The Roy Higgins 2023 Race Details
Race 5 at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday the 25th March 2023.
The Roy Higgins is a Listed race held at Flemington racecourse over 2600 metres. It is for horses aged three=years-old and upwards and is run under set weights plus penalties conditions. The total prizemoney is $500,000 this year.
You can read more about the race history, lead-up races, and past winners on the Roy Higgins page.
The Roy Higgins 2023 Preview
Track: Good Weather: Fine
Ten runners have accepted for the Listed Roy Higgins and they are all geldings. There are four 4YOs, two 5YOs, two 6YOs and two 7YOs. Three of the runners had their last start in a 2500m race at Flemington on the 4th of March, while the rest all came via different races. Trainer Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have 2 runners.
The early favourite is Goldman who won over 2400m at Warwick Farm last outing. Second favourite is Soulcombe who has had 2 runs from a spell and is now getting out to a suitable distance. Third favourite is So Unusual has won his last 4 races in a row. Young Werther finished 4th in the Australian Cup Prelude after being held up. All other runners are currently $10 or more.
The Roy Higgins 2023 Runner by Runner
1. Midnight Blue (9)
Finished 6 lengths 4th behind So Unusual last outing. Blinkers go back on. Should be fitter after 2 runs.
2. Aurora’s Symphony (10)
Won the Colac Cup (2000m) then the Group 3 Launceston Cup (2400m) before a very close 2nd in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup on 13th March. Expecting him to run well.
3. Swords Drawn (6)
Coming off a win in the Listed Torney Night Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley. Not out of it.
4. Alegron (2)
Resumed for 7th in the Group 2 Sky High Stakes over 2000m. Might need another run.
5. Soulcombe (8)
Has had 2 runs from a spell over 1600m then 2000m and is now getting out to a suitable distance.
6. Young Werther (5)
Finished 4th in the Australian Cup Prelude over 2000m after being held up. Place chance.
7. Il Paradiso (3)
Ran 3rd in the 2019 Melbourne Cup then resumed after over 3 years to run last of 10 in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes. Wait for him to show something.
8. Youth Spirit (1)
Drawn the rails. Kicked and fought hard to only go down over last 50m over 2500m at Flemington on 4 March. Should be in the finish.
9. So Unusual (7)
Has won his last 4 races in a row. This is tougher but it’s hard to back against winning form.
10. Goldman (4)
Won by 5.6 lengths over 2400m at Warwick Farm last outing. Has now won 4 of his 6 starts. Strong chance.
The Roy Higgins 2023 Tips
The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.
| Jo Jackson’s Tips | Lewis Oliver’s Tips | |
| 9 So Unusual | 5 Soulcombe | |
| 8 Youth Spirit | 8 Youth Spirit | |
| 2 Aurora’s Symphony | 10 Goldman | |
| 10 Goldman | 6 Young Werther |
Previews for other races this week
Group 1 William Reid Stakes 2023 (Moonee Valley 1200m) – Friday
Group 2 Sunline Stakes 2023 (Moonee Valley 1600m) – Friday
Group 3 Alexandra Stakes 2023 (Moonee Valley 1600m) – Friday
Listed Valley Pearl St Albans Stakes 2023 (Moonee Valley 1200m) – Friday
Listed Albury Gold Cup 2023 (Albury 2000m) – Friday
Group 1 Australian Cup 2023 (Flemington 2000m)
Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes 2023 (Flemington 1200m)
Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap 2023 (Flemington 1000m)
Listed Sunlight Classic/Moomba Plate 2023 (Flemington 1100m)
Group 1 Tancred Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 2400m)
Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 2000m)
Group 2 Tulloch Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 2000m)
Group 2 Emancipation Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 1500m)
Group 3 Doncaster Prelude 2023 (Rosehill 1500m)
Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 2000m)
Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 2000m)
Group 3 T L Baillieu Handicap 2023 (Rosehill 1400m)
Group 3 W.A. Oaks 2023 (Ascot 2400m)
Listed Grandstand Cup 2023 (Ascot 1500m)
Listed Melvista Stakes 2023 (Ascot 2200m)
Listed South West Autumn Cup 2023 (Pinjarra 2200m) – Sunday
The Roy Higgins 2023 Race Results
| Result | Horse | Margin |
| 1st | 10 Goldman | |
| 2nd | 5 Soulcombe | 2.75 lengths |
| 3rd | 3 Swords Drawn | 3.5 lengths |
| 4th | 4 Alegron | 4.25 lengths |
The track was rated as Good 4.
There were no scratchings.