Two of Saturday’s headline Group 1 races at Randwick appear straightforward on paper, with Tempted in the Surround Stakes and unbeaten star Autumn Glow dominating early betting in the Verry Ellegant Stakes. But markets don’t always tell the full story. Racelab analyst Matt Collum has run both races through the ratings lens to test whether these odds-on favourites are genuine certainties or vulnerable at their current prices. The numbers suggest punters may be facing two very different betting decisions.
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In The Lab | Surround Stakes | Group 1 3yo 1400m
Tempted: Summary: 10-5:2:2 Prizemoney: $4,726,400
Job to do (JTD) 104.1
Rated price: $1.90 (current price $1.60)
Pros:
- Best Rating: 106 (twice)
- Expected Rating: 106
- Maps perfectly to see out the 1400m
- Well in under set weight conditions
- Sectional times
Cons:
- Market price: $1.65
- 2nd up stats: 2:0-1-1
- Slight query at the distance
WATCH: Tempted winning the Eskimo Prince first-up.
The dangers:
Apocalyptic:
- Rated $4.9 (current price $4)
- Best Rating 105 (twice)
- Expected Rating 104
- Group 1 winner
- Has upside, maps well, likes the track and distance
- Out of a slowly run race without the best sectionals isn’t ideal
Ole Dancer:
- Rated $7.8 (current price $10)
- Best rating 104
- Expected Rating 103
- Group 1 winner
- Has the sprint to mow runners down
- Race shape against last start. First try Sydney going may not suit
Summary:
While Tempted clearly profiles as the runner to beat on peak ratings and race map, Racelab’s modelling suggests the margin between dominance and vulnerability is thinner than the market implies. Her historical figures stack up strongly against the required benchmark, but second-up performance and a price already shorter than rated value introduce risk for punters taking short odds. With multiple Group 1-performed fillies capable of running to the required figure if race shape suits, this shapes less like a certainty and more like a test of whether the favourite can reproduce her best.
Click here to get Racelab’s analysis of the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington.
In The Lab | Verry Ellegant Stakes | Group 1 WFA 1600m
Autumn Glow:
Legend: Summary: 9-9:0:0 Prizemoney: $6,997,000
Job to do (JTD) 108.5
Rated price: $1.5 (current price $1.30)
Pros:
- Best rating 111++ (won with ease)
- Expected rating 111.6
- Yet to taste defeat!
- She maps to get a soft run throughout
- Closing sectionals
Cons:
- Market price: $1.35
- Meeting a tough field of proven WFA performers
WATCH: Autumn Glow’s demolition in the Apollo Stakes
The dangers:
Sir Delius:
- Rated $6.8 (current price $6.50)
- JTD 110.5
- Best Rating 112
- WFA Group 1 Winner
- Highly anticipated return
Aeliana:
- Rated $11.3 (current price $11)
- JTD 108.5
- Best Rating 109.6
- Solid return last start, extra distance suits
Summary:
Autumn Glow is the obvious top pick however punting is all about price and at $1.35 she isn’t value. Sir Delius looms as the main danger and produced strong ratings last preparation which put him right in the picture if he’s ready to rock – I’m expecting his price to drift out. Aeliana ran well first-up and should improve over more ground – she would want the inside lanes to stay fair.
From a ratings perspective both favourites deserve their position atop the market, but neither presents clear betting value at current odds. Saturday’s Randwick card may ultimately hinge not on whether the stars can win, but whether punters are prepared to take short prices in races where the data suggests genuine opposition exists.
| Name | Definition |
| Prime Rating | Expected rating figure for the upcoming race based on historical performances |
| Job To Do (JTD) | The minimum rating required for each runner to win the race using a combination of metrics: Benchmark, Weight Carried, Mean Weight and Distance. |
