Two of Australia’s leading middle-distance mares, Fangirl and Pride Of Jenni, are locked in a battle for favouritism in a truly stacked edition of the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1609m).

Fangirl is narrow favourite to post her second King Charles III Stakes win this weekend. Photo: Bradley Photos.

The last-start winners are tipped to battle it out over the Randwick mile for top honours on The Everest Day card.

Fangirl Leads Waller’s Charge for Double Digits

This year’s King Charles III Stakes field has drawn an elite line-up that challenges even the $20 million The Everest for punters’ attention.

The weight-for-age clash features a dozen of the country’s best milers, with Chris Waller’s 2023 champion Fangirl currently sitting atop the latest King Charles III Stakes odds at $4 through Ladbrokes, looking to secure her second trophy in this event.

Waller’s record in this mile feature – both as the former George Main Stakes and in its current incarnation – is immense, having won nine times since 2011.

Fangirl is out to atone for her midfield sixth in last year’s renewal.

She has enjoyed a huge 12 months, adding the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf to her resume over this track and trip in the autumn, and was last seen successfully defending her $1 million 7 Stakes title on September 20.

James McDonald partners Fangirl again, but the pair will need to overcome a wide draw in barrier 11.

Pride Of Jenni Returns to Randwick

Ciaron Maher’s front-running queen, Pride Of Jenni, is the clear second elect at $4.40 King Charles III Stakes odds.

The eight-year-old was back to her brilliant best last start, running her rivals ragged to kick off her campaign with a huge win over Treasurethe Moment in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley.

She now heads to Randwick for the fifth time, her first since running second to Ceolwulf in the 2024 edition, and she has a solid second-up record (9:2-4-1).

Jumping from gate eight with Declan Bates in the saddle, she will be screaming in the lead, looking to go all-the-way as is her trademark style.

Backmarkers beware: if she gets away with cheap sectionals, she is capable of blitzing them again.

Mr Brightside and Ceolwulf Head the Opposition

Occupying the third line of betting is Mr Brightside, who ran second to Fangirl in the 2023 edition.

Lindsay Park’s evergreen eight-year-old has been excellent in his two runs this preparation, including winning a historic third Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

While he got things his way in front at Headquarters and won’t have that luxury facing Pride Of Jenni here, the tenacious warhorse remains in outstanding form.

He and jockey Craig Williams are genuine hopes, even from the outside alley.

Last year’s winner, Ceolwulf, is out to go back-to-back – a feat last achieved by Winx (2016-18) – and pays $9.50 to successfully defend his title.

The Joe Pride-trained five-year-old is race-fit with four runs this preparation, including completing the 7 Stakes trifecta behind Fangirl.

While perhaps not in the same vein of form as last spring, he draws a favourable barrier four.

Rounding out the hopes under $10 are the William Haggas-trained raider Lake Forest ($7.50), ridden by Zac Purton, and the Bjorn Baker-trained Group 2 Tramway winner Pericles ($9.50), who is coming off a strong third in the Epsom.

The 2025 King Charles III Stakes is set to run as Randwick Race 9 at 5:35pm (AEDT), serving as the penultimate event on Saturday’s star-studded card.

2025 King Charles III Stakes Field & Barriers

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