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The Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes is a short course sprint run at Rosehill Gardens on Coolmore Classic Day during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Maurice McCarten Stakes News
The Maurice McCarten Stakes is a Group 3 sprint run under open quality handicap conditions at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on Coolmore Classic Day each March.
2026 Maurice McCarten Stakes Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 Maurice McCarten Stakes results and finishing order at Rosehill on Saturday March 14, 2026.
- 1st: No. 3 Flying For Fun ($5)
- 2nd: No. 8 Mal Coupe
- 3rd: No. 4 King’s Secret
Winning Margin: 0.44 lengths
Winning Time: 1:03.42
Bryce Heys’ progressive short-distance specialist, four-year-old mare Flying For Fun ($5), showed lovely maturity first-up kicking off a Group 3 winner with a commanding half-length victory in the 2026 Maurice McCarten Stakes results. Having completed her last prep with a Listed win over 1100m, the daughter of the stable’s former star sprint Spieth got her autumn underway with another impressive win over the same distance to hand Heys his 100th victory as a trainer.
| 3. Flying For Fun (1) J: Zac Lloyd56kg 3271xT: Bryce Heys | ||
| 8. Mal Coupe (5) J: Winona Costin54.5kg 11×11T: Stephen O’halloran | ||
| 4. King’s Secret (2) J: Andrew Adkins56kg x311xT: Joseph Pride | ||
| 6. Don’t Hope Do (6) J: Jason Collett54.5kg 13×20T: Simon Zahra | ||
| 11. Signor Tortoni (3) J: Kerrin Mcevoy54.5kg 1×911T: Ron Quinton | ||
| 5. La Fracas (4) J: Craig Williams55.5kg 1114xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | ||
| 2. Kerguelen (9) J: Adam Hyeronimus57kg 351×1T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 9. Tonkin (7) J: Tim Clark54.5kg 122×2T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 7. Shezanalister (8) J: Rachel King54.5kg x200xT: Bjorn Baker |
Run during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, the meeting is headlined by the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and features a host of other Group status support acts including the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m), Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1200m), the lucrative Group 3 $350,000 Sky High Stakes (2000m), and the Maurice McCarten Stakes.
Run over 1100m the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes field may feature first-up runners kicking off their autumn campaigns or horses coming off an earlier autumn lead-up in a race like the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at the track a month earlier, which last produced a Maurice McCarten Stakes winner with Dothraki (2nd in 2018). Dothraki was originally also second past the post in the Maurice McCarten but won the race on protest over Sprightly Lass.
After the event Maurice McCarten Stakes graduates may back-up in a race like the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) held back at the Rosehill track later that month. Hoystar (2008) was the last sprinter to complete the Maurice McCarten – Star Kingdom Stakes double.
Tougher targets like the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill a fortnight after the Maurice McCarten Stakes might also be included in better sprinters’ campaigns. Shelby Sixtysix (2022) is the last to complete the Maurice McCarten – The Galaxy double.
The 2020 Maurice McCarten Stakes winner Star Of The Seas franked the form running second in that season’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) two runs later. He also placed second in the Group 1 Winx Stakes and Group 1 George Main Stakes that September.
The 2022 Maurice McCarten Stakes form was franked with the winner Shelby Sixtysix going on to win the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill next start.
The Maurice McCarten Stakes winner in 2023 Cannonball franked the form with a next-up third in that year’s The Galaxy results.
The Maurice McCarten form was franked in 2024 with the runner-up Libertad going on to place third in that year’s Group 2 $1 million Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.
The Maurice McCarten Stakes 2026 ran on Saturday March 14, 2026 on Rosehill’s Coolmore Classic Day card and was won first-up by Bryce Heys’ short-distance specialist Flying For Fun ($5).
| 2026 Maurice McCarten Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday March 14, 2026 |
| Track: | Rosehill Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1100m |
| Race Type: | Quality Handicap |
| Status: | Group 3 |
| Prize Money: | $250,000 |
2026 Maurice McCarten Stakes Betting
The season’s updated Maurice McCarten Stakes 2026 betting odds will be published here at Races.com.au as soon as markets are released at Ladbrokes.com.au.
California Zimbol ($3 in 2021) and Red Card ($3.20 in 2024) are the latest favourites in Maurice McCarten Stakes betting to salute.
2026 Maurice McCarten Stakes Form
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 MAURICE MCCARTEN STAKES FORM GUIDE
2026 Maurice McCarten Stakes Tips
To Win: No. 4 King’s Secret
Open field of sprinters but the resuming KING’S SECRET (2) looks a genuine hope to kick off his autumn with a win. Joe Pride is a master trainer of short-distance specialists and has a nice type in this four-year-old gelding who went out a back-to-back winner in Sydney over the summer. At his latest on New Year’s Day at Canterbury, he posted a Black-Type win defeating a quality field including The Instructor in the Listed Canterbury Sprint and he’s trialled sharply since. He’s got a great affinity for the Rosehill track (4:2-0-1) and is a standout at this distance (7:5-0-1). Well weighted against these, drawn a dream and Andrew Adkins knows him well. Continues to outrace expectations, deserves a shot at a Group 3 now, maps well and looks the value for mine.
|
4. King’s Secret (2)
J: Andrew Adkins56kg
x311xT: Joseph Pride
|
2026 Maurcie McCarten Stakes Field
The Maurice McCarten Stakes field attracts a decent quality of sprinters, some of which may be gearing up towards tougher autumn runs and is released by Racing NSW on the Wednesday before Coolmore Classic Day.
The official 2026 Maurice McCarten Stakes field and barriers are released on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.
The Maurice McCarten Stakes 2026 final field features a dozen exciting sprinters including Mal Coupe chasing a sixth win on the trot and the Michael Freedman-trained Enriched coming off a second in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30x3121x72 | ENRICHED | Michael Freedman | Tommy Berry | 9 | 58kg | 99 | ||
| 2 | 14421351×1 | KERGUELEN | Joseph Pride | Adam Hyeronimus | 11 | 57kg | 97 | ||
| 3 | 252x83271x | FLYING FOR FUN | Bryce Heys | Zac Lloyd | 1 | 56kg | 99 | ||
| 4 | 21511x311x | KING’S SECRET | Joseph Pride | Andrew Adkins | 2 | 56kg | 95 | ||
| 5 | 426x11114x | LA FRACAS (IRE) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Craig Williams | 4 | 55.5kg | 94 | ||
| 6 | 9x13413x20 | DON’T HOPE DO | Simon Zahra | Jason Collett | 6 | 54.5kg | 92 | ||
| 7 | 30200x200x | SHEZANALISTER | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 8 | 54.5kg | 91 | ||
| 8 | x212111x11 | MAL COUPE | Stephen O’Halloran | Ms Winona Costin | 5 | 54.5kg | 87 | ||
| 9 | x111x122x2 | TONKIN | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Tim Clark | 7 | 54.5kg | 86 | ||
| 10 | 04455×1242 | EYE OF THE FIRE | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Braith Nock (a) | 10 | 54.5kg | 84 | ||
| 11 | x21131x911 | SIGNOR TORTONI | Ron Quinton | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 54.5kg | 82 | ||
| 12 | x101343x36 | LULUMON | Jason Coyle | Regan Bayliss | 12 | 54.5kg | 81 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2026 Maurice McCarten Stakes Nominations
Early nominations on the Maurice McCarten Stakes in 2026 close the Monday of race week and will be available below once confirmed.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 111×11 | BEV’S NINE | G | 4 | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | 85 |
| 2 | 974x137x13 | CELUI | G | 5 | Richard & Will Freedman | 90 |
| 3 | 9x13413x20 | DON’T HOPE DO | G | 5 | Simon Zahra | 92 |
| 4 | 30x3121x72 | ENRICHED | H | 4 | Michael Freedman | 99 |
| 5 | 04455×1242 | EYE OF THE FIRE | G | 5 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 84 |
| 6 | 252x83271x | FLYING FOR FUN | M | 4 | Bryce Heys | 99 |
| 7 | 028x8409x4 | JEDIBEEL (NZ) | G | 6 | Brad Widdup | 104 |
| 8 | 14421351×1 | KERGUELEN | G | 5 | Joseph Pride | 97 |
| 9 | 21511x311x | KING’S SECRET | G | 4 | Joseph Pride | 95 |
| 10 | 426x11114x | LA FRACAS (IRE) | G | 5 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 94 |
| 11 | x101343x36 | LULUMON | M | 5 | Jason Coyle | 81 |
| 12 | x212111x11 | MAL COUPE | G | 4 | Stephen O’Halloran | 87 |
| 13 | 7025817414 | PERILOUS FIGHTER | G | 5 | Clayton Douglas | 85 |
| 14 | 51617×2453 | SCAMPI | G | 4 | Ciaron Maher | 86 |
| 15 | 30200x200x | SHEZANALISTER | M | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 91 |
| 16 | x21131x911 | SIGNOR TORTONI | G | 4 | Ron Quinton | 82 |
| 17 | x111x122x2 | TONKIN | M | 4 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 86 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Maurice McCarten Stakes History
The Maurice McCarten Stakes was inaugurated in 1993, and the first winner of the race was Friend’s Venture. Since then, quality types including Mustard (2004), Snippetson (2006), Atomic Force (2011), and Target In Sight (2015) have all recorded wins in the race.
Originally run over 1200m the event was cut to 1100m in 2010 and from 1993 – 2013 it ran as a Listed race before gaining its current Group 3 status in 2014. The race has gone by a number of various names over the years including the Moet & Chandon Handicap (1993-96) and The Schweppervesence (2005-09).
Before 2010 the event was held as part of the Golden Slipper Stakes Day program.
Maurice McCarten Stakes Winners
See below for a recent list of Maurice McCarten Stakes results and winners going back to 2000.
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Flying For Fun | 1 minute 03.42 seconds |
| 2nd | Mal Coupe | ||
| 3rd | King’s Secret | ||
| 2025 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Eagle Nest | 1 minute 03.11 seconds |
| 2nd | Time To Boogie | ||
| 3rd | Pisanello | ||
| 2024 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Red Card | 1 minute 03.89 seconds |
| 2nd | Libertad | ||
| 3rd | Airman | ||
| 2023 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Cannonball | 1 minute 03.50 seconds |
| 2nd | Athelric | ||
| 3rd | Quick Tempo | ||
| 2022 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Shelby Sixtysix | 1 minute 04.91 seconds |
| 2nd | Rule Of Law | ||
| 3rd | Gravina | ||
| 2021 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | California Zimbol | 1 minute 02.80 seconds |
| 2nd | Easy Eddie | ||
| 3rd | Order Of Command | ||
| 2020 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Star Of The Seas | 1 minute 06.45 seconds |
| 2nd | River Bird | ||
| 3rd | Spending To Win | ||
| 2019 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Easy Eddie | 1 minute 6.38 seconds |
| 2nd | She Knows | ||
| 3rd | All Over Bosanova | ||
| 2018 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Dothraki | 1 minute 3.41 seconds |
| 2nd | Sprightly Lass | ||
| 3rd | New Universe | ||
| 2017 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Artistry | 1 minute 4.99 seconds |
| 2nd | Dothraki | ||
| 3rd | Fickle Folly | ||
| 2016 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Alberto Magic | 1 minute 3.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Angels Beach | ||
| 3rd | Bachman | ||
| 2015 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Target In Sight | 1 minute 3.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Deep Field | ||
| 3rd | Tahitian Black | ||
| 2014 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Kencella | 1 minute 3.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Va Pensiero | ||
| 3rd | That’s A Good Idea | ||
| 2013 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | See The World | 1 minute 3.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Anise | ||
| 3rd | Hurrara | ||
| 2012 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Title | 1 minute 4.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Uate | ||
| 3rd | Zaratone | ||
| 2011 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Atomic Force | 1 minute 3.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Winter King | ||
| 3rd | Dorf Command | ||
| 2010 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Welkom Gold | 1 minute 4.42 seconds |
| 2nd | Nightofthegeneral | ||
| 3rd | Rarefied | ||
| 2009 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Mount Verde | 1 minute 11.79 seconds |
| 2nd | Aichi | ||
| 3rd | Posadas | ||
| 2008 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Hoystar | 1 minute 12.03 seconds |
| 2nd | Al Be Nible | ||
| 3rd | Certain Magic | ||
| 2007 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Double Dare | 1 minute 9.42 seconds |
| 2nd | King Rex | ||
| 3rd | Sunset Run | ||
| 2006 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Snippetson | 1 minute 9.34 seconds |
| 2nd | Mustard | ||
| 3rd | Shannon Bank | ||
| 2005 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Britt’s Best | 1 minute 9.43 seconds |
| 2nd | Damigos | ||
| 3rd | Entreaty | ||
| 2004 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Mustard | 1 minute 8.81 seconds |
| 2nd | Geiger Spirit | ||
| 3rd | Jivago | ||
| 2003 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Sex Machine | 1 minute 9.60 seconds |
| 2nd | Oomph | ||
| 3rd | Arlington Road | ||
| 2002 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Crete | 1 minute 8.98 seconds |
| 2nd | Shouq | ||
| 3rd | Polygram | ||
| 2001 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Stanzaic / Knickerbocker Kid | 1 minute 9.31 seconds |
| 2nd | – | ||
| 3rd | Scottish Pride | ||
| 2000 Maurice McCarten Stakes |
1st | Antiquity | 1 minute 8.86 seconds |
| 2nd | Paint | ||
| 3rd | Batwing | ||
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