Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New South Wales · Thursday 1 October 2026
Our top pick won 5 of 8 races at Illawarra Grange. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
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Creator Of World was narrowly run down for the win at this same track and trip earlier this preparation and has otherwise been a model of consistency without quite going all the way. The past two starts have been plainer, but the course-and-distance form, a capable rider and a workable draw make this the most likely winner on merit in a moderately-run maiden.
Classic Two is the model of consistency, racing handy and placing regularly without ever quite breaking through. A favoured low barrier, an on-pace tactic that suits the expected even tempo, and a strong finishing effort last start all point to another bold showing, though the query remains whether it can find the extra needed to actually win.
Gold Earth turned in the standout form performance of this field at its latest run and is clearly building into its assignment, but barrier ten is a real query at a track that has heavily favoured runners drawn low.
Waking Resources maps as one of just two genuine speed horses in a field at a track where leaders have won at a clear premium over on-pace or back-marking types.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Creator Of World | 7 | Alysha Collett | Ross McConville | 59kg | $3.10 |
| 2nd | 1 | Classic Two | 4 | Rory Hutchings | Rodney Bailey | 59kg | $8.50 |
| 3rd | 4 | Harrythewiz | 5 | Tyler Schiller | Marc Chevalier | 59kg | $6.50 |
| 4th | 3 | Gold Earth | 10 | Tom Sherry | Tommy Wong | 59kg | $7.50 |
| 5th | 7 | Alideel | 6 | Grant Buckley | Peter D Green | 57kg | $21.00 |
| 6th | 5 | The Hard Road | 1 | Jean Van Overmeire | Joseph Ible | 59kg | $21.00 |
| 7th | 10 | Neferusobek | 3 | Winona Costin | Diane Poidevin-Laine | 57kg | $5.00 |
| 8th | 6 | Waking Resources | 8 | Ellen Hennessy | Stephen O'Halloran | 59kg | $8.50 |
| 9th | 11 | Rubilace | 2 | Jess Taylor | Theresa Bateup | 57kg | $31.00 |
| 10th | 9 | Double Rainbow | 11 | Andrew Adkins | Kerry Parker | 57kg | $41.00 |
| 11th | 8 | Audacity | 9 | Reece Jones | Sam Harris | 57kg | $101.00 |
He now drops sharply in grade, is ridden by a top jockey for a leading stable with an excellent record together, and looks capable of finally breaking through.
I Am Dynasty led throughout at this track last start and was only mowed down right on the line, a strong showing for a lightly raced type. With another horse also likely to press forward, the speed should be solid, but his effort last time already looked well above a maiden standard.
He begins as fast as anything in the race, but barrier 12 is a real concern at a track that rewards on-pace runners drawn closer to the rail. Capable if he crosses well.
Twice placed from two runs without a bad run, he maps to sit on-pace again today.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Unhinged | 10 | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 56.5kg | $1.85 |
| 2nd | 15 | Cloudy Scout | 4 | Ashley Morgan | Richard and Will Freedman | 55kg | $9.00 |
| 3rd | 8 | I Am Dynasty | 7 | Chad Schofield | Brad Widdup | 56.5kg | $5.00 |
| 4th | 9 | Cotoletta Cut | 8 | Jason Collett | Chris Waller | 56.5kg | $4.60 |
| 5th | 1 | Almaaz | 6 | Siena Grima | Chris Waller | 55.5kg | $13.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Fly The Wind | 1 | Mollie Fitzgerald | Matthew Smith | 57kg | $41.00 |
| 7th | 11 | Spring Ruler | 2 | Keagan Latham | Clarry Conners | 56.5kg | $101.00 |
| 8th | 12 | Iron Rebel | 14 | Alysha Collett | Gary Portelli | 56.5kg | $101.00 |
| 9th | 5 | Zouallo | 3 | Jean Van Overmeire | Theresa Bateup | 56.5kg | $101.00 |
| 10th | 14 | Andelise | 11 | Jess Taylor | Marc and Mitchell Conners | 55kg | $151.00 |
| Scr | 3 | Phlox | 16 | Chris Waller | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Karaoke Rockstar | 9 | Gary Portelli | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | Iommi | 12 | Chris Waller | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Dr Know | 13 | John O'Shea and Tom Charlton | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Palm Tree | 15 | Chris Waller | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Shallow Bay | 5 | Chris Waller | 56.5kg |
Fiaba brings the strongest overall package in the race - the state's top rider, a stable in career-best form at this track, and a genuine excuse for her only blemish when interfered with late last start. Her trial form either side of that run has been rock solid, and settling in the midfield should suit if the speed map plays out as a genuinely fast-run race.
Hello Liz has yet to race but boasts the cleanest trial form in the field, winning her latest heat after finishing second in the one before.
The wide barrier is a query, but her finishing power should be well suited to the very fast pace expected today.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | Hello Liz | 8 | Kerrin McEvoy | Annabel and Rob Archibald | 56.5kg | $2.90 |
| 2nd | 7 | Evanta | 4 | Siena Grima | Chris Waller | 55kg | $8.50 |
| 3rd | 8 | Fiaba | 9 | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 56.5kg | $3.40 |
| 4th | 3 | Belle Chanteuse | 11 | Chad Schofield | Brad Widdup | 56.5kg | $5.50 |
| 5th | 11 | So Insightful | 1 | Mollie Fitzgerald | Amanda Turner | 56.5kg | $6.00 |
| 6th | 15 | Visna | 6 | Andrew Adkins | Gary Portelli | 55.5kg | $21.00 |
| 7th | 1 | Aliento | 2 | Rachel King | Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | 59kg | $21.00 |
| Scr | 2 | Macaroon | 12 | Bjorn Baker | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Clinger Power | 3 | Edward O'Rourke | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Cloudy Scout | 16 | Richard and Will Freedman | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Electric Bliss | 13 | Annabel and Rob Archibald | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Reine De Cristal | 5 | Alysha Collett | Gary Portelli | 56.5kg | |
| Scr | 12 | Sequoia | 15 | Michael Freedman | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Colheitas | 14 | Brad Widdup | 55.5kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Let's Engage | 10 | Anthony Mountney | 55.5kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Cheeky Sort | 7 | Joseph Ible | 57kg |
He ran a solid third last start against similar maidens, then won a trial, and is now second-up with blinkers. Barrier 2 and a handy position suit this track. He is a clear top pick, with the main risk being his wayward streak under pressure.
A consistent maiden who has gone close in a provincial race and ran on past tiring horses at Canterbury. Barrier 8 and a midfield position are workable in a moderate pace.
He has little form to lean on, and barrier 11 is a negative at a track that favours the inside.
Silverwater Kid was only run down late at this same track and trip last start, and with nothing else clearly disposed to lead, he can control a moderately run race from the front.
An unraced gelding who won a recent trial and draws the rail in a race where the inside has had the best of it. Ciaron Maher is in good recent form and the blinkers go on.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Dignifying | 12 | Regan Bayliss | Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | 56.5kg | $31.00 |
| 2nd | 3 | Vatican | 2 | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 57.5kg | $1.60 |
| 3rd | 8 | Zahav | 1 | Braith Nock | Ciaron Maher | 56.5kg | $19.00 |
| 4th | 1 | Angel Hair | 11 | Jay Ford | Matthew Smith | 59kg | $4.20 |
| 5th | 12 | Shallow Bay | 4 | Zac Lloyd | Chris Waller | 56kg | $26.00 |
| 6th | 15 | Charlie Hustle | 5 | Tom Sherry | Con Karakatsanis | 55kg | $61.00 |
| 7th | 7 | Laconic Livo | 8 | Chad Schofield | Brad Widdup | 56.5kg | $6.00 |
| 8th | 6 | King Julian | 10 | Alysha Collett | Peter Snowden | 56.5kg | $101.00 |
| 9th | 13 | The Breakers | 9 | Kerrin McEvoy | Peter Snowden | 55.5kg | $41.00 |
| Scr | 2 | Star Half | 16 | Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Silverwater Kid | 6 | Robert and Luke Price | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Zynaro | 13 | Chris Waller | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Bold Bucks | 14 | Richard and Will Freedman | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 11 | Extreme Courage | 7 | Ross McConville | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Too Hot To Handle | 15 | Gary Portelli | 55.5kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Burn For You | 17 | Nadine Cameron | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 17 | Conargo | 3 | Nadine Cameron | 55kg |
Donatello's last-start Hawkesbury maiden win came with a strong finishing sprint, and the run before that in much tougher Sydney grade was genuinely smart despite finishing only fifth.
A genuinely consistent mare who has been racing above this level for months without quite getting the win she deserves. The barrier and on-pace turn of foot suit this track's pattern, and the drop in class is significant. Without the scope-for-improvement edge of the top pick, but a rock-solid each-way proposition with genuine winning claims.
A mare clearly on the rise, having strung together two wins with strong finishing sprints. The only blemish on paper is a wide barrier at a track that has favoured on-pace, inside runners, but her improving profile and identical winning jockey partnership make her too dangerous to leave out of calculations.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Donatello | 5 | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 58.5kg | $2.45 |
| 2nd | 4 | No No Yes | 1 | Tom Sherry | Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr | 59kg | $18.00 |
| 3rd | 3 | Varuni | 9 | Rory Hutchings | Annabel and Rob Archibald | 59.5kg | $7.00 |
| 4th | 9 | Bright Promise | 8 | Molly Bourke | Amanda Turner | 56kg | $8.00 |
| 5th | 5 | Angel Feet | 4 | Jason Collett | Chris Waller | 58.5kg | $31.00 |
| 6th | 7 | C'mon Flyer | 7 | Alysha Collett | Ross McConville | 58kg | $71.00 |
| 7th | 1 | Substantial | 6 | Leeshelle Small | Fabio Martino | 58.5kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 2 | Pierata's Gem | 3 | Zac Lloyd | Annabel and Rob Archibald | 59.5kg | $2.70 |
| 9th | 8 | Djapana | 2 | Andrew Adkins | Clarry Conners | 58kg | $31.00 |
Kirkuk arrives in career-best shape, having run within a length or so of the placings last start in this grade and previously finished a nose from winning at today's trip. The quick back-up and consistent grading work in his favour, and his likely midfield settle should suit a moderate pace better than the deep closers. The wide gate is the one query, but the form is too strong to ignore.
The query is tactical: he settles right at the back, and with only a moderate pace on offer he needs the race to open up to finish over the top. Class alone makes him a leading claim, but the run-style risk holds him behind the top pick.
Can't Recall One steps back in grade off a win, with a good-track record that lines up well with today's conditions and a jockey who was in the saddle last start. He's not battle-tested at 2000m and his overall strike rate is unremarkable, but the class drop and improving form make him a solid each-way type in a moderately competitive race.
Super Sugoi gets the plum inside barrier at a track that clearly favours it, and his second-placed run two starts back showed he's not far off this level.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Kirkuk | 9 | Regan Bayliss | Jim and Greg Lee | 57kg | $9.00 |
| 2nd | 9 | Marsabit | 7 | Winona Costin | Danny Williams | 55kg | $15.00 |
| 3rd | 6 | Powerful Prayer | 3 | Keagan Latham | John Thompson | 56kg | $6.00 |
| 4th | 2 | Sonic Bender | 8 | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 58.5kg | $2.60 |
| 5th | 10 | My Greek God | 6 | Rachel King | Matthew Smith | 55kg | $6.50 |
| 6th | 5 | Super Sugoi | 1 | Kerrin McEvoy | Matthew Smith | 56kg | $10.00 |
| 7th | 7 | Meritage | 2 | Lee Magorrian | Bryce Heys | 56kg | $51.00 |
| 8th | 1 | Can't Recall One | 5 | Adam Farragher | Matthew Smith | 58.5kg | $6.50 |
| 9th | 8 | Mah Ali | 4 | Jeff Penza | Diane Poidevin-Laine | 55kg | $21.00 |
| Scr | 4 | Think I Do | 10 | Barbara Joseph, Paul and Matt Jones | 56.5kg |
Maidoff steps up in grade off a smart last-start win at this same track, clocking a strong time and doing it comfortably. The wide draw is a query but not enough to outweigh the clear formline advantage he holds over this field.
Bang On Time was competitive at this same track last start and has a smart maiden win under her belt with a big turn of foot. The concern is whether she can be doing her best work from off the speed at a track that has favoured on-pace runners, but her recent form stacks up well against this grade.
Bold And Blazen maps to lead or sit right on the pace from a good draw, and this track has rewarded on-pace runners. He was narrowly run down last start after setting a genuine tempo throughout, showing he's racing well right now. The query is his second-up record without a win, but the map and recent form make him hard to ignore in this contest.
Mogwai gets a big drop in class today and has a strong record fresh off a spell, including a win and regular placings in that scenario. The inside gate suits a track that has favoured low draws, and the apprentice claim takes meaningful weight off him.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Maidoff | 11 | Keagan Latham | Clarry Conners | 60kg | $2.10 |
| 2nd | 9 | Point Score | 7 | Andrew Calder | Amanda Turner | 56.5kg | $15.00 |
| 3rd | 7 | Bang On Time | 5 | Chad Schofield | Kerry Parker | 57kg | $3.70 |
| 4th | 6 | Autumn Sky | 6 | Zac Lloyd | Richard Litt | 57kg | $7.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Mogwai | 2 | Poppie Gorton | Robert and Luke Price | 57.5kg | $15.00 |
| 6th | 4 | Bold And Blazen | 3 | Grant Buckley | Peter D Green | 58kg | $9.50 |
| 7th | 5 | Brazil | 1 | Jean Van Overmeire | Mitchell Beer and George Carpenter | 57.5kg | $16.00 |
| Scr | 3 | Abuse Of Power | 4 | Braith Nock | John Sharah | 59.5kg | |
| Scr | 8 | Lady Yarrow | 10 | Theresa Bateup | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Ciao Bella Mia | 8 | Anthony Mountney | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 11 | Fawlty Affairs | 9 | Richard and Will Freedman | 55kg |
Dragon Blood has been racing right up to a strong standard, capped by a competitive third in this same grade over this same course and distance a fortnight ago. Two runs before that he was clearly good enough to win. He should get a nice run through the race given the moderate speed on offer, and he already has course, distance and grade runs on the board here. The clear form pick.
Epic drops into a prime spot on the map from barrier one and looks the type to get every chance in a moderately run race. Fitness after a month off is the query.
The concern is the size of the jump from a maiden into this grade off a single run.
Her best form line reads as well above winning standard for this level, and her likely on-pace racing pattern is the profitable spot at this track under a fast-run race. Class and fitness trends both point the right way despite the step up from restricted grade.
Can't Touch This drops right out of a much stronger race into this grade and looks the one runner most likely to get an easy lead, with only one other genuine leader in the field.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | Centimetre | 2 | Dylan Gibbons | John O'Shea and Tom Charlton | 55kg | $3.40 |
| 2nd | 7 | Dragon Blood | 10 | Tom Sherry | Annabel and Rob Archibald | 56.5kg | $3.70 |
| 3rd | 1 | Los Padres | 8 | Deon Le Roux | Mitchell Beer and George Carpenter | 59kg | $8.00 |
| 4th | 11 | Zoukerino | 4 | Louise Day | Jason Coyle | 55kg | $20.00 |
| 5th | 3 | Premium | 6 | Alysha Collett | Gary Portelli | 60kg | $10.00 |
| 6th | 8 | Nymphadora | 5 | Keagan Latham | Stephen O'Halloran | 56kg | $5.00 |
| 7th | 4 | Epic | 1 | Ashley Morgan | Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes | 58.5kg | $6.00 |
| Scr | 2 | Donwon | 12 | Ross McConville | 60.5kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Can't Touch This | 3 | Matthew Smith | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Miss Scandal | 9 | Chris Waller | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Bargino | 11 | Nadine Cameron | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Kazotsky | 7 | Nadine Cameron | 55kg |
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