 6. Metallic Cat ($1.60 favourite) was good on debut for the Waterhouse-Bott stable when only collared late on Soft 7 ground.
- How to play it: Lontrice to WIN.
Race 3 - 2:55PM 2026 KEENELAND BREEDERS' CUP HANDICAP (1100M)
- Top Selection: 8. PORTICO ($9) is a well-bred colt by prolific wet track sire Exceed And Excel who can make a big statement on debut at great odds for the Michael Freedman stable.
- 2. Under Focus ($4 favourite) is an emerging provincial-based colt who led for a long way on debut at Warwick Farm in soft ground.
- How to play it: Portico EACH-WAY.
Race 4 - 3:30PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1150M)
- Top Selection: 3. GRAND PRAIRIE ($4) is an improving home track colt well placed to strike second-up. Both career wins have come in soft going.
- 9. Hay Street ($3.20 equal favourite) is a progressive three-year-old stepping up significantly in class off an all-the-way second-up maiden win at Rosehill.
- How to play it: Grand Prairie to WIN.
Race 5 - 4:05PM TAB HANDICAP (1400M)
- Top Selection: 5. JUST MAZ ($5 favourite) is a tough and emerging filly right at home on rain-affected ground and can make it three straight wins this campaign.
- 1. Azarax ($7) has ability and is each-way value third-up after being beaten less than a length in the Listed Canberra Guineas.
- How to play it: Just Maz to WIN.
Race 6 - 4:40PM 2026 NOV KEENELAND BREEDING STOCK SALE HANDICAP (1150M)
- Top Selection: 4. HORSESHOE HILL ($4) is an emerging filly well placed coming back to Wednesday company second-up against the girls.
- 2. Surf's Up ($2.50 favourite) is a talented filly who naturally handles wet tracks, resuming behind two progressive trials.
- How to play it: Horseshoe Hill to WIN.
Race 7 - 5:15PM HAWAII FIVE OH @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1800M)
- Top Selection: 5. KENMARE BAY ($5.50) is a tough four-year-old banging on the door 26 days between runs and thrives on rain-affected ground.
- 3. Cap Saint Martin ($3.30 favourite) is an Irish-bred three-year-old well placed, stepping up a furlong in trip second-up since last August.
- How to play it: Kenmare Bay to WIN.
Race 8 - 5:50PM IRRESISTIBLE POOLS AND SPAS HANDICAP (1550M)
- Top Selection: 9. SPIRIT OF CAMELOT ($4.20 favourite) is a sparingly raced mare who can claim an overdue fifth career win and take her strike rate to 33 per cent from 15 starts.
- 7. Monte Veebee ($5) is a threat drawn the inside gate, although he has disappointed in three consecutive runs as a short-priced favourite.
- How to play it: Spirit Of Camelot to WIN.
Best Bets and Value Picks
- Best Bets: RACE 4 - 3. GRAND PRAIRIE ($4 on TAB), RACE 8 - 9. SPIRIT OF CAMELOT ($4.20 favourite).
- Best Value: RACE 5 - 5. JUST MAZ ($5 favourite).
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