The Australia Stakes is a Group 2 sprint held at Moonee Valley Racecourse in late January as a lead-up to the Group 1 races run over the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.
2025 Australia Stakes Results
- 1st: #5 Schwarz
- 2nd: #2 Steparty
- 3rd: #9 Apache Song
Australia Stakes News
- 2023 Australia Stakes Field & Betting Update: Jigsaw Favourite
- Australia Stakes 2022 Results: Oakleigh Plate Target for Emphatic Winner Marabi
- Undefeated Marabi Heads 2022 Australia Stakes Field & Odds
- Group 2 Australia Stakes Winner: Streets Of Avalon To Defend Futurity Stakes Title
- 2021 Australia Stakes Field & Betting Update: Viridine Odds-On Favourite of Six
The 2025 Australia Stakes is a Group 2 race held each year in late January at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne. Run over 1200m under weight-for-age conditions, this sprint race is worth $350,000 in prize money.
2025 Australia Stakes Results
- 1st: #5 Schwarz ($4.20)
- 2nd: #2 Steparty
- 3rd: #9 Apache Song
Last year’s Group 2 Missile Stakes winner Schwarz ($4.20) delivered a dominant performance to win the 2025 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night, leading from start to finish and securing a two-length victory under the lights with Blake Shinn aboard the John O’Shea & Tom Charlton trained Zoustar entire.
Australia Stakes 2025 Odds & Results
Clamms Seafood Australia Stakes (G2)
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
5. Schwarz (9)
J: Blake Shinn 58.5kg
T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton |
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|
2nd
2. Steparty (8)
J: Blaike McDougall 58.5kg
T: Paul Preusker |
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|
3rd
9. Apache Song (6)
J: Damian Lane 56.5kg
T: Michael Trotter |
||
|
4th
3. It'sourtime (5)
J: Billy Egan 58.5kg
T: Danny O'Brien |
||
|
5th
1. Southport Tycoon (2)
J: Mark Zahra 58.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
6th
4. Semillion (4)
J: Jye McNeil 58.5kg
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
||
|
7th
6. Poison Chalice (1)
J: Daniel Moor 58.5kg
T: Paul Preusker |
||
|
8th
7. Title Fighter (3)
J: Jamie Mott 58.5kg
T: Clayton Douglas |
||
|
9th
8. Along The River (7)
J: Jordan Childs 58.5kg
T: Michael & Luke Cerchi |
Data retrieved: 07/04/2025 01:10:52 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
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 Australia Stakes 2025 ran under the lights on Friday January 24, 2025 at The Valley and saw Schwarz ($4.20) post a dominant two length victory to kick off his autumn bid.Â
| 2025 Australia Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Friday January 24, 2025 |
| Track: | Moonee Valley Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1200m |
| Race Type: | Weight-for-age |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $350,000 |
2025 Australia Stakes Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | SCHWARZ | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Blake Shinn | 9 | 58.5kg | $4.20 | |||
| 2 | 2 | STEPARTY | Paul Preusker | Blaike McDougall | 2L | 8 | 58.5kg | $5 | ||
| 3 | 9 | APACHE SONG | Michael Trotter | Damian Lane | 2.25L | 6 | 56.5kg | $10 | ||
| 4 | 3 | IT’SOURTIME | Danny O’Brien | Billy Egan | 4L | 5 | 58.5kg | $10 | ||
| 5 | 1 | SOUTHPORT TYCOON | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 4.35L | 2 | 58.5kg | $2.35F | ||
| 6 | 4 | SEMILLION | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Jye McNeil | 5.1L | 4 | 58.5kg | $26 | ||
| 7 | 6 | POISON CHALICE (NZ) | Paul Preusker | Daniel Moor | 5.12L | 1 | 58.5kg | $26 | ||
| 8 | 7 | TITLE FIGHTER | Clayton Douglas | Jamie Mott | 5.47L | 3 | 58.5kg | $26 | ||
| 9 | 8 | ALONG THE RIVER | Michael & Luke Cerchi | Jordan Childs | 6.22L | 7 | 58.5kg | $101 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 Australia Stakes Betting
The latest Australia Stakes 2025 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.
2025 Australia Stakes Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2025 AUSTRALIA STAKES FORM GUIDE
2025 Australia Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our exclusive Australia Stakes 2025 Tips on the autumn lead-up in Melbourne this January.
- To Win: #3 It’sourtime ($7 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Small but class field of potential Group 1 bound sprinters in the Australia Stakes on Friday night and have landed on It’sourtime at a good price to salute off a lead-up win in Flemington’s Group 3 Standish Handicap down the straight in mid-January. Danny O’Brien’s Time For War seven-year-old continues to show a zest for racing having finished in the money in his latest three. Start number 41 happens now and can salute again despite this being his first start at The Valley. Barrier 5 and Billy Egan are two ticks. Looks well rated and well-priced.
2025 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 2025 Australia Stakes field is due for release on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.
The Australia Stakes 2025 final field features a diminutive but smart line-up of autumn bound sprinters led in betting by Ciaron Maher’s odds-on Group 1 winner Southport Tycoon resuming.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 219x51394x | SOUTHPORT TYCOON | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 2 | 58.5kg | 113 | ||
| 2 | 680×863332 | STEPARTY | Paul Preusker | Blaike McDougall | 8 | 58.5kg | 103 | ||
| 3 | 2135656231 | IT’SOURTIME | Danny O’Brien | Billy Egan | 5 | 58.5kg | 101 | ||
| 4 | 54213525×0 | SEMILLION | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Jye McNeil | 4 | 58.5kg | 90 | ||
| 5 | x2610x1x7x | SCHWARZ | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Blake Shinn | 9 | 58.5kg | 98 | ||
| 6 | 437×154248 | POISON CHALICE (NZ) | Paul Preusker | Daniel Moor | 1 | 58.5kg | 94 | ||
| 7 | 0210700×11 | TITLE FIGHTER | Clayton Douglas | Jamie Mott | 3 | 58.5kg | 80 | ||
| 8 | 4471076273 | ALONG THE RIVER | Michael & Luke Cerchi | Jordan Childs | 7 | 58.5kg | 72 | ||
| 9 | 12853×5111 | APACHE SONG | Michael Trotter | Damian Lane | 6 | 56.5kg | 81 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 Australia Stakes Nominations
Early entries for The Valley’s Group 2 Australia Stakes close the Monday leading-up to the event.
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).
Recent Australia Stakes Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Australia Stakes |
1st | Schwarz | 1 minute 10.46 seconds |
| 2nd | Steparty | ||
| 3rd | Apache Song | ||
| 2024 Australia Stakes |
1st | Veight | 1 minute 9.64 seconds |
| 2nd | Southport Tycoon | ||
| 3rd | Recommendation | ||
| 2023 Australia Stakes |
1st | Jigsaw | 1 minute 9.75 seconds |
| 2nd | Turaath | ||
| 3rd | Calypso Reign | ||
| 2022 Australia Stakes |
1st | Marabi | 1 minute 11.42 seconds |
| 2nd | Sinawann | ||
| 3rd | Turaath | ||
| 2021 Australia Stakes |
1st | Streets Of Avalon | 1 minute 10.06 seconds |
| 2nd | Viridine | ||
| 3rd | Tavisan | ||
| 2020 Australia Stakes |
1st | Scales Of Justice | 1 minute 9.77 seconds |
| 2nd | Hey Doc | ||
| 3rd | Embrace Me | ||
| 2019 Australia Stakes |
1st | Whispering Brook | 1 minute 9.84 seconds |
| 2nd | Fell Swoop | ||
| 3rd | Land of Plenty | ||
| 2018 Australia Stakes |
1st | Thronum | 1 minute 10.48 seconds |
| 2nd | Mr Sneaky | ||
| 3rd | Stellar Collision | ||
| 2017 Australia Stakes |
1st | Malaguerra | 1 minute 9.29 seconds (Equal Track Record) |
| 2nd | Black Heart Bart | ||
| 3rd | Sirbible | ||
| 2016 Australia Stakes |
1st | Holler | 1 minute 10.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Churchill Dancer | ||
| 3rd | Rebel Dane | ||
| 2015 Australia Stakes |
1st | Mourinho | 1 minute 9.9 seconds |
| 2nd | It Is Written | ||
| 3rd | Dissident | ||
| 2014 Australia Stakes |
1st | Richie’s Vibe | 1 minute 10.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Moment Of Change | ||
| 3rd | It Is Written | ||
| 2013 Australia Stakes |
1st | Sea Lord | 1 minute 10.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Pinwheel | ||
| 3rd | Outlandish Lad | ||
| 2012 Australia Stakes |
1st | Black Caviar | 1 minute 09.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Zedi Knight | ||
| 3rd | Doubtful Jack | ||
| 2011 Australia Stakes |
1st | Whitefriars | 1 minute 09.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Undeniably | ||
| 3rd | Typhoon Tracy | ||
| 2010 Australia Stakes |
1st | Black Caviar | 1 minute 10.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Here De Angels | ||
| 3rd | La Rocket | ||
| 2009 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Lucky Secret | 1 minute 11.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Light Fantastic | ||
| 3rd | Von Costa De Hero | ||
| 2008 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Let Go Thommo | 1 minute 10.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Maldivian | ||
| 3rd | Casino Prince | ||
| 2007 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | El Segundo | 1 minute 11.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Cocinero | ||
| 3rd | Super Elegant | ||
| 2006 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | California Dane | 1 minute 9.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Virage De Fortune | ||
| 3rd | Casual Pass | ||
| 2005 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Super Elegant | 1 minute 10.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Strikeline | ||
| 3rd | Ruben | ||
| 2004 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Vocabulary | 1 minute 11.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Super Elegant | ||
| 3rd | Confederate Kid | ||
| 2003 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Yell | 1 minute 10.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Libidinious | ||
| 3rd | Pernod | ||
| 2002 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Royal Code | 1 minute 11 seconds |
| 2nd | Intelligent Star | ||
| 3rd | Ustinov | ||
| 2001 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Piavonic | 1 minute 11.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Ateates | ||
| 3rd | Le Zagaletta | ||
| 2000 Carlyon Stakes |
1st | Slavonic | 1 minute 12.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Sports | ||
| 3rd | Le Zagaletta | ||
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