Sheza Alibi, Autumn Boy and Gringotts Headline Epsom Nominations
SB Staff|09/09/2026|Horse Racing News
Sheza Alibi, Autumn Boy and Gringotts Headline Epsom Nominations – Trifecta News Summary:
- Doncaster Handicap winner Sheza Alibi and Big Dance winner Gringotts headline 93 nominations for the $1.5m Epsom Handicap at Royal Randwick on Saturday, October 3.
- Chris Waller has stacked the field with 18 entries, led by Autumn Boy, as he chases a seventh Epsom triumph to join Tommy Smith and Gai Waterhouse in the record books.
- The $750,000 Flight Stakes has drawn 48 nominations, with Waller's Striking Alibi and David Payne's Bangkok Hottie among the three-year-old fillies to watch.
Waller Loads Up for Epsom Handicap Assault
Champion trainer Chris Waller is leaving nothing to chance in his bid for a seventh Epsom Handicap, entering a whopping 18 horses for the 161st running of Sydney's iconic mile handicap.
Heading the stable's charge is Doncaster and Randwick Guineas runner-up Autumn Boy, alongside Althoff and Mr Miller.
Waller's nominations run deep with proven weight-for-age gallopers Buckaroo, Birdman, Lindermann and Lady Shenandoah all in the mix.
A win would see him equal the late Tommy Smith and Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse on seven Epsom victories.
Sheza Alibi and Gringotts Lead the Star-Studded Nominations
Doncaster Handicap winner Sheza Alibi headlines three entries from the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman stable, shaping as one of the market movers in early Epsom Handicap betting.
Ciaron Maher's team is spearheaded by Big Dance winner Gringotts, joined by Vivy Air and Another Wil. Undefeated Kiwi raider Well Written (the current early favourite in all-in Epsom markets) has also been nominated, promising to add international spice to the contest.
Other key names among the 93 nominations include:
- Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott: Fully Lit, New Endeavour and Sovereign Hill.
- Joe Pride: Group 1 winner Ceolwulf, Attica and Tramway Stakes winner Headley Grange.
- Michael Freedman: Recent impressive winner Decorum and Tramway runner-up Soothsayer.
Flight Stakes Shapes as Three-Year-Old Filly Showdown
The $750,000 Flight Stakes over 1600m has attracted 48 nominations, with Waller again holding a stacked hand of nine entries led by Striking Alibi.
David Payne has nominated a formidable trio in Furious Stakes winner Bangkok Hottie, unbeaten filly Proxima Dea and Krasina.
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou will be represented by Furious Stakes runner-up and Rosebud winner Chilly Girl, while Matt Smith's promising Queen's Gamble and Silver Shadow Stakes placegetter Global Goal round out the notable entries.
Metropolitan Timetable Shifts
Punters keeping tabs on The Metropolitan will need to be patient – nominations won't drop until the Monday before the race, following the Asian Pattern Committee's recent downgrade of the staying feature from Group 1 to Group 2.
With the Sydney spring carnival heating up, both Randwick features are shaping as must-watch fixtures on the racing calendar.
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