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Show County Quality

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Show County Quality News


The Show County Quality 2026 runs on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Royal Randwick on Winx Stakes Day. 

The 2026 Show County Quality launches a key stretch of Sydney’s early-spring racing, and Races.com.au brings punters a complete look at the latest Show County Quality odds, form pointers and key Show County Quality betting trends. This Group 3 sprint is a proven spring-starting platform for elite gallopers, regularly attracting sharp first-up types, class runners resuming off strong trials and horses building towards major Group 1 targets later in the carnival. The 1200m Randwick contest consistently produces market-moving performances, making it a crucial race for punters wanting to identify early-season improvers and live spring contenders. With comprehensive stats, race history, form analysis and market insights, this page will help punters place a confident Shown County Quality bet this season.

2026 Show County Quality Odds

See below for the latest Show County Quality odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this spring.

2026 Show County Quality Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Show County Quality 2026 Tips on the Winx Stakes Day support act this season.

The Show County Quality is held at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse on Winx Stakes Day in August each year.

Run under quality handicap conditions, the Show County Quality is open only to horses three years and older. With prize money of $250,000, the event is one of the more exciting races on a program filled with black-type sprinting events. The Show County Quality is held alongside the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m), Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m), Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) and the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m).

Those horses that contest the Show County Quality are often kicking-off their spring campaigns and often the Group 2 Tramway Handicap (1400m) is the next-up option.

Show County Quality
Date:Saturday, August 22, 2026
Track:Royal Randwick
Distance:1200m
Race Type:Quality Handicap
Status:Group 3
Prize Money:$250,000

2026 Show County Quality Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Show County Quality results and finishing order of the Winx Stakes Day sprint event.

  • 1st: TBD
  • 2nd: TBD
  • 3rd: TBD

Winning Margin: TBD

Winning Time: TBD

2026 Show County Quality Betting

The latest Show County Quality 2026 betting odds and market links to the Group 3 event at Randwick courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au will be provided for punters at Races.com.au the week of the race.

Deprive ($3.30 in 2019), Showmanship ($3.30 in 2022), and Joliestar ($2.60 in 2024) are the latest favourites in Show County Quality betting to win.

2026 Show County Quality Form

The Show County Quality form guide is the key resource punters use to break down every runner lining up in this important early-spring Randwick sprint. Because the race regularly features proven sprinters resuming, sharp triallers, and horses building towards bigger Group targets, the form guide helps you compare fitness levels, map positions, sectionals, and stable intent — all crucial factors when assessing Show County Quality odds and shaping confident Show County Quality betting plays on Races.com.au.

What punters should look for in the Show County Quality form guide:

  • First-up performance — Many runners resume here; strong fresh stats are a major advantage.
  • Trial form — Look for professional, controlled trials that indicate readiness without being over-extended.
  • Sectional times — Late splits from previous campaigns often reveal which horses can accelerate off a fast tempo.
  • Speed map — Randwick’s 1200m rewards tactical speed; understanding leaders, on-pacers and swoopers is essential.
  • Handicap conditions — Weight differences can be decisive in a Group 3 handicap; look for horses well-placed at the weights.
  • Stable patterns — Top Sydney yards often target this race as a spring launchpad for their better sprinters.
  • Market movement — Early betting shifts frequently reveal stable confidence or key gear changes.

FULL 2026 SHOW COUNTY QUALITY FORM GUIDE 

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editors tip

Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?

Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.

Get Free Access to Form Genius Now

2026 Show County Quality Field

The official Show County Quality 2026 field of final acceptors and barrier draw will be announced on the Wednesday leading up to Winx Stakes Day and published in full below.

2026 Show County Quality Nominations

Nominations for the Show County Quality 2026 close on the Monday of race week and will be published in full below once released.

Show County Quality History

Inaugurated in 1993, the Show County Quality has maintained a reputation for quality sprinting displays since its inception. The race is named after renowned sprinter Show County, who during 1988 and 1989 won events such as the Silver Slipper Stakes, Maribyrnong Plate, San Domenico Stakes and Stan Fox Stakes. Big Dreams won the first edition of the Show County Quality.

At its inauguration, the Show County Quality was a listed race. It held this status until the 2013 edition, when it first ran as a Group 3 event.

Like much of NSW horse racing, the Show County Quality was not held in 2007 due to the outbreak of equine influenza.

The Show County Quality has changed location numerous times and has been held at three prominent Sydney racecourses, including Royal Randwick, Warwick Farm and Canterbury Park. As of 2014, it will be again held at Royal Randwick.

The 2021 Show County Quality form was franked with the winner Private Eye going on to win that spring’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and place in a number of subsequent Group 1 events. The 2021 third placed mare Icebath further franked the form saluting in the inaugural $2 million The Invitation race that October.

The Show County Quality also serves as a potential lead-up to the world’s richest turf race – the $20 million The Everest (1200m). In 2023 the Show County winner Buenos Noches ran a next-up third in the Group 2 The Shorts before crossing eighth in The Everest results that October.

The 2024 Show County Quality winner, Joliestar, would return in 2025 and win the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington as well as Brisbane’s Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup.

In 2025, Lazzura won the Show County before a next-up victory in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes. She would also go on to win the Group 1 Coolmore Classic in 2026.

PeriodLocation
1993-4Royal Randwick
1995-99Warwick Farm
2000Canterbury Park
2001-04Warwick Farm
2005-06Randwick Racecourse
2008Warwick Farm
2009Royal Randwick
2010-13Warwick Farm
2014 – onwardsRoyal Randwick

Notable Show County Quality winners include Identikit (1995), Might And Power (1997), Siddinghausen (1998), Athelnoth (2004), Rebel Dane (2013), Le Romain (2018), and Joliestar (2024).

Show County Quality results since 2000 are listed below.

Show County Quality Results

YearPlaceHorseTime
 
2026
Show County Quality
1stTBDTBD
2ndTBD
3rdTBD
 
2025
Show County Quality
1stLazzura1 minute 12.20 seconds
2ndWith You Blessing
3rdGeneral Salute
 
2024
Show County Quality
1stJoliestar1 minute 9.80 seconds
2ndOur Kobison
3rdPhearson
 
2023
Show County Quality
1stBuenos Noches1 minute 10.25 seconds
2ndArgentia
3rdDragonstone
 
2022
Show County Quality
1stShowmanship1 minute 10.92 seconds
2ndPrime Candidate
3rdRocketing By
 
2021
Show County Quality
1stPrivate Eye1 minute 10.20 seconds
2ndEmbracer
3rdIcebath
 
2020
Show County Quality
1stRoheryn1 minute 11.23 seconds
2ndProbabeel
3rdSpecial Reward
 
2019
Show County Quality
1stDeprive1 minute 8.63 seconds
2ndTrope
3rdBon Amis
 
2018
Show County Quality
1stLe Romain1 minute 8.62 seconds
2ndSiege Of Quebec
3rdBoss Lane
 
2017
Show County Quality
1stDeploy1 minute 8 seconds
2ndThe Virginian
3rdBurning Passion
 
2016
Show County Quality
1stTycoon Tara1 minute 9.9 seconds
2ndLe Romain
3rdMount Nebo
 
2015
Show County Quality
1stDecision Time1 minute 09 seconds
2ndBoss Lane
3rdVashka
 
2014
Show County Quality
1stTerravista1 minute 12.4 seconds
2ndIn Cahoots
3rdBull Point
 
2013
Show County Quality
1stRebel Dane1 minute 09.5 seconds
2ndTitle
3rdNorzita
 
2012
Show County Quality
1stMoment Of Change1 minute 09.4 seconds
2ndTitle
3rdSomepin Anypin
 
2011
Show County Quality
1stSkytrain1 minute 12.6 seconds
2ndWinter King
3rdNeeson
 
2010
Show County Quality
1stKenny’s World1 minute 10.7 seconds
2ndPinwheel
3rdSacred Choice
 
2009
Show County Quality
1stSwift Alliance1 minute 09.8 seconds
2ndBryannbo’s Gift
3rdAlbert The Fat
 
2008
Show County Quality
1stBank Robber1 minute 11.96 seconds
2ndHoystar
3rdKick ‘N’ Chase
 
2007
Show County Quality
1stRace Not Held
2nd
3rd
 
2006
Show County Quality
1stPrimus1 minute 09.9 seconds
2ndResistor
3rdNew Edge
 
2005
Show County Quality
1stLotteria1 minute 09.9 seconds
2ndOne In A Million
3rdFor Valour
 
2004
Show County Quality
1stAthelnoth1 minute 10.9 seconds
2ndTuraga
3rdDesert War
 
2003
Show County Quality
1stSportsman1 minute 11.9 seconds
2ndBritt’s Best
3rdGrand Armee
 
2002
Show County Quality
1stPresently1 minute 09.8 seconds
2ndOomph
3rdNational Saint
 
2001
Show County Quality
1stKingsgate1 minute 10.8 seconds
2ndExpertise
3rdFashion News
 
2000
Show County Quality
1stStanzaic1 minute 09.8 seconds
2ndMulan Princess
3rdAllez Suez

Show County Quality FAQ

What distance is the Show County Quality run over?
The Show County Quality is run over 1200 metres, a key early-spring Randwick sprint that regularly highlights fresh horses with tactical speed and class. This trip is central to analysing Show County Quality odds and shaping confident Show County Quality betting plays.

When is the Show County Quality held?
The race is traditionally staged in mid to late August at Royal Randwick, forming part of Sydney’s early-spring lead-up to major Group races later in the carnival.

What type of race is the Show County Quality?
It is a Group 3 handicap, attracting a mix of proven sprinters, first-up specialists and horses building towards bigger spring targets.

How many horses run in the Show County Quality?
Field sizes typically sit around 12-16 runners, delivering a competitive lineup that often produces strong form references for upcoming Group races.

What horses are eligible to run in the Show County Quality?
The race is open to three-year-olds and up, giving punters a blend of seasoned performers and rising talents to assess.

What races does the Show County Quality lead into?
Many runners progress to races like the Concorde Stakes, The Shorts, and other early-spring Sydney sprints, with strong Show County form often holding up at Group level.

Spring Racing

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