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Show County Quality News
The Show County Quality 2026 ran on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Royal Randwick on Winx Stakes Day and was won by Todd Pollard’s consistent Queensland-sired mare Midnight In Tokyo ($5).
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 Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 Show County Quality results and finishing order of the Winx Stakes Day sprint event.
- 1st: No. 1 Midnight In Tokyo ($5)
- 2nd: No. 9 Soothsayer
- 3rd: No. 7 Matcha Latte
Winning Margin: 0.32 lengths
Winning Time: 1:09.26
Midnight In Tokyo ($5) produced a tough, front-running performance to claim the 2026 Show County Quality results at Randwick, the Queensland-trained 7YO mare holding off Soothsayer and Matcha Latte in 1:09.26, home in 33.68. A proven stakes performer with multiple Listed wins and nearly $1 million in prizemoney, she bounced straight into her rhythm for Ben Thompson, pinching a break mid-race and digging in late to score by a neck x half-neck. Trainer Todd Pollard described the victory as “absolute euphoria”, praising the mare’s honesty and noting everything had fallen into place for her first Sydney stakes success. Thompson credited Pollard’s sharp placement and the mare’s happy demeanour, saying she continues to race with the enthusiasm of a younger horse. With 9 wins from 37 starts, Midnight In Tokyo’s Group 3 breakthrough sets her up perfectly for a return to Randwick in three weeks for the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on September 12 as she edges toward the twilight of a remarkably durable career.
2026 Show County Quality Odds & Finishing Order
See below for the latest Show County Quality odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this spring.
Show County Quality 2026 Results
| 1. Midnight In Tokyo (6) J: Ben Thompson 58kg x5010 T: Todd Pollard | ||
| 9. Soothsayer (1) J: Rachel King 56kg 2411x T: Michael Freedman | ||
| 7. Matcha Latte (5) J: Ashley Morgan 57kg 3613x T: Nacim Dilmi | ||
| 5. Infancy (3) J: Dylan Gibbons 57.5kg 02896 T: Kris Lees | ||
| 3. Enriched (2) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 58kg 7200x T: Michael Freedman | ||
| 2. Disneck (8) J: Tim Clark 58kg x160x T: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 8. Campione D’Italia (7) J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg 1412x T: Chris Waller | ||
| 4. Aviatress (4) J: Alysha Collett 57.5kg x4x55 T: Liam Ruddy |
2026 Show County Quality Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Show County Quality 2026 Tips on the Winx Stakes Day support act this season.
To Win: No. 8 Campione D’Italia
CAMPIONE D’ITALIA (7) looks perfectly placed to kick off his three-year-old season, and he’s a deserving favourite dropping back in grade against a small field of older horses. Chris Waller’s Snitzel colt has already built a serious Randwick résumé (4:2-1-0), highlighted by his shock 40/1 Group 2 Skyline Stakes win over this track and trip in late February. He backed that up with a brave Slipper run, finishing only two lengths off Guest House at big odds, before returning to Randwick and thriving over 1400m to claim the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ with a strong late surge. His autumn wrapped up with a narrow second in the Champagne Stakes over the mile behind Fireball, confirming his class and versatility. His recent trial form suggests he’s come back in great order, he’s beautifully weighted fresh, and Tommy Berry — who guided him to that Skyline upset — reunites from a favourable draw. Expect him to settle off the speed and unleash that trademark finishing burst late. He’s the one they’ll need to hold out.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 Betting
The latest Show County Quality 2026 betting odds and market links to the Group 3 event at Randwick courtesy of Ladbrokes 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
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.
Ask Form Genius...
- Which runner has the best trainer/jockey combo at Randwick?
- Which runner has the best form on this track?
- Which runners are mapped as leaders in the Show County Quality?
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 Now2026 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.
The 2026 Show County Quality field features a small but competitive line-up of spring sprinters including Chris Waller’s returning Group 1 Inglis Sires’ winner Campione D’Italia and the rails-drawn Queenslander Soothsayer chasing a hat-trick fresh.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x2112x5010 | MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO | Todd Pollard | Ben Thompson | 6 | 58kg | 103 | ||
| 2 | 31958x160x | DISNECK | Bjorn Baker | Tim Clark | 9 | 58kg | 99 | ||
| 3 | 3121x7200x | ENRICHED | Michael Freedman | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 58kg | 99 | ||
| 4 | 21340x4x55 | AVIATRESS | Liam Ruddy | Ms Alysha Collett | 4 | 57.5kg | 102 | ||
| 5 | x868x02896 | INFANCY | Kris Lees | Dylan Gibbons | 3 | 57.5kg | 102 | ||
| 6 | 12x1x1005x | CATCH THE GLORY | Jason Coyle | Adam Hyeronimus | 7 | 57kg | 101 | ||
| 7 | 1148x3613x | MATCHA LATTE | Nacim Dilmi | Ashley Morgan | 5 | 57kg | 97 | ||
| 8 | 01412x | CAMPIONE D’ITALIA | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 8 | 56.5kg | 101 | ||
| 9 | 3830x2411x | SOOTHSAYER | Michael Freedman | Ms Rachel King | 1 | 56kg | 95 | ||
| 10 | 715x168x01 | CARBONADOS (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Chad Schofield | 10 | 55kg | 88 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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.
2026 Show County Quality nominations extended until 11:00am (AEST) – 18/08/2026
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21340x4x55 | AVIATRESS | M | 6 | Liam Ruddy | 102 |
| 2 | 01412x | CAMPIONE D’ITALIA | C | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 3 | 715x168x01 | CARBONADOS (NZ) | G | 6 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 88 |
| 4 | 12x1x1005x | CATCH THE GLORY | M | 5 | Jason Coyle | 101 |
| 5 | 31958x160x | DISNECK | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 99 |
| 6 | 11x4232x1x | HEADWALL | G | 7 | Matthew Smith | 113 |
| 7 | 11210x411x | IDLE FLYER | M | 5 | Matthew Smith | 115 |
| 8 | x868x02896 | INFANCY | M | 6 | Kris Lees | 102 |
| 9 | 1148x3613x | MATCHA LATTE | G | 7 | Nacim Dilmi | 97 |
| 10 | x2112x5010 | MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO | M | 7 | Todd Pollard | 103 |
| 11 | 3830x2411x | SOOTHSAYER | G | 7 | Michael Freedman | 95 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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.
| Period | Location |
|---|---|
| 1993-4 | Royal Randwick |
| 1995-99 | Warwick Farm |
| 2000 | Canterbury Park |
| 2001-04 | Warwick Farm |
| 2005-06 | Randwick Racecourse |
| 2008 | Warwick Farm |
| 2009 | Royal Randwick |
| 2010-13 | Warwick Farm |
| 2014 – onwards | Royal 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).
Midnight In Tokyo (2026) was the last Show County Quality winning mare.
Show County Quality results since 2000 are listed below.
Show County Quality Results
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Show County Quality | 1st | Midnight In Tokyo | 1 minute 9.26 seconds |
| 2nd | Soothsayer | ||
| 3rd | Matcha Latte | ||
| 2025 Show County Quality | 1st | Lazzura | 1 minute 12.20 seconds |
| 2nd | With You Blessing | ||
| 3rd | General Salute | ||
| 2024 Show County Quality | 1st | Joliestar | 1 minute 9.80 seconds |
| 2nd | Our Kobison | ||
| 3rd | Phearson | ||
| 2023 Show County Quality | 1st | Buenos Noches | 1 minute 10.25 seconds |
| 2nd | Argentia | ||
| 3rd | Dragonstone | ||
| 2022 Show County Quality | 1st | Showmanship | 1 minute 10.92 seconds |
| 2nd | Prime Candidate | ||
| 3rd | Rocketing By | ||
| 2021 Show County Quality | 1st | Private Eye | 1 minute 10.20 seconds |
| 2nd | Embracer | ||
| 3rd | Icebath | ||
| 2020 Show County Quality | 1st | Roheryn | 1 minute 11.23 seconds |
| 2nd | Probabeel | ||
| 3rd | Special Reward | ||
| 2019 Show County Quality | 1st | Deprive | 1 minute 8.63 seconds |
| 2nd | Trope | ||
| 3rd | Bon Amis | ||
| 2018 Show County Quality | 1st | Le Romain | 1 minute 8.62 seconds |
| 2nd | Siege Of Quebec | ||
| 3rd | Boss Lane | ||
| 2017 Show County Quality | 1st | Deploy | 1 minute 8 seconds |
| 2nd | The Virginian | ||
| 3rd | Burning Passion | ||
| 2016 Show County Quality | 1st | Tycoon Tara | 1 minute 9.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Le Romain | ||
| 3rd | Mount Nebo | ||
| 2015 Show County Quality | 1st | Decision Time | 1 minute 09 seconds |
| 2nd | Boss Lane | ||
| 3rd | Vashka | ||
| 2014 Show County Quality | 1st | Terravista | 1 minute 12.4 seconds |
| 2nd | In Cahoots | ||
| 3rd | Bull Point | ||
| 2013 Show County Quality | 1st | Rebel Dane | 1 minute 09.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Title | ||
| 3rd | Norzita | ||
| 2012 Show County Quality | 1st | Moment Of Change | 1 minute 09.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Title | ||
| 3rd | Somepin Anypin | ||
| 2011 Show County Quality | 1st | Skytrain | 1 minute 12.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Winter King | ||
| 3rd | Neeson | ||
| 2010 Show County Quality | 1st | Kenny’s World | 1 minute 10.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Pinwheel | ||
| 3rd | Sacred Choice | ||
| 2009 Show County Quality | 1st | Swift Alliance | 1 minute 09.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Bryannbo’s Gift | ||
| 3rd | Albert The Fat | ||
| 2008 Show County Quality | 1st | Bank Robber | 1 minute 11.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Hoystar | ||
| 3rd | Kick ‘N’ Chase | ||
| 2007 Show County Quality | 1st | Race Not Held | – |
| 2nd | – | ||
| 3rd | – | ||
| 2006 Show County Quality | 1st | Primus | 1 minute 09.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Resistor | ||
| 3rd | New Edge | ||
| 2005 Show County Quality | 1st | Lotteria | 1 minute 09.9 seconds |
| 2nd | One In A Million | ||
| 3rd | For Valour | ||
| 2004 Show County Quality | 1st | Athelnoth | 1 minute 10.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Turaga | ||
| 3rd | Desert War | ||
| 2003 Show County Quality | 1st | Sportsman | 1 minute 11.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Britt’s Best | ||
| 3rd | Grand Armee | ||
| 2002 Show County Quality | 1st | Presently | 1 minute 09.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Oomph | ||
| 3rd | National Saint | ||
| 2001 Show County Quality | 1st | Kingsgate | 1 minute 10.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Expertise | ||
| 3rd | Fashion News | ||
| 2000 Show County Quality | 1st | Stanzaic | 1 minute 09.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Mulan Princess | ||
| 3rd | Allez 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.
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