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A The Everest consolation prize for those sprinters failing to gain a slot in the iconic $20 million feature race takes place as one of the major support acts at Randwick on Saturday, and Races.com.au have our expert 2026 Sydney Stakes tips, predictions and best bets on the $2 million clash right here.
Featuring a capacity line-up of top-tier short-distance specialists, the Group 2 $2 million Sydney Stakes (1200m) serves as a nice option for The Everest emergencies and other in-form sprinters chasing a major payday this Spring Carnival.
Sitting top of the latest Sydney Stakes odds at Ladbrokes in a tight market is Michael Freedman-trained former Golden Slipper winner Marhoona ($7) who is the last of four spares for the world’s richest race on turf.
The four-year-old daughter of Snitzel may be winless from five previous Randwick assignments, but she’s got a solid 1200m strike-rate and is a proven Group 1 winner having claimed the autumn’s The Galaxy at Rosehill at double-figures back in March.
She presents fit third-up on the weekend with form around the key The Everest danger to Ka Ying Rising, Tempted, who she ran a brave third to at her latest in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes at the track and trip on Epsom Day.
Marhoona is drawn favourably in the big field set to jump from barrier 5 with Jamie Melham, who is in Sydney for The Everest ride on Blue Door over sticking aboard defending Caulfield Cup champ Half Yours in Melbourne, coming aboard for the ride.
In a very tight top half of Sydney Stakes betting a further three runners are under double figures for the win including equal $7.50 second elects Overpass and Charm Stone both drawn wider out in gates 19 and 13 respectively.
The always honest Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass won this race back in 2024 and returns first-up on the weekend on the back of an international bid at Royal Ascot.
The $12.7 million earning Vancouver eight-year-old was outstanding in the Group 1 King Charles III in the UK under a length beaten before failing to fire in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee running a well-beaten 13th behind the shock 25/1 winner Almeraq on June 20.
He has his first start since but showed he’d taken no harm from his international bid winning back-to-back Sydney trials at Randwick and Hawkesbury respectively in the lead-up to his return this weekend where he has plenty of market support despite facing a tough test from the nasty gate.
Charm Stone meanwhile runs second-up in the Sydney Stakes field for Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr and the six-year-old I Am Invincible mare will be ridden by the in-form Chad Schofield who could be in for a very big The Everest 2026 Day.
Saturday marks her first assignment at Royal Randwick but her record over the six furlongs is solid (10:3-0-3) and she is another Group 1 champion proven in better grade.
Last spring she claimed the Group 1 Manikato at 25/1 in an impressive two-length Moonee Valley triumph, and she has run third in her latest two assignments also in elite company when beaten a pimple in Adelaide’s Robert Sangster last prep and rounding out the Manikato trifecta behind key The Everest contender Jimmysstar in Melbourne at the same price last time out.
Skybird rounds out the hopes under $10 and Mitch Freedman‘s six-year-old Exosphere mare is deserving of her $8 quote despite being another runner to fare poorly in the Sydney Stakes barrier draw with gate 18.
She was gallant in defeat first-up when sixth in the Moir over 1000m before improving second-up to bounce back and claim an impressive Group 2 Gilgai Stakes win down the Flemington straight on October 3.
Sydney should hold no issues if her Group 1 third to The Everest market mover Joliestar in the autumn’s TJ Smith when under a length beaten is anything to go by, and she only needs luck from the gate with the right ride from Ben Melham to feature in the finish again here.
Of the double figure Sydney Stakes contenders those considered the most likely to win by the bookies include well-drawn Queensland raider Grafterburners ($10) who ran fourth in the Premiere Stakes results, the Peter Snowden-trained Beadman ($10) to be ridden by Ka Ying Rising’s Hong Kong-based jockey Zac Purton, Baker’s Group 1 winner Pericles ($12), progressive entire Napoleonic ($12) drawn the extreme outside alley who ran second to Ninja in the Group 2 Missile Stakes two back and smart mare Generosity ($13) for the powerhouse Waller stable to be ridden by James McDonald.
As for the genuine roughies in Sydney Stakes betting that could add huge value to the exotics, one that stands out with excellent credentials in easier company is Wanaruah ($23) while the likes of the Waller-trained Jokers Grin ($15) and the Team Hawkes‘ Gangsta Granny ($18) can never be underestimated at this level.
Scone-trained Snitzel entire Wanaruah faces an acid test here but is the Randwick track specialist in the mix boasting three wins from four starts at the track and is two-from-three at 1200m.
The 2026 Sydney Stakes is set to run as Randwick Race 6 at 3:25pm (AEDT) one race before the 2026 The Everest steals the show.
2026 Sydney Stakes Best Bets
Favourite: No. 15 Marhoona
| 15. Marhoona (5) J: Jamie Melham 56.5kg 14×63 T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m, 3 len behind Tempted with 58.5kg at $9. Last start 3rd of 12 in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Tempted with 56.5kg at $18. Back in great shape and set to peak third up. | |||
Each Way Danger: No. 13 Skybird
| 13. Skybird (18) J: Ben Melham 56.5kg 70×61 T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 6th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 3.5 len behind My Gladiola with 56.5kg at $15. Second-up favourite; won by a nose in the G2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1200m in the wet defeating Smooth Chino carrying 55kg at $2.90. Must respect despite drawing out. | |||
Best Roughie: No. 10 Wanaruah
| 10. Wanaruah (10) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 58.5kg 11×01 T: Brett & Georgie Cavanough | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming ran last of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m, 7 len behind Tempted with 57kg at $61. Last start won by a nose in a Bm94 at this track on October 3 over 1200m in soft going defeating Platinum Pantheon carrying 59.5kg at $17. Going well for the new yard and keep safe. | |||
Sydney Stakes 2026 Same Race Multi Selections
$31 (at time of publish) through Ladbrokes
- Top 4 – No. 13 Skybird
- Top 4 – No. 15 Marhoona
- Top 5 – No. 10 Wanaruah
2026 Sydney Stakes Odds
Sydney Stakes 2026 Odds
| 1. Overpass (19) J: Tim Clark 58.5kg 4x30x T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Dual acceptor. Resuming after a break of four months. Finished off last campaign 13th of 18 at Ascot in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes June 20 over 1207m, 6 len behind Almeraq carrying 59.5kg at $15. When resuming last campaign third of 26 at Ascot in the G1 King Charles III Stakes June 16 over 1005m, 1.0 len behind Mission Central with 60.5kg at $4.30. Has a good first-up record and can overcome the wide gate, respect. | |||
| 2. Jokers Grin (9) J: Adam Hyeronimus 58.5kg 115×0 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after 10 months ran last of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at this track on September 19 over 1100m, 5 len behind Mazu with 56kg at $8.50. Previously second-up won by 0.6 len in the G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes at Ascot on November 15 over 1100m defeating Oscar’s Fortune with 59.5kg at $1.75. Looks tested. | |||
| 3. Pericles (12) J: Jason Collett 58.5kg 357×7 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months settled back and ran on when 7th of 13 in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Jimmysstar with 58.5kg at $31. Previously second-up made ground from midfield; 3rd of 12 in the G1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1500m, slow going 3 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $16. Likely to find this out of reach. | |||
| 4. Yellow Brick (7) J: Sam Clipperton 58.5kg 1001x T: Tony & Maddysen Sears | |||
| First-up. Finished off last preparation by head Eagle Farm G3 Wj Healy June 27 over 1200m slow track defeating Payline carrying 60kg at $8. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.1 len Rockhampton The Archer Sw+P May 5 over 1300m defeating Anemacore carrying 56.5kg at $3.40. Goes well at the start of his campaigns, place only. | |||
| 5. Coal Crusher (14) J: Regan Bayliss 58.5kg 596×7 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Second-up. First-up after seven months sat on the pace before fading 7th of 9 in a Bm100 at Warwick Farm on October 5 over 1000m, slow going 4 len behind Ice Kool carrying 65.5kg at $61. Previously second-up 9th of 12 in the G3 Liverpool City Cup at this track on February 28 over 1300m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind King Of Roseau carrying 58kg at $21. Others rate better this time. | |||
| 6. Grafterburners (2) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 00×84 T: Kelly Schweida | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 8th of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at this track on September 19 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Mazu with 55kg at $26. Second run from a spell 4th of 12 in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m, slow going 3 len behind Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $41. Sharp sprinter expected to go close. | |||
| 7. Beadman (11) J: Zac Purton 58.5kg 50×30 T: Peter Snowden | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m, 1.75 len behind Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $31. Last start eased back early on 10th of 13 in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m, 5 len behind Jimmysstar carrying 58.5kg at $26. Can do much better this time with the sting out of the ground. | |||
| 8. King’s Secret (17) J: Andrew Adkins 58.5kg 2×436 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Last start 6th of 12 in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Tempted with 58.5kg at $19. The run before that came from midfield; 3rd of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at this track on September 19 over 1100m, neck behind Mazu carrying 55kg at $16. Not keen on his chances this time. | |||
| 9. Napoleonic (20) J: Zac Lloyd 58.5kg 30×26 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Third-up today. First-up sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 7 in the G2 Missile Stakes at this track on August 8 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Ninja carrying 56.5kg at $9. Last start 6th of 13 in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Jimmysstar carrying 58.5kg at $13. Rates highly. Back in grade and will need a good ride from the gate. | |||
| 10. Wanaruah (10) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 58.5kg 11×01 T: Brett & Georgie Cavanough | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming ran last of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m, 7 len behind Tempted with 57kg at $61. Last start won by a nose in a Bm94 at this track on October 3 over 1200m in soft going defeating Platinum Pantheon carrying 59.5kg at $17. Going well for the new yard and keep safe. | |||
| 11. Disneck (3) J: Tom Sherry 58.5kg 0x600 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Most recently ran second last of 14 in a Bm94 at this track on October 3 over 1200m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Wanaruah with 59.5kg at $61. The start before that 10th of 14 in the G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington on September 12 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Losesomewinmore carrying 54kg at $31. Looks tested again. | |||
| 12. Charm Stone (13) J: Chad Schofield 56.5kg x43x3 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second-up. First-up after five months crossed from a wide gate to settle just off the pace but gave ground when 3rd of 13 in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Jimmysstar with 56.5kg at $21. Previously second-up 3rd of 13 in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on April 25 over 1200m, nose behind Geegees Mistruth carrying 56.5kg at $6.50. Multiple Group 1 winner who looks hard to beat in this easier level. | |||
| 13. Skybird (18) J: Ben Melham 56.5kg 70×61 T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 6th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 3.5 len behind My Gladiola with 56.5kg at $15. Second-up favourite; won by a nose in the G2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1200m in the wet defeating Smooth Chino carrying 55kg at $2.90. Must respect despite drawing out. | |||
| 14. Generosity (8) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 56×78 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 7th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, on a slow track; 4 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $21. Certainly worth following up at the good odds. | |||
| 15. Marhoona (5) J: Jamie Melham 56.5kg 14×63 T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m, 3 len behind Tempted with 58.5kg at $9. Last start 3rd of 12 in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Tempted with 56.5kg at $18. Back in great shape and set to peak third up. | |||
| 16. Gangsta Granny (16) J: Dylan Gibbons 56.5kg 3×625 T: M, W & J Hawkes | |||
| Most recently tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 7 in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 2 len behind Lazzura carrying 55.5kg at $6. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 8 in the G2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1200m, long-neck behind Savvy Hallie with 55.5kg at $6. Poorly drawn and place best. | |||
| 17. Mal Coupe (1) J: Winona Costin 58.5kg 6×768 T: Stephen O’halloran | |||
| At the latest run ran second last of 9 in a Bm100 at Warwick Farm on October 5 over 1000m, slow going 4.5 len behind Ice Kool with 61kg at $8. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at this track on September 19 over 1100m, 1.5 len behind Mazu carrying 55kg at $81. Likely to find this out of reach. | |||
| 18. Golden Straand (15) J: Tommy Berry 58.5kg 113×1 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second-up. First-up after four months ran on from midfield and won by a long-neck in a Bm88 at this track on September 19 over 1100m defeating She’s An Artist carrying 60.5kg at $5. Previously second-up won by 0.5 len in a Bm78 at Hawkesbury on May 2 over 1100m defeating Wanaruah carrying 60kg at $1.80. Hard to fault form but this is much harder. | |||
| 19. Signor Tortoni (4) J: Alysha Collett 58.5kg 31×03 T: Ron Quinton | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 10th of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m, 4 len behind Tempted with 56kg at $21. Second-up raced on the pace when 3rd of 14 in a Bm94 at this track on October 3 over 1200m, slow going 0.9 len behind Wanaruah with 60kg at $8. Don’t dismiss if he gains a start. | |||
| 20. Point And Shoot (6) J: Unknown 58.5kg 0280x T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| First-up. Finished off last campaign 11th of 15 at this track in the LR Civic Stakes June 20 over 1400m, soft track; 5.5 len behind Midnight Dynamite carrying 54kg at $14. Previous preparation first-up won by nose Rosehill Bm94 April 6 over 1100m slow track defeating Our Kobison carrying 56kg at $14. Later on. | |||
