The Expressway Stakes is a Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival Group 2 currently held on Apollo Stakes Day at Randwick in February as a lead-up to the Group 1 autumn races.
2025 Expressway Stakes Results
- 1st: #2 Magic Time
- 2nd: #4 Iowna Merc
- 3rd: #5 Joliestar
Expressway Stakes News
The Expressway Stakes is a Group 2 event raced over 1200m at set weights plus penalties, open to sprinters aged three and over. Currently held at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse in mid-February, the Expressway Stakes is one of Sydney’s first key lead-up autumn races of the New Year and suits horses that are in good form and ready for a new season of racing.
2025 Expressway Results
- 1st: #2 Magic Time ($2.90)
- 2nd: #4 Iowna Merc
- 3rd: #5 Joliestar
A patient ride by Jordan Childs saw the hoop eventually get the split he needed in the dying stages to shoot up through the middle and claim victory in the 2025 Expressway Stakes results in Sydney aboard Grahame Begg’s resuming Hellbent mare Magic Time ($2.90).
Expressway Stakes 2025 Odds & Results
Expressway Stakes (G2)
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
2. Magic Time (4) J: Jordan Childs 57kg
T: Grahame Begg |
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|
2nd
4. Iowna Merc (2) J: Josh Parr 56kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
||
|
3rd
5. Joliestar (6) J: Kerrin McEvoy 55.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
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|
4th
6. Olentia (5) J: Jason Collett 55.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
5th
1. Airman (1) J: Tyler Schiller 57.5kg
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
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|
6th
3. Givemethebeatboys (3) J: Tim Clark 56.5kg
T: Michael Freedman |
Data retrieved: 16/05/2025 02:45:00 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Previously, the Expressway Stakes served as a good lead-up to the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m).
In 2024 however the Expressway Stakes was moved from January at Rosehill to take place at Randwick on February’s Apollo Stakes Day card.
Horses may come into the Expressway Stakes first-up and continue onto tougher autumn feature races such as the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
Savatiano (2021) was the last runner to complete the Expressway Stakes – Canterbury Stakes double.
The Expressway Stakes also serves as a good lead-up into the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) held in mid-March. Mentality (2007) was the last horse to do the Expressway Stakes – Randwick Guineas double. More recently, Trapeze Artist won the 2018 Expressway Stakes before a third in the Randwick Guineas. He also went on to win the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes – All Aged Stakes double in Randwick that April as well as the following year’s Canterbury Stakes.
In 2019 class mare Alizee won the Expressway Stakes first-up before winning Caulfield’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) in Melbourne and running third in the inaugural All-Star Mile (1600m).
Alizee returned for the 2020 Expressway Stakes and ran second to Standout.
The 2022 Expressway Stakes form was franked with the second-placed mare Forbidden Love going on to win the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes – Group 1 George Ryder Stakes double that autumn before a fourth in the Doncaster Mile results.
The form from the 2022 Expressway was further franked with the third place-getter Anamoe winning an impressive five Group 1 races later that year including most famously the iconic Cox Plate at The Valley in October.
The Expressway Stakes winner in 2023 franked the form with Mariamia going on to win the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) later that prep.
The Expressway Stakes 2025 ran on Saturday February 15, 2025 at Randwick Racecourse as a lead-up to the Group 1 sprints of the autumn and was won in a brilliant late finish by class mare Magic Time ($2.90) racing first-up for the season.
| 2025 Expressway Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday February 15, 2025 |
| Track: | Randwick Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1200m |
| Race Type: | Set Weights + Penalties |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $300,000 |
2025 Expressway Stakes Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | MAGIC TIME | Grahame Begg | Jordan Childs | 4 | 57kg | $2.90 | |||
| 2 | 4 | IOWNA MERC | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 0.21L | 2 | 56kg | $8 | ||
| 3 | 5 | JOLIESTAR | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 0.58L | 6 | 55.5kg | $2.05F | ||
| 4 | 6 | OLENTIA | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 0.98L | 5 | 55.5kg | $13 | ||
| 5 | 1 | AIRMAN | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tyler Schiller | 1.73L | 1 | 57.5kg | $12 | ||
| 6 | 3 | GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS (IRE) | Michael Freedman | Tim Clark | 1.88L | 3 | 56.5kg | $21 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 Expressway Stakes Betting
The Expressway Stakes 2025 betting odds will be published here at Races.com.au as soon as betting on the Group 2 at Randwick is released at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Savatiano ($2.10 in 2021) was the last favourite in Expressway Stakes betting to salute for the punters.
2025 Expressway Stakes Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2025 EXPRESSWAY STAKES FORM GUIDE
2025 Expressway Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Expressway Stakes 2025 Tips on the popular Group 2 Sydney sprint this February.
- To Win: #6 Olentia ($5 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Just six runners in the Expressway field but, as usual, it is an open affair. Olentia at $5 at time of publish looks a great price first-up with her outstanding record fresh (5:4-1-0). This nicely bred Zoustar five-year-old races for Waller whose strike rate on Apollo Day is second to none. The five-year-old thrives at the 1200m (6:4-1-0) and will get every chance in a small line-up from barrier five with Jason Collett riding. At her latest she was third in the Group 2 Hot Danish at Rosehill in the spring and she’s not stranger to class fields. Can kick things off with a victory.
2025 Expressway Stakes Field
The Expressway Stakes field attracts a top-class line-up of early autumn sprint types, many eyeing Group 1 autumn races later in the season.
The 2025 Expressway Stakes field is set for release on the Wednesday leading up to the race and will be made available in full below.
The Expressway Stakes 2025 final field features just six acceptors led in betting by Chris Waller’s The Everest performed daughter of Zoustar, Joliestar.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x370x6617x | AIRMAN | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tyler Schiller | 1 | 57.5kg | 110 | ||
| 2 | 67180x422x | MAGIC TIME | Grahame Begg | Jordan Childs | 4 | 57kg | 113 | ||
| 3 | 34x120100x | GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS (IRE) | Michael Freedman | Tim Clark | 3 | 56.5kg | 103 | ||
| 4 | 203×831142 | IOWNA MERC | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 2 | 56kg | 101 | ||
| 5 | 21x1x1377x | JOLIESTAR | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 55.5kg | 110 | ||
| 6 | x2417x143x | OLENTIA | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 5 | 55.5kg | 108 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 Expressway Stakes Nominations
The Expressway Stakes nominations are usually announced on the Monday prior to the race.
Because of it’s a major lead up race to later feature events, the Expressway Stakes nominations usually include a high number of horses who are intent on an extended Autumn Racing Carnival campaign in both Sydney and Melbourne.
Nominations extended until 11:00am (AEDT) – 11/02/2025
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | H Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x370x6617x | AIRMAN | G | 5 | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | 110 |
| 2 | 14x57x5833 | BRUDENELL | G | 5 | Kris Lees | 99 |
| 3 | 627×361114 | DISNECK | G | 4 | Bjorn Baker | 90 |
| 4 | 34x120100x | GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS (IRE) | H | 4 | Michael Freedman | 103 |
| 5 | x3x172211x | HEADWALL | G | 5 | Matthew Smith | 95 |
| 6 | 203×831142 | IOWNA MERC | G | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 101 |
| 7 | 21x1x1377x | JOLIESTAR | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 110 |
| 8 | x6310x018x | LINDERMANN | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 110 |
| 9 | 67180x422x | MAGIC TIME | M | 5 | Grahame Begg | 113 |
| 10 | x2417x143x | OLENTIA | M | 5 | Chris Waller | 108 |
| 11 | 216x33971x | WAY TO THE STARS | G | 6 | Matthew Smith | 100 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Expressway Stakes History
First held in 1974 as a principal race, the Expressway Stakes was won by I’m Scarlet and remained that status until 1979 when it became a Group 2 race.
Between 1975 and 1980, the Expressway Stakes was run over a distance of 1100m before being moved out to 1200m.
Plenty of top-class gallopers have taken out the race and notable Expressway Stakes winners include Saintly (1996), Tie The Knot (2001), Lonhro (2003), Rangirangdoo (2010), and Appearance (2014).
Magic Time (2025) was the last Expressway Stakes winning mare.
The Expressway Stakes winners and results going back to 2000 are listed below.
Recent Expressway Stakes Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Magic Time | 1 minute 10.07 seconds |
| 2nd | Iowna Merc | ||
| 3rd | Joliestar | ||
| 2024 Expressway Stakes |
1st | King Of Sparta | 1 minute 9.17 seconds |
| 2nd | Coal Crusher | ||
| 3rd | Malkovich | ||
| 2023 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Mariamia | 1 minute 8.73 seconds |
| 2nd | Golden Mile | ||
| 3rd | Nicolini Vito | ||
| 2022 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Over | 1 minute 8.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Forbidden Love | ||
| 3rd | Anamoe | ||
| 2021 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Savatiano | 1 minute 11.22 seconds |
| 2nd | Kolding | ||
| 3rd | Emeralds | ||
| 2020 Expressway Stakes(Run at Randwick) |
1st | Standout | 1 minute 9.56 seconds |
| 2nd | Alizee | ||
| 3rd | White Moss | ||
| 2019 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Alizee | 1 minute 11.32 seconds |
| 2nd | Le Romain | ||
| 3rd | Dothraki | ||
| 2018 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Trapeze Artist | 1 minute 10.41 seconds |
| 2nd | Showtime | ||
| 3rd | Addictive Nature | ||
| 2017 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Music Magnate | 1 minute 9.48 seconds |
| 2nd | Kuro | ||
| 3rd | Ball Of Muscle | ||
| 2016 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Our Boy Malachi | 1 minute 11.65 seconds |
| 2nd | Solicit | ||
| 3rd | Big Money | ||
| 2015 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Weary | 1 minute 10.66 seconds |
| 2nd | Driefontein | ||
| 3rd | Territory | ||
| 2014 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Appearance | 1 minute 9.06 seconds |
| 2nd | River Lad | ||
| 3rd | Sizzling | ||
| 2013 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Happy Galaxy | 1 minute 9.82 seconds |
| 2nd | Skytrain | ||
| 3rd | Centennial Park | ||
| 2012 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Rain Affair | 1 minute 10.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Centennial Park | ||
| 3rd | Shoot Out | ||
| 2011 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Centennial Park | 1 minute 10.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Love Conquers All | ||
| 3rd | Hot Danish | ||
| 2010 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Rangirangdoo | 1 minute 12.66 seconds |
| 2nd | Dao Dao | ||
| 3rd | McClintock | ||
| 2009 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Burdekin Blues | 1 minute 9.76 seconds |
| 2nd | Gold Trail | ||
| 3rd | Hurried Choice | ||
| 2008 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Paratroopers | 1 minute 9.6 seconds |
| 2nd | He’s Canny | ||
| 3rd | Sniper’s Bullet | ||
| 2007 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Mentality | 1 minute 9.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Fashions Afield | ||
| 3rd | More Than Lucky | ||
| 2006 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Court’s In Session | 1 minute 9.15 seconds |
| 2nd | Shania Dane | ||
| 3rd | Primus | ||
| 2005 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Court’s In Session | 1 minute 9.51 seconds |
| 2nd | Our Egyptian Raine | ||
| 3rd | Grand Armee | ||
| 2004 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Sportsman | 1 minute 8.37 seconds |
| 2nd | Thorn Park | ||
| 3rd | Excellerator | ||
| 2003 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Lonhro | 1 minute 10.66 seconds |
| 2nd | Belle Du Jour | ||
| 3rd | Carael Boy | ||
| 2002 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Ateates | 1 minute 11.23 seconds |
| 2nd | Viscount | ||
| 3rd | Caissa | ||
| 2001 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Tie The Knot | 1 minute 9.98 seconds |
| 2nd | Referral | ||
| 3rd | Landsighting | ||
| 2000 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Mr. Innocent | 1 minute 9.25 seconds |
| 2nd | Adam | ||
| 3rd | Commands | ||
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