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Rising Fast Stakes News
The 2026 Rising Fast Stakes was held on Saturday October 31, 2026 as part of VRC Derby Day as a potential lead-up to the Champions Sprint just seven days later and was won in a narrow but impressive upset by the Lindsay Park-trained Ndola ($11).
The Rising Fast Stakes 2026 is one of the premier sprint contests of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, bringing together a talented field of proven straight-track specialists, emerging speedsters, and established black-type performers on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington. Named in honour of champion racehorse Rising Fast, one of Australia’s greatest stayers and a dual Melbourne Cup winner, the race has evolved into a highly competitive sprint feature that regularly attracts quality horses looking to add valuable Group race success to their spring résumés. Run down Flemington’s famous straight course, the Rising Fast Stakes provides a unique challenge where speed, positioning, and proven straight-track form can be crucial. On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about the 2026 Rising Fast Stakes, including the latest Rising Fast Stakes odds 2026, expert Rising Fast Stakes betting 2026 updates, field information, barrier draw, form guide, tips, results, and market movers as punters assess the leading contenders in this exciting Group 3 sprint feature.
2026 Rising Fast Stakes Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 Rising Fast Stakes results and finishing order on Saturday October 31, 2026.
- #4 Ndola
- #5 Sweynesday
- #8 Meridius
Winning Margin: 0.15 lengths
Winning Time: 1:10.24
The 2026 Rising Fast Stakes results at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day saw the in-form Ndola ($11) continue his outstanding preparation, with the five-year-old son of Justify scoring a narrow but deserved Group 3 victory for trainers Ben, Will & JD Hayes and jockey Jye McNeil. Settling in a perfect position before accelerating strongly when gaps appeared, Ndola dug deep late to hold off Sweynesday by a short head, with Meridius a length away in third. The victory was the gelding’s third win of the campaign and further highlighted his affinity with straight-track sprinting, while connections indicated a potential backing-up into next week’s Champions Sprint could now be considered after the talented sprinter’s rating received another significant boost.
2026 Rising Fast Stakes Race Replay
2026 Rising Fast Stakes Odds & Finishing Order
See below for the latest Rising Fast Stakes 2026 odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this spring.
| 4. Ndola (18) 58kg14521 | |||
| 5. Sweynesday (9) 58kgx50x5 | |||
| 8. Meridius (10) 56.5kg1301x | |||
| 14. Grand Impact (19) 54kgx2225 | |||
| 19. Verdoux (7) 54kg05×66 | |||
| 7. Disneck (11) 56.5kgx6006 | |||
| 9. Watchme Win (1) 56.5kgx5648 | |||
| 18. Jimmy Recard (15) 54kg367×0 | |||
| 10. Golden Straand (12) 55kg13×12 | |||
| 20. Hankee Alpha (4) 54kg235×1 | |||
| 17. The Cosmic One (16) 54kg71111 | |||
| 15. Jenni The Fox (8) 54kg200×6 | |||
| 16. Celsius Star (17) 54kg44×22 | |||
| 3. Grand Larceny (6) 59kgx13x4 | |||
| 11. De Bergerac (2) 54.5kg13696 | |||
| 2. Napoleonic (5) 59.5kg30×26 | |||
| 13. Klabel (13) 54.5kg94656 | |||
| 1. Hedged (14) 60kg6×529 | |||
| 6. Gallant Son (3) 57.5kg32×04 | |||
| 12. King Zephyr (9)SCRATCHED: | |||
2026 Rising Fast Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Rising Fast Stakes 2026 Tips on the VRC Derby Day sprint this spring.
Favourite: No. 2 Napoleonic
| 2. Napoleonic (5) 59.5kg30×26 |
Each Way Danger: No. 12 King Zephyr
| 12. King Zephyr (9)SCRATCHED: | |||
Best Roughie: No. 4 Ndola
| 4. Ndola (18) 58kg14521 |
The Rising Fast Stakes is a Group 3 race held on Victoria Derby Day on the Saturday before Melbourne Cup Day on the first Tuesday of November.
An open handicap race, the event has recently been run as the Chatham Stakes and Rising Fast Stakes on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival over 1400m.
The race moved back to Derby Day and the distanced dropped back to 1200m ahead of the 2022 edition, while the current prize money is set at $240,000.
It was renamed the Rising Fast Stakes in honour of Rising Fast who is the only horse in history to complete the ‘Spring Grand Slam’ winning the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup in 1954.
The event shares the Flemington card with three Group 1 races with the running of the Victoria Derby (2500m), Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).
The Rising Fast Stakes is often used as a lead up event to later races such as the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m), a race the 2017 Chatham Stakes winner Hellova Street finished second in. Many Chatham Stakes winners go on to bigger and better things the following year including the 2018 winner Dreamforce who subsequently enjoyed placings in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes (3rd) to Winx, 2019 Doncaster Mile (2nd) and 2019 George Main Stakes (2nd).
Good lead-up races into the Rising Fast Stakes field include the Caulfield Cup Day races like the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) run a fortnight earlier.
The 2022 Rising Fast Stakes form was franked with the third placegetter The Astrologist heading to Perth in the summer to win the $1.5 million Gold Rush. The Astrologist was later sent overseas and finished a competitive second in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai in 2023.
The 2024 winner Maharba franked the form with a next-up second in Perth’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes, while the third placed mare that year Charm Stone continued on to win the Robert Sangster Stakes and Manikato Stakes at elite level in 2025.
The 2025 Rising Fast Stakes champion, Caballus, would prove the race a strong form one to follow into the autumn when he returned to win the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at the same track and trip in 2026. The form was further franked at Group 1 level by the runner-up, Geegees Mistruth, who travelled to Adelaide the following April to claim the Robert Sagnster Stakes.
| Rising Fast Stakes 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday October 31, 2026 |
| Track: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1200m |
| Conditions: | 3YO&UP Handicap |
| Status: | Group 3 |
| Prizemoney: | $240,000 |
2026 Rising Fast Stakes Betting
The latest 2026 Rising Fast Stakes betting odds will be available at Ladbrokes for you to lock in your Rising Fast Stakes tips at the right price and published here at Races.com.au.
There was a notable upset in the 2024 Rising Fast Stakes by Maharba at odds of $18.
Caballus ($4.20 in 2025) was the last Rising Fast Stakes favourite to win.
2026 Rising Fast Stakes Form Guide
The Rising Fast Stakes form guide is an essential resource for punters assessing one of the most competitive sprint races of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Run over 1200 metres down Flemington’s famous straight course, the Group 3 feature attracts a quality field of specialist straight-track performers, established sprinters, and emerging speed horses looking to add valuable black-type success to their spring record. The form guide provides key information on each runner’s recent performances, track and distance statistics, barrier draw, jockey and trainer combinations, and betting market movements. By studying the Rising Fast Stakes form guide, punters can identify the horses best equipped to handle the unique challenge of Flemington’s straight six and uncover value in a typically deep sprint field.
What Punters Should Look for in the Rising Fast Stakes Form Guide:
- Straight-track form – Proven performances down the Flemington straight are often one of the strongest indicators of success in the Rising Fast Stakes.
- 1200m credentials – Horses with strong records over 1200m generally have the right mix of speed and stamina for the race.
- Recent sprint race form – Runners coming through quality Group and Listed sprint races often bring the strongest credentials.
- Flemington record – Previous success at Flemington can be a major advantage, particularly for horses that thrive on the spacious straight-course layout.
- Lead-up race form – Horses exiting races such as the Gilgai Stakes, Bobbie Lewis Quality, Testa Rossa Stakes, Schaillaci Stakes, and other spring sprint features warrant close attention.
- Track conditions – Some sprinters excel on firm ground while others are better suited to rain-affected tracks, making conditions an important factor.
- Speed map and racing pattern – Assess whether runners are natural leaders, on-pace types, or strong finishers, and how that profile suits a straight-course sprint.
- Barrier draw – While barriers are often less critical in straight races, track patterns can sometimes favour one side of the course over the other.
- Current spring form – Horses peaking during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival are frequently among the leading contenders.
- Trainer and jockey combinations – Leading sprint stables often target the race with horses capable of competing at black-type level.
- Betting market support – Significant moves in the Rising Fast Stakes betting markets can be a strong indicator of stable confidence and race-day expectations.
FULL 2026 RISING FAST STAKES FORM GUIDE
Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?
Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.
Ask Form Genius...
- Which runner has the best trainer/jockey combo at Flemington?
- Which runner has the best form on this track?
- Which runners are mapped as leaders in the Rising Fast Stakes?
Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?
Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.
Get Free Access to Form Genius Now2026 Rising Fast Stakes Field
The 2026 Rising Fast Stakes field is released on the Wednesday leading-up to the race.
The official Rising Fast Stakes 2026 final field is now out featuring a bumper line-up of sprinters including the widely drawn Lindsay Park-trained Ndola coming off a lead-up win at Cranbourne with a big weight and the airborne The Cosmic One from Adelaide up in grade chasing his fifth win on the trot.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Hedged
J: Jamie Mott
T: Gavin Bedggood |
26×529 | G | 14 | 60kg | |
|
2. Napoleonic
J: James McDonald
T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton |
x30x26 | H | 5 | 59.5kg | |
|
3. Grand Larceny
J: Ben Melham
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
5x13x4 | G | 6 | 59kg | |
|
4. Ndola
J: Jye Mcneil
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
x14521 | G | 18 | 58kg | |
|
5. Sweynesday
J: Daniel Stackhouse
T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
1x50x5 | G | 9 | 58kg | |
|
6. Gallant Son
J: Blake Shinn
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
132×04 | H | 3 | 57.5kg | |
|
7. Disneck
J: Jason Collett
T: Bjorn Baker |
0x6006 | G | 11 | 56.5kg | |
|
8. Meridius
J: Mark Zahra
T: Lloyd Kennewell |
x1301x | G | 10 | 56.5kg | |
|
9. Watchme Win
J: Ben Allen
T: Andrew Gluyas |
8×5648 | G | 1 | 56.5kg | |
|
10. Golden Straand
J: Damian Lane
T: Matthew Smith |
113×12 | H | 12 | 55kg | |
|
11. De Bergerac
J: Luke Cartwright
T: Grahame Begg |
213696 | G | 2 | 54.5kg | |
| 12. King Zephyr (9) Scratched: | |||||
|
13. Klabel
J: Jett Stanley
T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly |
x94656 | G | 13 | 54.5kg | |
|
14. Grand Impact
J: Michael Dee
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
0x2225 | G | 19 | 54kg | |
|
15. Jenni The Fox
J: Jabez Johnstone
T: Ciaron Maher |
1200×6 | M | 8 | 54kg | |
|
16. Celsius Star
J: Craig Newitt
T: Shawn Mathrick |
444×22 | G | 17 | 54kg | |
|
17. The Cosmic One
J: Harry Coffey
T: Travis Doudle |
171111 | G | 16 | 54kg | |
|
18. Jimmy Recard
J: Beau Mertens
T: Ciaron Maher |
1367×0 | H | 15 | 54kg | |
|
19. Verdoux
J: Declan Bates
T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
905×66 | G | 7 | 54kg | |
|
20. Hankee Alpha
J: Craig Williams
T: Cindy Alderson |
6235×1 | M | 4 | 54kg | |
2026 Rising Fast Stakes Nominations
Early nominations for the Rising Fast Stakes 2026 close on the Monday of race week.
Chatham Stakes / Rising Fast Stakes History
Inaugurated in 1986, the Chatham Stakes is fairly young in comparison to a lot of Flemington races.
The race was named after Chatham, Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee and renowned miler. Chatham had considerable pedigree, with a Melbourne Cup winner (Windbag) for a sire and the granddaughter of an English Triple Crown winner (Flying Fox) for a dam (Myosotis). Chatham won the 1932 and 1934 Cox Plate, as well as two Epsom Handicaps and a few Craven Plates, among other major wins.
The Chatham Stakes is one of those races that is often run under a sponsor name. Throughout the years, the Chatham Stakes has been known variously as the Hong Kong Jockey Club Plate, the AAMI International, the Yallambee Stud Stakes, the AAMI Business Insurance Stakes and the Tab.com.au Stakes.
In 1997, the Chatham Stakes was briefly run over 1417 metres.
Notable Chatham Stakes winners include Avannotto (1986), Bezeal Bay (1998), Scenic Park (2001), Fawkner (2012) and Dreamforce (2018).
Chatham Stakes results, winners and winning times since 2000 are provided below.
The event was renamed the Rising Fast Stakes ahead of the 2022 race with the distance decreased from 1400m to 1200m.
Maharba (2024) holds the 1200m Rising Fast Stakes race record winning in 1 minute 8.74 seconds.
Chatham Stakes / Rising Fast Stakes Results
Year |
Place |
Horse |
Time |
| 2026 Rising Fast Stakes | 1st | Ndola | 1 minute 10.24 seconds |
| 2nd | Sweynesday | ||
| 3rd | Meridius | ||
| 2025 Rising Fast Stakes | 1st | Caballus | 1 minute 09.20 seconds |
| 2nd | Geegees Mistruth | ||
| 3rd | Bosustow | ||
| 2024 Rising Fast Stakes | 1st | Maharba | 1 minute 08.74 seconds |
| 2nd | Rey Magnerio | ||
| 3rd | Charm Stone | ||
| 2023 Rising Fast Stakes | 1st | Spacewalk | 1 minute 10.34 seconds |
| 2nd | Crosshaven | ||
| 3rd | Najem Suhail | ||
| 2022 Rising Fast Stakes | 1st | Argentia | 1 minute 10.99 seconds(Run over 1200m) |
| 2nd | Triple Missile | ||
| 3rd | The Astrologist | ||
| 2021 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Age Of Chivalry | 1 minute 23.19 seconds |
| 2nd | Crosshaven | ||
| 3rd | Justacanta | ||
| 2020 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Sansom | 1 minute 22.84 seconds |
| 2nd | Morvada | ||
| 3rd | Bold Star | ||
| 2019 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Reykjavik | 1 minute 23.22 seconds |
| 2nd | Admiral’s Joker | ||
| 3rd | Noble Boy | ||
| 2018 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Dreamforce | 1 minute 22.12 seconds |
| 2nd | Widgee Turf | ||
| 3rd | Perast | ||
| 2017 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Hellova Street | 1 minute 22.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Supply And Demand | ||
| 3rd | Fox Hall | ||
| 2016 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Rageese | 1 minute 21.53 seconds |
| 2nd | Arod | ||
| 3rd | Federal | ||
| 2015 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Disposition | 1 minute 23.6 seconds |
| 2nd | San Diego | ||
| 3rd | Hosting | ||
| 2014 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Hucklebuck | 1 minute 23.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Alma’s Fury | ||
| 3rd | Generalife | ||
| 2013 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Smokin’ Joey | 1 minute 23.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Galah | ||
| 3rd | Strike The Stars | ||
| 2012 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Fawkner | 1 minute 20.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Free Wheeling | ||
| 3rd | Wall Street | ||
| 2011 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Woorim | 1 minute 23.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Thankgodyou’rehere | ||
| 3rd | Toorak Toff | ||
| 2010 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Poor Judge | 1 minute 25.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Demerit | ||
| 3rd | Centennial Park | ||
| 2009 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Centennial Park | 1 minute 22.3 seconds |
| 2nd | McClintock | ||
| 3rd | Royal Ida/Sniper’s Bullet | ||
| 2008 Chatham Stakes | 1st | All Silent | 1 minute 22.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Sniper’s Bullet | ||
| 3rd | Stickpin | ||
| 2007 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Count To Zero | 1 minute 23.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Spielmeister | ||
| 3rd | Royal Ida | ||
| 2006 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Malcolm | 1 minute 22.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Mr Ubiquitous | ||
| 3rd | Live In Vain | ||
| 2005 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Rockford Bay | 1 minute 22.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Zankel | ||
| 3rd | Valedictum | ||
| 2004 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Great Is Great | 1 minute 22.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Amtrak | ||
| 3rd | Regent Street | ||
| 2003 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Scenic Park | 1 minute 24.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Lord Volksraad | ||
| 3rd | Shogun Lodge | ||
| 2002 Chatham Stakes | 1st | To Be Fair | 1 minute 22.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Palladium Star | ||
| 3rd | Tarcoola Midnight | ||
| 2001 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Scenic Park | 1 minute 21.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Desert Eagle | ||
| 3rd | Super Impressive | ||
| 2000 Chatham Stakes | 1st | Matter Of Honour | 1 minute 23.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Typhoon Barney | ||
| 3rd | Aka Bilk | ||
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