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The 2026 Tesio Stakes ran on Saturday October 24, 2026 on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day as a potential Empire Rose Stakes lead-up and was won by the progressive Chris Waller-trained Soverato ($4.80). 

The Tesio Stakes 2026 is a leading staying test for mares during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, offering a valuable black-type opportunity for female gallopers over a genuine middle-distance trip. Run as a handicap race, the Tesio Stakes regularly attracts a competitive line-up of proven staying mares, emerging talents, and in-form campaigners looking to enhance their spring credentials. Named in honour of legendary Italian breeder Federico Tesio, the race has established itself as an important feature for mares targeting longer-distance black-type races later in the carnival. In 2026, the Tesio Stakes will be run at Flemington Racecourse while Moonee Valley undergoes redevelopment, adding an extra layer of intrigue as runners tackle the famous 2040m journey at headquarters. On this page, you’ll find the latest Tesio Stakes odds 2026, Tesio Stakes betting 2026 updates, field information, barrier draw, form guide, tips, results, and market movers as punters assess the leading mares in this prestigious Group 3 spring feature.

2026 Tesio Stakes Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Tesio Stakes results and finishing order and to see what runners may have the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day in sight. 

Winning Margin: 0.46 lengths

Winning Time: 2:06.90

Chris Waller’s improving mare Soverato ($4.80) continued her rise through the grades with a tough victory in the 2026 Tesio Stakes results at Flemington to close the Cox Plate Day card. Ridden by Damian Lane, the four-year-old settled back before producing a sustained finishing burst to defeat Shocketz by a long neck, with Ocean Bay a short head away in third. The win was Soverato’s first black-type success and further highlighted her staying potential after a strong spring campaign, with the mare now a likely contender for the upcoming Matriarch Stakes.

2026 Tesio Stakes Race Replay

Tesio Stakes | Soverato

Soverato wins the last! Chris Waller's four-year-old staves off Shockletz, winning the Tesio Stakes well ?

? Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/HEhdpozFmy pic.twitter.com/wIJ0aF25kY

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 24, 2026

2026 Tesio Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

See below for the latest Tesio Stakes 2026 odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this spring.

2026 Tesio Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Tesio Stakes 2026 Tips on the Cox Plate Day support act this October.

Favourite: No. 13 Soverato

Each Way Danger: No. 3 Shockletz

Best Roughie: No. 4 Sunset Park

The Tesio Stakes is a Group 3 event traditionally held at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne during the Spring Racing Carnival on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day. Note, in 2026 the race runs at Flemington with The Valley closed for redevelopment.

Previously raced over 1600m, the event distance was increased to 2040m ahead of the 2024 edition making it the same as the meeting’s feature. The Tesio Stakes is a handicap event for mares aged four years and older and pays $300,000 in total prize money.

The Tesio Stakes is held on one of the nation’s biggest days of racing, Cox Plate Day. It shares a race program with a host of other Group races. These include the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) which offers the winner a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption, Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m), Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m), Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m), and Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m).

Lead up races to the Tesio Stakes include the Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m) and the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes.

Following the Tesio Stakes there are a variety of options for mares to take. The classier types might head to the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes, while the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) is also a popular target for those mares not at Group 1 level. Zanna (2003) was the last mare to complete the Tesio Stakes – Empire Rose Stakes double.

The 2021 Tesio Stakes form was franked with the third placegetter Annavisto returning the following autumn to run second in Sydney’s Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in 2022.

The 2022 Tesio Stakes form held the following winter with the runner-up Roots also finishing second in Brisbane’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara in 2023.

The 2025 Tesio Stakes winner, She’s A Hustler, franked the form with a next-up second in the Matriarch Stakes before taking out the Group 2 Zipping Classic. That year’s Matriarch Stakes winner also came via the Tesio with Sunset Park improving on her third.

Tesio Stakes 2026
Date:	Saturday October 24, 2026
Track:	Moonee Valley Racecourse (Flemington in 2026)
Distance:	2040m (since 2024, previously 1600m)
Race Type:	4YO+ Mares Handicap
Status:	Group 3
Prize Money:	$300,000

2026 Tesio Stakes Betting

The latest Tesio Stakes 2026 betting odds will be available at Ladbrokes and provided here at Races.com.au for punters to lock in their Tesio Stakes betting tips at the best Cox Plate Day odds.

Amangiri ($2.50 in 2019), Sovereign Award ($2.90 in 2020) and Wishlor Lass ($2.20 in 2023) are the latest favourites in Tesio Stakes betting to salute for the punters.

There was a notable upset in 2025 with Lady Jones saluting at Tesio Stakes odds of $15. 

2026 Tesio Stakes Form Guide

The Tesio Stakes form guide is an essential resource for punters assessing one of the premier mares’ staying races of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Run over 2040 metres as a handicap, the Group 3 Tesio Stakes attracts a quality field of proven staying mares, rising middle-distance performers, and black-type hopefuls looking to secure valuable spring success. With the race being held at Flemington Racecourse in 2026 while Moonee Valley undergoes redevelopment, punters should pay particular attention to horses suited to the spacious circuit and the longer run home. The form guide provides valuable information on recent performances, distance and track records, weights, barrier draws, jockey and trainer combinations, and betting market movements, helping identify the mares best placed to excel under handicap conditions.

What Punters Should Look for in the Tesio Stakes Form Guide:

• 2000m+ form – Strong performances over 2000m and beyond are often the best indicator of a mare’s ability to see out the 2040m trip.
• Handicap credentials – Horses that have performed well carrying weight or against similar handicap conditions can hold a significant advantage.
• Recent staying race form – Mares coming through quality middle-distance and staying events generally bring the strongest form lines.
• Flemington suitability – With the race run at Flemington in 2026, previous form at the track or racing styles suited to the long straight deserve close attention.
• Current spring form – Horses peaking at the right time during the spring carnival are often among the leading contenders.
• Black-type performances – Proven form in Group and Listed company is a strong indicator of class.
• Barrier draw – An ideal barrier can help runners secure an economical run and conserve energy for the finish.
• Finishing strength – Mares capable of producing strong closing sectionals over middle distances are often well suited to the race conditions.
• Trainer and jockey combinations – Leading stables frequently target the Tesio Stakes with mares progressing towards bigger spring assignments.
• Betting market support – Significant moves in the Tesio Stakes betting markets can signal stable confidence and highlight runners expected to perform strongly.

FULL 2026 TESIO STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 Tesio Stakes Field

Each spring the Tesio Stakes field attracts a smart line-up of mares possibly looking to back-up the following Saturday at Flemington in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes field.

Mares to have completed the double include Zanna (2003), Western Chorus (1991) and Echo Lass (1989). In 2013 the Tesio Stakes winner Catkins finished runner-up in the Group 1 (then run as the Myer Classic) on VRC Derby Day, as did Lady Lynette in 2009. Lady Lynette also returned to win the 2010 Tesio Stakes, a race that often attracts similar line-ups of mares on back-to-back years.

The 2026 Tesio Stakes field are released on the Wednesday leading up to Cox Plate Day and will be provided in full below once announced.

The Tesio Stakes 2026 final field features a competitive line-up of mares led in betting by the Chris Waller-trained Group 1 performed Soverato.

2026 Tesio Stakes Nominations

The 2026 Tesio Stakes nominations are released on the Monday of Cox Plate week.

Tesio Stakes History

Inaugurated in 1988, the Tesio Stakes has seen quite a few classy mares pass through. The Tesio Stakes was a listed race between its inception in 1988 and 1993. In 1994, it gained Group 3 status, which it has retained since.

There was a dead heat for two years running. In 2007, Maslins Beach and Autumn Jeuney tied at the post, with Miss Badoura and Bird Of Fire doing the same in 2008. The 2008 edition also saw the next two runners, Permission To Land and Princess Marizza, tie for third only 0.2 lengths off the lead.

The Tesio Stakes has seen a lot of name changes over the years. In 1990 it was known as the BMW Australia Stakes, and in 1991 and 1992 it was known as the Dalgety Breeders’ Plate. In 1993 the race was again sponsored by BMW and was known as the BMW Plate. Between 1994 and 2004 it reverted to its original name, the Tesio Stakes. Following that, it became known as the Inglis Mile. In 2013 and 2014, the Tesio Stakes was known as the Eliza Park International Stakes.

Notable Tesio Stakes winners include Voltage (1988), Bold Alliance (1992), Zanna (2003), Lady Lynette (2009, 10) and Catkins (2013).

Tesio Stakes results since 2000, along with winning times, are listed below.

Tesio Stakes Results

Year	Place	Horse	Time
2026 Tesio Stakes	1st	Soverato	2 minutes 6.90 seconds
	2nd	Shockletz
	3rd	Ocean Bay
2025 Tesio Stakes	1st	She’s A Hustler	2 minutes 6.22 seconds
	2nd	Sea What I See
	3rd	Sunset Park
2024 Tesio Stakes	1st	Lady Jones	2 minutes 4.77 seconds (distance increased to 2040m)
	2nd	Lievore
	3rd	Little Mix
2023 Tesio Stakes	1st	Wishlor Lass	1 minute 35.99 seconds
	2nd	Thalassophile
	3rd	Osmose
2022 Tesio Stakes	1st	My Whisper	1 minute 40.04 seconds
	2nd	Roots
	3rd	Sirileo Miss
2021 Tesio Stakes	1st	Flying Mascot	1 minute 37.81 seconds
	2nd	Starelle
	3rd	Annavisto
2020 Tesio Stakes	1st	Sovereign Award	1 minute 39.01 seconds
	2nd	I Am Elequent
	3rd	Paradee
2019 Tesio Stakes	1st	Amangiri	1 minute 35.57 seconds
	2nd	Seewhatshebrings
	3rd	Vanuatu
2018 Tesio Stakes	1st	Shoko	1 minute 36.03 seconds
	2nd	Mamzelle Tess
	3rd	Princess Posh
2017 Tesio Stakes	1st	Lubiton	1 minute 34.42 seconds (new track record)
	2nd	Savapinski
	3rd	Invincibella
2016 Tesio Stakes	1st	Kaniana	1 minute 39.17 seconds
	2nd	Rocket Commander
	3rd	Alaskan Rose
2015 Tesio Stakes	1st	Coronation Shallan	1 minute 36.1 seconds
	2nd	Azkadellia
	3rd	Lucky Lago
2014 Tesio Stakes	1st	Suavito	1 minute 35.6 seconds
	2nd	Precious Gem
	3rd	You’re So Good
2013 Tesio Stakes	1st	Catkins	1 minute 37.7 seconds
	2nd	Cameo
	3rd	Lake Sententia
2012 Tesio Stakes	1st	Star Of Giselle	1 minute 35.7 seconds
	2nd	Tavarnelle
	3rd	Spirit Song
2011 Tesio Stakes	1st	Ocean Challenger	1 minute 38.7 seconds
	2nd	Hi Belle
	3rd	Lady Lynette
2010 Tesio Stakes	1st	Lady Lynette	1 minute 36.7 seconds
	2nd	Delta Gee
	3rd	Music Review
2009 Tesio Stakes	1st	Lady Lynette	1 minute 36.2 seconds
	2nd	Moment Of Time
	3rd	Pink Shimmer
2008 Tesio Stakes	=1st	Miss Badoura	1 minute 36.5 seconds
	=1st	Bird Of Fire
	=3rd	Permission To Land/Princess Marizza
2007 Tesio Stakes	1st	Autumn Jeuney	1 minute 36.9 seconds
	2nd	Game Serena
	3rd	Maslins Beach
2006 Tesio Stakes	1st	Valkyrie Diva	1 minute 37.5 seconds
	2nd	Benko
	3rd	Celtic Bloom
2005 Tesio Stakes	1st	Matras	1 minute 38.6 seconds
	2nd	Hennessy Waltz
	3rd	Ballybleue
2004 Tesio Stakes	1st	Joy Of Flight	1 minute 36.7 seconds
	2nd	Galvanized
	3rd	Loyal Lauren
2003 Tesio Stakes	1st	Zanna	1 minute 38.8 seconds
	2nd	Sweet Corn
	3rd	My Fraarlein
2002 Tesio Stakes	1st	Gentle Genius	1 minute 36.6 seconds
	2nd	Paris Heartbeat
	3rd	Rosa Marada
2001 Tesio Stakes	1st	La Bella Dama	1 minute 37.1 seconds
	2nd	Its Platonic
	3rd	Oregon Seal
2000 Tesio Stakes	1st	Oregon Seal	1 minute 40.0 seconds
	2nd	Super Sequel
	3rd	Nova Clause