Ladbrokes Tip: The CS Hayes Stakes has a long history of producing Australian Guineas winners
The latest edition of the CS Hayes Stakes ran on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Flemington Racecourse as a lead-up to the Group 1 staying races of the autumn for three-year-olds and saw the heavily supported Chris Waller-trained Sixties ($1.60F) salute for the punters and book his Australian Guineas ticket.
2026 CS Hayes Stakes Results
The full CS Hayes Stakes 2026 Results & Finishing Order will be known on Saturday, February 14, 2026 and published right here so stay tuned.
- #2 Sixties
- #9 Asakura
- #12 Beyond Question
The Group 1 Australian Guineas on February 28 is calling for the talented and progressive Chris Waller-trained Sixties ($1.60F) who showed plenty of class late to overcome a wide run at HQ and salute for the punters in the 2026 CS Hayes Stakes results for his second Group 3 victory thanks to a gutsy ride by Damian Lane. Sixties has firmed into $4 second favouritism behind Observer to win the Guineas.
2026 CS Hayes Stakes Odds & Results
The updated CS Hayes Stakes 2026 betting odds will be available below as soon as released followed by the official CS Hayes Stakes results after the event.
| 2. Sixties (9) J: Damian Lane 58.5kg 515×1T: Chris Waller | ||
| 9. Asakura (6) J: Dean Yendall 56kg 2×11T: Mitchell Freedman | ||
| 12. Beyond Question (2) J: Harry Coffey 56kg 1T: Patrick Kearney | ||
| 6. Romantic Encounter (3) J: Daniel Stackhouse 56kg 120×9T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 5. Officiate (4) J: Ben Melham 56kg 2130xT: Chris Waller | ||
| 1. West Of Swindon (7) J: Thomas Stockdale 58.5kg 2194xT: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 8. Express Class (8) J: Patrick Moloney 56kg 36×96T: Gerard Moloney | ||
| 11. Wetumpka (1) J: Ben Allen 56kg 224×2T: Peter Gelagotis | ||
| 4. Bingi (11) J: Zac Spain 57kg 3177xT: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | ||
| 10. Loud Charlie (10) J: Jamie Mott 56kg 31T: Lloyd Kennewell |
CS Hayes Stakes Tips
CS Hayes Stakes tips include backing the proven Group performers, looking for those with a good Flemington strike-rate and watching for past elite level winners in the mix. For example, the 2021 CS Hayes Stakes winner Tagaloa had won the previous year’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) as a juvenile.
The 2024 CS Hayes Stakes winner Riff Rocket won impressively first-up on the back of his VRC Derby success in the spring.
Looking at the form on the rails-drawn runner is also a good CS Hayes Stakes tip as barrier one has produced four recent winners: Hucklebuck (2014), Alligator Blood (2020), Tagaloa (2021), and Sepals (2025).
Bucking the trend in 2023 however was Elliptical who won from barrier 13 of 14.
2026 CS Hayes Stakes Tips
Our expert CS Hayes Stakes 2026 tips will be available below the week of the race so stay tuned.
| 2. Sixties (9) J: Damian Lane 58.5kg 515×1T: Chris Waller |
| 3. Space Rider (2) Scratched: | |||
| 6. Romantic Encounter (3) J: Daniel Stackhouse 56kg 120×9T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
A key support act on the card that is headlined by the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) for sprinters, the CS Hayes Stakes also runs on the same day as the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) for fillies and the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m).
Open only to three-year-old colts and geldings, the set weights plus penalties race offers $200,000 in prize money and was first contested in 1987.
The event is named in honour of the late, great South Australian-based trainer Colin Hayes who, alongside TJ Smith and Bart Cummings, holds Legend status in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
The CS Hayes Stakes serves as a key lead-up into the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) back at the track over a mile and and Alligator Blood (2020) was the last to complete the double.
In 2024 the CS Hayes winner Riff Rocket became the first three-year-old since Mahogany in 1993 – 1994 to take out the Victoria Derby – CS Hayes Stakes double.
Riff Rocket continued on to run third in the 2024 Australian Guineas trifecta before Group victories in Sydney’s Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby.
The 2025 CS Hayes also produced that year’s Australian Guineas champion with Feroce (3rd) improving to claim the Group 1 mile feature at his next start.
CS Hayes Stakes Race Info
- Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Track: Flemington Racecourse
- Distance: 1400m
- Conditions: 3YO Colts & Geldings – Set Weights + Penalties
- Status: Group 3
- Prize Money: $200,000
- First Run: 1987
CS Hayes Stakes Betting
CS Hayes Stakes betting markets open following the final field announcement on the Wednesday leading up to Black Caviar Lightning Day at Flemington Racecourse during the annual Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.
Three-year-old colts and geldings with previous Group winning form, the previous spring’s top performers at the start of their autumn campaigns and the proven Flemington runners traditionally dominate the CS Hayes Stakes odds.
Alligator Blood ($1.80 in 2020), Pinstriped ($5.50EF in 2022) and Sixties ($1.60 in 2026) were the last favourites in CS Hayes Stakes betting to salute for the punters on race day.
CS Hayes Stakes Field
The CS Hayes Stakes race field attracts a quality line-up of three-year-old male gallopers each autumn carnival.
A nice lead-up race into the CS Hayes Stakes field is the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) held in early February at Caulfield Racecourse. Tagaloa (3rd in 2021) was the last CS Hayes Stakes winner to come off a lead-up Manfred Stakes run.
Many CS Hayes Stakes hopefuls go on to contest the Australian Guineas over the 1600m back at Flemington.
Recent Australian Guineas winners to come off a lead-up CS Hayes Stakes run include Wandjina (1st in 2015), Palentino (2nd in 2016), Hey Doc (1st in 2017), Grunt (1st in 2018), Alligator Blood (1st in 2020), Lunar Fox (12th in 2021), and Feroce (3rd in 2025).
The previous spring’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October has been a good form race for the CS Hayes Stakes in recent years including in 2021 when Aysar ran second in both events. In 2023 the previous year’s Caulfield Guineas runner-up Elliptical returned to win the CS Hayes in the autumn fresh.
CS Hayes Stakes nominations are taken the Monday before the race with final acceptances and barriers out on the Wednesday.
2026 CS Hayes Stakes Field & Barrier Draw
The official CS Hayes Stakes 2026 Field & Barriers are announced by Racing Victoria on the Wednesday of race week and published in full below so stay tuned for the full line-up of top autumn three-year-olds.
The 2026 CS Hayes Stakes final field features a quality line-up of potential Australian Guineas bound three-year-olds including last start Group 3 Manfred Stakes winner Space Rider and the progressive Asakura chasing a hat-trick.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. West Of Swindon
J: Thomas Stockdale
T: Ciaron Maher |
42194x | C | 7 | 58.5kg | |
|
2. Sixties
J: Damian Lane
T: Chris Waller |
1515x1 | C | 9 | 58.5kg | |
| 3. Space Rider (2) Scratched: | |||||
|
4. Bingi
J: Zac Spain
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
13177x | C | 11 | 57kg | |
|
5. Officiate
J: Ben Melham
T: Chris Waller |
x2130x | C | 4 | 56kg | |
|
6. Romantic Encounter
J: Daniel Stackhouse
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
120x9 | C | 3 | 56kg | |
| 7. Pictor (7) Scratched: | |||||
|
8. Express Class
J: Patrick Moloney
T: Gerard Moloney |
136x96 | G | 8 | 56kg | |
|
9. Asakura
J: Dean Yendall
T: Mitchell Freedman |
2x11 | G | 6 | 56kg | |
|
10. Loud Charlie
J: Jamie Mott
T: Lloyd Kennewell |
31 | G | 10 | 56kg | |
|
11. Wetumpka
J: Ben Allen
T: Peter Gelagotis |
224x2 | C | 1 | 56kg | |
|
12. Beyond Question
J: Harry Coffey
T: Patrick Kearney |
1 | G | 2 | 56kg | |
|
13. Earthing
J: Luke Nolen
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
6 | C | 5 | 56kg | |
2026 CS Hayes Stakes Nominations
The CS Hayes Stakes 2026 nominations are taken on the Monday leading-up to the event and the list of early entries will be available below once announced.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2×11 | ASAKURA | G | 3 | Mitchell Freedman | |
| 2 | 1 | BEYOND QUESTION | G | 3 | Patrick Kearney | |
| 3 | 13177x | BINGI | C | 3 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |
| 4 | 6 | EARTHING | C | 3 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |
| 5 | 136×96 | EXPRESS CLASS | G | 3 | Gerard Moloney | |
| 6 | 1 | FLY BY LIGHT | G | 3 | Clinton McDonald | |
| 7 | 31 | LOUD CHARLIE | G | 3 | Lloyd Kennewell | |
| 8 | 8x2130x | OFFICIATE | C | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 9 | 63×14 | ONAVUITTON | G | 3 | Simon Zahra | |
| 10 | 2x7134x | PICTOR | C | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 11 | 120×9 | ROMANTIC ENCOUNTER (NZ) | C | 3 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | |
| 12 | 821515×1 | SIXTIES | C | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 13 | 14x1740x1 | SPACE RIDER | C | 3 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | |
| 14 | x20x42194x | WEST OF SWINDON | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 15 | 224×2 | WETUMPKA | C | 3 | Peter Gelagotis |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
CS Hayes Stakes Form Guide
The CS Hayes Stakes form guide details all of the key race information including the jockeys, trainers and lead-up form of the horses in the field along with their barrier draws.
The CS Hayes Stakes form has gone on to hold up in plenty of autumn Group 1 races over the years including the Australian Guineas.
To date the CS Hayes Stakes – Australian Guineas double has been completed eight times by Zabeel (1990), Mahogany (1994), Mouawad (1997), Dash For Cash (2002), Wandjina (2015), Hey Doc (2017), Grunt (2018), and Alligator Blood (2020).
Sepals, the 2025 CS Hayes Stakes winner, used that performance as a springboard into a strong campaign, finishing fourth in the Australian Guineas before returning in the spring to claim the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and finish runner‑up in the $10 million Golden Eagle. The race also unearthed that season’s Australian Guineas champion, with Feroce improving sharply on his third placing in the CS Hayes to step up to the mile at his next start and take out the Group 1 feature.
2026 CS Hayes Stakes Form Guide
A link to our comprehensive CS Hayes Stakes 2026 Form Guide will be provided below the week of the race.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2026 CS HAYES STAKES FORM GUIDE
Past CS Hayes Stakes Results
The CS Hayes Stakes race results have been dominated by colts and geldings under double-figures in betting with previous Group 1 race experience.
Notable CS Hayes Stakes winners include Zabeel (1990), Mahogany (1994), Mossman (1999), Starcraft (2004), Bullbars (2011), Hey Doc (2017), Alligator Blood (2020), Tagaloa (2021), and the previous spring’s VRC Derby champ Riff Rocket (2024).
CS Hayes Stakes Winners
Past CS Hayes Stakes winners and placegetters going back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
| 2026 | Sixties | Asakura | Beyond Question |
| 2025 | Sepals | Ndola | Feroce |
| 2024 | Riff Rocket | King Colorado | Verdad |
| 2023 | Elliptical | Holymanz | Maximillius |
| 2022 | Pinstriped | Pascero | Captivant |
| 2021 | Tagaloa | Aysar | Mo’unga |
| 2020 | Alligator Blood | Catalyst | Chenier |
| 2019 | The Inevitable | Age Of Chivalry | O’Tauto |
| 2018 | Grunt | Cliff’s Edge | Muraaqeb |
| 2017 | Hey Doc | Malaise | Land Of Plenty |
| 2016 | Tivaci | Palentino | Tulsa |
| 2015 | Wandjina | Disposition | Stratum Star |
| 2014 | Hucklebuck | Prince Harada | The Quarterback |
| 2013 | Sheer Talent | Force Command | Hosting |
| 2012 | That The One | Decircles | Instinction/Highly Recommended |
| 2011 | Bullbars | Startsmeup | Spirited Eagle |
| 2010 | Take The Rap | Encosta Belief | Extra Zero |
| 2009 | Fair Trade | Cavalaire Bay | Excelltastic |
| 2008 | Playwright | Schilling | Viatorian |
| 2007 | Wordsmith | General Albert | Mondano |
| 2006 | Minson | Langarza | Zigotto |
| 2005 | Lieutenant | Mr Martini | Barely A Moment |
| 2004 | Starcraft | Under The Bridge | Elvstroem |
| 2003 | Innovation Girl | Delago Brom | Tycoon Ruler |
| 2002 | Dash For Cash | All Courage | Royal Code |
| 2001 | Kosta Zoff | Skalato | Crop |
| 2000 | Crawl | Pins | Kapuna |
FAQ
Who won the 2026 CS Hayes Stakes?
The 2026 CS Hayes Stakes was won by three-year-old Flying Artie colt Sixties at $1.60 favouritism for trainer Chris Waller with jockey Damian Lane aboard on 58.5kg from barrier 9 to win by 1.25 lengths on a Good (4) track in a time of 1:22.35.
Who won the 2025 CS Hayes Stakes?
The 2025 CS Hayes Stakes was won by Sepals at $7.50 for trainer Cliff Brown with jockey Blake Shinn aboard from barrier 1 on 56kg to win by 3.25 lengths in a time of 1:24.21.
When is the CS Hayes Stakes 2026?
Saturday, February 14, 2026What is the prize money for the CS Hayes Stakes 2026?
$200,000
Where is the CS Hayes Stakes 2026?
Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031.
How do I bet on the 2026 CS Hayes Stakes?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at ladbrokes.com.au. The process is quick and easy!
Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.
Which horse will win the 2026 CS Hayes Stakes?
The best way to pick which horse will win the CS Hayes Stakes is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out ladbrokes.com.au in the lead up to the race for full form information.