We’ve got a Group 1 on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend!

On Saturday, we head to Sydney for the Golden Rose, where the Golden Slipper winner, Guest House, headlines that million-dollar race.

Running across 1400m at Rosehill, exclusively for three-year-olds, the Golden Rose was won by Beiwacht last year (2025), followed by Broadsiding (2024), Militarize (2023), Jacquinot (2022), and In The Congo (2021).

Speaking of Beiwacht, he headlines the Manikato Stakes on Sunday in Melbourne.

Traditionally run at Moonee Valley, the $2 million race will be run at Caulfield this year. The 1200m weight-for-age sprint was won by Charm Stone last year (2025), followed by Southport Tycoon (2024), Imperatriz (2023), Bella Nipotina (2022) and Jonker (2021).

Check out our tips and predictions for the Golden Rose & Manikato Stakes below!

Golden Rose

Winner: ST GOTTHARD

Top 4: St Gotthard | Campione D’Italia | Guest House | Warwoven

Why: I feel any of the first seven in the market can take out this race, hence why I will go against the favourite with my top selection.

I have St Gotthard on top, as the colt appears to be crying out for 1400m. Running excellently through the line behind Warwoven last-start, the Chris Waller-trained colt, who will be ridden by J-Mac should run a mighty race.

Campione D’Italia is one of the only horses in this race who has been proven at the distance, and I believe that proves very useful for these sort of three-year-old races – we saw Tempted go down as a short favourite last year after dominating her sprints and stepping up to 1400m for the first time – similarities to Guest House?

I don’t believe Campione D’Italia is the best horse in the race, but I’m picking the colt to run behind St Gotthard just on trust at the distance.

Guest House must also be respected, obviously. The colt was very unlucky in the Blue Diamond, then delivered a hyper-impressive run in the Slipper. When returning for the spring, he won first-up at 1100m in yet another stellar run. Rising to 1400m for the first time in his career is the only query, which is exactly why I am preferring other proven horses across the distance.

And much like Guest House, Warwoven’s class must be considered in this race. Only question is the rise in distance to 1400m.

Tron Bolt, Central Europe and Under Focus could surprise as well.

Connor Scanlon

Winner: GUEST HOUSE

Top 4: Guest House | Under Focus | Central Europe | St Gotthard

Why: Outside of Guest House, who I assume will be way too good for these, this race is a bit of a muddling mess with two formlines converging.

Honestly, Under Focus was the slight eye-catcher in the Run To The Rose but not too much else made ground in a meaningful way. Guest House is genuinely in the market for The Everest and I don't think any of these others would have much of a say.

I liked how Central Europe stuck on despite being checked for a run and it offers some great value while Chris Waller-trained St Gotthard is a quality colt and with James McDonald in the saddle, should get a good steer despite the wide draw.

Ethan Clark

Winner: GUEST HOUSE

Top 4: Guest House | Under Focus | St Gotthard | Warwoven

It’s impossible to ignore Guest House after his first-up win. Wow.

Should get the perfect run from gate 5 and only has to handle the rise to 1400m. If he is comfortable at the trip then he should win.

Under Focus is the value play. Was third behind Warwoven and St Gotthard in the Run To The Rose after missing the kick.

1400m, yes. Back each-way or heavier the place.

Andrew Slevison

Winner: GUEST HOUSE

Top 4: Guest House | Campione D’Italia | Warwoven | St Gotthard

Why: There are a lot of good chances in this year’s edition of the Golden Rose, but I have settled on Golden Slipper winner Guest House as the class horse of the race. Returning off the back of a scintillating track record at Rosehill in a Group 3 San Domenico Stakes. He should be able to handle the rise in trip to 1400m.

I think you must forgive the Chris Waller trained colt Campione D’Italia after what was a drastically poor and out of character run first up. Returns to the track and I think is far too wide in the market.

Warwoven was mighty impressive last start in a nice win over St Gotthard, but 1400m is a massive query here. Still think he will run solid.

St Gotthard closed strongly last start but was no match for Warwoven, I think the fitness and rise to 1400m will be positive, but I don’t have a lot of trust with this colt.

Jasper Cormick

Manikato Stakes

Winner: GIGA KICK

Top 4: Giga Kick | Oliveanotherday | Beiwacht | Extragalactic

Why: I’m against the favourite here.

I love Beiwacht at 1400m, and so does Chris Waller, but he isn't exactly a 1200m horse. Beiwacht has sprinted across 1200m four times, and he has only placed once. Prefer others.

For that same reason I can’t be with My Gladiola to win – five starts at the distance for no wins and only two placings. Prefer her for 1000m. And I can’t be with Jimmysstar – only one win at eight starts at the distance.

I’ve been tossing up between Giga Kick and Oliveanotherday for my selection, but I’m going to go with Giga Kick just on class. The seven-year-old is undefeated at the track and has three placings plus a win in his last 1200m runs, which were all Group 1s. Forgive his 1000m first-up run. Back to 1200m here – give the fan favourite some faith!

I’m willing to also forgive Oliveanotherday as he just simply didn’t handle the Flemington straight last start. He will run a mighty race, but this is by far the hardest field he has even run against.

The J-Mac booking on Extragalactic is very interesting as well. Jockeys make the best form guides, so I’ll follow the champion hoop in here, and include the mare in my top four selections.

Connor Scanlon

Winner: GIGA KICK

Top 4: Giga Kick | Extragalactic | Beadman | Geegees Mistruth

Why: This shapes as an absolute ripper of a race. You can make a genuine case for all starters down to Gallant Son at the bottom of the market who almost claimed the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap in March.

All in all, though, I have so much faith in the old champ Giga Kick. You know why; undefeated at Caulfield, great record at the distance (including an Everest win, need I remind you) and capable on good or soft tracks depending on how much rain we get.

The Moir Stakes was, in hindsight, clearly a good starting point for Giga and the extra 200m will be welcome as well as the momentum he can carry around the turn with the rail out 13 metres. Gate 4 is a dream.

Extragalactic has JMac aboard and there's been some money for the Trent Edmonds mare. The less rain the better for this girl but I expect a compelling showing either way.

Beadman's Concorde run was the definition of eye-catching and I cannot ignore that, while Geegees Mistruth comes into it more with some rain and finished close with Extragalactic last start.

It pains me to leave out Jimmysstar, Beiwacht and Oliveanotherday while Charm Stone is a smoking gun that I am always wary of but this race shape suits some more than others.

Ethan Clark

Winner: EXTRAGALACTIC

Top 4: Extragalactic | Giga Kick | Oliveanotherday | Napoleonic

Why: Thought the run of Extragalactic in the Moir was pretty good when fourth behind My Gladiola and co.

James McDonald now takes the ride which is some guide.

Has a 1200m win at Caulfield under her belt already and with even luck can be in the finish at each-way odds.

Sticking fat with Giga Kick after tipping him in the Moir. 1200m is much more suitable (10:3-3-1) and he loves Caulfield, winning two from two.

Can back both Extragalactic and Giga Kick.

Not sacking Oliveanotherday after his Flemington flop. Better around a bend.

Throwing Napoleonic in. Thinking about his only run in Melbourne when he spanked them at The Valley at Group 3 level last October.

Andrew Slevison

Winner: GIGA KICK

Top 4: Giga Kick | Jimmysstar | Beiwacht | Extragalactic

Why: If you thought the Golden Rose was a tough race to tip, this stacked field of the Manikato provides an even more significant challenge.

I have settled with Giga Kick who I think is perfectly suited to the 1200m distance. Has a win and three placing in his last five races at this distance, all being in Group 1 class. He is hard to go past, forgive last start.

Jimmysstar is my pick to round out the quinella. Is my confidence high? No. But he is capable of much more than he has been producing in recent times. Has five wins at Caufield in his career, he could easily make it six.

Beiwacht should once again run incredibly well, I just don’t think he is perfectly suited to 1200m I think it is just too short for him.

Finally, Extragalactic had an incredibly underrated run in the Moir Stakes at Sandown in great Group 1 company, I think another solid run is coming Sunday.

Jasper Cormick

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au