There are not many races on the calendar like All Aged Stakes, combining Everest form with the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, which is one of a dozen Group 1 winners lining up at Randwick on Saturday.
It is a race doused in tradition, and while it has not drawn the stars of the carnival in 2026, it is the best and most competitive Group 1 of the past couple of months.
It invariably finds a topline winner, the honour roll includes revered name like Wakeful, Peter Pan, Bernborough, and Tulloch in the first half of last century.
In more modern times Emancipation, Campaign King, Shaftesbury Avenue, Hay List, and Atlantic Jewel added to its lustre.
In total the 14 runners on Saturday have won more than $81 million in prizemoney making it perhaps the best Group 1 of the season, in terms of quality.
Strangely, this year’s favourite Angel Capital is one of two runners without success at the group 1 level, and he will have to beat the past three winners of the race in Jimmysstar, Giga Kick and Magic Time.
Angel Capital is due a change of luck after he was held for most the straight in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, when a length away running fourth, and suffering a similar fate last start in the William Reid Stakes, when a narrow runner-up behind Jigsaw.
“Angel Capital gets to 1,400m and the good track will suit him,” Waller said.
“His run in the Newmarket Handicap was good [when third to Caballus] and his run last start was great [in the William Reid]. He’s ready for 1400m now, too.”
Waller has his usual expansive team for the final Group 1 of the Sydney carnival with Golden Rose winner Beiwacht, Coolmore Classic winner Lazzura, Kovalica and stable favourite Fangirl each looking for another Group 1.
“Beiwacht was nice and strong in his trial [last Friday]. We gave him the trial because we just wanted to make sure he wasn’t too fresh for the All Aged,” Waller said.
“Lazzura was scratched from the Queen of the Turf Stakes because it was a tough mile from a tricky draw and I thought she was better suited at 1,400m. Kovalica is getting ready for a Brisbane campaign.”
But it is the return to raceday of Fangirl, who had a cruise around Randwick on the second day of The Championship last Saturday.
“Every run could be her last run if she doesn’t race well,” Waller said. “I don’t know where she gets to this autumn, whether she gets to Brisbane or not.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she runs in [August’s] Winx Stakes and then becomes a mum after that.
“But I will obviously speak to the Inghams and see what they want to do with Fangirl.”
Interestingly, James McDonald takes the ride on Angel Capital rather than Fangirl, but knows not to discount the star mare.
“She is always great first-up. We have been working towards this race and she is well ahead of schedule. She is ready to run well,” he said.
Jimmysstar returns to defend his crown and has added an Orr Stakes over 1400m at the top level, since beating Joliestar on this day at Randwick last year.
‘’I’ve been of the opinion that he is best suited at the 1400 metres and this preparation he doesn’t seem quite as sharp as he has been in the past, so I think he’s really looking for the trip now,’’ owner Ozzie Kheir said.
