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The 2026 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival is the premier racing carnival in Sydney with the feature races of the season taking place at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick. The highlights of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival include the Golden Slipper and the 2 Day The Championships featuring the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April.
Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival News
- 2026 Ajax Stakes Field & Betting Update: Militarize Favourite to Salute
- Lazzura Leads 2026 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds
- 2026 Canterbury Stakes Winner Joliestar Secures 4th Group 1 Victory
- 2026 Randwick Guineas Winner Sheza Alibi Beats the Boys by Three Lengths
- The Galaxy Calls for Shock 2026 Challenge Stakes Winner Generosity
The 2026 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival features all of the best racing early on the calendar year and steals the attention away from Melbourne for the most part in a reverse of the spring majors.
The carnival, which runs from late January or early February right through until the end of April, is host to a range of elite race days and sees some of the country’s most illustrious Group races take place including the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) for the two-year-olds and the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) won in 2017 by superstar mare Winx.
The exciting and highly anticipated race meetings are run by Sydney’s major race club, the Australian Turf Club (ATC). The ATC is a merger of the Sydney Turf Club (SJC) and the Australian Jockey Club (AJC). The Australian Turf Club hosts races at Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens, and Warwick Farm.
With around $30 million in total prize money on offer throughout autumn, the carnival is one of the major racing highlights on the Australian thoroughbred calendar.
The action of the annual Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival hits its peak across two Saturdays in April for the two-day ‘The Championships‘ with eight Group 1 races including the Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) on Day 1 and the Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) on Day 2.
Group 1 racing at the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival gets underway in early March with the Verry Elleegant Stakes, a race renamed from the Chipping Norton Stakes in 2024 to honour two-time champion and subsequent Melbourne Cup hero Verry Elleegant.
Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival Days
The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival race days are full of Group status showdowns that attract the country’s best horses and provide the best betting opportunities for punters to take advantage of at an online bookmaker such as Ladbrokes.com.au.
2026 SOUTHERN CROSS STAKES DAY
Saturday January 31, 2026 – Rosehill Gardens
In 2026 the Southern Cross Stakes, Widden Stakes and Canonbury Stakes kick off Group racing in Sydney for the autumn in late January at Rosehill Gardens with the Expressway Stakes moved from the card in 2025 to run at Randwick a fortnight later.
- Group 3 $250,000 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Widden Stakes (1100m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Canonbury Stakes (1100m)
2026 INGLIS MILLENNIUM DAY
Saturday February 7, 2026 – Royal Randwick
Run in early February at Randwick Racecourse this meeting is headlined by the Restricted Listed $2 million Inglis Millennium race for eligible juveniles and also features a Group 3 event in the Eskimo Prince Stakes.
- Restricted Listed $2,000,000 Inglis Millennium (1100m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m)
2026 APOLLO STAKES DAY
Saturday February 14, 2026 – Royal Randwick
Since 2024 Royal Randwick is home to the recently rescheduled Expressway Stakes race in mid-February as it joins the Apollo Stakes Day card. The meeting is now host to four Group status races:
- Group 2 $300,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Triscay Stakes (1200m)
2026 HOBARTVILLE STAKES DAY
Saturday February 21, 2026 – Rosehill Gardens
Conducted in late February at Rosehill Gardens, Hobartville Stakes Day features three Group 2 status races and has plenty of prize money on offer as the prestige of the races begins to build for the autumn majors. While the Hobartville Stakes is the meeting’s marquee race, the Silver Slipper Stakes for two-year-olds is a key preparatory race ahead of the lucrative Golden Slipper Stakes. The three key events on the Rosehill card are:
- Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Mille Fox Stakes (1300m)
- Group 3 $200,000 Parramatta Cup (1900m)
2026 VERRY ELLEEGANT STAKES DAY
Saturday February 28, 2026 – Royal Randwick
Taking place on either the last Saturday in February or the first Saturday in March, Verry Elleegant Stakes Day (formerly Chipping Norton Stakes Day) kicks off Group 1 racing during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival 2026 including with the recently upgraded Surround Stakes for 3YO fillies. The meeting has been moved from Warwick Farm Racecourse to Royal Randwick and features six Group status races:
- Group 1 $1,000,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) – run in 2026 as the Verry Elleegant Stakes
- Group 1 $750,000 Surround Stakes (1400m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Skyline Stakes (1200m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Liverpool City Cup (1300m)
2026 RANDWICK GUINEAS DAY
Saturday March 7, 2026 – Royal Randwick
Held in early to mid-March, this is one of the early highlights at the Sydney Autumn Carnival as the action moves to the state’s premier track – Royal Randwick Racecourse. Two Group 1 status races highlight the action including the Randwick Guineas for three-year-olds. It is the richest race day of the carnival so far and hosts the first million-dollar race of the festival. There are a total of seven Group races on the line-up:
- Group 1 $1,000,000 Randwick Guineas (1600m)
- Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m)
- Group 2 $500,000 Challenge Stakes (1000m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Reisling Stakes (1200m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Todman Stakes (1200m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Aspiration Quality (1600m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Wenona Girl Handicap (1200m)
2026 COOLMORE CLASSIC DAY
Saturday March 14, 2026 – Rosehill Gardens
Back at Rosehill Gardens, Coolmore Classic Day continues the Group 1 racing action of the season with the fillies and mares facing of in the day’s namesake race that is now worth $1 million as of 2024. The Coolmore Classic is accompanied by six other Group events including a Group 3 race worth a lucrative $350,000 in prize money the Sky High Stakes. The Group events on the program are the:
- Group 1 $1,000,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Ajax Stakes (1500m)
- Group 3 $350,000 Sky High Stakes (2000m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Magic Night Stakes (1200m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m)
Coolmore Classic 2026 Odds
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1. Lazzura (8)
J: James McDonald 58kg
T: Chris Waller |
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| Second-up. First-up after four months sat on the pace when 2nd of 9 at this track in the G2 Millie Fox on February 21 over 1300m, head behind Cinsault with 58kg at $2.05. Previously second-up favourite; won by a head at Flemington G2 Lets Elope September 13 over 1400m defeating Oh Too Good carrying 57.5kg at $2.05. Fitter again after a recent trial and looks very well placed here | ||
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2. Manaal (2)
J: Jason Collett 58kg
T: Michael Freedman |
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| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Randwick in the G3 Triscay on February 14 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Weeping Woman with 59.5kg at $4.20. Second run from a spell held ground to the line 2nd of 10 at Randwick in the G2 Guy Walter on February 28 over 1400m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Verona Rose carrying 59kg at $3.40. Gets map favours from the draw with the winkers going on, keep safe. | ||
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3. Vivy Air (9)
J: Reece Jones 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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| Dual acceptor. Resuming after a break of three-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation eighth of 16 at Ascot in the G1 Northerly December 6 over 1800m, 5.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 57kg at $5.50. Previously first up; second of 13 at Newcastle in the G3 Cameron September 19 over 1500m, 1.1 len behind Headley Grange with 54kg at $19. Later on. | ||
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4. Verona Rose (4)
J: Craig Williams 56kg
T: Gary Portelli |
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| Third-up today. Resuming 3rd of 10 at Randwick in the G3 Triscay on February 14 over 1200m, 1.4 len behind Weeping Woman carrying 53.5kg at $12. Second run from a spell ran on from midfield and won by 0.8 len at Randwick G2 Guy Walter February 28 over 1400m in soft going defeating Manaal with 56kg at $5. Heading in the right direction and gets map favours. | ||
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5. Arctic Glamour (1)
J: Tom Sherry 55.5kg
T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou |
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| Second-up. First-up after three months 3rd of 10 at Randwick in the G2 Guy Walter on February 28 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Verona Rose carrying 57kg at $12. Previously second-up 2nd of 16 at this track in the G3 Festival on November 29 over 1500m, long-neck behind Yorkshire with 54kg at $8.50. Back in good order and has the figures to take this out. | ||
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6. Ole Dancer (11)
J: Zac Lloyd 55kg
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
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| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 2nd in a small field at Flemington in the LR Desirable Stks on February 14 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Sass Appeal carrying 59.5kg at $2.70. Second run from a spell tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 8 at Randwick in the G1 Surround on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 2 len behind Tempted carrying 56kg at $9. Will need to do even more from the wide gate. | ||
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7. Savvy Hallie (13)
J: Nash Rawiller 55kg
T: Brad Widdup |
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| Most recently tried to lead throughout but was claimed late 2nd of 8 at Randwick in the G1 Surround on February 28 over 1400m, slow going head behind Tempted with 56kg at $10. Before that won by 0.8 len at Randwick G2 Lghtfinger February 14 over 1200m defeating Apocalyptic carrying 56kg at $3.70. In career best form but happy to take her on over this trip. | ||
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8. Cinsault (5)
J: Tim Clark 55kg
T: Michael Freedman |
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| On a three run winning streak. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a head at this track G2 Millie Fox February 21 over 1300m defeating Lazzura carrying 55kg at $6. The start before that won by 0.6 len at Randwick Mares Bm78 February 7 over 1300m defeating La Roja carrying 57.5kg at $2.25. Goes to a new pain barrier here and place claims look best. | ||
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9. Firestorm (12)
J: Tyler Schiller 53.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
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| Second run back. First-up after four months 6th of 10 at Randwick in the G2 Guy Walter on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 1.75 len behind Verona Rose carrying 57kg at $11. Previously second-up eased back early on 9th of 17 at this track Alan Brown on October 11 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Headley Grange with 54.5kg at $21. Unlucky not to win this race last year, can go one better. | ||
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10. Melody Again (7)
J: Winona Costin 53.5kg
T: Scott Singleton |
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| Second-up. First-up after three months came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 10 at Newcastle in the G3 Ncle Stakes on March 6 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Tuileries carrying 54kg at $7. Previously second-up 4th of 14 at Hawkesbury in the LR Ladies Day on November 8 over 1500m, 0.7 len behind Harlem Queen carrying 54kg at $31. Good run in the Festival Stakes over this trip in the Spring, fitter now. | ||
| Comes here off a 56-day let-up. At the latest run ran on from midfield; 2nd of 15 at Gold Coast Mm Trophy on January 17 over 2200m, 1.3 len behind Snitzanova carrying 56kg at $6. The run before that raced on the pace before fading 8th of 13 at Gold Coast The Wave Wfa on January 10 over 1800m, 2.75 len behind Miss Joelene carrying 56.5kg at $5.50. Has the job ahead over this trip. | ||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 4th of 10 at Randwick in the G2 Guy Walter on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 1.5 len behind Verona Rose with 55kg at $19. Previously second-up won by a neck at Randwick Bm94 September 6 over 1600m defeating Fully Lit with 52kg at $3.80. Caught the eye first up and looks a genuine each way contender. | ||
| Most recently ran last of 10 at Randwick in the G2 Guy Walter on February 28 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Verona Rose carrying 55kg at $7.50. The race before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 18 at Gold Coast Mm F&M on January 17 over 1300m, nose behind Poster Girl carrying 56.5kg at $4.80. Big drop in weight but needs to find a few lengths. | ||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up eased back early on 7th of 9 at Sandown-Lakeside in the LR Xmas Stks on December 26 over 1200m, 4 len behind Hedged carrying 54kg at $10. Second-up 6th of 9 at this track in the G2 Millie Fox on February 21 over 1300m, 3 len behind Cinsault carrying 56kg at $11. Can improve. One for the exotics. | ||
2026 GOLDEN SLIPPER STAKES DAY
Saturday March 21, 2026 – Rosehill Gardens
Golden Slipper Stakes Day at Rosehill Gardens is one of the most anticipated of the autumn and is host to the world’s richest race for juveniles – the Golden Slipper Stakes currently worth $5 million. Incredibly a total of five Group 1 races run at the meeting including the weight-for-age George Ryder Stakes and the Rosehill Guineas that originally ran at its own race day before a reshuffle by the ATC. The Group races on Golden Slipper Day are the:
- Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m)
- Group 1 $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m)
- Group 1 $1 million Ranvet Stakes (2000m)
- Group 1 $1 million The Galaxy (1100m)
- Group 1 $750,000 Rosehill Guineas (2000m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m)
- Group 3 $250,000 NE Manion Quality Cup (2400m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Epona Stakes (1900m)
Golden Slipper 2026 Odds
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1. Paradoxium
T: |
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2. Chayan
T: |
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3. Central Europe
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4. Streisand
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5. Warwoven
T: |
George Ryder Stakes 2026 Odds
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1. Autumn Glow
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2. Lady Shenandoah
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3. Pericles
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4. Attica
T: |
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5. Tom Kitten
T: |
Ranvet Stakes 2026 Odds
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1. Aeliana
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2. Sir Delius
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3. Lindermann
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4. Trinity College
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5. Stefi Magnetica
T: |
The Galaxy 2026 Odds
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1. Briasa
T: |
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2. Beadman
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3. Generosity
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4. Grafterburners
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5. Giga Kick
T: |
Rosehill Guineas 2026 Odds
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1. Autumn Boy
T: |
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2. Observer
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3. Sheza Alibi (Doubtful)
T: |
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4. Attica
T: |
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5. Green Spaces
T: |
2026 TANCRED STAKES DAY
Saturday March 28, 2026 – Rosehill Gardens
Rosehill Gardens is host to another two Group 1 races at this meeting including the weight-for-age Tancred Stakes (formerly The BMW due to sponsorship) run over a mile and a half. The full Group race line-up for the day is:
- Group 1 $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m)
- Group 1 $750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Tulloch Stakes (2000m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Emancipation Stakes (1500m)
- Group 2 $300,000 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m)
- Group 3 $250,000 TL Baillieu Handicap (1400m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Doncaster Prelude (1500m)
Tancred Stakes 2026 Odds
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1. Sir Delius
T: |
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2. Dubai Honour
T: |
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3. Aeliana
T: |
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4. Trinity College
T: |
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5. Wootton Verni
T: |
Vinery Stud Stakes 2026 Odds
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1. Sheza Alibi
T: |
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2. Ohope Wins
T: |
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3. Ole Dancer
T: |
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4. Panova
T: |
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5. Belle Cheval
T: |
2026 THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
DAY 1: 2026 DONCASTER MILE DAY
Saturday April 4, 2026 – Royal Randwick
The most prestigious Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival majors are saved for last with ‘The Championships’ run over two Saturdays in early – mid April, depending on the Easter dates, at Royal Randwick. Day 1 – Doncaster Mile Day – is host to four Group 1 races including the Doncaster Mile worth $4 million in prize money and the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes for the weight-for-age sprinters. The Australian Derby over a mile and a half for the three-year-old stayers and the ATC Sires Produce Stakes for two-year-olds round out Group 1 racing on the card. The full list of Group races on Day 1 of The Championships is:
- Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m)
- Group 1 $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m)
- Group 1 $2 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m)
- Group 1 $1 million ATC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m)
- Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m)
- Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m)
- Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m)
- Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m)
- Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes (1200m)
Doncaster Mile 2026 Odds
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1. Sheza Alibi
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2. Autumn Glow
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3. Autumn Boy
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4. Evaporate
T: |
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5. Gringotts
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TJ Smith Stakes 2026 Odds
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1. Jimmysstar
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2. Tentyris
T: |
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3. Joliestar
T: |
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4. Tempted
T: |
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5. Giga Kick
T: |
Australian Derby 2026 Odds
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1. Observer
T: |
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2. Green Spaces
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3. Arcora
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4. Ohope Wins
T: |
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5. Attica
T: |
Inglis Sires 2026 Odds
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1. Central Europe
T: |
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2. Chayan
T: |
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3. Paradoxium
T: |
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4. Stretan Ruler
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5. Warwoven
T: |
DAY 2: 2026 QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES DAY
Saturday April 11, 2025 – Royal Randwick
Day 2 of ‘The Championships’ is host to a further four Group 1 races including the richest of the season – the Queen Elizabeth Stakes now worth a healthy $5 million in prize money making it one of the country’s most anticipated and wealthiest showdowns. The Sydney Cup run over the same two-mile distance as the spring’s Melbourne Cup is another highlight on the card, while the three-year-old fillies face off in the ATC Oaks. The final Group 1 of the day is the Queen Of The Turf Stakes for fillies and mares. In total seven Group races close The Championships:
- Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m)
- Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m)
- Group 1 $1 million ATC Oaks (2400m)
- Group 1 $1 million Queen Of the Turf Stakes (1600m) – recently run as the Coolmore Legacy Stakes
- Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m)
- Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m)
- Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m)
Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2026 Odds
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1. Aeliana
T: |
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2. Sir Delius
T: |
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3. Autumn Glow
T: |
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4. Barnavara
T: |
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5. Buckaroo
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Sydney Cup 2026 Odds
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1. Campaldino
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2. Valiant King
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3. Birdman
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4. Juja Kibo
T: |
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5. Paradise Storm
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Australian Oaks 2026 Odds
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1. Ohope Wins
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2. Panova
T: |
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3. Autumn Glory
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4. After Summer
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5. Classic Gem
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Queen Of The Turf Stakes 2026 Odds
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1. Autumn Glow
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2. Lady Shenandoah
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3. Sheza Alibi
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4. Idle Flyer
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5. Treasurethe Moment
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2026 ALL AGED STAKES DAY
Saturday April 18, 2026 – Royal Randwick
After the action-packed Sydney Autumn Racing fans and punters have one last Group 1 race day to enjoy bringing the festival to an official close. All Aged Stakes Day at Randwick features two Group 1 races and four other Group 3 support acts:
- Group 1 $1,500,000 All Aged Stakes (1400m)
- Group 1 $1,000,000 Champagne Stakes (1600m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m)
- Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m)
- Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m)
All Aged Stakes 2026 Odds
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1. Jimmysstar
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2. Joliestar
T: |
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3. Tentyris
T: |
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4. Fangirl
T: |
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5. Giga Kick
T: |
next to go

