Our 2026 Caulfield Cup Day preview is headlined by the 150th running of the $6.55 million Caulfield Cup which promises to be a fascinating edition of the Group 1 staying feature, with reigning champion Half Yours returning to defend his crown.
Turnbull Stakes winner Cosmic Crusader faces a genuine test over 2400m and a wide alley, while Naturalism Stakes winner Zahrann has drawn ideally in barrier four and European raider Enfjaar will start from the inside gate, setting the scene for a thrilling battle on Saturday.
For my complete Caulfield best bets, including my 2026 Caulfield Cup tips, simply scroll down!
VANTAA (6) rates as a winning chance in an open Caulfield Classic this week.
Vantaa has only made two appearances at the races since debuting, but after only just missing at his first start over 1500m at Mornington, he kicked away to win easily on the Pakenham synthetic last time out.
This is an obvious rise in class, but he clearly has plenty of ability and upside, while breeding dictates the 2000m will also suit.
| 7. Vantaa (6) 57kg21 |
MISS WAITITI (2) takes winning form and improvement into the Ethereal Stakes.
The Circus Maximus filly’s condition just gave out a little late when she finished third, though beaten less than a length over a mile at Seymour when resuming, but she took big improvement into a dominant win in the Super Impose Stakes at Flemington last time out.
Futter third-up and out to the 2000m, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
| 2. Miss Waititi (2) 57kg6×31 |
GEEGEES MISTRUTH (6) looks well placed back in class on Caulfield Cup Day.
The Group 1 winner is yet to place in two runs back this time, but she’s been very good late and through the line for fifth in both the Moir Stakes and the Manikato Stakes at Group 1 level.
Fitter third-up, Blake Shinn retains the ride and should be able to navigate to a nice position in behind the early speed from barrier 6 before calling on the mare’s strong turn of foot again.
| 1. Geegees Mistruth (6) 61kg21×55 |
I AM ARIA (5) steps out in this week’s Gothic Stakes field in peak condition.
The I Am Invincible filly was an eye-catching winner over 1000m at Bendigo when resuming in maiden company back in August, and while she hasn’t struck in two subsequent starts up in class, she was only just denied by Over The Bridge in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes last time out.
That performance suggested getting out to 1400m would be suitable, and with every luck in the run from a good alley, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
| 13. I Am Aria (4) 54kg0x172 |
PRIVATE EYE (2) is the class engaged in this contest and I’m happy to have him on top.
While yet to win in three runs back from a break, Private Eye has placed in both a PB Lawrence and a Shannon Stakes, finding form around the likes of Cosmic Crusader and Skyhook.
In this small Harry White Stakes field, I’m confident he’ll get his chance, and he’s my best bet on the program.
| 1. Private Eye (2) 59kg5×273 |
BEV’S NINE (7) looks well placed second up from a spell in Saturday’s Caulfield Sprint field.
The Shalaa gelding has won six of nine starts since debuting, ending his last prep with an eye-catching victory in the Ortensia Stakes, while he dusted off the cobwebs with a decent enough fresh effort behind Pallaton and Ndola here at Caulfield last month.
Unbeaten in two previous second up attempts, he drops in the weights and gets the services of Blake Shinn again this week.
| 5. Bev’s Nine (7) 56kg721×3 |
DE ARMAS (7) is third up into a winnable edition of the Thousand Guineas.
The Ardrossan filly finished midfield amongst older horses over 1200m at Warwick Farm when resuming and took plenty of improvement into an excellent performance to only just miss in the Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick a fortnight ago.
Fitter third-up, she need only handle the Victorian way of going to be in the finish again, and the $7 about her in Thousand Guineas betting (at publish) looks a touch of overs, in my opinion.
| 4. De Armas (7) 56kgx4x52 |
This is a wide-open edition of the Blue Sapphire Stakes and a horse like STRETAN RULER (4) looks to have genuine claims at odds ($17 at publish).
Stretan Ruler was excellent throughout his two-year-old prep, racing consistently and picking off the Silver Slipper up in Sydney before ending his campaign a credible fifth in the Golden Slipper.
His fresh run was clearly needed when he finished down the order in the Danehill Stakes, but back to Caulfield and into a race with a turn, he’s drawn to receive a lovely run under Lachie Neindorf.
| 1. Stretan Ruler (3) 57kg125×0 |
The Caulfield Cup is always one of the standout contests and betting races of the Spring Carnival, and a typically outstanding field of local and international stayers has been taken again.
With a case to be made for many of them, British raider WINE DARK SEA (19) is the one for me at double figure Caulfield Cup odds ($10 at publish).
He’s been excellent in some of Europe’s top staying features this year, winning three of four starts at his latest preparation, including the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes over 2617m at Newbury in August, beating home the likes of Dubai Honour and lugging 61kgs to success.
With one eye on a Melbourne Cup, he just needs some luck in the run from a wide draw but certainly looks up to the class of something like this.
| 10. Wine Dark Sea (16) 54.5kg1151x |
CONCORD CONNIE (10) goes around in the last on Caulfield Cup Day 2026 and looks perfectly placed to win the Tristarc Stakes.
The Contributer mare enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence when the winner of three-consecutive races during her autumn prep, highlighted by an incredible six-length romp over 1400m at Flemington.
She trialled up well and was only just denied over 1200m at Mornington when resuming, but stripping fitter and getting back out to her pet trip this week should suit her right down to the ground.
| 12. Concord Connie (9) 55kg111×2 |