Australian racing tips for June 20, 2026
After all the excitement of Queensland’s big Stradbroke Handicap day last weekend, there is something of a lull in Australian racing this Saturday, with the focus on the provincial track of Ipswich for the cup, Eye Liner Stakes and Gai Waterhouse Classic.
These are all Listed races and while they don’t compare with last weekend’s Group 1 J.J. Atkins and Stradbroke Handicap meeting, they have attracted quality fields which are ideal mediums for keen punters.
We came close to a big result last weekend when our selection Cormier led until the final few strides of the J.J. Atkins at around $11 but was run down by the short-priced favourite Tron Bolt, which looms as an outstanding colt. Cormier though can also be followed with great confidence into his three-year-old campaign.
As to Saturday, we are confident we have some found some value bets at Ipswich, particularly in the Gai Waterhouse Classic, which is the final race of the Ipswich card and is restricted to fillies and mares.
We have also cast an eye over listed races at Randwick and Belmont Park in Western Australia. Of course, the Ipswich Saturday stand-alone meeting is always on the week after the Stradbroke, with the action again returning to Eagle Farm a week later for the running of the final Group 1 race of the Australian racing season: the Tattersalls Tiara.
Aside from Ipswich, Belmont and Randwick, there are metropolitan meeting elsewhere in Australian racing at Flemington in Melbourne and Morphettville in Adelaide. Read on for our best bets of the day for Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Ipswich Race 7
Listed TAB Ipswich Cup (2150m)
Belvedere Boys has been a well-backed favourite and deservedly so as he has a touch of quality and will be a his peak after four runs back from a spell. He is ultra-consistent, drops in class and is perfectly suited at the distance. The only knock is the wide gate and he will likely need to drop back towards the rear to get in one off the fence. No such problems for 3. Encoder, which is also dropping back in class and is racing well. He is not as reliable as Belvedere Boys but has tactical speed so should be in the box seat throughout. 12. Kaluakoi is the likely leader and should give a great sight for Emily Lang. 14. Cavalry Man is super fit and right in the market, while there has been money for 10. Prince Levi and he does look well placed..
Rupert McIntosh tips: 3,12,14,4. Best bet: Encoder each-way as he gets all the favours.
Ipswich Race 8
Listed Barrier Reef Pools Eye Liner Stakes (1350m)
This is a cracking edition of a race named for the flying Group 1-winning Queensland filly/mare of the 1960s. It’s a wide market and (8) Melody Again will find this easier than recent starts. This is her pet distance and she should get every hope from gate three for Irish jockey Martin Harley. If you are looking to go wide don’t rule out (20) La Roja, which has been racing OK in Sydney without winning. (17) John Rambo from the powerful Gollan stable is the favourite and he is first-up from a spell. The gelding has was won twice fresh from five attempts. Stablemate (9) Boomtown Boss has had little luck of late and deserves break, while (2) Cifrado will be barrelling home for jockey Boris Thornton.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 8,9,2,20. Best bet: Melody Again at each-way odds. Box up a quinella 2,8,9,20
Ipswich Race 9
Listed FertPro Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m)
This is always a fantastic contest for the fillies and mares, named after a great supporter of the Queensland carnival. This is arguably a stronger race than than the Eye LIner, with several mares nominated for both races. We are very keen on the chances of (10) Naifah, which should go forward from the widish gate with a light weight and race on the speed throughout. She bolted away with a Group 3 race in Adelaide a couple of starts back and looks well placed. She has been heavily back in the lead-up to race-day. Naifah is challenging the smart (16) Silver Wedding for favouritism. The latter may be better suited over a shorter distance as she is yet to place in three tries over 1200m. (11) Manolo Bling seldom runs a bad race and she should be prominent from the pole draw.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 10,11,16,3. Best bet: Back Naifah with confidence.
Randwick Race 9
LR DrinkWise Civic Stakes (1400m)
Trainer Bjorn Baker holds a powerful hand in this listed sprint with four runners, led by the highly fancied (12) Midnight Dynamite, which maps well from barrier eight. Baker’s second-stringer (13) Point And Shoot also shapes as a strong contender though he is drawn off the track in gate 19. Kerrin McEvoy will be forced to get back and hope the leaders overdo it. The betting on (4) Zabiari should be closely watched. He is a well-credentialled import which has joined the powerful Ciaron Maher stable. With Nash Rawiller up and from gate one, if this stallion is fully wound up he will take a power of beating. (3) General Salute is a consistent type though he often seems to find one better. (8) Cool Jakey has been racing in great heart.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 4,13,3,12 Best bet: Zabiari each-way.
Belmont Park Race 7
LR WAROA – Belmont Guineas (1600m)
(12) Hot And High has an outstanding record and dominates betting on this race for three-year-olds. The Too Darn Hot filly won her first five starts before being just touched out by (3) Vatican Storm in the Listed Raconteur Stakes. The pair face an intriguing rematch but they are not the only live hopes. (2) Westbound ran on into fourth in that 1400m race and is much better suited out to the mile. (15) Like Clockwork is a filly which also looks as though she will appreciate getting out out to the mile but may lack the class of top couple.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 12,2,3,15. Best bet: Hot And High to win and make amends.
