Looking for this year’s Empire Rose Stakes betting guide, tips and form? The expert tipsters at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.
2026 Empire Rose Stakes Odds
The Empire Rose Stakes odds 2026 attract strong attention from punters as Australia’s best fillies and mares clash over the famous Flemington mile on Victoria Derby Day. As a prestigious Group 1 contested under weight-for-age conditions, theEmpire Rose Stakes betting 2026 markets are often shaped by elite form lines, proven mile performers, and leading spring mares coming through key lead-up races. Stay up to date with the latest Empire Rose Stakes odds, market movers, betting trends, and runner updates with Neds to find the best value and identify the leading chances in one of the premier mares’ races of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
The latest Empire Rose Stakes 2026 odds followed by the official race finishing order after the event will be available below.
| 1. Lady Shenandoah (8) 57kg2×441 | ||
| 10. Concord Connie (6) 56.5kg11×23 | ||
| 2. Idle Flyer (7) 57kg64405 | ||
| 9. Sass Appeal (5) 56.5kgx1442 | ||
| 3. Surfin’ Bird (9) 57kg1×411 | ||
| 11. Pillow Fight (3) 56.5kg2×652 | ||
| 4. Cilacap (4) 57kg831×5 | ||
| 7. Jenni Multabella (2) 57kg31222 | ||
| 8. Salty Pearl (1) 56.5kg5×346 | ||
| 5. Unleeshing (10) 57kgx2211 | ||
| 6. Pondalowie (11) 57kgx8156 |
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Tips
Our insider Empire Rose Stakes 2026 tips will be detailed above the week of the race and a complete betting preview available on the Neds Blog.
| 1. Lady Shenandoah (8) 57kg2×441 |
| 3. Surfin’ Bird (9) 57kg1×411 |
| 9. Sass Appeal (5) 56.5kgx1442 |
Latest News
Taking Place on Victoria Derby Day, the Empire Rose Stakes is a Group 1 mile long race for fillies and mares only that was previously known as the Myer Classic due to sponsorship.
Run on the Saturday prior to the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in either late October or early November, the Empire Rose Stakes is a weight-for-age event offering $1 million in prize money.
It is one of three Group 1 races on the VRC Derby Day card, the meeting known as a day for racing purists with the official colours of the day being black and white.
Following a run in the Empire Rose Stakes, mares may run the following Saturday in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) or head to Newcastle for the $1 million The Hunter (1300m).
In 2023 Pride Of Jenni won the Empire Rose Stakes – Champions Mile double on successive Saturdays. She was also a star of the autumn taking out the All-Star Mile 2024 and that year’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in Sydney by a runaway 6.5 length winning margin!
The 2024 Empire Rose Stakes form was franked the winner, Atishu, running second next-up in the Champions Stakes.
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 – Quick Information
- Race Day: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Track Location: Flemington Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Left-handed
- Race Distance: 1,600 metres
- Weight Conditions: Weight for age
- Qualification: Three-year-olds and over (Fillies and mares)
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 1
- Operator: Victoria Racing Club
- Prize Purse: $1,005,185
- Inaugural Race: 1988
- 2026 Empire Rose Stakes Winner: TBD
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Results
The official 2026 Empire Rose Stakes results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
- #1 Lady Shenandoah
- #10 Concord Connie
- #2 Idle Flyer
Empire Rose Stakes Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Empire Rose Stakes, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How to Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s Empire Rose Stakes |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Empire Rose Stakes |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Empire Rose Stakes. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Empire Rose Stakes, 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 Empire Rose Stakes in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Empire Rose Stakesto win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Empire Rose Stakes to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Empire Rose Stakes 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 Empire Rose Stakes, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How to Bet on The Empire Rose Stakes in 2026
- Login at neds
- 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 Empire Rose Stakes Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the Empire Rose Stakes in 2026?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Empire Rose Stakes in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up spring racing form, assess the barriers and check their past record over the distance.
Additional factors to consider when picking the Empire Stakes winner include:
- Three-year-olds – Almost never win, however this trend has changed with both 2016 and 2017’s winners both being fillies, not mares.
- The Double – In recent history, four horses have taken out this race and the Tristarc Stakes in the same year most recently Colette (2012).
- Roughies – Most winners in recent history have paid big odds at the jump including Shout The Bart ($31 in 2020), Icebath ($11 in 2022) and Pride Of Jenni ($16 in 2023).
- Wide Barriers – The majority of winners over the past decade have jumped from a double-digit gate including Pride Of Jenni (16 of 16 in 2023).
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Favourites
Early favourites in 2026 Empire Rose Stakes betting include Chris Waller’s recent Toorak Handicap winner Lady Shenandoah, the in-form Surfin’ Bird on the quick back-up after beating home the boys in last Saturday’s Group 2 Crystal Mile at the track and trip, and consistent four-year-old Concord Connie who is two-from-two at Flemington.
Melody Belle ($3.80 in 2019) and Atishu ($3.60 in 2024) are the latest Empire Rose Stakes favourites to win.
Empire Rose Stakes Field 2026
The official Empire Rose Stakes 2026 field of final acceptances is announced the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.
The 2026 Empire Rose Stakes field is now out featuring 11 class milers including Chris Waller’s last start Toorak Handicap winning mare Lady Shenandoah, Crystal Mile champ Surfin’ Bird chasing a hat trick and the Bjorn Baker-trained Unleeshing also coming off back-to-back wins.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Lady Shenandoah
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
42×441 | M | 8 | 57kg | |
|
2. Idle Flyer
J: Mark Zahra
T: Matthew Smith |
x64405 | M | 7 | 57kg | |
|
3. Surfin’ Bird
J: Blake Shinn
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
51×411 | M | 9 | 57kg | |
|
4. Cilacap
J: Michael Dee
T: Grahame Begg |
6831×5 | M | 4 | 57kg | |
|
5. Unleeshing
J: Jason Collett
T: Bjorn Baker |
2×2211 | M | 10 | 57kg | |
|
6. Pondalowie
J: Harry Coffey
T: Emma-Lee & David Browne |
5×8156 | M | 11 | 57kg | |
|
7. Jenni Multabella
J: Declan Bates
T: Ciaron Maher |
x31222 | M | 2 | 57kg | |
|
8. Salty Pearl
J: Ben Allen
T: Ciaron Maher |
35×346 | M | 1 | 56.5kg | |
|
9. Sass Appeal
J: Damian Lane
T: Danny O’brien |
1×1442 | M | 5 | 56.5kg | |
|
10. Concord Connie
J: Craig Williams
T: Charlotte Littlefield |
111×23 | M | 6 | 56.5kg | |
|
11. Pillow Fight
J: William Pike
T: Bjorn Baker |
22×652 | M | 3 | 56.5kg |
Empire Rose Stakes Race Day 2026
Race day takes place on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The 2026 Empire Rose Stakes is held on Victoria Derby Day 2026, which is the first of the famous four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival. Every race on the VRC Derby Day card holds Group status and, along with the Empire Rose Stakes and the Group 1 $3 million Victoria Derby (2500m), the other key events include the:
- Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m),
- Group 2 The Damien Oliver (1400m),
- Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (1200m),
- Group 3 The Vanity (1400m),
- Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m),
- Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m)
- Group 3 Begonia Belle Stakes (1100m) run in 2026 as the Asahi Super Dry Sprint.
Empire Rose Stakes Race Time 2026
The Empire Rose Stakes 2026 start time is TBC at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Barrier Draw
The official Empire Rose Stakes 2026 barrier draw is announced with final acceptances on the Wednesday leading-up to the race and will be published in our above Empire Rose Stakes Field section.
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Nominations
2026 Empire Rose Stakes nominations close 12 PM on the Monday of race week.
The official 2026 Empire Rose Stakes nominations are now out featuring 18 class female gallopers led in all-in betting at Neds by the Chris Waller-trained Lady Shenandoah coming off a lead-up Group 1 Toorak Handicap win over the mile.
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Weights
Weight for age conditions apply to this race. Final weights will be published at 4:00 PM on the Monday of race week and the official 2026 Empire Rose Stakes weights on the final acceptances will be published in our above Empire Rose Stakes Field section.
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Acceptances
2026 Empire Rose Stakes final acceptances must be declared before 9:30 AM on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in our above Empire Rose Stakes Field section.
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Jockeys
Riders must be declared by 1 PM on the Wednesday of race week will the official 2026 Empire Rose Stakes nominations will be published in our above Empire Rose Stakes Field section.
Empire Rose Stakes Scratchings 2026
2026 Empire Rose Stakes scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Empire Rose Stakes Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Empire Rose Stakes prize purse is worth $1 million in total, distributed from places first through to eighth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $600,000 |
| 2nd | $180,000 |
| 3rd | $90,000 |
| 4th | $45,000 |
| 5th | $25,000 |
| 6th | $20,000 |
| 7th | $20,000 |
| 8th | $20,000 |
Empire Rose Stakes Race Number 2026
The 2026 Empire Rose Stakes race number is scheduled as Flemington Race 8 at 5:00pm (AEDT) on Victoria Derby Day, the beginning of Cup Week, on Saturday, October 31, 2026. There are nine races in total that day at Flemington Racecourse.
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Form Guide
The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 Empire Rose Stakes Form Guide following final acceptances.
Empire Rose Stakes Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 Empire Rose Stakes live, across the following mediums.
Telecast: Channel Nine
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Streaming: Racing.com
Mobile: Neds App
Empire Rose Stakes Winners
Winners of the Empire Rose Stakes going back to 1999 are displayed in the table below. If you would like to view the full list of Empire Rose Stakes winners from the race’s inauguration to the present – click here.
| Year | Winner | Trainer/s | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Pride Of Jenni | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 1:34.42 |
| 2024 | Atishu | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1:35.93 |
| 2023 | Pride Of Jenni | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Michael Dee | 1:34.86 |
| 2022 | Icebath | Brad Widdup | Craig Williams | 1:37.81 |
| 2021 | Colette | James Cummings | Damien Oliver | 1:34.84 |
| 2020 | Shout The Bar | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Damien Oliver | 1:35.37 |
| 2019 | Melody Belle | Jamie Richards | Opie Bosson | 1:37.78 |
| 2018 | Shillelagh | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1:34.86 |
| 2017 | Shoals | Lee And Anthony Freedman | Dean Yendall | 1:35.26 |
| 2016 | I Am A Star | Shane Nichols | Dean Yendall | 1:35.56 |
| 2015 | Politeness | Robert Smerdon | Dwayne Dunn | 1:37.75 |
| 2014 | Bonaria | Pat Hyland | Michael Rodd | 1:36.55 |
| 2013 | Red Tracer | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 1:36.45 |
| 2012 | Appearance | G H Walter | Michael Rodd | 1:34.97 |
| 2011 | Hurtle Myrtle | Matthew Smith | Damien Oliver | 1:37.50 |
| 2010 | Sacred Choice | Joseph Pride | Corey Brown | 1:38.91 |
| 2009 | Typhoon Tracy | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 1:35.33 |
| 2008 | Forensics | Peter Snowden | Kerrin Mcevoy | 1:35.95 |
| 2007 | Divine Madonna | Mark Kavanagh | M Rodd | 1:36.17 |
| 2006 | Lyrical Bid | B Mayfield-Smith | Craig Williams | 1:37.57 |
| 2005 | Lotteria | Gai Waterhouse | L V Cassidy | 1:35.46 |
| 2004 | Miss Potential | A W Borrie | G Boss | 1:37.58 |
| 2003 | Zanna | J R Hawkes | C W Brown | 1:38.42 |
| 2002 | Miss Zoe | Les Bridge | J Sheehan | 1:35.87 |
| 2001 | Market Price | Tony Mcevoy | G Boss | 1:34.20 |
| 2000 | Super Sequel | Robert Priscott | D Gauci | 1:37.86 |
| 1999 | Noircir | M A Houlahan | M Gatt | 1:36.45 |