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A lucrative $2 million goes up for grabs in Sydney on Saturday in a key interstate Cox Plate lead-up, and Races.com.au are here with our insider 2026 Hill Stakes betting tips, field preview and predictions for the feature Rosehill race.
While plenty of punters are focusing on Caulfield Guineas Day in Melbourne which features a triple-shot of Group 1 racing, there’s still plenty of spring stars getting about further north including a class field gathered for this year’s Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m).
The event has been won by plenty of elite performers over the years including Cascadian (2022), Think It Over (2021), Kolding (2020), Verry Elleegant (2019), Preferment (2015), Junoob (2014), Moriarty (2013), Descarado (2010), and Desert War (2005-06).
Last year it was the Chris Waller-trained Lindermann who finished on top by over two lengths, and the now seven-year-old son of Lonhro returns to defend his title as the odds-on in Hill Stakes betting at Ladbrokes $1.90 to go back-to-back.
He was only fair finishing eighth in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield well beaten by Birdman at his latest, but the punters are tipping him to bounce back returning to Sydney now fit and ready to make amends.
Our Hill Stakes favourite was terrific the run prior defending his Group 2 Chelmsford crown over the Randwick mile with ease, and he is sure to appreciate returning to his preferred way of racing.
His Rosehill record is rock solid (9:4-2-1) and he’s proven over the 2000m Hill Stakes distance having won the Rosehill Guineas here as a three-year-old back in 2023.
Lindermann’s last go at the distance was in the autumn when he claimed back-to-back Group 1 seconds in the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth at double-figure odds in each.
Nash Rawiller jumps back in the saddle in another plus, and the duo are set to cross from the gate and attempt an all-the-way victory.
Next best in the markets from the same stable is Militarize ($5.50) drawn the rails with airborne Zac Lloyd to ride.
It’s been a long time between drinks for the six-year-old son of Dundeel who hasn’t won since the 2023 Golden Rose three years ago.
He may have forgotten how to be first past the post, but he continues to race competitively at the top level including his shock Doncaster Mile second behind tearaway winner Sheza Alibi in the autumn.
He’s failed to really fire since coming back this prep however and was 10th with just 53.5kg in the Epsom last weekend behind Waller’s upset champ God’s Window, and the bookies are taking no chances on the quick back-up.
Occupying the third line of Hill Stakes betting at $7.50 is the Ciaron Maher-trained Eliyass with the French-bred gelding having his first Rosehill start on the weekend.
A gun at the distance, the eight-year-old comes via a different path having won fresh at blowout odds over 1800m at Randwick before a game Wyong Gold Cup fifth under a length beaten in a true blanket finish.
He was last seen taking on the Waterhouse/Bott import The Euphrates in the Group 2 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on September 19 placing fourth having gone wide and forward from the outside alley (14) and sticking with the task in a really eye-catching lead-up to this.
At $9 is last year’s distant runner-up, Attrition, with Mitch Freedman‘s Churchill entire out to turn the tables on Lindermann.
After two flat performances to get his spring underway, the seven-year-old produced an improved performance in the Underwood running third as a $101 roughie but the change of venues from Caulfield to Rosehill makes this a tougher assignment.
He was game closing out the Group 1 trifecta in a surprise result in Melbourne so comes in confident and he did win the 2024 edition of the Hill Stakes so there’s sure to be plenty of punters including him in their Hill Stakes exotics.
Zambardo ($9.50) rounds out the single figure hopes coming to Sydney with strong Melbourne form around Evaporate and Pride Of Jenni having finished fourth to the latter in his latest in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes, while the resuming Grafton Cup champ and Rosehill specialist King Pedro ($15) chasing a hat-trick first-up could surprise at juicy odds.
The 2026 Hill Stakes is scheduled as Rosehill Race 7 at 4:10pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s 10-race card in Sydney.
Hill Stakes 2026 Best Bets
Favourite: No. 1 Lindermann
| 1. Lindermann (8) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 2×918 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Last start couldn’t go on with it; ran last of 8 in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, 8 len behind Birdman with 59kg at $3. Before that won by 1.75 len in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on September 5 over 1600m defeating Ceolwulf with 59kg at $2.70. Won this race last year and set to bounce back. | |||
Each Way Danger: No. 3 Attrition
| 3. Attrition (3) J: Jamie Mott 59kg 0x903 T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Dual acceptor. Last start sat on the pace when 3rd of 8 in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, 4 len behind Birdman carrying 59kg at $101. Before that 11th of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1700m, on a slow track; 8 len behind Kingswood carrying 61kg at $71. Big run in the Underwood and that form has been franked. | |||
Best Value: No. 6 Zambardo
| 6. Zambardo (9) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 27×34 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 3rd of 9 in a So You Think at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1500m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Evaporate carrying 57kg at $4. Second run from a spell 4th in a small field in the G2 John F Feehan Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Pride Of Jenni carrying 59kg at $9.50. Due for a change of luck and ready for this trip, genuine contender | |||
2026 Hill Stakes Same Race Multi Selections
$7.50 (at time of publish) through Ladbrokes
- To Win – No. 1 Lindermann
- Top 3 – No. 3 Attrition
- Top 5 – No. 6 Zambardo
Latest Hill Stakes 2026 Odds
Hill Stakes 2026 Odds
| 1. Lindermann (8) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 2×918 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Last start couldn’t go on with it; ran last of 8 in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, 8 len behind Birdman with 59kg at $3. Before that won by 1.75 len in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on September 5 over 1600m defeating Ceolwulf with 59kg at $2.70. Won this race last year and set to bounce back. | |||
| 2. Eliyass (4) J: Tim Clark 59kg x0154 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Most recently crossed from a wide gate to settle just off the pace but gave ground when 4th of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 2000m, 2.75 len behind The Euphrates with 56.5kg at $6.50. Before that faded in the straight 5th of 7 in the LR Wyong Gold Cup on September 4 over 2100m, 0.9 len behind Matusalem with 62kg at $2.70. Can stalk the pace and take a hand in the finish. | |||
| 3. Attrition (3) J: Jamie Mott 59kg 0x903 T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Dual acceptor. Last start sat on the pace when 3rd of 8 in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, 4 len behind Birdman carrying 59kg at $101. Before that 11th of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1700m, on a slow track; 8 len behind Kingswood carrying 61kg at $71. Big run in the Underwood and that form has been franked. | |||
| 4. Militarize (1) J: Zac Lloyd 59kg 23×60 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up 6th of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1300m, 3.5 len behind Skyhook carrying 58kg at $31. Second-up settled back and ran on when 10th of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 3 over 1600m, on a slow track; 4 len behind God’s Window with 53.5kg at $61. On the quick backup and don’t dismiss. | |||
| 5. Kovalica (7) J: Tommy Berry 59kg 79×05 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up ran last of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1300m, 5.5 len behind Skyhook carrying 57kg at $101. Second run from a spell 5th of 8 in the G2 Shannon Stakes at this track on September 26 over 1500m, 4 len behind Skyhook carrying 56kg at $41. Looking to others. | |||
| 6. Zambardo (9) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 27×34 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 3rd of 9 in a So You Think at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1500m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Evaporate carrying 57kg at $4. Second run from a spell 4th in a small field in the G2 John F Feehan Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Pride Of Jenni carrying 59kg at $9.50. Due for a change of luck and ready for this trip, genuine contender | |||
| 7. Fawkner Park (5) J: Boris Thornton 59kg 958×0 T: Declan Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months 12th of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 2000m, 7 len behind The Euphrates carrying 56kg at $101. Previously second-up 9th of 11 in a LR The Wayne Wilson at Eagle Farm on June 13 over 1600m, on a wet track; 8 len behind War Eternal carrying 59kg at $16. Fitter but looks a forlorn hope. | |||
| 8. Portland (2) J: Tyler Schiller 59kg 615×7 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months ran second last of 8 in the G2 Shannon Stakes at this track on September 26 over 1500m, 5 len behind Skyhook with 53.5kg at $51. Previously second-up 8th of 11 in the G2 Ajax Stakes at this track on March 14 over 1500m, 3.5 len behind Cristal Clear with 53kg at $151. Not keen on his chances at this stage of the prep. | |||
| 9. King Pedro (6) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 59kg 2211x T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation won by nose Grafton LR Grafton Cup July 16 over 2350m defeating Etna Rosso with 54.5kg at $2.30. Previously first up; seventh of 13 at Randwick Bm78 April 25 over 1600m, 1.1 len behind Nobler with 58.5kg at $21. Smart stayer who will be warming up late. | |||
