Angst Stakes Tips & Predictions 2026: Best Bets

CHURCHILL’S CHOICE (4) gets the nod as our best bet after returning from a spell with a respectable fifth-place finish in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 18. She was beaten 3.5 lengths by Perfumist over 1400m, carrying 57kg, and that performance should provide a useful fitness base heading into the Angst Stakes.

The Nathan Doyle-trained mare had put together an excellent sequence before her break, finishing second in three consecutive starts. Those efforts included a second-place finish in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes over 1500m at Rosehill in March, demonstrating that she can compete against quality mares in stakes company.

The step up to 1600m should also give her an opportunity to settle into a rhythm and use her strength late.

VIVY AIR (3) is worth serious consideration despite needing to turn around her recent results. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare has competed in some strong races throughout her career, and her overall record suggests she has the ability to feature when she finds her best form.

Her recent preparation has been disappointing, with an eighth-place finish in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 18 followed by a 13th-place finish in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap over 1600m at Randwick on October 3.

She was beaten 5.6 lengths in the Tibbie before finishing more than five lengths behind God’s Window in the Epsom. Those results leave her with something to prove, but the latest race was a significant step up in class against quality opposition.

James McDonald takes the ride from barrier 5, which is a positive booking.

SNITZEL DANCER (1) appeals as our best roughie after drawing barrier 1 for the Angst Stakes. The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained mare has struggled to find her best form in recent starts, but the inside draw could help her produce a more competitive performance.

She resumed in the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong on September 4, finishing fifth of 10 over 1350m. She was beaten just 1.4 lengths by Modella after settling back and making ground late, which was an encouraging effort despite missing the placings.

Snitzel Dancer then stepped up to the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 18, where she finished seventh of 14, beaten five lengths by Perfumist. That result was less encouraging, although she was facing a stronger field and still has scope to improve as her preparation progresses.

Punters get value odds with our Angst Stakes SRM, which includes our three selected runners.

• Top 4 – No. 2 Churchill’s Choice
• Top 4 – No. 4 Vivy Air
• Top 5 – No. 3 Snitzel Dancer

We have Churchill’s Choice Top 4, Vivy Air Top 4, and Snitzel Dancer Top 5 in our same-race multi.

Churchill’s Choice is our preferred selection after returning with an encouraging run in the Tibbie Stakes, while Vivy Air has the class to improve after competing in Group 1 company. Snitzel Dancer adds value to the combination and could benefit from drawing the inside barrier.