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The spring’s Princess Series gets underway in earnest at Royal Randwick on Saturday with a host of classy three-year-old fillies lining up in the opening leg, the Silver Shadow Stakes 2026 serving as one of the key support acts on a stacked Winx Stakes Day card.
While the focus of this weekend’s racing action centres around the return of the WFA stars headlined by brilliant mare Autumn Glow in the Group 1 Winx Stakes, there’s plenty to get excited about elsewhere on the program including the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m).
A terrific campaign kick-off for last season’s juvenile fillies who are hitting their 3YO era with an eye on the grand prize – the Group 1 Flight Stakes on Epsom Handicap Day in early October – the Silver Shadow field for 2026 features a typically exciting bunch of up-and-comers ready to put their hand up as the next great mare.
Won by a host of subsequent superstars including the likes of Samantha Miss, Libertini and Zougotcha, this year’s edition of the set weights plus penalties sprint shapes up as another intriguing and open affair.
Currently sitting top of the Silver Shadow Stakes odds at a still generous $4.80 quote through Ladbrokes.com.au is the untapped Agrarian Girl from the Waterhouse/Bott yard.
The bonny daughter of Tassort has just her third start on the weekend resuming off a solid two-year-old prep that included a Black-Type winning debut in the Listed Lonhro Stakes at 30/1 over subsequent Group 2 winner Spicy Miss.
At her latest she raced over the track and trip she sees fresh on Saturday when second, but well beaten by the winner Chayan, in the Group 2 Reisling back in March.
The stable sent her to the paddock after to mature, and based on her recent, slick, Sydney trials that was the right call.
Her Reisling hoop, Timmy Clark, reunites here and is riding in flying form which is a big tick.
From gate seven, she’s expected to bounce out, hit the lead and she’ll take some beating despite coming off a lengthy break.
It is a really tight betting race with plenty of fillies hot on her tail in the markets including, wait, a co-favourite!
That’s right, at time of publish Striking Alibi has been heavily backed into equal favouritism at $4.80 with the Perth expat ready to make her mark for her new stable.
Formerly unknown in WA with Luke Fernie, this girl has obviously impressed somebody as she’s moved to the powerhouse Waller team and makes her interstate debut off two eye-catching Randwick lead-up trials.
Will the early money be justified?
She was a runaway three-length winner at Ascot last April on debut at blowout odds before finding the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate too hard when 12th in a disappointing run.
Saturday sees her return as a more mature filly, Tommy Berry comes aboard and she’ll get all the favours from gate three to try and bring her hot trial form to the big race day.
Just behind them at Silver Shadow Stakes odds of $5 is a smart little Queensland danger, Pembrey, who trainer Tony Gollan has locked in record-breaking hoop James McDonald to partner.
Nothing screams confidence like a J-Mac booking, and she’ll need it with gate 10 to overcome.
The Prague filly from the Sunshine State has won two of her four starts to date and lines-up as one of the better tried in the field.
Her standout run came at Rosehill back in March when claiming a Group 3 Magic Night victory over the six furlongs, but she’s after atonement after her Golden Slipper flop crossing well down the finishing order 14th to Guest House.
This is a much easier assignment to get her confidence back, and she was strong in a recent winning trial at Deagon.
A further two Silver Shadow Stakes contenders are under double figures for the win with the ultra-consistent Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained topweight Cherry Bomshell ($6) and David Payne‘s Bangkok Hottie ($9.50) drawn opposite ends of the field in gates two and eleven respectively.
There’s lots to like about the fast-to-improve Cherry Bomshell who has won three-from-four so far including her impressive Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes victory at a big price over this course and distance during The Championships.
Yes, she gives a little weight away and might need the run, but she was excellent taking on older rivals in her lead-up trials and boasts the class edge here.
Ben Thompson knows her well and there’s a lot to like about them finishing over the top of this field late stages at a good price.
Bangkok Hottie meanwhile is a nicely bred daughter of Too Darn Hot who already has a new season run under her belt.
Thrown in the deep end on debut when fifth to Blue Door, runner-up in last weekend’s The Rosebud, in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes, she went on to win back-to-back Sydney races in lower grade.
Over 1100m here on ANZAC Day she easily accounted for her rivals running off for a 2.17 length win and then resumed on August 8 in a Midway BM72 to cross third from the outside alley as the beaten odds-on favourite.
She travelled wide throughout first-up, should take enormous benefit fitness-wise out of the run and deserves a shot back up in grade now; benefitting from the booking of Kerrin McEvoy.
The 2026 Silver Shadow Stakes is scheduled as Randwick Race 7 at 3:15pm (AEST) on the 10-race card for Saturday.
Silver Shadow Stakes 2026 Tips & Best Bets
Best Bet: No. 1 Cherry Bomshell
CHERRY BOMSHELL (2) lands on top for mine in what shapes as a genuinely wide-open edition of the Silver Shadow, with several high-class fillies resuming and plenty of depth across the field. The Archibald-trained daughter of Lucky Vega does give weight away, but her consistency and upward trajectory make her an appealing play. After a plain debut fifth on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast, she went from strength to strength, stringing together three straight wins including back-to-back 1000m victories at Eagle Farm when well-supported in Brisbane. She then headed south at big odds for the Group 2 Percy Sykes during The Championships at Randwick, and under a perfectly judged Ben Thompson ride, she put nearly a length on Medicinal to claim the $1 million feature over the same track and trip she resumes at this weekend. Kicking off at 1200m looks ideal — she profiles as a filly who will stretch out further in time — and her lead-up trials have been sharp enough to suggest she’s ready to fire fresh. Thompson is airborne, draws beautifully in barrier two, and should have her parked in a sweet spot throughout. The weight is the obvious query, but at the price, she’s a filly I’m more than happy to be with.
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1. Cherry Bomshell (2)
J: Ben Thompson57kg
5111xT: Annabel & Rob Archibald
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| Resuming after a four-and-a-half months break. Finished off last preparation winning by 0.8 len this track G2 Percysykes April 11 over 1200m defeating Medicinal with 55kg at $17. On debut fifth of 11 at Gold Coast Mm Debut 2yo SW January 17 over 1000m, soft track; 5 len behind Toorak Jewel carrying 55kg at $13. Can continue where she left off last prep. | |||
Favourite: No. 3 Agrarian Girl
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3. Agrarian Girl (7)
J: Tim Clark55kg
12xT: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
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| Resuming after a five-and-a-half months break. Finished off last preparation second of 9 at this track in the G2 Reisling March 7 over 1200m, 3 len behind Chayan carrying 56.5kg at $2.70. At her first start favourite; won by 0.5 len this track LR Lonhro February 7 over 1000m defeating Spicy Miss with 54kg at $31. Will take catching first up after the two sound trials. | |||
Best Roughie: No. 4 By Choice
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4. By Choice (8)
J: Rachel King55kg
5333xT: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
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| Resuming. Finished off last campaign third of 8 at Rosehill in the G3 Magicnight March 14 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Pembrey with 56.5kg at $4.60. On debut won by 1.0 len this track 2yo Hcp December 27 over 1100m defeating Masvingo with 54kg at $7.50. Worth more than a passing glance after trialling well. | |||
2026 Silver Shadow Stakes Odds
| 1. Cherry Bomshell (2) J: Ben Thompson57kg 5111xT: Annabel & Rob Archibald | |||
| Resuming after a four-and-a-half months break. Finished off last preparation winning by 0.8 len this track G2 Percysykes April 11 over 1200m defeating Medicinal with 55kg at $17. On debut fifth of 11 at Gold Coast Mm Debut 2yo SW January 17 over 1000m, soft track; 5 len behind Toorak Jewel carrying 55kg at $13. Can continue where she left off last prep. | |||
| 2. Pembrey (10) J: James McDonald56kg 1510xT: Tony Gollan | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign 14th of 16 at Rosehill in the G1 G Slipper March 21 over 1200m, soft track; 6 len behind Guest House carrying 54.5kg at $19. At her first start to post a big 5.5 len win. Eagle Farm 2yo Hcp February 14 over 1000m slow track defeating Oregon Coast carrying 56.5kg at $2.35. Resumes with the one trial win and had genuine excuses in the Golden Slipper. | |||
| 3. Agrarian Girl (7) J: Tim Clark55kg 12xT: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Resuming after a five-and-a-half months break. Finished off last preparation second of 9 at this track in the G2 Reisling March 7 over 1200m, 3 len behind Chayan carrying 56.5kg at $2.70. At her first start favourite; won by 0.5 len this track LR Lonhro February 7 over 1000m defeating Spicy Miss with 54kg at $31. Will take catching first up after the two sound trials. | |||
| 4. By Choice (8) J: Rachel King55kg 5333xT: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign third of 8 at Rosehill in the G3 Magicnight March 14 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Pembrey with 56.5kg at $4.60. On debut won by 1.0 len this track 2yo Hcp December 27 over 1100m defeating Masvingo with 54kg at $7.50. Worth more than a passing glance after trialling well. | |||
| 5. Bangkok Hottie (11) J: Kerrin Mcevoy55kg 511×3T: David Payne | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months ran on from midfield; 3rd of 10 in a Midway Bm72 at this track on August 8 over 1100m, slow going 0.8 len behind Melanite with 55kg at $2.10. Previously second-up favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.4 len at Warwick Farm on April 15 over 1200m defeating Victorious Ruler carrying 58kg at $2.25. Comes here with a fitness edge and looks the value play. | |||
| 6. Krasina (1) J: Ashley Morgan55kg 42312T: David Payne | |||
| At the latest run raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 11 in a Midway Bm72 at Rosehill on August 1 over 1400m, slow going 1.2 len behind Attractiveness with 54kg at $5. Before that came from midfield and won by 1.2 len at Canterbury on July 22 over 1200m in soft going defeating Queen’s Gamble with 57kg at $1.80. Back in trip and don’t underestimate. | |||
| 7. Global Goal (5) J: Dylan Gibbons55kg 1xT: John Sargent | |||
| Resuming after a break; only one run when came from midfield and won by 1.3 len at Wagga on May 1 over 1200m defeating Friendly Fire with 54.5kg at $7. Worth including. | |||
| 8. Reachin’ Out (6) J: Regan Bayliss55kg 17xT: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Resuming after a four-and-a-half months break. Finished off last preparation seventh of 9 at this track in the G2 Percysykes April 11 over 1200m, 5.5 len behind Cherry Bomshell carrying 55kg at $4.20. On debut to post a big 4 len win. Randwick Kensington 2yo F Osc March 25 over 1100m slow track defeating She’s Extra carrying 56kg at $10. Not keen on her chances this time. | |||
| 9. Striking Alibi (3) J: Tommy Berry55kg 10xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resumes from a spell. Finished off last preparation 12th of 16 at Ascot in the G2 Karrakatta April 18 over 1200m, soft track; 7 len behind Afireofgidgeecoals carrying 55kg at $14. At her first start to post a big 3 len win. Ascot 2yo Swp April 11 over 1000m defeating Barron Bill with 54kg at $61. First start for the Waller yard and trialled well. | |||
| 10. Coco Affair (4) J: Ethan Brown55kg 3×31T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 12 in a 2yo F Mdn-Sw at Warwick Farm on July 15 over 1100m, slow going 2 len behind Oh Yes She Did carrying 56kg at $5. Second-up favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2 len at Wyong on August 2 over 1200m defeating Wendell with 55kg at $1.35. Looks safely held this time around. | |||
| 11. Screen Icon (9) J: Chad Schofield55kg x726xT: John P Thompson | |||
| Is first-up after a break of four-and-a-half months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last campaign sixth of 9 at this track in the G2 Percysykes April 11 over 1200m, 3 len behind Cherry Bomshell with 55kg at $7. First up last campaign seventh of 16 at this track in the LR Millennium February 7 over 1100m, 2.5 len behind Fireball carrying 54.5kg at $13. Everything points to a positive return. | |||
2026 Silver Shadow Stakes Big Bets
Big bets are already rolling in ahead of Winx Stakes Day, and the Silver Shadow Stakes is shaping as one of the hottest support races on the card — here’s where the smart money is landing this weekend.
