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The next edition of the Let’s Elope Stakes runs on Saturday, September 12, 2026 as part of Melbourne’s Makybe Diva Stakes Day card at HQ.  

The Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 is one of Flemington’s key early spring mares’ features, and punters know it’s a crucial form pointer toward the big Group races later in the carnival. Run over 1400m, the race consistently attracts high-class mares building through their spring preparations, proven Group performers returning to their ideal distance, and emerging talents looking to announce themselves before the major mile events arrive. With deep fields, strong historical trends and plenty of betting value on offer, the Let’s Elope Stakes is a must-watch for racing fans chasing early clues on the mares set to shape the spring. Our Let’s Elope Stakes betting insights, odds updates and form analysis keep readers ahead as the Flemington features begin to heat up.

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Odds

See below for the latest Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this spring.

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 Tips on the September showdown at Flemington this season.

Held during the early stages of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes is named in honour of racing champion and 1991 Melbourne Cup winner Let’s Elope.

The race takes place at Flemington Racecourse in early – mid September on Makybe Diva Stakes Day and is worth $300,000 in prize money. Many of the Let’s Elope Stakes runners will come via the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) held earlier at Caulfield and could continue onto the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) – now known as the Empire Rose Stakes – back at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

No mare has completed the Let’s Elope Stakes – Myer Classic (now Empire Rose Stakes) double in the same season however since Rose Of Portland (1996).

The Let’s Elope Stakes form has stacked-up in tougher races many times however including in 2020 when the runner-up Arcadia Queen went on to complete the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes – Mackinnon Stakes double that spring. Those Group 1 events are now known as the Might And Power and Champions Stakes respectively. 

The 2021 Let’s Elope Stakes form was franked with the runner-up Mystic Journey also running second in that year’s Empire Rose Stakes results.

In 2022 the Let’s Elope Stakes winner Kissonallforcheeks went on to finish runner-up at Ascot in Perth’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 $1.5 million The Gold Rush (1400m) that summer.

Amelia’s Jewel won the Let’s Elope Stakes – Stocks Stakes double in 2023 and also placed second in the $4 million The Quokka in WA the following April to further frank the form.

In 2024 the Let’s Elope Stakes produced the next-up Group 2 Stocks Stakes double at The Valley with Alsephina improving on her third place to salute. She would then go on to hold her own with a credible but distant third behind runaway champ Antino in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap. 

The 2025 Let’s Elope form was franked the following autumn with the winning mare, Lazzura, coming back in 2026 to claim a Group 1 win in the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes
Date:	Saturday, September 12, 2026
Track:	Flemington Racecourse
Distance:	1400m
Race Type:	Mares 4YO & Over – Set Weights & Penalties
Status:	Group 2
Prize Money:	$300,000

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Results

Check out the official Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 Results & Finishing Order below following the event.

• 1st: TBD
• 2nd: TBD
• 3rd: TBD

Winning Margin: TBD

Winning Time: TBD

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Betting 

The spring’s top Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 betting markets and links to the odds at Ladbrokes on the hopeful mares racing in the Group 2 Flemington race will be provided for punters at Races.com.au once released.

Kissonallforcheeks ($3.60 in 2022), Amelia’s Jewel ($1.95 in 2023) and Lazzura ($2.05 in 2025) are the latest Let’s Elope Stakes favourites to salute for the punters.

There was a notable upset in 2024 with Grinzinger Belle winning at Let’s Elope Stakes odds of $15. 

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Form

The Let’s Elope Stakes form guide gives punters a complete breakdown of every mare contesting this important Group 2 1400m feature at Flemington. It compiles each runner’s recent performances, preferred conditions, distance stats, sectional strength, jockey/trainer combinations and historical patterns to help punters assess which mares are ready to peak early in their spring campaigns.

What Punters Should Look for on the Let’s Elope Stakes Form Guide:

• Second-up/third-up form — Many mares improve sharply at this stage of their preparation, and punters should look for those with proven lift as they build toward the bigger Group races.
• Flemington 1400m stats — The long Flemington straight rewards mares with a strong turn of foot and genuine 1400m strength, making course and distance form a key factor.
• Mares’ Group form — Previous success in mares’ only Group races (like the Courtza Stakes at Caulfield on Memsie Stakes Day) is a strong indicator of class at this level.
• Sectional times — Fast closing splits in lead-up runs, often at 1200m or 1300m, signal that a mare is ready to stretch out to 1400m and finish strongly.
• Track conditions — Flemington can play differently depending on weather and rail position; mares with adaptable form or proven wet track ability gain an advantage when conditions shift.
• Map and tempo — The Let’s Elope often features a controlled tempo, favouring mares who can settle midfield and build momentum from the 600m mark.
• Stable patterns — Leading stables such as Maher, Waller and Team Hayes frequently target this race, and their mares often show sharp improvement early in the spring.
• Historical trends — Many winners come through races like the Cockram Stakes (now Courtza Stakes) or similar early spring sprints, making those lead-ups essential reading for punters.

FULL 2026 LET’S ELOPE STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Field

The official Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 field & barriers are released the Wednesday leading-up to Makybe Diva Stakes Day and will be published below once announced.

The 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes final field features a class line-up of mares including the Ciaron Maher-trained Salty Pearl coming off a third fresh in the Group 3 Courtza Stakes, Dan O’Sullivan’s resuming proven Flemington performer Too Darn Discreet chasing a hat-trick and her airborne stablemate Gold Coast Belle who is yet to run out of the top two in seven career starts.

No	Last 10	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Probable Weight	Penalty	Hcp Rating
1	1x323135x3	SALTY PEARL	Ciaron Maher	Ben Allen	10	57.5kg			94
2	2x60x139x6	WROTE TO ARATAKI (NZ)	Matthew Williams	Dean Yendall	9	57kg			100
3	121x75011x	TOO DARN DISCREET	Dan O’Sullivan	Declan Bates	12	56kg			104
4	2x12111x1	GOLD COAST BELLE	Danny O’Brien	Jordan Childs	11	56kg			87
5	x00x311147	COEUR VOLANTE (NZ)	Ben, Will & JD Hayes	Ethan Brown	2	55kg			105
6	524x23243x	SEA WHAT I SEE (IRE)	Danny O’Brien	Blake Shinn	3	55kg	56kg		96
7	843122147x	MERRIGOLD	John Sadler	Daniel Stackhouse	1	55kg			93
8	033x35099x	ON DISPLAY	Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)	Damian Lane	4	55kg			100
9	712766×437	BUTTERNUT PRINCESS	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	Ben Melham	6	55kg			77
10	111x7512x5	GOLD MEDALLIST	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	Luke Nolen	7	55kg			84
11	46764x35x8	PONDALOWIE	Emma-Lee & David Browne	Lachlan Neindorf	8	55kg			90
12	468x61247x	CHARISSE	Gerard Moloney	Patrick Moloney	13	55kg			86
13	x233113x87	MYSTERY ’N’ DRAMA	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	Luke Cartwright (a)	5	55kg			71

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Nominations

The Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 nominations are released by Racing Victoria the Monday of race week and will be available below.

	Last 10	Horse	Sex	Age	Trainer	Hcp Rating
1	19x767109x	ABOUNDING	M	6	Robert Heathcote	107
2	7133x6230x	AFTER SUMMER	M	4	Dominic Sutton	92
3	712766×437	BUTTERNUT PRINCESS	M	5	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	77
4	6x2727x411	CHANGING COLOURS	M	6	Lucy Yeomans	87
5	468x61247x	CHARISSE	M	7	Gerard Moloney	86
6	x00x311147	COEUR VOLANTE (NZ)	M	6	Ben, Will & JD Hayes	105
7	x238x62971	FANCIFY (NZ)	M	7	Ciaron Maher	97
8	3519x0x352	GLASGOW LASS	M	5	Matt Laurie	77
9	2x12111x1	GOLD COAST BELLE	M	4	Danny O’Brien	87
10	111x7512x5	GOLD MEDALLIST	M	5	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	84
11	843122147x	MERRIGOLD	M	6	John Sadler	93
12	x233113x87	MYSTERY ’N’ DRAMA	M	4	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	71
13	033x35099x	ON DISPLAY	M	5	Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)	100
14	46764x35x8	PONDALOWIE	M	6	Emma-Lee & David Browne	90
15	0280×46515	RECUPERATO	M	4	Peter Gelagotis	77
16	1x323135x3	SALTY PEARL	M	4	Ciaron Maher	94
17	524x23243x	SEA WHAT I SEE (IRE)	M	7	Danny O’Brien	96
18	111×1112	TENNESSEE BOUND	M	5	Ciaron Maher	89
19	21x3x4115x	TERILEE	M	5	Michael Kent	80
20	121x75011x	TOO DARN DISCREET	M	5	Dan O’Sullivan	104
21	2x9656x421	TRANSCEND	M	4	Michael Freedman	77
22	2x60x139x6	WROTE TO ARATAKI (NZ)	M	8	Matthew Williams	100

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

Let’s Elope Stakes History

Originally a Listed race from 1987 to 2004, the Let’s Elope Stakes then elevated to Group Three status from 2005 to 2008 and in 2009 it finally reached Group Two status. Previously known as the Milady Stakes, the event’s fastest winning time was recorded in 2013 when Commanding Jewel won in a sharp 1:22.5. Commanding Jewel returned to take out the race again in 2014.

The Let’s Elope Stakes retains an important place in the Spring Racing Carnival as a reasonably accurate form indicator for punters in later Group 1 races, including in 2011 when the winner Pinker Pinker won the Cox Plate that October.

Recent Let’s Elope Stakes Winners

Year	Place	Horse	Time
2026 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	TBD	TBD
	2nd	TBD
	3rd	TBD
2025 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Lazzura	1 minute 22.86 seconds
	2nd	Oh Too Good
	3rd	Abounding
2024 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Grinzinger Belle	1 minute 25.37 seconds
	2nd	See You In Heaven
	3rd	Alsephina
2023 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Amelia’s Jewel	1 minute 23.33 seconds
	2nd	Life Lessons
	3rd	El Patroness
2022 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Kissonallforcheeks	1 minute 25.32 seconds
	2nd	Lady Of Honour
	3rd	Yearning
2021 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Turaath	1 minute 23.69 seconds
	2nd	Mystic Journey
	3rd	Still A Star
2020 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Pretty Brazen	1 minute 22.84 seconds
	2nd	Arcadia Queen
	3rd	Bonvicini
2019 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Spanish Whisper	1 minute 22.23 seconds
	2nd	Miss Siska
	3rd	Fidelia
2018 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	I Am A Star	1 minute 23.11 seconds
	2nd	Bella Martini
	3rd	Sheezdashing
2017 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Sword Of Light	1 minute 23.50 seconds
	2nd	Swampland
	3rd	Lovani
2016 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Don’t Doubt Mamma	1 minute 24.5 seconds
	2nd	Thames Court
	3rd	Manageress
2015 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Amicus	1 minute 23.07 seconds
	2nd	Precious Gem
	3rd	May’s Dream
2014 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Commanding Jewel	1 minute 23.61 seconds
	2nd	Dear Demi
	3rd	Nautical
2013 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Commanding Jewel	1 minute 23.08 seconds
	2nd	Catkins
	3rd	A Time For Julia
2012 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Zurella	1 minute 23.38 seconds
	2nd	Hi Belle
	3rd	Total Attraction
2011 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Pinker Pinker	1 minute 23.8 seconds
	2nd	Mid Summer Music
	3rd	Parables
2010 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	No Evidence Needed	1 minute 26.85 seconds
	2nd	Response
	3rd	Live In Sin
2009 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Cats Whisker	1 minute 25 seconds
	2nd	Romneya
	3rd	Symphony Miss
2008 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Mimi Lebrock	1 minute 28.2 seconds
	2nd	Bellini Rose
	3rd	Devil Moon
2007 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Devil Moon	1 minute 23.4 seconds
	2nd	Eskimo Queen
	3rd	Bellini Rose
2006 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Rewaaya	1 minute 24.2 seconds
	2nd	Be Delicious
	3rd	Celtic Bloom
2005 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Dea	1 minute 23.3 seconds
	2nd	Timbourina
	3rd	Catscan
2004 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Beautiful Gem	1 minute 24.4 seconds
	2nd	Galvanized
	3rd	Demerger
2003 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Ain’t Seen Nothin	1 minute 24.4 seconds
	2nd	Classic Patches
	3rd	Reactive
2002 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Purple Groove	1 minute 24.9 seconds
	2nd	Tickle My
	3rd	Crimson Gem
2001 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Flushed	1 minute 24.5 seconds
	2nd	Miss Power Bird
	3rd	Lolita Star
2000 Let’s Elope Stakes	1st	Tickle My	1 minute 28.4 seconds
	2nd	Love’s Choice
	3rd	Monterosso

Let’s Elope Stakes FAQs

What is the Let’s Elope Stakes?
The Let’s Elope Stakes is a Group 2 race for mares run early in the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, held over 1400m at Flemington.

When is the Let’s Elope Stakes held?
The race takes place in September each year as one of the key early spring features for mares building toward the bigger Group races. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026.

What distance is the Let’s Elope Stakes run over?
The Let’s Elope Stakes is run over 1400 metres, a trip that suits mares with a strong turn of foot and proven form at the Flemington mile-adjacent distances.

Where is the Let’s Elope Stakes run?
The race is held at Flemington Racecourse, home of the famous long straight that rewards mares capable of building momentum and finishing strongly.

Who can run in the Let’s Elope Stakes?
The race is restricted to mares aged four years and older, making it a key stepping-stone for established Group performers and rising spring contenders.

How many horses run in the Let’s Elope Stakes?
The Let’s Elope Stakes typically attracts a field of up to 16 runners, depending on acceptances and spring programming.

What type of race is the Let’s Elope Stakes?
It is a Group 2 set weights plus penalties event, giving quality mares a fair platform to launch their spring campaigns.

What are key lead-up races to the Let’s Elope Stakes?
Common lead-ups include the Cockram Stakes, early spring 1200m-1300m races, and late winter trials that reveal which mares are ready to peak.

What races does the Let’s Elope Stakes lead into?
Many mares progress to the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes, Toorak Handicap, or other major spring features over 1400m–1600m.

Where can I find Let’s Elope Stakes odds and betting tips?
Races.com.au provides updated odds, market movers, form insights and expert tips throughout the spring as does Australia’s leading bookmaker Ladbrokes.