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Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Five to follow from 2025 Civic Stakes day at Royal Randwick

A chequered passage in the straight had his backers howling, but racing expert Mitch Cohen thinks they’ll benefit from following a lightly-raced gelding from the Robert Agnew yard.

Mitch Cohen
4 min read
June 23, 2025 - 6:30AM
Mitch Cohen is keen to follow Show 'Em Howl (orange, black silks), who was a close fourth in the TAB Highway at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images
Mitch Cohen is keen to follow Show 'Em Howl (orange, black silks), who was a close fourth in the TAB Highway at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph racing expert Mitch Cohen has analysed all the action from Saturday’s Civic Stakes meeting and has found a few worth following in the coming weeks.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

SHOW ‘EM HOWL (1.4-length 4th of 14, race 2): It was a hard watch early in the straight with this gelding stuck in a pocket before rocketing home to finish alongside the placegetters in a race won by Calico Miss. He’s still only very lightly-raced and it won’t be long until he’s winning a Highway.

PRETTY POWERFUL (5-length 11th of 12, race 3): While only beating a runner home, this was a glorified barrier trial first-up for the Chris Waller-trained galloper. He looked to have plenty to offer and tipping we should still get a decent price next time.

WEST OF DALBY (1.4-length 4th of 11, race 7): She’s in her first full preparation for Matt Dale and did more than enough first-up to suggest she’s in for a decent preparation. She was tightened for room late but looked to have something to offer.

IT’S A KNOCKOUT (4.1-length 1st of 15, race 8): This was by far the most dominant winner on the card and she seemingly still has her best still ahead of her. The Listed Winter Challenge next month looks a fantastic target for her.

TIME QUEST (7th, race 9)

The Matthew Smith-trained galloper was always going to find the Civic Stakes too short but he was excellent making up good ground from back in the pack. He’s in for a great prep, just wait until he gets over more ground.

• It’s A Knockout stuns rivals with dominant victory

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STEWARDS SAY

Shropshire Lad (race 2): Was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

Sakima (race 3): A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be slow to recover.

Stallone (race 5): On jumping shifted out and bumped Hopper. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have sustained a laceration to the near-hind coronet.

Gitalong (race 7): Jockey Nash Rawiller reported the gelding never travelled comfortably and was quickly beaten straightening. He was concerned something was amiss but no abnormalities were found. The Lindsay Park galloper will be forced to trial.

Defining (race 8): Jockey Dylan Gibbons thought something went amiss and eased the mare out of the race at the 400m. She was revealed to be coughing post-race and will undergo an endoscopic examination.

• Brave One’s wide run no obstacle in Randwick triumph

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CRUNCH TIME

Millie De Lune (race 4): The victim of a sluggish tempo, she surged home with the best final three furlong splits of the race to clock 33.49 seconds for the last 600m. It measured up favourably against the winner She’s Unusual (33.98).

Lulumon (race 7): Surged home from just off the speed to nail Storm The Ramparts on the line with a last 600m of 33.13 seconds that was among the best of the meeting. Lonhro’s Queen surged home from last in the same race in 32.83.

It’s A Knockout (race 8): She finished off close to half a second faster than her near rival in a four length romp, clocking 34.84 seconds for the last 600m. Her 11.82 closing split was a clear race best.

Headley Grange (race 9): Did enough to continue his sensational run with a 35.55 seconds last 600m in the feature event. Runner-up Welwal had the flashing light late, coming home in 34.90.

• Headley Grange continues winning ways in Civic Stakes

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TRACK TALK

“He’s come back particularly well this preparation and we will go to the South Grafton Cup next. We will try and qualify him for one of the Dances.” – trainer Joe Pride on Headley Grange.

“Mares that can win on Saturday a couple of times, you know there is a nice stakes race on the horizon.” – trainer Jason Coyle on Lulumon.

“Brave One was a class above them, he’s better than this grade.” – trainer John Hawkes.

“We feel like we haven’t had a proper crack with her yet. “She was getting into her races and then had a little setback last time, now off that hopefully we can build forward and get more racing with her.” – co-trainer Tom Charlton on She’s Unusual.

“He is everyone’s favourite with his unusual markings. You can’t miss them.” – Charlie Duckworth on Quantum Cat.

• Lulumon bounces back with stunning win

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NSW RACING: THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday: Narromine, Scone
Tuesday: Wyong, Port Macquarie
Wednesday: Kensington
Thursday: Hawkesbury, Lismore
Friday: Moruya, Tamworth
Saturday: Rosehill, Newcastle, Gundagai
Sunday: Coffs Harbour, Dubbo

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RON DUFFICY’S ROYAL RANDWICK SNAPSHOT

RUN OF THE DAY: Trainer Joe Pride has done a marvellous job placing Headley Grange through the grades getting the best out of him. This unassuming type continues to deliver and his record now is that of a pretty good horse.

FORGET THEY RAN: Lightly raced Port Macquarie 3yo Show ‘Em Howl was specked at good odds in the Highway and they might have been unlucky not to get a collect. He was held up at stages in the straight and motored when finally balanced late.

THE BLACK BOOK: I wouldn’t give up on the heavily backed beaten favourite Exit Fee. He got very hot behind the barrier and just raced a touch fresh and should improve off this hitout. I wouldn’t hesitate to back him in another upcoming Highway.

RIDE OF THE DAY: There were some great winning rides all day but the gong has to go to Jason Collett with his faultless winning treble making all the right moves.

Originally published as Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Five to follow from 2025 Civic Stakes day at Royal Randwick

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/horse-racing/nsw-racing/mitch-cohens-blackbook-five-to-follow-from-2025-civic-stakes-day-at-royal-randwick/news-story/b369b50d108a94280f6af18c5b92909d