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The Gilgai Stakes 2026 runs on Saturday October 3, 2026 at Flemington on Turnbull Stakes Day as a potential Champions Sprint lead-up. 

The Gilgai Stakes 2026 is one of Australia’s premier sprint races and a key feature of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, attracting a high-quality field of established sprinters to Flemington Racecourse each October. Run over 1200 metres down Flemington’s famous straight course, the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes regularly showcases some of the nation’s fastest horses and serves as an important lead-up to major spring targets, including The Everest, the Champions Sprint, and other elite Group 1 sprint races. With a rich history dating back to the 1880s, the Gilgai Stakes has been won by a host of outstanding gallopers and remains a crucial test of speed, class, and straight-track ability. This page features everything you need to know about the Gilgai Stakes, including race history, field information, betting odds, form guides, prizemoney, results, and past winners.

2026 Gilgai Stakes Odds

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

2026 Gilgai Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Gilgai Stakes 2026 Tips on the lead-up sprint showdown at Flemington this spring.

The Gilgai Stakes is worth $300,000, runs as part of Turnbull Stakes Day and is contested under set weights plus penalties. It attracts plenty of first-up runners kicking off their spring or horses out of earlier lead-ups like the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) over more metres at Caulfield in August.

Hosted on a massive day of racing for Turnbull Stakes Day, the Gilgai Stakes shares the race card with a host of other black type events including the:

• Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m),
• Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m),
• Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m),
• Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1400m) – also known as the Rose Of Kingston Stakes, and the
• Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m).

Proven Flemington straight track performers tend to dominate the Gilgai Stakes field and those horses that perform well often move on to similar events later in the Spring carnival, such as the Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) – now known as the VRC Champions Sprint on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. In 2015 Chautauqua won the Gilgai Stakes for the second time before victory in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley next start.

The Gilgai Stakes also now serves as a potential lead-up to the world’s richest turf race, the $20 million The Everest (1200m) held at Randwick a fortnight later.

The 2020 Gilgai Stakes winner Zoutori franked the form winning the next year’s Group 1 Newmarket Handicap during the autumn.

The 2022 Gilgai Stakes form was franked with the winner Private Eye running a next-up second in The Everest quinella before taking out that year’s $3 million Winners Stakes (now Russell Balding Stakes). The form was further franked with the second-placed mare in the Gilgai, Roch ‘N’ Horse, heading to Flemington for an upset win in the Group 1 Champions Sprint down the straight while Baller ran third in both the Gilgai and Champions Sprint that spring.

The 2024 Gilgai Stakes winner, Right To Party, ran a next-up second in the Champions Sprint results.

Gilgai Stakes
Date:	Saturday October 3, 2026
Track:	Flemington Racecourse
Distance:	1200m
Race Type:	Open Set Weights + Penalties
Status:	Group 2
Prize money:	$300,000

2026 Gilgai Stakes Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Gilgai Stakes results and finishing order and to see what sprinters may have a Group 1 target in sight this spring.

Winning Margin: TBD

Winning Time: TBD

2026 Gilgai Stakes Betting

The season’s latest Gilgai Stakes 2026 betting odds on the Flemington Group 2 sprint race this Turnbull Stakes Day will be available at Races.com.au as soon as markets at Ladbrokes are available.

Private Eye ($4.80 in 2022), Star Patrol ($2.50 in 2023), Right To Party ($5 equal favourite in 2024) and War Machine ($2.90 in 2025) are the latest favourites in Gilgai Stakes betting to salute for the punters.

2026 Gilgai Stakes Form

The Gilgai Stakes form guide is an invaluable resource for punters assessing one of Victoria’s premier spring sprint races. Run over 1200 metres down Flemington’s famous straight course, the Group 2 feature regularly attracts a quality line-up of established sprinters, emerging stars, and horses targeting elite-level races later in the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. The form guide provides key information on each runner’s recent performances, straight-track record, barrier draw, jockey, trainer, and fitness profile, helping punters identify the leading chances and uncover betting value.

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

• Recent sprint form – Horses coming through quality Group races during the spring often bring the strongest credentials into the Gilgai Stakes.
• Straight-track performance – Proven Flemington straight-course specialists generally hold an advantage, with some horses performing noticeably better down the straight than around a bend.
• 1200m record – The ability to sustain top speed over 1200m is crucial in a race that regularly attracts high-quality sprinters.
• Group race experience – Runners with proven Group 1 and Group 2 form often measure up strongly against this level of opposition.
• Lead-up races – Form through races such as the Bobby Lewis Quality, Moir Stakes, Schillaci Stakes, and other spring sprint features can provide valuable clues.
• Track conditions – Some sprinters excel on firm tracks while others are better suited to rain affected going, making track preference an important consideration.
• Barrier draw and track pattern – In straight-course races, the location of the best ground can influence results, particularly when fields split into groups.
• Fitness and preparation – Horses peaking second or third-up in their campaign often perform well in the Gilgai Stakes.
• Sectional times – Strong closing splits and high-speed ratings can help identify runners capable of producing a winning turn of foot.
• Spring carnival targets – Many Gilgai Stakes runners are using the race as a stepping stone towards major races such as the Champions Sprint or The Everest, making class and upside key factors when assessing the field.

FULL 2026 GILGAI STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 Gilgai Stakes Field

The Gilgai Stakes field attracts a good quality field of sprinters each year, many racing first-up after tougher runs in the autumn.

The Gilgai Stakes 2026 field and barriers are released on the Wednesday of race week and will be provided in full below once announced by Racing Victoria.

2026 Gilgai Stakes Nominations

Early nominations for the Gilgai Stakes in 2026 close the Monday leading-up to the race and will be published below once confirmed.

Gilgai Stakes History

The Gilgai Stakes was inaugurated in 1984, with Royal Troubador seizing victory in the first edition of the race. Since that day, the Gilgai Stakes has been run annually without fail. Plenty of horses have gone on from the Gilgai Stakes to other great results. In 2008, Swick went from a victory in the Gilgai Stakes to win the Patinack Farm Classic (now the VRC Darley Champions Sprint). In 2009, All Silent won the same race after placing second in the Gilgai Stakes results.

Redelva had a streak of three second places in 1989, 1990 and 1991, all faster than his only win in 1988. Temple Of Boom won with a great run in 2011, and Spirit Of Boom was able to maintain the pedigree’s success with a third in 2012 and a second in 2013.

Notable winners of the Gilgai Stakes include Placid Ark (1987), Redelva (1988), Hareeba (1994), Hay List (2010), Chautauqua (2014 – 2015), class mare Sunlight (2019), and Private Eye (2022).

Gilgai Stakes results since 2000 can be found below.

Gilgai Stakes Results

Year	Place	Horse	Time
2026 Gilgai Stakes	1st	TBD	TBD
	2nd	TBD
	3rd	TBD
2025 Gilgai Stakes	1st	War Machine	1 minute 8.53 seconds
	2nd	Bridal Waltz
	3rd	Star Patrol
2024 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Right To Party	1 minute 10.31 seconds
	2nd	Arkansaw Kid
	3rd	Stretan Angel
2023 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Star Patrol	1 minute 9.87 seconds
	2nd	Triple Missile
	3rd	C’est Magique
2022 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Private Eye	1 minute 8.33 seconds
	2nd	Roch ‘N’ Horse
	3rd	Baller
2021 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Kementari	1 minute 10.57 seconds
	2nd	Zoutori
	3rd	Kemalpasa
2020 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Zoutori	1 minute 8.38 seconds
	2nd	Dollar For Dollar
	3rd	Kemalpasa
2019 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Sunlight	1 minute 9.42 seconds
	2nd	Santa Ana Lane
	3rd	Zoutori
2018 Gilgai Stakes	1st	I Am Excited	1 minute 9.11 seconds
	2nd	Edurado
	3rd	Bons Away
2017 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Keen Array	1 minute 9.28 seconds
	2nd	Sold For Song
	3rd	Malibu Style
2016 Gilgai Stakes	1st	The Quarterback	1 minute 9.07 seconds
	2nd	We’ve Got This
	3rd	Durendal
2015 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Chautauqua	1 minute 9.8 seconds
	2nd	Delectation
	3rd	Knoydart
2014 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Chautauqua	1 minute 8.3 seconds
	2nd	Bounding
	3rd	Final Crescendo
2013 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Platelet	1 minute 10.2 seconds
	2nd	Spirit Of Boom
	3rd	Steps In Time
2012 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Hallowell Belle	1 minute 08.8 seconds
	2nd	King’s Rose
	3rd	Spirit Of Boom
2011 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Temple Of Boom	1 minute 10.5 seconds
	2nd	Sistine Angel
	3rd	Response
2010 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Hay List	1 minute 08.2 seconds
	2nd	Catapulted
	3rd	Chasm
2009 Gilgai Stakes	1st	All Silent	1 minute 09.8 seconds
	2nd	First Command
	3rd	Light Fantastic
2008 Gilgai Stakes	1st	El Cambio	1 minute 10.1 seconds
	2nd	Swick
	3rd	Murtajill
2007 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Stanzout	1 minute 10.4 seconds
	2nd	Shadoways
	3rd	Valedictum
2006 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Fast N Famous	1 minute 08.3 seconds
	2nd	Shadoways
	3rd	Dance Hero
2005 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Falkirk	1 minute 07.9 seconds
	2nd	Glamour Puss
	3rd	Recapitalize
2004 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Recapitalize	1 minute 09.2 seconds
	2nd	Falkirk
	3rd	Amtrak
2003 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Bomber Bill	1 minute 09.7 seconds
	2nd	Mr. Magoo
	3rd	Red Labelle
2002 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Cosmic Strike	1 minute 09.3 seconds
	2nd	Strategic Image
	3rd	Rubitano
2001 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Belle Du Jour	1 minute 10.4 seconds
	2nd	Point Danger
	3rd	Gold Class
2000 Gilgai Stakes	1st	Bomber Bill	1 minute 08.6 seconds
	2nd	Sports
	3rd	Umrum

Gilgai Stakes FAQs