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The Australia Stakes is a Group 2 sprint held at Moonee Valley Racecourse (Pakenham in 2026) in late January as a lead-up to the Group 1 races run over the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.
Australia Stakes News
The 2026 Australia Stakes is a Group 2 race held each year in late January in Victoria. Previously held at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, in 2026 the event will take place at Pakenham. Run over 1200m under weight-for-age conditions, this sprint race is worth $350,000 in prize money.
2026 Australia Stakes Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 Australia Stakes results and finishing order at Southside Pakenham on Friday January 23, 2026.
- 1st: No. 4 Hedged ($9.50)
- 2nd: No. 2 Veight
- 3rd: No. 1 War Machine
Winning Margin: 2 lengths
Winning Time: 1:07.58
Hedged ($9.50) produced a powerhouse performance to take out the 2026 Australia Stakes results at Pakenham on Friday night, stamping himself as a genuine star on the rise with his track record winning performance. The talented Gavin Bedggood trained sprinter travelled beautifully throughout before unleashing a sharp turn of foot in the straight, putting the race to bed with authority against a seasoned field after running down the hot favourite War Machine who held for third. A polished ride from Harry Coffey and a perfectly timed move sealed the deal, and Hedged walked away with one of the most impressive victories of the summer sprinting ranks.
Australia Stakes 2026 Results
|
1st
4. Hedged (1)
J: Harry Coffey 58.5kg
T: Gavin Bedggood |
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2nd
2. Veight (3)
J: Luke Currie 58.5kg
T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy |
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3rd
1. War Machine (2)
J: Jamie Melham 58.5kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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4th
5. Nadal (4)
J: Ethan Brown 58.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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5th
3. Maharba (5)
J: Jordan Childs 58.5kg
T: Grahame Begg |
2026 Australia Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our exclusive Australia Stakes 2026 Tips on the autumn lead-up in Melbourne this January.
Best Bet: No. No. 2 Veight (Each Way)
Going for a touch of Each Way value in this year’s Australia Stakes and have landed on VEIGHT (3) at a very nice price for his return. Tony & Calvin McEvoy’s class son of Grunt hasn’t been seen at the races since a dead last in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 back in May, but he’s looked the goods in his recent jumpouts including a winning one over 1000m at HQ on Jan 9. He returns to the track he won his debut by six lengths at back in 2023, so he’s proven at the circuit. I also like his winning strike rate at the distance (50% from six starts), and he’s got a Group 1 win on the CV (2024 George Ryder). Add the fact he won this race at the Valley a couple of years back, the small field and his good draw and he’s ticking plenty of boxes to expect an improved first-up run.
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2nd
2. Veight (3)
J: Luke Currie 58.5kg
T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy |
It is one of only a couple of Group 2 races held in January anywhere in the country and signals the return of regular black type racing to Melbourne.
The Australia Stakes serves as a nice campaign kick-off for sprinters heading towards tougher races during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.
It is a key lead-up race into the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) run at Caulfield in February and Black Caviar (2012) followed by Streets Of Avalon (2021) are the last runners to do the double.
In 2022 the Australia Stakes winner Marabi franked the form winning the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Blue Diamond Stakes Day next start.
The 2024 Australia Stakes form was franked with the winner, Veight, running fourth next-up in the C.F. Orr before a Group 1 Australian Guineas second and victory in Sydney’s Group 1 George Ryder Stakes. The form was further franked with the runner-up, Southport Tycoon, winning the Australian Guineas over the Flemington mile when turning the tables on Veight.
The 2025 Australia Stakes winner Schwarz franked the form that autumn winning the Group 1 William Reid Stakes back at Moonee Valley.
The Australia Stakes 2026 ran at Southside Pakenham on Friday January 23, 2026 with a redevelopment taking place at the event’s traditional home at The Valley and was won ina big late charge by the Gavin Bedggood trained Hedged ($9.50).
| 2026 Australia Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Friday January 23, 2026 |
| Track: | Moonee Valley Racecourse (Pakenham in 2026) |
| Distance: | 1200m |
| Race Type: | Weight-for-age |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $350,000 |
2026 Australia Stakes Betting
The latest Australia Stakes 2026 betting odds will be open at Ladbrokes.com.au and also published here at Races.com.au as soon as available for you to back your Australia Stakes betting tips at the best prices.
Marabi ($1.80 in 2022), Jigsaw ($3.10 in 2023), and Veight ($2.15 in 2024) are the last Australia Stakes betting favourites to get the job done.
There was a notable upset in 2026 with Hedged winning at Australia Stakes odds of $9.50.
2026 Australia Stakes Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 AUSTRALIA STAKES FORM GUIDE
2026 Australia Stakes Field
The Australia Stakes field attracts a quality line-up of middle-distance sprinters that are usually kicking off their Melbourne Festival of Racing campaigns.
The Australia Stakes field features top gallopers that are more often than not Group 1 performed.
The 2026 Australia Stakes field is due for release on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.
The Australia Stakes 2026 final field features a diminutive but exciting line-up of autumn carnival bound sprinters led by Lindsay Park’s resuming Stradbroke Handicap champion War Machine.
Click here to read more on the key runners in the 2026 Australia Stakes field and betting markets.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x2111x100x | WAR MACHINE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Ms Jamie Melham | 2 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 113 |
| 2 | 421x090x0x | VEIGHT | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Luke Currie | 3 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 109 |
| 3 | x312x408x9 | MAHARBA | Grahame Begg | Jordan Childs | 5 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 103 |
| 4 | 535×262710 | HEDGED | Gavin Bedggood | Harry Coffey | 1 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 99 |
| 5 | 41417×5962 | NADAL | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 4 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 98 |
| 6 | 420×074265 | AZTEC RULER | Stefan Vahala | William Pike | 6 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 99 |
| 7 | 85377×6702 | CANNONBALL | Patrick Kearney | John Allen | 7 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 95 |
| 8 | 8x111367x | JIMMY RECARD | Ciaron Maher | Lachlan Neindorf | 8 | 55kg | Â | Â | 85 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2026 Australia Stakes Nominations
Early entries for The Valley’s Group 2 Australia Stakes close the Monday leading-up to the event.
2026 Australia Stakes nominations extended until 10:00am (AEDT) – 20/01/2026
| Â | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | True Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x2111x100x | WAR MACHINE (NZ) | G | 5 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 1 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 113 |
| 2 | 421x090x0x | VEIGHT | G | 5 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 2 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 109 |
| 3 | x312x408x9 | MAHARBA | G | 5 | Grahame Begg | 3 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 103 |
| 4 | 228x146x85 | A LITTLE DEEP | M | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 4 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | 101 |
| 5 | 535×262710 | HEDGED | G | 5 | Gavin Bedggood | 5 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 99 |
| 6 | 41417×5962 | NADAL | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher | 6 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 98 |
| 7 | 85377×6702 | CANNONBALL | G | 6 | Patrick Kearney | 7 | 58.5kg | Â | Â | 95 |
| 8 | 8x111367x | JIMMY RECARD | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 8 | 55kg | Â | Â | 85 |
| 9 | 14x1740x | SPACE RIDER | C | 3 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 9 | 55kg | Â | Â | 72 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Australia Stakes History
Formerly called the Carlyon Stakes until 2010, the Moonee Valley Racing Club changed the race name to the Australia Stakes to celebrate Australia Day.
This race is not to be confused with the Group 1 William Reid Stakes, which was previously called the Australia Stakes, and is now once again called the William Reid Stakes and runs in March.
Originally a Listed race and known as the Carlyon Stakes, this race earned Group 3 status in 1990 until 1994 when it was again elevated to Group 2 status.
The Australia Stakes has been won by plenty of outstanding horses over the years including recent champions such as Black Caviar (2010 & 2012) and Malaguerra (2017).
With Moonee Valley under redevelopment in 2026, the event that year runs at Southside Pakenham.
In 2026 Hedged won the Australia Stakes to set a new Pakenham track record saluting in 1:07.58.
Recent Australia Stakes Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Â | |||
|
2026 (Run at Pakenham) |
1st | Hedged | 1 minute 07.58 seconds (R) |
| 2nd | Veight | ||
| 3rd | War Machine | ||
| Â | |||
| 2025 Australia Stakes |
1st | Schwarz | 1 minute 10.46 seconds |
| 2nd | Steparty | ||
| 3rd | Apache Song | ||
| Â | |||
| 2024 Australia Stakes |
1st | Veight | 1 minute 9.64 seconds |
| 2nd | Southport Tycoon | ||
| 3rd | Recommendation | ||
| Â | |||
| 2023 Australia Stakes |
1st | Jigsaw | 1 minute 9.75 seconds |
| 2nd | Turaath | ||
| 3rd | Calypso Reign | ||
| Â | |||
| 2022 Australia Stakes |
1st | Marabi | 1 minute 11.42 seconds |
| 2nd | Sinawann | ||
| 3rd | Turaath | ||
| Â | |||
| 2021 Australia Stakes |
1st | Streets Of Avalon | 1 minute 10.06 seconds |
| 2nd | Viridine | ||
| 3rd | Tavisan | ||
| Â | |||
| 2020 Australia Stakes |
1st | Scales Of Justice | 1 minute 9.77 seconds |
| 2nd | Hey Doc | ||
| 3rd | Embrace Me | ||
| Â | |||
| 2019 Australia Stakes |
1st | Whispering Brook | 1 minute 9.84 seconds |
| 2nd | Fell Swoop | ||
| 3rd | Land of Plenty | ||
| Â | |||
| 2018 Australia Stakes |
1st | Thronum | 1 minute 10.48 seconds |
| 2nd | Mr Sneaky | ||
| 3rd | Stellar Collision | ||
| Â | |||
| 2017 Australia Stakes |
1st | Malaguerra | 1 minute 9.29 seconds (Equal Track Record) |
| 2nd | Black Heart Bart | ||
| 3rd | Sirbible | ||
| Â | |||
| 2016 Australia Stakes |
1st | Holler | 1 minute 10.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Churchill Dancer | ||
| 3rd | Rebel Dane | ||
| Â | |||
| 2015 Australia Stakes |
1st | Mourinho | 1 minute 9.9 seconds |
| 2nd | It Is Written | ||
| 3rd | Dissident | ||
| Â | |||
| 2014 Australia Stakes |
1st | Richie’s Vibe | 1 minute 10.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Moment Of Change | ||
| 3rd | It Is Written | ||
| Â | |||
| 2013 Australia Stakes |
1st | Sea Lord | 1 minute 10.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Pinwheel | ||
| 3rd | Outlandish Lad | ||
| Â | |||
| 2012 Australia Stakes |
1st | Black Caviar | 1 minute 09.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Zedi Knight | ||
| 3rd | Doubtful Jack | ||
| Â | |||
| 2011 Australia Stakes |
1st | Whitefriars | 1 minute 09.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Undeniably | ||
| 3rd | Typhoon Tracy | ||
| Â | |||
| 2010 Australia Stakes |
1st | Black Caviar | 1 minute 10.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Here De Angels | ||
| 3rd | La Rocket | ||
| Â | |||
| 2009 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Lucky Secret | 1 minute 11.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Light Fantastic | ||
| 3rd | Von Costa De Hero | ||
| Â | |||
| 2008 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Let Go Thommo | 1 minute 10.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Maldivian | ||
| 3rd | Casino Prince | ||
| Â | |||
| 2007 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | El Segundo | 1 minute 11.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Cocinero | ||
| 3rd | Super Elegant | ||
| Â | |||
| 2006 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | California Dane | 1 minute 9.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Virage De Fortune | ||
| 3rd | Casual Pass | ||
| Â | |||
| 2005 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Super Elegant | 1 minute 10.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Strikeline | ||
| 3rd | Ruben | ||
| Â | |||
| 2004 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Vocabulary | 1 minute 11.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Super Elegant | ||
| 3rd | Confederate Kid | ||
| Â | |||
| 2003 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Yell | 1 minute 10.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Libidinious | ||
| 3rd | Pernod | ||
| Â | |||
| 2002 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Royal Code | 1 minute 11 seconds |
| 2nd | Intelligent Star | ||
| 3rd | Ustinov | ||
| Â | |||
| 2001 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Piavonic | 1 minute 11.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Ateates | ||
| 3rd | Le Zagaletta | ||
| Â | |||
| 2000 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Slavonic | 1 minute 12.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Sports | ||
| 3rd | Le Zagaletta | ||
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