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The Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes is a 1200m sprint for 2YO fillies held on Verry Elleegant Stakes Day leading up to the Golden Slipper Stakes.
Sweet Embrace Stakes News
The Sweet Embrace Stakes is a Group 2 sprint for two-year-old fillies run over 1200m at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Verry Elleegant Stakes Day (formerly Chipping Norton Stakes Day) in late February or early March during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes results and finishing order at Randwick on Saturday February 28, 2026 and to see what fillies are Golden Slipper bound.
- 1st: No. 2 Spicy Miss ($4.40)
- 2nd: No. 5 Screen Icon
- 3rd: No. 1 By Choice
Winning Margin: 0.31 lengths
Winning Time: 1:09.95
Ciaron Maher’s improving Trapeze Artist filly Spicy Miss ($4.40) is into the Golden Slipper field as a live chance after breaking her maiden status at her third start in Saturday’s 2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes results. Given a peach of a ride by the in-form Zac Lloyd, she hit the front on the home straight and relished the 1200m charging home to hang on for a narrow but convincing win and firm from $21 to $15 through Ladbrokes.com.au in all-in Golden Slipper betting.
Click here for the full story.
| 2. Spicy Miss (7) J: Zac Lloyd56.5kg 2×2T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 5. Screen Icon (8) J: Chad Schofield56.5kg 2×7T: John P Thompson | ||
| 1. By Choice (6) J: Tim Clark56.5kg 153T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 8. Hardanger (2) J: Tommy Berry56.5kg 33T: Michael Freedman | ||
| 6. Pembrey (4) J: James McDonald56.5kg 1T: Tony Gollan | ||
| 4. Ciaron’s Star (5) J: Jason Collett56.5kg 31T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 3. Lumbini (3) J: Adam Hyeronimus56.5kg 12T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 13. Sumac (1) J: Jay Ford56.5kg T: Lee & Cherie Curtis |
The Sydney meeting is headlined by the weight-for-age Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) and the recently upgraded Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) for three-year-old fillies. Chipping Norton Stakes Day also features a number of other Group status support races including the Sweet Embrace Stakes and the colts & geldings equivalent – the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m).
Both the Skyline Stakes and the Sweet Embrace Stakes offer $300,000 in prize money as of 2024 and a ballot exemption to the winner into the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m).
The last fillies to win the Sweet Embrace Stakes – Golden Slipper double were Crystal Lily (2010) and Fireburn (2022).
Fillies may come into the Sweet Embrace Stakes field via other two-year-old autumn races including the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) run at Rosehill the Saturday before or the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) also held at Rosehill but in late January.
After the Sweet Embrace Stakes Stakes the two-year-old fillies may have another Golden Slipper Stakes lead-up in the following Saturday’s Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) run at Royal Randwick.
The $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) held at the track a fortnight earlier also serves as a potential lead-up for Inglis graduates. In 2023 Lazzago improved on a fourth in the Inglis Millennium to win the Sweet Embrace Stakes.
Within The Law (2nd) was the last Inglis Millennium graduate to back up and win the Sweet Embrace Stakes.
In 2018 the Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Seabrook went on to win the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) later that autumn.
The 2022 Sweet Embrace Stakes form was franked with the winner Fireburn going on to win both the Golden Slipper as well as the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) that autumn before a second in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m). The Sweet Embrace runner-up She’s Extreme finished second in the Sires’ before turning the tables to win the Champagne Stakes. She’s Extreme further franked the form that spring with a host of top three runs in Group 1 company before her win in the VRC Oaks at Flemington.
The 2024 Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Manaal ran fifth in the Golden Slipper but franked that form with a subsequent win in the Inglis Sires’.
The 2025 Sweet Embrace Stakes form was franked with the winner, Within The Law, going on to run top three in a host of subsequent top-level races including the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (2nd) and Group 1 Flight Stakes (2nd).
The 2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes ran on Saturday February 28, 2026 as a key Golden Slipper lead-up and saw the progressive Ciaron Maher-trained Spicy Miss ($4.40) break her maiden status in style.Â
| Sweet Embrace Stakes 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday February 28, 2026 |
| Track: | Royal Randwick Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1200m |
| Race Type: | Set Weights / 2YO Fillies |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $300,000 |
2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes Betting
The current season’s Sweet Embrace Stakes 2026 betting odds on the fillies heading towards the Golden Slipper Stakes field will be available here at Races.com.au as soon as released at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Four Moves Ahead ($2.70 in 2021) and Manaal ($2.05 in 2024) are the latest favourites in Sweet Embrace Stakes betting to win.
2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 SWEET EMBRACE STAKES FORM GUIDE
2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Sweet Embrace Stakes 2026 Tips on the autumn showdown for fillies this February.
To Win: No. 2 Spicy Miss
SPICY MISS (10) is drawn wider out in the Sweet Embrace but finds herself a winnable race to finally get that first victory on the board at her third start. She’s been good in her two earlier runs with back-to-back seconds. Debuted last November at Rosehill going down under a length in the Group 3 Golden Gift and put in an eye-catching return here at Randwick when runner-up to Agrarian Girl in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m) on February 7. This is a notable class rise for Ciaron Maher’s untapped Trapeze Artist filly, but she’s bred to win something like this, and I think she’ll relish the 1200m. The airborne Zac Lloyd retains the ride and with a furlong extra to make up ground I think she’ll get there.
|
2. Spicy Miss (7)
J: Zac Lloyd56.5kg
2×2T: Ciaron Maher
|
2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes Field
Each autumn the Sweet Embrace Stakes field attracts a line-up of promising two-year-old fillies eyeing a run in the Golden Slipper Stakes field in a fortnight’s time.
The official 2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes field and barriers are set for release by Racing NSW on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.
The Sweet Embrace Stakes 2026 final field features a smart line-up of fillies including the Tony Gollan-trained Queensland raider Pembrey coming off a huge Eagle Farm win on debut and the promising Group 3 placed Spicy Miss for Ciaron Maher drawn wide.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 153 | BY CHOICE | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 9 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 2 | 2×2 | SPICY MISS | Ciaron Maher | Zac Lloyd | 10 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 3 | 12 | LUMBINI | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 5 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 4 | 31 | CIARON’S STAR | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 7 | 56.5kg |  |  |  |
| 5 | 2×7 | SCREEN ICON | John Thompson | Chad Schofield | 11 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 6 | 1 | PEMBREY | Tony Gollan | James McDonald | 6 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 7 | 2×4 | PEARL OF DUBAI | Peter Snowden | Andrew Adkins | 12 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 8 | 33 | HARDANGER | Michael Freedman | Tommy Berry | 3 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 9 | 51 | CHERRY BOMSHELL | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Tom Sherry | 8 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 10 | 1 | SCINTILLATION | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Dylan Gibbons | 1 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 11 | 4 | GONE TO GOWINGS | Clarry Conners | Nash Rawiller | 4 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 12 | 9 | ZOO DAZZLER | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Sam Clipperton | 13 | 56.5kg | Â | Â | Â |
| 13 | Â | SUMAC | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Jay Ford | 2 | 56.5kg | Â | Â |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes Nominations
Early nominations for the Sweet Embrace Stakes in 2026 close the Monday of race week and will be updated here once announced.
2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes nominations extended until 11:00am (AEDT) – 24/02/2026
| Â | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 153 | BY CHOICE | F | 2 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Â |
| 2 | 51 | CHERRY BOMSHELL | F | 2 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Â |
| 3 | 31 | CIARON’S STAR | F | 2 | Ciaron Maher |  |
| 4 | 0x3 | DOUBELLA | F | 2 | Richard & Will Freedman | Â |
| 5 | 4 | GONE TO GOWINGS | F | 2 | Clarry Conners | Â |
| 6 | 33 | HARDANGER | F | 2 | Michael Freedman | Â |
| 7 | 12 | LUMBINI | F | 2 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Â |
| 8 | 2×4 | PEARL OF DUBAI | F | 2 | Peter Snowden | Â |
| 9 | 1 | PEMBREY | F | 2 | Tony Gollan | Â |
| 10 | 1 | SCINTILLATION | F | 2 | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Â |
| 11 | 2×7 | SCREEN ICON | F | 2 | John Thompson | Â |
| 12 | 2×2 | SPICY MISS | F | 2 | Ciaron Maher | Â |
| 13 | Â | SUMAC | F | 2 | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Â |
| 14 | 9 | ZOO DAZZLER | F | 2 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Â |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Sweet Embrace Stakes History
The Sweet Embrace Stakes is named in honour of the 1967 Golden Slipper Stakes winner Sweet Embrace who scored an upset breaking her maiden status in the classic at odds of 40/1. The race was first run in 1979 as a Listed event. It gained Group 3 status in 1987 before being elevated to its current Group 2 status from 2013 onwards.
The event has taken place at a number of different racetracks around Sydney including Canterbury Park, Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick.
Notable Sweet Embrace Stakes winners include subsequent Golden Slipper winners Dark Eclipse (1980), Ha Ha (2001), Crystal Lily (2010), and Seabrook (2018).
Recent Sweet Embrace Stakes Winners
See below for a list of Sweet Embrace Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to 2000.
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Spicy Miss | 1 minute 09.95 seconds |
| 2nd | Screen Icon | ||
| 3rd | By Choice | ||
| 2025 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Within The Law | 1 minute 09.51 seconds |
| 2nd | Bellazaine | ||
| 3rd | Snitzel Miss | ||
| 2024 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Manaal | 1 minute 10.37 seconds |
| 2nd | Fly Fly | ||
| 3rd | Extreme Diva | ||
| 2023 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Lazzago | 1 minute 10.76 seconds |
| 2nd | Facile | ||
| 3rd | Blanc De Blanc | ||
| 2022 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Fireburn | 1 minute 15.18 seconds |
| 2nd | She’s Extreme | ||
| 3rd | Lady Laguna | ||
| 2021 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Four Moves Ahead | 1 minute 10.50 seconds |
| 2nd | She’s All Class | ||
| 3rd | Mallory | ||
| 2020 Sweet Embrace Stakes | Hungry Heart | 1 minute 9.64 seconds | |
| 2nd | Stellar Pauline | ||
| 3rd | Dismissal | ||
| 2019 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Anaheed | 1 minute 9.72 seconds |
| 2nd | Still Single | ||
| 3rd | Let It Pour | ||
| 2018 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Seabrook | 1 minute 10.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Fiesta | ||
| 3rd | Into The Abyss | ||
| 2017 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | One More Honey | 1 minute 12.28 seconds |
| 2nd | Arctic Angel | ||
| 3rd | Teaspoon | ||
| 2016 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Scarlet Rain | 1 minute 9.5 seconds |
| 2nd | In The Vanguard | ||
| 3rd | Tale Of Choice | ||
| 2015 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Always Allison | 1 minute 10.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Speak Fondly | ||
| 3rd | Tibrogargan Miss | ||
| 2014 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Believe Yourself | 1 minute 11.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Twirl | ||
| 3rd | Tetsuko | ||
| 2013 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Romantic Moon | 1 minute 10.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Thump | ||
| 3rd | Greytfilly | ||
| 2012 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Jade Marauder | 1 minute 11.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Valerio | ||
| 3rd | Kyria | ||
| 2011 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Shared Reflections | 1 minute 9.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Streama | ||
| 3rd | Pane In The Glass | ||
| 2010 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Crystal Lily | 1 minute 9.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Ambers Waltz | ||
| 3rd | Zutara | ||
| 2009 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Headway | 1 minute 11.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Lovemelikearock | ||
| 3rd | Horizons | ||
| 2008 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Stripper | 1 minute 11.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Glowlamp | ||
| 3rd | Samantha Miss | ||
| 2007 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Chinchilla Rose | 1 minute 10.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Vecchia Roma | ||
| 3rd | Moonboat | ||
| 2006 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Universal Queen | 1 minute 11.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Tuesday Joy | ||
| 3rd | Pure Energy | ||
| 2005 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Carry On Cutie | 1 minute 10.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Media | ||
| 3rd | Flion Fenea | ||
| 2004 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Burning Sands | 1 minute 11.9 seconds |
| 2nd | All Knowledge | ||
| 3rd | Written By Xaar | ||
| 2003 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Legally Bay | 1 minute 10.0 seconds |
| 2nd | How Funny | ||
| 3rd | Bella Corona | ||
| 2002 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Victory Vein | 1 minute 9.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Chuckle | ||
| 3rd | Calaway Gal | ||
| 2001 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Ha Ha | 1 minute 11.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Moonflute | ||
| 3rd | Palais | ||
| 2000 Sweet Embrace Stakes | 1st | Dynamic Love | 1 minute 11.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Tyrolean | ||
| 3rd | Ateates | ||
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