Looking for this year’s Caulfield Autumn Classic betting odds, field and tips? The tipsters at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.
Caulfield Autumn Classic 2026 Results
The official 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
- #4 Single Choice
- #1 Arcora
- #8 Itazura
Single Choice ($4.20F) shot into Group 1 Australian Derby contention with a barnstorming victory for the punters in the 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic results on Saturday. Matt Cumani’s progressive gelding was given a peach of a ride by Damian Lane, settling back as the front runners went hard out before storming home down the outside late to salute by a quarter-length. He has now firmed in from $101 to $26 to win the Australian Derby in Sydney on April 4.
| 4. Single Choice (11) J: Damian Lane 57kg 153×2T: Matt Cumani | ||
| 1. Arcora (10) J: John Allen 57kg 052×9T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | ||
| 8. Itazura (9) J: Zac Spain 57kg x3183T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | ||
| 9. Kaye Jay (7) J: Jamie Mott 57kg 21T: Clayton Douglas | ||
| 2. Deal Done Fast (8) J: Daniel Stackhouse 57kg 2443xT: Matt Cumani | ||
| 11. Mr Epozino (1) J: Thomas Stockdale 57kg 13T: Simon Zahra | ||
| 3. Our Chief (6) J: Michael Dee 57kg x3213T: Danny O’brien | ||
| 10. Lucky Lucky Boom (12) J: Lachlan Neindorf 57kg x5711T: Danny O’brien | ||
| 7. Crocodile (3) J: Ben Allen 57kg 19×17T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 12. The Better Husband (4) J: Linda Meech 57kg x44x1T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
Caulfield Autumn Classic 2026 Tips
Our insider 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic tips will be detailed here the week of the race and a full betting preview available on the Neds Blog.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR COMPLETE 2026 BLUE DIAMOND STAKES DAY PREVIEW & TIPS
| 4. Single Choice (11) J: Damian Lane 57kg 153×2T: Matt Cumani |
| 3. Our Chief (6) J: Michael Dee 57kg x3213T: Danny O’brien |
| 2. Deal Done Fast (8) J: Daniel Stackhouse 57kg 2443xT: Matt Cumani |
Run over 1,800 metres each year in February, the Caulfield Autumn Classic is a Group 2 race held during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.
Open only to three-year-olds, the set weights clash offers $300,000 in prize money and serves as a key lead-up into the bigger autumn races including the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m).
Don Edurado (2002) was the last three-year-old to complete the Caulfield Autumn Classic – Australian Derby double.
In 2022 the Caulfield Autumn Classic third placed filly El Patroness went on to win the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) in Sydney.
In 2025, Shanwah completed the Autumn Classic – Alister Clark Stakes double then ran third in the ATC Derby.
Caulfield Autumn Classic 2026– Quick Information
- Race Day: Saturday, February 21, 2026
- Track Location: Caulfield Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Left-handed
- Race Distance: 1,800 metres
- Weight Conditions: Set weights
- Qualification: Three-year-olds
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 2
- Operator: Melbourne Racing Club
- Prize Purse: $300,000
- Inaugural Race: 1957
- 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic Winner: Single Choice
Caulfield Autumn Classic Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Caulfield Autumn Classic, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How To Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s Caulfield Autumn Classic |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Caulfield Autumn Classic. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Caulfield Autumn Classic. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Caulfield Autumn Classic, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the Caulfield Autumn Classic, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Caulfield Autumn Classic to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Caulfield Autumn Classic to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Caulfield Autumn Classic to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the Caulfield Autumn Classic, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How To Bet on The Caulfield Autumn Classic in 2026
- Log in at neds.com.au
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on Caulfield Autumn Classic Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the Caulfield Autumn Classic
The best way to pick which horse will win the Caulfield Autumn Classic in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up summer/autumn form, assess the barriers, consider the weight the horse will carry and look for the proven Black-Type performers.
Additional factors to consider when picking the Caulfield Autumn Classic winner include:
- Staying Potential – Three-year-olds proven at a mile or further do well in the Caulfield Autumn Classic.
- Double-Figure Runners – Upsets are not uncommon in the event so looking further down the markets can prove profitable.
- Autumn Lead-Up – The Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) held a fortnight prior makes a key lead-up into the race. Pericles (4th in 2023) was the last Autumn Classic winner to come off a run in the Autumn Stakes.
- D. Oliver – Jockey Damien Oliver has ridden five Autumn Classic winners, most recently Castlereagh Kid (2022).
Caulfield Autumn Classic Favourites 2026
Favourites in 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic betting include Chris Waller’s progressive Dundeel colt Master Of The Air and Single Choice coming off a narrow first-up second at Caulfield’s Heath track.
Adelaide Ace ($2.50 in 2020), Pericles ($3.50 in 2023) and Single Choice ($4.20 in 2026) are the last Caulfield Autumn Classic favourites to win.
Caulfield Autumn Classic 2026 Field
The official 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic field of final acceptances is announced on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.
The Autumn Classic 2026 final field features a bumper line-up of young stayers including the spring’s VRC Derby runner-up Arcora and the Danny O’Brien-trained Spirit Of Boom gelding Lucky Lucky Boom chasing a hat-trick.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Arcora
J: John Allen
T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
0052x9 | C | 10 | 57kg | |
|
2. Deal Done Fast
J: Daniel Stackhouse
T: Matt Cumani |
2443x | C | 8 | 57kg | |
|
3. Our Chief
J: Michael Dee
T: Danny O'brien |
5x3213 | G | 6 | 57kg | |
|
4. Single Choice
J: Damian Lane
T: Matt Cumani |
1153x2 | G | 11 | 57kg | |
| 5. Bayou Music (8) Scratched: | |||||
|
6. Master Of The Air
J: Ethan Brown
T: Chris Waller |
x116x8 | C | 5 | 57kg | |
|
7. Crocodile
J: Ben Allen
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
519x17 | G | 3 | 57kg | |
|
8. Itazura
J: Zac Spain
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
3x3183 | G | 9 | 57kg | |
|
9. Kaye Jay
J: Jamie Mott
T: Clayton Douglas |
21 | G | 7 | 57kg | |
|
10. Lucky Lucky Boom
J: Lachlan Neindorf
T: Danny O'brien |
0x5711 | G | 12 | 57kg | |
|
11. Mr Epozino
J: Thomas Stockdale
T: Simon Zahra |
13 | G | 1 | 57kg | |
|
12. The Better Husband
J: Linda Meech
T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
4x44x1 | G | 4 | 57kg | |
|
13. Abrafo
J: Ben Melham
T: Mark Walker |
4x9x1 | G | 2 | 57kg | |
| 14. Sixty Grand (3) Scratched: | |||||
|
15. Miss Maranda
J: Luke Cartwright
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
44211 | F | 13 | 55kg | |
Caulfield Autumn Classic Race Day 2026
The 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic takes place at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday, February 21, 2026, as part of the 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes Day program. Eight Group status races run at the meeting including a trio of Group 1 events the action headlined by the:
- Group 1 $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m),
- Group 1 $750,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m), and the
- Group 1 $750,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m).
Caulfield Autumn Classic Barrier Draw 2026
The 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic barrier draw will be released to the public a few days before the race and published in our above Caulfield Autumn Classic Field section.
Caulfield Autumn Classic Nominations 2026
2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic nominations close at 12:00 PM on the Monday of race week.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4x9x1 | ABRAFO (NZ) | G | 3 | Mark Walker | 62 |
| 2 | 2214 | ADMIRE FLUKE | G | 3 | Matt Laurie | 61 |
| 3 | x2310052x9 | ARCORA | C | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 90 |
| 4 | 23142×44 | BAYOU MUSIC | G | 3 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 66 |
| 5 | 1 | BERLEMONT | G | 3 | Michael Kent | 64 |
| 6 | 519×17 | CROCODILE | G | 3 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 66 |
| 7 | 2443x | DEAL DONE FAST | C | 3 | Matt Cumani | 84 |
| 8 | 536 | FLYING KHAN | G | 3 | Andrew Bobbin | |
| 9 | 7×5 | HE’S ON SONG | G | 3 | Andrew Bobbin | |
| 10 | 1 | HOTEI SENSHI | G | 3 | Luke Oliver | 63 |
| 11 | 3×3183 | ITAZURA | G | 3 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 61 |
| 12 | 21 | KAYE JAY | G | 3 | Clayton Douglas | 64 |
| 13 | 0x5711 | LUCKY LUCKY BOOM | G | 3 | Danny O’Brien | 65 |
| 14 | 5x8x116x8 | MASTER OF THE AIR | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 67 |
| 15 | 44211 | MISS MARANDA | F | 3 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 69 |
| 16 | 13 | MR EPOZINO (NZ) | G | 3 | Simon Zahra | 63 |
| 17 | 215×3213 | OUR CHIEF | G | 3 | Danny O’Brien | 69 |
| 18 | 221 | OUR PIERRO | F | 3 | Mitchell Freedman | 62 |
| 19 | 6×482 | PRINCESS OF SOL | F | 3 | Mark & Levi Kavanagh | 59 |
| 20 | 7 | SHOTARO | G | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |
| 21 | 2x51153x2 | SINGLE CHOICE | G | 3 | Matt Cumani | 72 |
| 22 | 71 | SIXTY GRAND (NZ) | G | 3 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 62 |
| 23 | 64x44x1 | THE BETTER HUSBAND | G | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 61 |
| 24 | 13×5 | TOP REWARD | C | 3 | Clayton Douglas | 68 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Caulfield Autumn Classic Weights 2026
Set weights apply to this race. Final weights are announced at 4:00 PM on the Monday of race week with the official 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic weights on the final acceptors to be published in our above Caulfield Autumn Classic Field section.
Caulfield Autumn Classic Acceptances 2026
2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic final acceptances must be declared before 9:30 AM on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in our above Caulfield Autumn Classic Field section.
Caulfield Autumn Classic Jockeys 2026
The final riders must be announced by 1:00 PM on the Wednesday of race week with the official 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic jockeys to be published in our above Caulfield Autumn Classic Field section.
Caulfield Autumn Classic Scratchings 2026
2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Caulfield Autumn Classic Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic prize money is set at $300,000 in total, distributed from places first through to tenth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $180,000 |
| 2nd | $54,000 |
| 3rd | $27,000 |
| 4th | $13,500 |
| 5th | $7,500 |
| 6th | $6,000 |
| 7th | $6,000 |
| 8th | $6,000 |
Caulfield Autumn Classic Race Number 2026
The 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic race number is scheduled as Caulfield Race 4 at 1:55pm (AEDT) on Saturday, February 21, 2026. There are ten races in total that day at Caulfield Racecourse.
Caulfield Autumn Classic Form Guide 2026
The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our complete 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic Form Guide following final acceptances.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2026 AUTUMN CLASSIC FORM GUIDE
Caulfield Autumn Classic Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 Caulfield Autumn Classic live, across the following mediums.
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Free to air television: Channels 78 (and 68 in regional areas)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Streaming: Racing.com
Mobile: Neds App
Caulfield Autumn Classic Winners
Winners of the Caulfield Autumn Classic going back to the year 2000 are displayed in the table below. If you would like to see results going back to 1957, please check our Autumn Classic winners’ page.
| Year | Winner | Trainer/s | Jockey | Weight | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Single Choice | Matt Cumani | Damian Lane | 57kg | 1:50.22 |
| 2025 | Shanwah | Ciaron Maher | Blake Shinn | 57kg | 1:49.79 |
| 2024 | Immediacy | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Luke Currie | 57kg | 1:49.61 |
| 2023 | Pericles | James Cummings | Ms Jamie Kah | 57kg | 1:49.42 |
| 2022 | Castlereagh Kid | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Damien Oliver | 57kg | 1:50.55 |
| 2021 | Parure | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | Damian Lane | 55kg | 1:49.42 |
| 2020 | Adelaide Ace | Lindsey Smith | John Allen | 57kg | 1:48.96 |
| 2019 | Global Exchange | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Ben Melham | 57kg | 1:48.75 |
| 2018 | Valiant Spirit | Daniel Williams | Regan Bayliss | 57kg | 1:49.43 |
| 2017 | Farson | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Stephen Baster | 57kg | 1:49.49 |
| 2016 | Tally | John O’Shea | Craig Williams | 57kg | 1:49.14 |
| 2015 | Alpine Eagle | Tony McEvoy | Damien Oliver | 57kg | 1:48.44 |
| 2014 | Vilanova | Chris Waller | Craig Newitt | 57kg | 1:51.02 |
| 2013 | Super Cool | Mark Kavanagh | Michael Rodd | 57kg | 1:49.81 |
| 2012 | Upbeat | Anthony Cummings | Blake Shinn | 56.5kg | 1:50.03 |
| 2011 | Folding Gear | Lee & Shannon Hope | Ben Melham | 55.5kg | 1:48.16 |
| 2010 | Extra Zero | David Hayes | Glen Boss | 55.5kg | 1:50.69 |
| 2009 | Stokehouse | David Hayes | Craig Williams | 55.5kg | 1:49.76 |
| 2008 | Brom Brom | Colin Alderson | Brad Rawiller | 55.5kg | 1:51.40 |
| 2007 | Ambitious General | Peter Moody | Damien Oliver | 55.5kg | 1:48.95 |
| 2006 | Spinney | John Hawkes | Darren Beadman | 55.5kg | 1:48.18 |
| 2005 | Renewable | Graeme Rogerson | Danny Nikolic | 55.5kg | 1:50.16 |
| 2004 | Elvstroem | Tony Vasil | Damien Oliver | 55.5kg | 1:49.12 |
| 2003 | Natural Blitz | Doug Harrison | Nash Rawiller | 55.5kg | 1:49.43 |
| 2002 | Don Eduardo | Lee Freedman | Damien Oliver | 55.5kg | 1:49.45 |
| 2001 | Fubu | Cliff Brown | Vincent Hall | 55.5kg | 1:47.52 |
| 2000 | Pins | Clarry Conners | Patrick Payne | 55.5kg | 1:50.65 |