Ladbrokes Tip: The Surround Stakes is a nice lead-up to the Coolmore Classic each autumn
The Surround Stakes is a Group 1 race for three-year-old fillies run at Royal Randwick Racecourse in late February or early March each Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival on Verry Elleegant Stakes Day. The event was previously a Group 2 race, but gained Group 1 status for the first time in 2018.
2022 Surround Stakes winner Hinged. Photo: Steve Hart.
The Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) – formerly run as the Chipping Norton Stakes – is the headline race at the meeting that also features a number of Group 2 support acts on the card.
Run over 1400m at set weights, the Surround Stakes now offers a lucrative $750,000 in prize money as of 2024.
The race is named in honour of former champion filly Surround who took out the 1976-1977 Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year award. Fillies that run well in the Surround Stakes may back up and step up in class for a shot at the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill a fortnight later.
The latest edition of the Surround Stakes took place on Saturday March 2, 2024 and was won first-up by the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained resuming Flight Stakes winner Tropical Squall ($8.50).
2024 Surround Stakes Results
The full Surround Stakes 2024 results including the Surround Stakes winner and margins will be known below on Saturday March 2, 2024.
2024 Surround Stakes winner Tropical Squall is onto the Group 1 Coolmore Classic next-up. Photo: Steve Hart.
- 1st: #1 Tropical Squall
- 2nd: #12 Stefi Magnetica
- 3rd: #7 Tutta La Vita
There was plenty of value to be had in the 2024 Surround Stakes trifecta with the returning Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Group 1 Flight Stakes champ Tropical Squall ($8.50) fighting off Stefi Magnetica to get the job done fresh off ahead of a Coolmore Classic target second-up.
2024 Surround Stakes Odds
The season’s top Surround Stakes 2024 betting odds will be available right here so stay tuned for access to our autumn racing markets.
Early market betting odds on the 2024 Surround Stakes will be displayed below once available. Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live markets, please visit ladbrokes.com.au.
Surround Stakes Race Info
- Date: Saturday March 2, 2024
- Track: Royal Randwick Racecourse
- Distance: 1400m
- Conditions: 3YO Fillies – Set Weights
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money: $750,000
- First Run: 1979
Surround Stakes Betting
Surround Stakes betting odds are released after the field is out on the Wednesday before the race.
In-form fillies coming off good lead-up runs in Sydney earlier in the autumn dominate the Surround Stakes betting markets.
Favourites have a strong recent record in the Surround Stakes and the markets are led by Light Fingers Stakes graduates that ran in the first three last time out a fortnight before.
Nakeeta Jane ($3.60 in 2019) was the last Surround Stakes favourite to salute for the punters.
Since More Joyous (2010) completed the Light Fingers Stakes – Surround Stakes double, the only winners of the latter to finish worse than fourth in the lead-up were Thump (2014) who improved on a Light Fingers seventh to win, Shoals (2018) who atoned for a first-up eighth in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1600m) to post her second Group 1 success, and Magic Millions Guineas ninth placed Forbidden Love (2021), that season’s Light Fingers seventh placed filly Hinged (2022), and first-up champ Tropical Squall (2024) whose previous run was a 10th in the VRC Oaks the November prior.
Sunshine In Paris just got there on the line to score a narrow victory in the 2023 Surround Stakes in Sydney. Photo: Steve Hart.
Nakeeta Jane (2019) was also the last filly to do the Light Fingers Stakes – Surround Stakes double winning the latter as the $3.60 favourite in Surround Stakes betting.
In 2023 Sunshine In Paris improved on a lead-up second in the Light Fingers Stakes to win the Group 1 in a thrilling four-way photo finish at $11.
Surround Stakes Field
The Surround Stakes race field features a line-up of the season’s best middle-distance fillies that are looking to step up to a mile or further over the autumn.
Many fillies in the field come out of the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) held two weeks earlier, which is the traditional lead-up race to the Surround Stakes.
The latest fillies to complete the Light Fingers Stakes – Surround Stakes double are Nakeeta Jane (2019), More Joyous (2010) and Gold Edition (2007).
Surround Stakes nominations close on a Tuesday in early February, with the final field of acceptances and barrier draw released on the Wednesday of race week.
2024 Surround Stakes Field
The official Surround Stakes 2024 field and barriers for the Verry Elleegant Stakes Day support race will be available below once announced the Wednesday before the race so stay tuned.
The 2024 Surround Stakes field features a smart line-up of fillies with Learning To Fly leading markets to go one better than her close second fresh in the Light Fingers Stakes.
2024 Surround Stakes Nominations
Early Surround Stakes 2024 nominations close at midday on Tuesday the 13th of February, 2024 with late entries open until the Monday of race week.
The Surround Stakes 2024 nominations attracted 56 hopeful fillies including Ciaron Maher’s multiple Group 2 winner Tiz Invincible, her in form stablemate Estriella, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Group 1 Flight Stakes winner Tropical Squall, and Annabel Neasham’s untapped Inglis Millennium champ Learning To Fly.
|
Last 10 |
Horse |
Sex |
Age |
Trainer |
Hcp Rating |
1 |
1×4 |
ABOUT A GIRL (NZ) |
F |
3 |
Chris Waller |
60 |
2 |
19x505314x |
AMAZONIAN LASS |
F |
3 |
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
|
3 |
312x64280x |
APRILIA (NZ) |
F |
3 |
Kris Lees |
|
4 |
32x1165x |
ARCTIC GLAMOUR |
F |
3 |
Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou |
77 |
5 |
2x1331x |
AUTUMN ANGEL |
F |
3 |
Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
|
6 |
15x188x |
AUTUMN BALLET |
F |
3 |
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
83 |
7 |
313 |
BALLET D’ESPRIT |
F |
3 |
Michael Freedman |
64 |
8 |
7x1122x |
BALLROOM BELLA |
F |
3 |
Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou |
71 |
9 |
451 |
BELLE INFERNO |
F |
3 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
10 |
242×12 |
COUNTYOURBLESSINGS |
F |
3 |
John O’Shea |
62 |
11 |
4x |
DARLING DOWNS |
F |
3 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
12 |
1×1 |
DONEGAL |
F |
3 |
Ben, Will & JD Hayes |
|
13 |
1226×1 |
ESTRIELLA |
F |
3 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
14 |
2x522x120x |
FACILE |
F |
3 |
Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou |
80 |
15 |
16x60586x |
FIRESTORM (NZ) |
F |
3 |
Chris Waller |
|
16 |
2x19140x6 |
FRENCH ENDEAVOUR |
F |
3 |
Matthew Smith |
74 |
17 |
111338x |
HARLOW MIST (NZ) |
F |
3 |
John Sargent |
|
18 |
x9838x2261 |
INFATUATION |
F |
3 |
Bjorn Baker |
79 |
19 |
39x3x |
ISTHMUS |
F |
3 |
Anthony & Sam Freedman |
|
20 |
13x322232x |
KIMOCHI |
F |
3 |
Gary Portelli |
96 |
21 |
24x4012x |
KIND WORDS |
F |
3 |
Kris Lees |
70 |
22 |
1x42147x |
KONASANA |
F |
3 |
Chris Waller |
|
23 |
21x08x4 |
KRISTILLI |
F |
3 |
Annabel Neasham |
84 |
24 |
23x24x |
KUNDALINI |
F |
3 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
25 |
1 |
LA CASONA |
F |
3 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
26 |
1x06x2 |
LAST STRAW |
F |
3 |
John Sargent |
66 |
27 |
1P8x0940x2 |
LAZZAGO |
F |
3 |
Chris Waller |
|
28 |
111Lx |
LEARNING TO FLY |
F |
3 |
Annabel Neasham |
90 |
29 |
11x267x |
LEGACIES |
F |
3 |
Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
|
30 |
21 |
LUIJZIKA |
F |
3 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
31 |
211×2 |
MAKARENA |
F |
3 |
Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes |
85 |
32 |
4×11 |
MARE OF MT BULLER |
F |
3 |
Chris Waller |
66 |
33 |
11×1014 |
MATERIAL DREAMS |
F |
3 |
Nick Ryan |
|
34 |
2134×4 |
MOESHA |
F |
3 |
Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
|
35 |
2x1144x |
MOLLYNICKERS |
F |
3 |
Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
|
36 |
35x43911x |
MUMBAI MUSE |
F |
3 |
Michael Freedman |
87 |
37 |
449 |
NOCTUA |
F |
3 |
Matthew Smith |
|
38 |
13×51 |
OUR GOLD HOPE |
F |
3 |
Robert & Luke Price |
63 |
39 |
635x |
PAJANTI |
F |
3 |
Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou |
|
40 |
2×21 |
PINK CHANDON |
F |
3 |
Michael Moroney |
|
41 |
247x |
QUICKSTER |
F |
3 |
Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
|
42 |
25×2 |
REASONABLE |
F |
3 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
43 |
2211x |
ROLL ON HIGH |
F |
3 |
Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
|
44 |
0x2212 |
SPARKLING |
F |
3 |
Matt Laurie |
|
45 |
272×021 |
STARMAE |
F |
3 |
Bjorn Baker |
61 |
46 |
62 |
STEEL IMPACT |
F |
3 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
47 |
56x331x123 |
STEFI MAGNETICA |
F |
3 |
Bjorn Baker |
67 |
48 |
|
SWEET HEAVEN |
F |
3 |
Anthony Cummings |
|
49 |
1×3 |
THE HAWKESBURY |
F |
3 |
Clarry Conners |
62 |
50 |
42x11169x |
TIZ INVINCIBLE |
F |
3 |
Ciaron Maher |
92 |
51 |
1x13120x |
TROPICAL SQUALL |
F |
3 |
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
|
52 |
221x6734x |
TUTTA LA VITA |
F |
3 |
Chris Waller |
86 |
53 |
714×795 |
VOS SAVANT |
F |
3 |
Anthony Cummings |
58 |
54 |
31×2 |
WAIKATO GIRL (NZ) |
F |
3 |
Michael Freedman |
66 |
55 |
189x05121x |
WEST OF DALBY |
F |
3 |
Benjamin Smith |
79 |
56 |
11x007121x |
ZARDOZI |
F |
3 |
James Cummings |
102 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Surround Stakes Tips
Surround Stakes tips are led each autumn by the fillies that ran first four in the Light Fingers Stakes two weeks earlier.
The Light Fingers Stakes has produced more Surround Stakes winners than any other lead-up including all but six of the 16 winners from 2009 – 2024.
2024 Surround Stakes Tips
Our Ladbrokes’ insider Surround Stakes 2024 tips and betting selections on which runners to back and sack in the Group 1 fillies’ race this autumn will be available below the week of the race so stay tuned.
- To Win: #3 Kimochi ($6 at time of publish) – BET NOW
So many good fillies in this year’s Surround Stakes with a genuine shot at the Group 1 title, but going with the one coming off a good win fresh with Kimochi on top at a nice price. The Gary Portelli-trained daughter of Brave Smash beat a number of these same rivals home first-up in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes – albeit by a very narrow margin. She goes up to 1400m now and that is the query as she is yet to win over further than 1200m. That said, she is a narrow two-time Group 1 runner-up over a mile so I think the issues with the distance can be forgotten. Needs to rise to the occasion now.
Surround Stakes Form Guide
The Surround Stakes form guide lists all of the crucial information like barriers, jockeys and trainers punters need to consider before placing a bet on the fillies’ only feature.
The Surround Stakes form has held up in better autumn classics over the years including the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000).
In 2015 First Seal won the Surround Stakes before finishing second in both of those elite level features for the female gallopers. In 2014 Lucia Valentina ran third in the Surround Stakes before winning the Vinery Stud Stakes two starts later and running third in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m).
The 2022 Surround Stakes winner Hinged franked the form with placings in that autumn’s Coolmore Classic (3rd) and Vinery Stud Stakes (2nd). She also finished fourth in the Australian Oaks before a strong spring return running third in the George Main and Epsom Handicap results.
The 2022 runner-up Startantes took out the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara that winter in Brisbane further franking the Surround Stakes form.
The 2023 Surround Stakes place-getters franked the form with subsequent Group 1 wins. The runner-up Ruthless Dame took out the Robert Sangster Stakes against the older mares in Adelaide, while third place-getter In Secret flew down the Flemington straight next start to salute in the Newmarket Handicap.
2024 Surround Stakes Form Guide
A link to our comprehensive Surround Stakes 2024 Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.
Surround Stakes Results
The Surround Stakes race results have been dominated by the favourites in recent years.
The most notable upset in the past decade was Thump who saluted at $25 in 2014, Shoals ($13 in 2018), Hinged ($10 in 2022), and Sunshine In Paris ($11 in 2023).
Standout Surround Stakes winners include First Seal (2015), Streama (2012), More Joyous (2010), and Gold Edition (2007).
Ghisoni holds the current Surround Stakes race record winning in 2016 in a time of 1 minute 21:25 seconds.
Surround Stakes Winners
Past Surround Stakes winners and place-getters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.
Year |
Winner |
2nd |
3rd |
Time |
2024 |
Tropical Squall |
Stefi Magnetica |
Tutta La Vita |
1:22.63 |
2023 |
Sunshine In Paris |
Ruthless Dame |
In Secret |
1:22.84 |
2022 |
Hinged |
Startantes |
Espiona |
1:26.0 |
2021 |
Forbidden Love |
Vangelic |
Elizabeel |
1:22.3 |
2020 |
Probabeel |
Funstar |
Xilong |
1:21.3 |
2019 |
Nakeeta Jane |
Fundamentalist |
El Dorado Dreaming |
1:21.8 |
2018 |
Shoals |
Torvill |
Rimraam |
1:23.4 |
2017 |
La Bella Diosa |
Omei Sword |
Global Glamour |
1:25.6 |
2016 |
Ghisoni |
Single Gaze |
Stay With Me |
1:21.3 |
2015 |
First Seal |
Supara |
Slightly Sweet |
1:22.9 |
2014 |
Thump |
Real Surreal |
Lucia Valentina |
1:23.5 |
2013 |
Dear Demi |
Driefontein |
Longport |
1:22.2 |
2012 |
Streama |
Sea Siren |
Hallowell Belle |
1:24.7 |
2011 |
Parables |
Red Tracer |
Rose Of Peace |
1:22.3 |
2010 |
More Joyous |
Hurtle Myrtle |
So Anyway |
1:23.6 |
2009 |
Portillo |
Romneya |
Rocha |
1:21.8 |
2008 |
Chinchilla Rose |
Occurrence |
Mimi Lebrock |
1:24.2 |
2007 |
Gold Edition |
Tuesday Joy |
Just Dancing |
1:22.3 |
2006 |
Regal Cheer |
Mnemosyne |
Star Mystic |
1:22.8 |
2005 |
Lotteria |
Shania Dane |
Johan’s Toy |
1:22.8 |
2004 |
Only Words |
Ike’s Dream |
Shamekha |
1:25.9 |
2003 |
Bollinger |
Bumptious |
Sunday Joy |
1:23.1 |
2002 |
Hosannah |
Heritiere |
Quays |
1:22.8 |
2001 |
On Type |
Maitland Gold |
Miss Kournikova |
1:22.7 |
2000 |
Ad Alta |
Spinning Hill |
Camena |
1:24.0 |