Ladbrokes Tip: The Autumn Stakes makes a good lead-up into the Australian Guineas each autumn
The latest edition of the Autumn Stakes ran on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Caulfield Racecourse and was won by Ciaron Maher’s resuming VRC Derby hero Observer ($4EF).
2026 Autumn Stakes Results
The full Autumn Stakes 2026 Results & Finishing Order will be known on Saturday, February 7, 2026 and published right here, so stay tuned to view the official Autumn Stakes winner and placegetters.
- #1 Observer
- #3 Planet Red
- #10 Victorious Spirit
Ciaron Maher’s Vase – VRC Derby champ from the spring, Observer ($4EF), kicked off his autumn with a bang easily accounting for his rivals to salute as the equal favourite fresh in the 2026 Autumn Stakes results at Caulfield. Despite the 1400m being short of his best, the star three-year-old was emphatic with Ethan Brown in the saddle putting 1.25 lengths on the line over the Caulfield Guineas runner-up Planet Red to shoot to the top of all-in Australian Guineas betting.
2026 Autumn Stakes Odds & Results
The updated Autumn Stakes 2026 betting odds will be available below as soon as released followed by the official Autumn Stakes results and finishing order after the event.
| 1. Observer (7) J: Ethan Brown 59.5kg 2311xT: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 3. Planet Red (10) J: Jamie Melham 57kg 1432xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | ||
| 10. Victorious Spirit (12) J: Zac Spain 57kg 231xT: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | ||
| 7. Onavuitton (6) J: Thomas Stockdale 57kg 63x1T: Simon Zahra | ||
| 6. Top Reward (2) J: Michael Dee 57kg 13xT: Clayton Douglas | ||
| 2. Buccleuch (4) J: Jye Mcneil 58kg 111x6T: Patrick & Michelle Payne | ||
| 8. Crocodile (1) J: Ben Allen 57kg 519x1T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 5. Master Of The Air (9) J: Damian Lane 57kg x116xT: Chris Waller | ||
| 4. Arcora (5) J: John Allen 57kg 0052xT: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | ||
| 11. Top Conti (3) J: Lachlan King 57kg T: Steven King | ||
| 12. Davida (8) J: Craig Williams 55kg 1x711T: Danny O'brien | ||
| 9. Cyber Link (11) J: Beau Mertens 57kg 1T: Greg Eurell |
Autumn Stakes Tips
Autumn Stakes tips include looking for a runner under $10 for the win with proven Melbourne form in similar company.
Runners proven over the distance (1400m) or further also make a good Autumn Stakes betting tip, with Thunder Fantasy winning the race first-up in 2014 after a third in the previous year’s Victoria Derby (2500m). Observer repeated that feat having won the 2026 Autumn Stakes fresh in his first run since claiming the previous spring’s VRC Derby.
The winning strike rate for favourites is only fair, but they make excellent place bets and shouldn’t be left out of Autumn Stakes tips more often than not.
2026 Autumn Stakes Tips
Our expert Autumn Stakes 2026 tips will be available below the week of the race so stay tuned.
| 1. Observer (7) J: Ethan Brown 59.5kg 2311xT: Ciaron Maher |
| 12. Davida (8) J: Craig Williams 55kg 1×711T: Danny O’brien |
| 9. Cyber Link (11) J: Beau Mertens 57kg 1T: Greg Eurell |
The Autumn Stakes is one of the first Group 2 races held during the annual Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival and runs at Caulfield Racecourse in early to mid-February.
The meeting’s card was previously headlined by the season’s first elite level race – the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) – before the Orr moved to November in 2025.
The Autumn Stakes for three-year-olds is one of three Group 2 acts on the new-look card.
Run over 1400m at set weights plus penalties, the Autumn Stakes offers a total of $300,000 in prize money, and young horses often kick off their autumn campaigns in the race.
It also serves as a key early lead-up into the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington the following month and the double was recently achieved by Light Fantastic (2008).
The 2024 Autumn Stakes also produced that year’s Australian Guineas winner with the runner-up Southport Tycoon going one better next start in the Group 1 at Flemington.
Autumn Stakes Race Info
- Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
- Track: Caulfield Racecourse
- Distance: 1400m
- Conditions: 3YO Set Weights + Penalties
- Status: Group 2
- Prize Money: $300,000
- First Run: 1968
Autumn Stakes Betting
Autumn Stakes betting markets traditionally open after the field is announced on the Wednesday prior to the event on the Saturday.
Three-year-olds proven over 1400m or further dominate the Autumn Stakes odds, as do those with Group 1 form the previous season and Melbourne race experience. Favourites and single-figure hopefuls have a solid record running top three in the Autumn Stakes.
Microphone ($2.60 in 2020), Angel Capital ($2.70 in 2025) and Observer ($4EF in 2026) are the latest favourite in Autumn Stakes betting to salute.
Autumn Stakes Field
The Autumn Stakes race field attracts a quality line-up of three-year-old gallopers each year, many racing first-up for the autumn. If not resuming in the Autumn Stakes, runners may come off a lead-up run in something like the Group 3 Manfred Stakes.
Many Autumn Stakes hopefuls go on to contest the following month’s Australian Guineas over the Flemington mile.
Autumn Stakes nominations are taken the Monday before the race with final acceptances and barriers out on the Wednesday.
2026 Autumn Stakes Field & Barrier Draw
The official Autumn 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 gun autumn three-year-olds.
The Autumn Stakes 2026 field features a quality line-up of potential Australian Guineas bound three-year-olds including Ciaron Maher’s resuming Victoria Derby champ Observer and the spring’s Caulfield Guineas runner-up Planet Red.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Observer
J: Ethan Brown
T: Ciaron Maher |
x2311x | C | 7 | 59.5kg | |
|
2. Buccleuch
J: Jye Mcneil
T: Patrick & Michelle Payne |
2111x6 | G | 4 | 58kg | |
|
3. Planet Red
J: Jamie Melham
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
x1432x | G | 10 | 57kg | |
|
4. Arcora
J: John Allen
T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
10052x | C | 5 | 57kg | |
|
5. Master Of The Air
J: Damian Lane
T: Chris Waller |
8x116x | C | 9 | 57kg | |
|
6. Top Reward
J: Michael Dee
T: Clayton Douglas |
13x | C | 2 | 57kg | |
|
7. Onavuitton
J: Thomas Stockdale
T: Simon Zahra |
63x1 | G | 6 | 57kg | |
|
8. Crocodile
J: Ben Allen
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
519x1 | G | 1 | 57kg | |
|
9. Cyber Link
J: Beau Mertens
T: Greg Eurell |
1 | C | 11 | 57kg | |
|
10. Victorious Spirit
J: Zac Spain
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
231x | G | 12 | 57kg | |
|
11. Top Conti
J: Lachlan King
T: Steven King |
G | 3 | 57kg | ||
|
12. Davida
J: Craig Williams
T: Danny O'brien |
41x711 | F | 8 | 55kg |
2026 Autumn Stakes Nominations
The Autumn Stakes 2026 nominations are taken on the Monday leading-up to race day and the list of early entries will be available below once announced.
2026 Autumn Stakes nominations extended until 10:00am (AEDT) – 03/02/2026
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0x2310052x | ARCORA | C | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 90 |
| 2 | 1 | BEYOND QUESTION | G | 3 | Patrick Kearney | 62 |
| 3 | 62111×6 | BUCCLEUCH | G | 3 | Patrick & Michelle Payne | 75 |
| 4 | 519×1 | CROCODILE | G | 3 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 66 |
| 5 | 7373x162x4 | CUSTOM | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 6 | 1 | CYBER LINK | C | 3 | Greg Eurell | 64 |
| 7 | 4x241x711 | DAVIDA | F | 3 | Danny O’Brien | 73 |
| 8 | 5x8x116x | MASTER OF THE AIR | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 67 |
| 9 | 215x2311x | OBSERVER | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 107 |
| 10 | 63×1 | ONAVUITTON | G | 3 | Simon Zahra | 65 |
| 11 | 1x1432x | PLANET RED | G | 3 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 98 |
| 12 | TOP CONTI (NZ) | G | 3 | Steven King | ||
| 13 | 13x | TOP REWARD | C | 3 | Clayton Douglas | 68 |
| 14 | 231x | VICTORIOUS SPIRIT | G | 3 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 62 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Autumn Stakes Form Guide
The Autumn Stakes form guide details all of the must know info like the jockeys, trainers and lead-up form of the runners in the field along with their barriers. Looking at the form for first-up runners that have a good strike rate when resuming who have winning form over 1400m or further is important.
The Autumn Stakes form has also stacked up in the Australian Guineas in recent years including 2014 Autumn Stakes winner Thunder Fantasy running third in the Group 1 next start. Heart Of Dreams (2009) also ran third in the Autumn Stakes before winning that year’s Australian Guineas.
In 2019 the Autumn Stakes winner Hawkshot went on to finish second behind gun filly Mystic Journey next start in the Australian Guineas results.
Earlier, in 2013 Autumn Stakes runner-up Fiveandahalfstar went on to run second in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) two runs later and second in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) in Sydney after that before a win in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) that autumn at Rosehill Gardens.
2026 Autumn Stakes Form Guide
A link to our comprehensive Autumn Stakes 2026 Form Guide will be provided below the week of the race.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 AUTUMN STAKES FORM GUIDE
Past Autumn Stakes Results
The Autumn Stakes race results have been dominated by single figure hopes in recent years and have produced plenty of strong Group 1 performers over time.
Notable recent Autumn Stakes winners include Apache Cat (2006), Light Fantastic (2008), Denman (2010), Mahuta (2016), Microphone (2020), and the previous year’s VRC Derby winner Observer (2026).
Catechuchu (2007) was the last Autumn Stakes winning filly.
Autumn Stakes Winners
Past Autumn Stakes winners and placegetters going back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Third | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Observer | Planet Red | Victorious Spirit | 1:22.39 |
| 2025 | Angel Capital | Plymouth | Evaporate | 1:24.66 |
| 2024 | Snow Patrol | Southport Tycoon | Zipaway | 1:23.54 |
| 2023 | Glint Of Silver | Amenable | The Fortune Teller | 1:24.42 |
| 2022 | Coastwatch | Burning Power | Lucky Decision | 1:24.28 |
| 2021 | Poland | Amish Boy | It’sourtime | 1:23.00 |
| 2020 | Microphone | Banquo | Adelaide Ace | 1:22.88 |
| 2019 | Hawkshot | Dealmaker | Ringerdingding | 1:23.47 |
| 2018 | Holy Snow | Mr So And So | Astoria | 1:24.89 |
| 2017 | Oak Door | Attention | Knowable | 1:23.54 |
| 2016 | Mahuta | Sailing By | Snoopy | 1:23.4 |
| 2015 | San Nicasio | Zebulon | Firehouse Rock | 1:23.6 |
| 2014 | Thunder Fantasy | Rock Hero | Late Charge | 1:23.8 |
| 2013 | Mulaazem | Fiveandahalfstar | Super Cool | 1:23.6 |
| 2012 | Pied A Terre | Proliferate | Adamantium | 1:24.7 |
| 2011 | Dusty Star | Under The Eiffel | Eclair Mystic | 1:37.2 |
| 2010 | Denman | Guru Bob | Most Immediate | 1:23.3 |
| 2009 | Fravashi | Nicconi | Heart Of Dreams | 1:22.8 |
| 2008 | Light Fantastic | Vivacious Spirit | Viatorian | 1:23.2 |
| 2007 | Catechuchu | Haradasun | Eclair Passion | 1:24.7 |
| 2006 | Apache Cat | God’s Own | Empress Lily | 1:24.7 |
| 2005 | Shinzig | Not A Single Doubt | Danehill Express | 1:23.4 |
| 2004 | Special Harmony | Youth | Dane Fever | 1:23.5 |
| 2003 | Titanic Jack | Storm Prince | Step Ahead | 1:25.1 |
| 2002 | Dash For Cash | Barkada | Zonked | 1:24.1 |
| 2001 | Desert Sky | Desert Eagle | Crop | 1:25.1 |
| 2000 | Sudurka | Skymaker | Noble Sensation | 1:24.0 |
FAQ
Who won the 2026 Autumn Stakes?
The 2026 Autumn Stakes was won first-up by the resuming Victoria Derby winner, three-year-old Ghaiyyath colt Observer, at $4 equal favouritism for trainer Ciaron Maher with jockey Ethan Brown aboard on 59.5kg from barrier 7 to win by 1.25 lengths on a Good (4) track in a time of 1:22.39.
Who won the 2025 Autumn Stakes?
The 2025 Autumn Stakes was won by Angel Capital at $2.70 favouritism for trainer Clinton McDonald with Ben Melham aboard from barrier 6 on 58.5kg to win in 1:24.66.
When is the Autumn Stakes 2026?
Saturday, February 7, 2026What is the prize money for the Autumn Stakes 2026?
$300,000
Where is the Autumn Stakes 2026?
Caulfield Racecourse, Gate 22, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145.
How do I bet on the 2026 Autumn 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 Autumn Stakes?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Autumn 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.