The Invitation Tips & Predictions 2026: Best Bets

LAZZURA (12) looks the one to beat in The Invitation after putting together two solid runs this preparation.

The Chris Waller-trained mare finished third in the Sheraco Stakes first-up before bouncing back with an impressive win in the Group 2 Golden Pendant over the same 1400m distance.

She’s clearly in good form and has already shown she can handle this trip, with two wins and two placings from five starts over 1400m. That recent win should give her plenty of confidence heading into this race, and she looks ready to put in another strong performance.

Tommy Berry takes the ride from barrier 12, which isn’t ideal, but she likes to sit close to the pace, so she should cross and be there to strike.

VERONA ROSE (4) is worth including in The Invitation predictions after showing plenty of improvement in her first two runs back. The Gary Portelli-trained mare finished third in the Theo Marks Stakes before running a strong second behind Lazzura in the Golden Pendant, where she made up good ground late.

That latest effort suggests she’s getting close to another win, and the step into this race looks a suitable opportunity for her to keep building on that form. She’s racing consistently, looks to be improving with each run, and should appreciate another crack at 1400m.

Kerrin McEvoy gets the ride from barrier 4, and although it’s a good barrier to get, she will likely settle back and come with a big late run. The current odds are good enough to include in picks as a value bet.

MODELLA (10) is our best roughie in The Invitation, especially at the current price. The Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained mare has shown some encouraging form this preparation, winning the Mona Lisa Stakes first-up before finishing third in the Golden Pendant behind Lazzura.

Her latest run was solid enough to suggest she can be competitive with this field, and she’s good enough to improve a length to win.

She’s heading into the race with a couple of runs under her belt, and that should help, and she’s a runner who doesn’t need to lift too much to figure in the finish. Her confidence levels should be high following two good runs, so at the odds, she is worth including in The Invitation tips.

Punters get value odds with our The Invitation SRM, which includes our three selected runners.

• Top 2 – No. 1 Lazzura
• Top 3 – No. 3 Verona Rose
• Top 5 – No. 12 Modella

We have Lazzura Top 2, Verona Rose Top 3, and Modella Top 5, which pays $19.00 for our three-runner SRM.

The odds for our same race multi are generous, and we give all three of our runners a chance to win, so include them in picks.