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The next generation of potential star sprinters will take to the famous Flemington ‘Straight Six’ on VRC Derby Day looking to race their way to Group 1 glory, and the Races.com.au form analysts are here with our full 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes field preview, betting predictions and tips on the $2 million showdown.
First run back in 1863, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) has become the premiere sprint feature for three-year-olds of the spring and boasts a brilliant honour role including recent wins by the likes of Tentyris (2025), In Secret (2022), Home Affairs (2021), September Run (2020), Exceedance (2019), Sunlight (2018), Merchant Navy (2017), Zoustar (2013) and Sepoy (2011).
This year the well-backed favourite in Coolmore Stud Stakes 2026 betting at Ladbrokes paying $3.80 at time of publish is the Ciaron Maher-trained The Next Episode.
The consistent Snitzel colt is coming in hot off a three-straight winning streak including his eye-catching first-up victory in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) here at HQ on Heavy going which stamped himself as the young gun to beat in Saturday’s Group 1.
Having best performed with his runs spaced, master horseman Maher has kept him fresh ahead of his step up to Group 1 grade on Saturday where The Next Episode looks a huge chance to salute in his long-time target race up to 1200m with Mark Zahra sticking with.
A trio of other contenders join the favourite under $10 including the second elect and early Coolmore Stud Stakes market mover St Gotthard ($4.40) for the powerhouse trainer/jockey combo of Chris Waller and James McDonald.
Waller boasts an incredible record in the event having prepared six Coolmore Stud Stakes winners since 2012 most recently in 2024 with Switzerland.
Another son of Snitzel, St Gotthard has been the picture of consistency since his Warwick Farm win on debut back in mid-April progressing through the grades and earning himself a trip south off some excellent Sydney performances.
A four-length Group 3 winner in Queensland over 1200m back in the winter, he’s had two lead-up runs this time in as a three-year-old for back-to-back seconds in the Run To The Rose and Group 1 Golden Rose behind Warwoven.
He was well beaten in the Group 1 last start back on September 26 but had plenty of excuses, suffering interference at the 800m but picking himself back up to box on well and still place second in a run that suggested he’ll only improve.
Waller also saddles-up 45/1 outsider Steel Will who could be overpriced for the exotics off a lead-up second to class filly Satono Glow in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes.
The Roman Consul winner is also in the mix for the Coolmore Stud Stakes with the John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained filly priced at $5 to beat home the boys again in this tougher line-up.
A winner of four of her five starts to date, she returns south unbeaten in two previous runs at Flemington both in Group 3 company and looks a massive chance to extend her picket fence and become the first Coolmore Stud Stakes winning filly since In Secret (2022).
The other fillies in this year’s Coolmore Stud Stakes field are the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained daughter of Home Affairs, Natural Fling ($6.50), and Tony Gollan‘s Queensland raider Pembrey ($11).
Natural Fling has been an absolute gem this prep running third in the Group 1 Moir Stakes with a lightweight only a length off the winner My Gladiola off a four-length Group 3 Quezette Stakes demolition job, and then going on with the job when second by a narrow margin at her latest behind Saturday’s favourite in the Danehill.
She’s been kept ticking over with a subsequent trial and, while she’s yet to see the 1200m, her recent efforts have her in the mix on class alone.
Pembrey is another well-bred and high-performing filly coming into this contest at the peak of her abilities with the daughter of Prague having won the Group 2 Silver Shadow in Sydney by 2.4 lengths first-up before a sixth in the Furious Stakes when flat on the two-week turnaround forcing Gollan to put her away and space her runs with hopeful improvement pending.
Other potentially forgotten fancies further down the markets but not without claims at an upset include the Bjorn Baker-trained Group 3 winner at the track two back Paradoxium ($16) coming off a Roman Consul fourth, Kris Lees‘ rails-drawn Too Darn Hot colt Under Focus ($17) who has run third in the Run To The Rose and Golden Rose at his latest two, and the up-and-comer Mbube ($27) who has done little wrong to date.
Lloyd Kennewell‘s Rubick colt Mbube could be getting ready to hit his best at the right time having won on debut at Sandown in the winter before finishing a first-up second to Paradoxium here in the Group 3 Poseidon Stakes (1100m) last month and then running in the money again for a third in the Danehill which could prove the form line to follow into Saturday’s Group 1 rematch.
The 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes is set to run as Flemington Race 6 at 3:40pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s nine-race card.
Coolmore Stud Stakes 2026 Best Bets
Favourite: No. 1 The Next Episode
| 1. The Next Episode (14) J: Mark Zahra 57kg 211×1 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months won by a long-neck in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m on a heavy track defeating Natural Fling with 58kg at $3.30. Previously second-up settled towards the rear 2nd of 10 in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1100m, on a slow track; head behind Blue Door with 56.5kg at $2.60. Huge win fresh, will be charging home down the outside. | |||
Each Way Danger: No. 13 Satono Glow
Best Roughie: No. 2 Paradoxium
2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes Same Race Multi Selections
$15 (at time of publish) through Ladbrokes
- Top 2 – No. 1 The Next Episode
- Top 3 – No. 13 Satono Glow
- Top 5 – No. 2 Paradoxium
