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The spring features ramp up in Sydney on Saturday with a newly upgraded Group 2 sprint feature set to steal the show as the potential The Everest horses start their path towards the world’s richest turf race, and Races.com.au are here with our insider Concorde Stakes 2026 field preview, tips and best bets on the $1 million Randwick clash.
A class line-up of short-distance specialists face off in this year’s Concorde Stakes field with a fast 1000m dash set to sort the genuine spring contenders from the second-tier pretenders on Chelmsford Stakes Day.
We have a red-hot favourite sitting odds-on in the latest Concorde Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au with last year’s boom The Everest second-placed filly, Tempted, making her much awaited four-year-old debut.
The Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Street Boss pays $1.85 at time of publish to kick off her spring in style and this Godolphin-raced beauty will be hard to deny fresh oozing class and an unbeaten first-up record.
All eyes will be on a standout chestnut who built a formidable résumé last season and now resumes with enormous interest.
After a breakout three-year-old campaign, she returns to Randwick with a record that already places her among the most accomplished short-course performers of her generation — and her trial work suggests she’s ready to pick up right where she left off.
Tempted has won seven of her 12 starts, including a flawless three-run streak last preparation that showcased her versatility, toughness and ability to handle high-pressure races.
She announced herself early as a juvenile, finishing third in the Golden Slipper before claiming the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes from the outside gate, a performance that hinted at the elite talent to come.
A stable switch to Maher only accelerated her rise, and she produced a superb spring highlighted by a Run to the Rose victory and a brave third in the Golden Rose, finishing behind Beiwacht — who has since franked the form with a dominant Memsie Stakes win last weekend.
Her spring concluded on the world stage in The Everest, where she exceeded expectations at big odds to finish second behind Hong Kong’s Ka Ying Rising, confirming her ability to match motors with the best sprinters anywhere.
She returned in the autumn to secure her maiden Group 1 in the Surround Stakes, followed by another high-class win in the Arrowfield Sprint, cementing her status as one of Australia’s premier mares.
Ahead of her Concorde Stakes return, she has trialled strongly and appears forward enough to produce a competitive first-up run.
While the 1000m trip may be shorter than her ideal distance, her Randwick record is exceptional (6:5-1-0), and she has previously won over the short course as a two-year-old.
With Chad Schofield back aboard — a jockey unbeaten on her to date — she shapes as one of the major drawcards in a race that traditionally launches Sydney’s early spring sprinting stars.
The danger on the second line of betting at $4.40 and firming is the defending Matthew Smith-trained champion Headwall looking to go back-to-back in the event for the first time since the Redzel three-peat (2017-19).
Zac Lloyd partners the now seven-year-old gelding who races for the first time since his victory in this event 12 months ago.
He’s been off the scene for some time but has looked the goods in his lead-up trials, is two-from-two at the track and trip and is the standout 1000m specialist in this line-up.
He’ll be settling back but the set up looks ideal for him to swamp them late as he did last year.
A further two runners are under double figure Concorde Stakes odds for the win with Roselyn’s Star ($7.50) and the Michael Freedman-trained Marhoona ($9).
Roselyn’s Star has the fitness edge over the returning stars having won the July Sprint (1100m) by a runaway margin in the winter on Heavy going and he’s been kept ticking over with a subsequent trial win at Rosehill.
He’s up in grade facing his acid test now but deserves his shot at them and shouldn’t disgrace himself.
Marhoona meanwhile is another first-up runner with genuine claims with the four-year-old Snitzel mare already a proven Group 1 winning sprinter in the autumn’s The Galaxy.
She was no match for Tempted in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint at her latest when two lengths back fourth, but she’s looked the goods at the trials and finally gets a good alley (4) for Rachel King to steer her from as she looks to break her Randwick hoodoo.
Further down the markets out to add value to the exotics are the likes of Anthony & Sam Freedman‘s rails-drawn Beskar ($18), a multiple Black-Type winner looking to go to the next level with maestro hoop James McDonald riding, and the Joe Pride-trained King’s Secret ($23) drawn one his outside having last been seen finishing a devastatingly close second to Mazu in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes here back in April.
The 2026 Concorde Stakes is scheduled as Randwick Race 8 at 3:55pm (AEST) on Saturday’s 10-race card.
2026 Concorde Stakes Tips & Best Bets
To Win: No. 4 Tempted
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4. Tempted (7)
J: Chad Schofield58kg
x111xT: Ciaron Maher
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| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last campaign won by 1.2 len this track G2 Arrowfield April 11 over 1200m defeating Devil Night carrying 54.5kg at $1.60. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 1.3 len this track G3 Esk Prince February 7 over 1200m defeating Napoleonic with 57.5kg at $1.60. Classy mare undefeated in three first up runs, will be launching late. | |||
Each Way Danger: No. 1 Headwall
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1. Headwall (5)
J: Zac Lloyd58.5kg
32x1xT: Matthew Smith
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| Back after a long spell. Only had one start last campaign won by a nose in the G3 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 6 over 1000m defeating Lady Shenandoah carrying 58kg at $4.20. First up last campaign 4th of 16 in the G1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on February 22 2025 over 1100m, 2.5 len behind Jimmysstar carrying 52kg at $26. Runner-up in a Rosehill trial over 900m on August 21. Won this race last year and hasn’t been seen since, trialled well and will take stopping. | |||
Best Roughie: No. 3 Beadman
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3. Beadman (11)
J: Tim Clark58.5kg
8150xT: Peter Snowden
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| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of three-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign 12th of 18 at Eagle Farm in the G3 Fred Best 3yo May 30 over 1400m, soft track; 6 len behind Regal Award with 57kg at $12. Previous preparation first-up won by nose this track LR Fireball March 7 over 1100m defeating Inkaruna carrying 58.5kg at $2.30. Sticky gate first up and others look stronger. | |||
Latest Concorde Stakes 2026 Odds
| 1. Headwall (5) J: Zac Lloyd58.5kg 32x1xT: Matthew Smith | |||
| Back after a long spell. Only had one start last campaign won by a nose in the G3 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 6 over 1000m defeating Lady Shenandoah carrying 58kg at $4.20. First up last campaign 4th of 16 in the G1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on February 22 2025 over 1100m, 2.5 len behind Jimmysstar carrying 52kg at $26. Runner-up in a Rosehill trial over 900m on August 21. Won this race last year and hasn’t been seen since, trialled well and will take stopping. | |||
| 2. Marhoona (4) J: Rachel King58.5kg 6214xT: Michael Freedman | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation fourth of 9 at this track in the G2 Arrowfield April 11 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Tempted with 54.5kg at $7.50. Previously first up; sixth of 8 at Flemington in the G1 Lightning February 14 over 1000m, 3.5 len behind Tentyris carrying 53.5kg at $18. The Galaxy winner expected to measure up. | |||
| 3. Beadman (11) J: Tim Clark58.5kg 8150xT: Peter Snowden | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of three-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign 12th of 18 at Eagle Farm in the G3 Fred Best 3yo May 30 over 1400m, soft track; 6 len behind Regal Award with 57kg at $12. Previous preparation first-up won by nose this track LR Fireball March 7 over 1100m defeating Inkaruna carrying 58.5kg at $2.30. Sticky gate first up and others look stronger. | |||
| 4. Tempted (7) J: Chad Schofield58kg x111xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last campaign won by 1.2 len this track G2 Arrowfield April 11 over 1200m defeating Devil Night carrying 54.5kg at $1.60. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 1.3 len this track G3 Esk Prince February 7 over 1200m defeating Napoleonic with 57.5kg at $1.60. Classy mare undefeated in three first up runs, will be launching late. | |||
| 5. Roselyn’s Star (6) J: Regan Bayliss58kg 231×1T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Second-up. Comes off a 49-day let-up. First-up after four months favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 2.25 len at Rosehill on July 18 over 1100m in heavy going defeating Grand Impact with 56.5kg at $2. Previously second-up came from midfield; 2nd of 9 in a Bm88 at Rosehill on January 31 over 1200m, 1.75 len behind Sixties with 58kg at $1.85. Goes to a new level today with fitness on his side, each way. | |||
| 6. Way To The Stars (8) J: Ashley Morgan57.5kg 83×47T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 4th of 7 in a July Sprint at Rosehill on July 18 over 1100m, on heavy track; 5 len behind Roselyn’s Star carrying 60kg at $9. Second run from a spell couldn’t go on with it; ran last of 7 in the G2 Missile Stakes at this track on August 8 over 1200m, 6 len behind Ninja carrying 56kg at $91. Will need to lift at this level. | |||
| 7. Beskar (1) J: James McDonald57.5kg 3118xT: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Resuming after a break of four months. Finished off last campaign eighth of 14 at Gold Coast in the G3 Gc Guineas May 9 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind Beadman with 57kg at $7. First up last campaign third of 7 at Caulfield in the G3 Zeditave February 21 over 1200m, 3 len behind Pallaton with 56kg at $13. Went to a new level last prep and can take a hand in the finish. | |||
| 8. King’s Secret (2) J: Andrew Adkins57kg x382xT: Joseph Pride | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign second of 9 at this track in the G3 Hall Mark April 18 over 1200m, a nose behind Mazu with 57kg at $7.50. First up last campaign third of 9 at Rosehill in the G3 M Mccarten March 14 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Flying For Fun carrying 56kg at $4. Sharp on his day and maps well. | |||
| 9. Wanaruah (12) J: Kerrin Mcevoy57kg x211xT: Brett & Georgie Cavanough | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation by 0.7 len this track LR Bob Charley Ao June 6 over 1100m slow track defeating General Salute with 54kg at $4.80. Previously first up; second of 13 at Hawkesbury Bm78 May 2 over 1100m, 0.5 len behind Golden Straand carrying 57kg at $13. Needs it much easier. | |||
| 10. Steady Ready (9) J: Tommy Berry56kg x321xT: Tony & Maddysen Sears | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation won by nose Sunshine Coast 3yo&Up Swp July 4 over 1000m slow track defeating Maximum Output with 57kg at $4.20. First up last campaign third of 10 at Gold Coast Bat Out Of Hell May 9 over 1000m, 1.3 len behind Flying Destiny carrying 56.5kg at $5.50. Likely to find this out of reach. | |||
| 12. Mal Coupe (3) J: Tyler Schiller56kg 1246xT: Stephen O’halloran | |||
| Resuming after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation sixth of 9 at this track in the G3 Hall Mark April 18 over 1200m, 2.75 len behind Mazu with 56kg at $12. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.4 len this track Midway Bm72 February 14 over 1000m defeating Let’s Go Again with 60kg at $3.40. Will hold a forward position and give a great show. | |||
| 13. Signor Tortoni (10) J: Jason Collett56kg 1531xT: Ron Quinton | |||
| Is first-up after a break of four-and-a-half months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation won by 1.2 len this track Bm88 April 18 over 1200m defeating De Bergerac with 61kg at $5.50. When resuming last campaign ran last of 9 at this track Cg&E Bm78 December 27 over 1200m, 9 len behind Livin’ Thing with 57.5kg at $7.50. Underrated sprinter who goes into the exotics. | |||
| 11. Chidiac (13) Scratched: | |||
