And just like that, we’ve arrived at the final Group 1 raceday of the 2026 Melbourne Autumn Carnival.
Fittingly, we’re back to HQ for Australian Cup Day, where ten of the best are headlined by the $2 million time-honoured Australian Cup.
Ballot-free entry the Melbourne Cup goes on the line in the Roy Higgins, Group 1 winners step out throughout the program and there are plenty of great betting races to sink out teeth into.
Check out my complete Flemington best bets, including 2026 Australian Cup tips below!
SHE’S AN ARTIST can return to winning form on Australian Cup Day.
The Trapeze Artist mare has hardly turned in a poor performance since debuting, and she returned to action to get up in BM78 company at Caulfield Heath last month before only just missing here last time out.
With further improvement, this is a perfect opportunity for her to go one better.
| 5. She’s An Artist (2) 54kg43×12 |
This is a great betting race with plenty of key chances engaged, but I’ve ultimately landed on BURMA STAR second up from a spell.
We were with Burma Star when he won here at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year, while he returned to action with a fine performance behind Legacy Bound earlier this month.
With natural improvement, I think he’ll relish getting out to 1400m on the big Flemington track this time, and he just needs some luck in the run from the wide alley.
| 1. Burma Star (12)SCRATCHED: | |||
I’m keen to stick with GIN TWIST when she bids for two wins on the trot at Flemington this week.
She’s only made three appearances at the races since debuting, but after filling the minors at each of her first two, she broke her maiden impressive in Listed company here last time out.
I like that she’s been kept up to the mark with a trial and something like this looks the next logical step for her to take.
| 1. Gin Twist (1) 58kg331 |
STOLI BOLLI resumes in a winnable race down the Flemington straight.
The Deep Field gelding doesn’t win out of turn, but he also rarely turns in a poor performance, and he raced consistently in strong metro company throughout his 2025 campaign.
He’s trialled up well, boast strong fresh form and should be able to find a nice position with cover from a central alley.
| 6. Stoli Bolli (6) 59.5kg2234x |
Last-start winner JARETH looks well placed again this weekend, in my opinion.
He dusted off the cobwebs with a competitive performance to finish third, beaten a length and a half over a mile at Cranbourne last month before an eye-catching performance saw him get up in BM70 company at Pakenham last time out.
This is harder, but he’s open to further and is a horse that should relish getting out to the 2000m at this point of his prep.
A good draw and down in the weights, he looks to get plenty of ticks again.
| 12. Jareth (7) 54kg24×31 |
This is a huge drop in class for a talented straight track sprinter, MY GLADIOLA.
She won the Group 2 Danehill over 1200m here in the spring before ending her campaign second behind Tentyris in a Coolmore, and My Gladiola again finished just over half a length second in Group 1 company first up this time.
She was well beaten in what was a rare flat performance in the Newmarket last time out but stripping fitter for that run and back into Listed three-year-olds company, she’s my best bet on the program.
| 5. My Gladiola (8) 56.5kg23×20 |
Melbourne Cup ballot-free entry goes on the line in the Roy Higgins, and I think it will be claimed by LITZDEEL.
Litzdeel finished off the pace in the Carlyon Cup first up this time but enjoyed big second up improvement into the Australian Cup Prelude last time out, finishing just behind the winner.
She’s another one that I think is looking for a longer trip this week, she takes weight from every horse engaged, and I think it’s a perfect race for her.
| 13. Litzdeel (12) 54.5kg21×02 |
TOM KITTEN looks to have returned to the races in career-best form, and he is the one for me in the 2026 Australian Cup.
Having recorded his first Group 1 victory in last year’s Autumn Carnival, Tom Kitten continued to turn in strong and consistent performances through his spring prep without returning to winning form.
Having justified market attention in the Kevin Heffernan Stakes first up this time, he powered away successfully defend the All-Star Mile last time out.
2000m at Flemington looks perfect and with luck in the run, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
| 1. Tom Kitten (12) 59kg53×11 |
Another open race with several key chances engaged including WAY TO THE STARS, who I’ve put on top.
Way To The Stars returned to winning form in the Listed WJ Adams Plate at Caulfield back in January before producing a credible run to finish midfield in the Oakleigh Plate last time out.
He’s five weeks between runs but has been kept up to the mark with a trial, and he has a key fitness edge over several of his biggest rivals this week.
| 2. Way To The Stars (2) 57.5kg7×218 |
Pikey in the last looks a great chance of hitting at Flemington Saturday.
The leading West Australian hoop jumps aboard JUSTADEEL in Race 10, who has been racing in strong and consistent form this time in, and was only just denied in the Echuca Cup at his latest appearance.
He’s hard fit, drawn to effect and looks well placed over the mile at HQ.
| 11. Justadeel (2) 55kg14×32 |