Randwick Turf Talk: Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass’s tips for 2025 Civic Stakes day

Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass debate all the key chances on Civic Stakes day on Saturday at Royal Randwick, where Mitch is keen on a talented Ciaron Maher-trained runner.

Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass debate all the key chances on Civic Stakes day at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

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Shayno: Welcome back Mitchy. First-up from a spell, you’ll probably beat me tomorrow. It’s a long, cold winter so far for yours truly.

Mitch: Thanks Shayno. I’ve traded the 38 degree heat of Barcelona for lovely Sydney. Call me a sicko but I love winter. Weather-wise that is, the racing is a little trickier. What did you think of the feature?

Shayno: That’s a big field for the time-honoured Civic Stakes whose Honour Roll includes Imagele’s mum and Wenona Girl’s daughter! Wow. Me? I like Welwal – a lot. Those two runs for the two Micks have been a lot better than they look on paper.

Mitch: Tough race this. Headley Grange has to be the horse to beat. He’s on an upwards trajectory, loves Royal Randwick and gets the draw and weight in his favour. I will have a saver on Bases Loaded. Back a gelding here with the blinkers on, he could do something fresh.

Headley Grange wins first up to give @PrideRacing a Randwick double! 🙌@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/sWNPkCPCrW

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025

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Shayno: Big Dance and Championship Final winner Sara Ryan has a couple of ripping chances, I was really taken with Salt Lake City’s second-up run.

Mitch: This is a bit of a throw at the stumps but could French import Shamarkand do something first-up in the same race? He’s on debut in Australia with three trials under his belt to prepare. In a race without a lot of speed, I am banking on him going straight to the front and giving them something to catch.

Shayno: Midways are never easy but I know Sarge has won his fair few share. Counting on his in Saturday’s affair Mitchy with Hooligan Tommy, the horse part-owned by the great Brandy Alexander.

Mitch: Tommy has to be one of the chances. You will be surprised to hear I’ve found the Kembla connection but with good reason. Nothing was hitting the line behind Hellfire Express better than Callistemon at her last start in Midway grade and the step up to a mile here should suit her right down to the ground.

Just hop on the Doyle/Morgan express! 🚂

Hellfire Express wins the Midway - and that's the first two Randwick races to @ndoyleracing and @AshMorgan6! @aus_turf_club@Darby_Racingpic.twitter.com/fXplSeOlQo

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025

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Shayno: Gee whiz the last is old-fashioned Get Out Stakes. Anything goes. That said, I am pretty keen on Razors. Form’s good, trials good.

Mitch: What a lottery! This could be a field job for the quaddie with the hope of snaring a blowout. If Kerguelen gets in the field it could change things but otherwise I landed on the stablemate Contemporary. He looks ready to peak third-up, good draw.

Shayno: Thought there was a big improver at big big odds there on the weekend Mitchy; Last Command who won the Paul Perry Handicap one day beating Just Party and Broadsiding.

Mitch: Look no further than Piggyback for my best bet.