The Galaxy

See the 2024 The Galaxy Preview and results.

See the 2023 The Galaxy Preview and results.

See the 2022 The Galaxy Preview and results.

See the 2021 The Galaxy Preview and results.

The Galaxy was first run in 1972 as a principal race over 6 furlongs (about 1200 metres) and was won by Playbill. From 1973 onwards the distance was converted to 1100 metres and in 1980 the race was given Group 2 status. A few years later, in 1984, it was made a Group 1 race.

It had always been run at Randwick apart from 2007 when it was run at Warwick Farm, but from 2013 it was moved to Rosehill.  Sydney horses tend to use the Group 2 Challenge Stakes over 1000 metres as the main lead-up race to The Galaxy. Melbourne horses often have their lead-up in the Newmarket Handicap over 1200 metres at Flemington. Winner of the 2023 Challenge Stakes is exempt from ballot.

The race always draws a competitive field of quality sprinters and only one horse has been good enough to win it twice. Grey Receiver won in 1981 and 1982 and contested the race again in 1983 but finished eighth on a heavy track. Three-year olds have an excellent record in this race and the speedster Luskin Star won The Galaxy as a three-year-old in 1978.

The winner of the 2023 Galaxy is exempt from ballot for the 2023 T J Smith Stakes.

Last mare to win: Mariamia (2023)

Last 3YO to win: C&G – Russian Revolution (2017); Filly – La Baraka (1998)

Multiple winners: Grey Receiver (1981 & 1982)

Fastest time (1100m): Sweet Idea (2015) 1:02:69

Interesting trivia: 1975 winner Bletchingly is the sire of 1991 winner Mr Tiz and grandsire of 1997 winner Accomplice.

Six three-year-olds won in the 1990’s with Schillaci (1992), Sublimate (1993), Jetball (1994), Gold Ace (1996), Accomplice (1997) and La Baraka (1998), while five three-year-olds won in the 2000’s with Mistegic (2002), Snowland (2003), Spark Of Life (2004), Charge Forward (2005) and Nicconi (2009).

The race is usually run at a fast pace and barriers can play an important role. Horses drawn out wide are disadvantaged because of the early speed in the race and an inside barrier is definitely an advantage in this race. In 2010 *Ortensia was first past the post but later disqualified

*Ortensia was first past the post but later disqualified

From the archives:

The Galaxy Preview & Tips 2018

Track: Slow   Weather: Overcast

Following the early scratchings of Pariah and Secret Agenda, emergency The Mission will get a run giving a field of 13 runners for the $700,000 The PFD Food Services Galaxy. They range in age from three-year-olds to seven-year-olds, and the betting is fairly open. The early favourite is In Her Time who has won 7 of her 17 starts and resumes here after winning a Beaumont trial by over 4 lengths. Second favourite is wet track specialist Jungle Edge who resumed for 2^nd in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes, and who ran 3^rd in this race last year. Third favourite is three-year-old Viridine who was slowly away and ran on strongly for 4^th in the Challenge Stakes when resuming and has won both of his second-up starts.

Snitty Kitty loves this distance and is very speedy, coming off a close 2^nd in the Oakleigh Plate. Supido has won 3 from 4 at this distance and was 1.1 lengths 5^th in the Newmarket last start. English resumed for 5^th in the G2 Challenge Stakes. Thronum ony battled for 12^th in the Newmarket but is good on rain-affected ground. Le Romain resumes here and has never been unplaced first-up. All other runners are currently 25 to 1 or longer.

The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.