Day two of Glorious Goodwood provides a host of thrilling races, with the Group 1 Sussex Stakes the feature race on the card. Our top tipster Matty Sutcliffe is back with his best bets for day two, which takes place on Wednesday 29th July
Goodwood Racing Tips (Wednesday 29 July 2026)
Matty has a whopping five tips for the second day of Glorious Goodwood, so check out his best bets here…
13:50 Goodwood – Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo 0-105) – Hatteen 11/4 1pt WIN
Andrew Balding won this three years ago and has a strong chance again with Hatteen, who got off the mark at the fifth time of asking when upped to this trip in a St Leger Trial Novice Stakes.
The Lope De Vega colt shaped as if needing further in his first two starts, and made a much improved effort this season when upped to ten furlongs when second at Nottingham, with the re-opposing in third who he is 2lbs better off with. It was a similar effort at Newbury when a length behind the impressive Point Of Law, who’s now rated 107 after his Groiup 3 Bahrain Trophy success last time out. He had a 55 day break before comfortably stepping up to twelve furlongs at Doncaster, powering away in an impressive manner late on to get off the mark.
It’s interesting that afterwards, Andrew Balding stated he would target the Gordon Stakes at this meeting, but he evidently believes an opening mark of 88 is more than workable for this handicap debut, unsurprisingly given the aforementioned form-lines.
14:25 Goodwood – British Stallion Studs EBF Alice Keppel Fillies’ Conditions Stakes (GBB/IRE Incentive Race) (Class 2) (2yo) – Fast Track 7/1 1pt WIN
Four of the last five winners of this race were previously beaten in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot which brings in five of these runners, but it’s Fast Track who gets the nod. The Blue Point daughter was third over course and distance to Queen Mary fourth Pershaada, before beaten a head into second by Señorita Bonita, who filled the same spot in the Queen Mary before beating the Albany winner Libertango in the Duchess of Cambridgeshire Stakes.
Fast Track failed to perform in the Queen Mary, but she dwelt at the start and couldn’t gain a prominent position, racing keenly from the off and ultimately ruining her race before it barely began.
Equipped with a first time tongue tie, she bolted up in a four runner contest at Beverley and despite being 1/10, she looked impressive and posted the same RPR as Coto De Caza did in. The race two years ago, who followed up in this Goodwood contest. Balding won this with a maiden in 2023, who’d also been beaten in the Queen Mary, and if that win has bolstered the confidence of Fast Track then she’s entitled to back that up particularly given her earlier form with Murphy debuting in the saddle.
15:00 Goodwood – Rolls-Royce Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Planet Seeker 8/1 1pt WIN
Ralph Beckett saddled a dead-heat in this race last season and Planet Seeker can give him another after her impressive win last time out. The Blue Point daughter made a winning debut here last August over six furlongs, staying on well having travelled strongly down the outer. She couldn’t back that up in Group 3 company next time out, but that was on soft going and she conceded early ground having to track across to the farside from stall ten whereas the pair ahead had a straight forward beginning.
She reappeared in June when a below par fourth in novice company at Southwell, but she left that well behind her in a 0 100 Fillies Handicap at Newmarket, bolting up three and a half lengths upped to seven furlongs for the first time, beating the 100/30 favourite and pulling six lengths clear of the third.
Jamie Spencer, who was full of admiration for her that day, retains the ride and given she’s already a course winner out of Jeff Smith’s 2016 Steward’s Cup winner, she’s likely to be primed for this step up in class.
16:10 Goodwood – Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Opera Ballo 100/30 1pt WIN
This looks an excellent renewal of the Sussex Stakes in which my heart would side with the unbeaten Bow Echo to further stamp his authority amongst the milers. However, my head suggests that Goodwood should bring out a chunk of improvement from Opera Ballo given his style of racing.
The Ghaiyyaith colt was four from five was a three year old last season, with the sole defeat coming when far too keen in the 2000 Guineas. He was keen again next time out despite the hood, but was still classy enough to defeat the subsequent Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller.
His British seasonal debut saw him comfortably make all at Sandown in the bet365 Mile, beating the well backed Field of Gold and the then unbeaten Zeus Olympios. He was much more settle there, as he was in the Queen Anne Stakes, however he went far too quick out in front. Despite setting brisk fractions, he was only collared late on by a pair coming from rear and it was a testament to his ability to be able to still be in the finish.
If continuing to mature in his race, he could be incredibly tough to peg back around Goodwood and will make it a hard test for the three-year-olds.
17:00 Goodwood – Coral Charlton Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-80) – Cotai Lights 66/1 1pt EW 6 places
The 5lbs WFA allowance could prove significant for Cotai Lights, whose recent form figures fail to justify how well handicapped he may be, particularly now stepping up to seven furlongs again. He won second time up last November over six furlongs, drawing away in good style with relative ease. Admittedly, that form is far from strong, but his next start saw him beaten three lengths by Soul Love giving her 5lbs at Newcastle who’s now rated 101 having won in listed company twice with the runner up rated 89.
She proved that form was no fluke as she stepped up to seven furlongs for the first time on handicap debut, finishing a two lengths third to the now 111 rated Causeway faring best of the prominent racers. His form has had inconsistencies since, but three of his next four starts were over six furlongs and the sole effort over seven furlongs saw him beaten a length by Velvet Rhythm at Newmarket.
That was a pleasing effort, and the form has worked out exceptionally well. The winner, Velvet Rhythm, has won three times since now rated 15lbs higher and she re-opposes as the current 15/2 favourite, despite an 18lbs unfavourable weight swing with Cotai Lights who is 66/1. The third, sixth, seventh, ninth and tenth, the latter twice, have all won since.
He’s been below par in two subsequent starts over six furlongs since, but his latest effort after a break in a competitive Ayr handicap was adequate enough and he certainly wasn’t given a hard time. Now stepping back up in trip in first time blinkers with that run under his belt, should he return to some of his earlier form then he looks a knocking bet at insulting odds.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Tips for Wednesday 29 July
13:50 Goodwood – Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo 0-105)
Hatteen 11/4 1pt WIN
14:25 Goodwood – British Stallion Studs EBF Alice Keppel Fillies’ Conditions Stakes (GBB/IRE
Incentive Race) (Class 2) (2yo) – Fast Track 7/1 1pt WIN
15:00 Goodwood – Rolls-Royce Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Planet Seeker 8/1 1pt WIN
16:10 Goodwood – Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Opera Ballo 100/30 1pt WIN
17:00 Goodwood – Coral Charlton Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-80) – Cotai Lights 66/1 1pt EW 6 places
Fast TrackFAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Goodwood on Wednesday 29 July.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 7.50am on Tuesday 28 July.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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