Picks for Group 1 racing at Royal Randwick on Aug. 20

Australia will celebrate the first Group 1 contest of the new racing season tonight, when 14 top-quality thoroughbreds battle for glory in the Winx S. over seven furlongs at Sydney’s premier track, Royal Randwick.

The race is named for one of the Australia’s most loved racehorses, Winx! The mighty mare became famous around the world when she won 33 consecutive races, which included a world-record 25 Group 1 victories.

TwinSpires players have the opportunity to get their bet back, up to $10, on all races at Randwick tonight, if their first win bet finishes second. The first of 10 races at kicks off at 9:20 p.m. ET.

Here are a couple winning hopes.

Race 7: #8 Private Eye (5-1 morning line)

This four-year-old gelding from the barn of leading trainer Joseph Pride looks to have a big future ahead of him, and he is going to be competitive in much tougher races than this later on in the spring carnival.

He’s first up off a four-month layoff and has a history of running well fresh. The son of Al Maher also ran really well in a recent Warwick Farm barrier trial, which indicates he is set to return in top order.

Look out for him as a chance in some of the bigger Group 1 races later in the season, including the Epsom H.

Race 8: #1 Kolding (5-1 morning line)

The Chris Waller-trained Kolding is the only horse in this race with a recent run under his belt, and that fitness edge could play a pivotal role in how this race plays out.

There is not a lot of speed, and Kolding should get a nice cart into the race from Dreamforce, who is drawn in the post position just outside.

Kolding is a track specialist and a two-time winner at the distance. He has only finished out of the money twice from four attempts over the track and distance.

There is plenty of top-class competition in this race, but if jockey Tim Clark can give the son of Ocean Park a soft run, he’ll be tough to beat late.

Good luck!