Newmarket Handicap

Looking for this season’s Newmarket Handicap betting odds, field and form guide? The experts at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.

Newmarket Handicap 2026 Results

The official 2026 Newmarket Handicap results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Jockey Craig Newitt jumped aboard the underrated Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter Caballus ($19) for the first time at Flemington on Saturday and, after sticking to the inside rail from barrier one, led from pillar to post to score an upset victory in the 2026 Newmarket Handicap results – Froggy’s record fourth win in the time-honoured sprint classic.

Newmarket Handicap 2026 Tips

Our insider 2026 Newmarket Handicap tips will be detailed here the week of the race and a full betting preview published on the Neds Blog.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR COMPLETE 2026 ALL-STAR MILE DAY PREVIEW & TIPS

Run over 1,200 metres down the famous Flemington ‘Straight Six’ in early March, the Newmarket Handicap is a Group 1 sprint showdown run and won since 1874.

The handicap showdown offers $2 million in prize money and attracts a class field of sprint stars every Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.

The Newmarket Handicap is the only other Australian thoroughbred race along with the iconic Melbourne Cup in which 24 horses are permitted to start in the final field.

There have been five dual winners of the Newmarket Handicap throughout history, most recently Redkirk Warrior (2017, 2018).

Undefeated turf great Black Caviar holds the current Newmarket Handicap record having won the 2011 edition of the event in 1:07.36.

In 2022 Roch ‘N’ Horse won at 100/1 before returning in the spring to frank the Newmarket Handicap form with a Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) victory during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The 2024 Newmarket Handicap was won by Godolphin-raced Cylinder handing the stable and trainer James Cummings back-to-back wins with three-year-olds following the 2023 victory by In Secret.

In Secret was originally set to be ridden by Jamie Kah but she fell in an earlier event nearly losing her life. Jockey Dean Holland picked up the winning ride but would tragically pass away in a Victorian fall the following month.

The Dean Holland Trophy was created for the winning Newmarket Handicap rider from 2024 onwards with the inaugural going to Kah who atoned for her horror day the year prior.

The 2025 Newmarket Handicap winner Joliestar franked her elite sprinting credentials that autumn with a brave second in the All Aged Stakes, before returning in the spring for another strong campaign highlighted by a third placing in the Champions Sprint. The form stacked up beautifully too, with runner‑up Headwall going on to finish third in the TJ Smith and then running second in Perth’s The Quokka, further reinforcing the strength of that Newmarket edition.

Newmarket Handicap 2026 – Quick Information

• Race Day: Saturday, February 28, 2026
• Track Location: Flemington Racecourse
• Track Surface: Turf
• Track Direction: Left-handed
• Race Distance: 1,200 metres
• Weight Conditions: Handicap
• Qualification: Open
• Type: Thoroughbred
• Grade: Group 1
• Operator: Victoria Racing Club
• Prize Purse: $1,500,000
• Inaugural Race: 1874
• 2026 Newmarket Handicap Winner: Caballus

Newmarket Handicap Betting 2026

There are many different ways to bet on the Newmarket Handicap, and we have included some of the most popular options below:

Bet Type	How To Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s Newmarket Handicap
Win Bet	Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Newmarket Handicap.
Place Bet	Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Newmarket Handicap. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds.
Each-Way Bet	If your runner finishes 1st in the Newmarket Handicap, 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 Newmarket Handicap, in order to win the Quinella.
Exacta Bet	You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Newmarket Handicap to win the Exacta.
Trifecta Bet	You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Newmarket Handicap to win the Trifecta.
First Four	You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Newmarket Handicap 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 Newmarket Handicap, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie.

How To Bet on The Newmarket Handicap in 2026

1. Login at neds.com.au
2. Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
3. Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on Newmarket Handicap Betting above).
4. Select the horse(s) for the race.

Which Horse Will Win the Newmarket Handicap

The best way to pick which horse will win the Newmarket Handicap in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up autumn racing form, consider the weight the horse will carry and look for those proven down the famous Flemington straight.

Additional factors to consider when picking the Newmarket Handicap winner include:

• Youth Over Experience: In Secret (2023) became the ninth three-year-old since 2004 to beat home the older sprinters in the Newmarket Handicap results and the first since the fellow James Cummings-trained Bivouac (2020). The next year another Godolphin-raced three-year-old was on top with Cylinder (2024).
• Key Lead-Ups: The Group 1 Oakleigh Plate and the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning – both run over shorter distances – serve as the best Newmarket Handicap lead-up races. Lankan Rupee (2014) was the last horse to do the Oakleigh Plate – Newmarket double, while Redkirk Warrior (2018) for his second Newmarket win backed-up off a Black Caviar Lightning success that year. Cylinder (6th in 2024) was the last Newmarket Handicap winner to come via the Lightning Stakes.

Newmarket Handicap Favourites 2026

Favourites in 2026 Newmarket Handicap betting at time of publish include Godolphin’s Coolmore Stud Stakes winning colt Tentyris chasing a third Group 1 win at Flemington on the trot, the progressive Chris Waller-trained four-year-old Angel Capital coming off a first-up fourth in the Group 2 Expressway, and the consistent I Am Invincible filly My Gladiola who ran second to Tentyris in both the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Black Caviar Lightning.

Between 2007 – 2020 six Newmarket Handicap favourites have been successful.

There was a huge upset in the 2022 Newmarket Handicap with Roch ‘N’ Horse winning at 100/1!

There was also a shock result in 2026 with Caballus winning at a Newmarket Handicap starting price of $19.

Joliestar ($3.40 in 2025) was the last Newmarket Handicap favourite to win.

Newmarket Handicap 2026 Field

The official 2026 Newmarket Handicap field of final acceptances is announced the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.

The 2026 Newmarket Handicap field features a bumper line-up of the season’s top sprinters including the airborne Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning winning colt Tentyris chasing his third Group 1 Flemington win on the trot.

Flemington R9 - Yulong Newmarket Handicap (G1)

Final Race time: 

	Entrant	Last 6	Sex	Barrier	Weight
	1. Baraqiel (3)  Scratched:
	2. Tentyris J: Mark Zahra T: Anthony & Sam Freedman	x311x1	C	11	57kg
	3. War Machine J: Jamie Mott T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes	x100x3	G	10	57kg
	4. Angel Capital J: Ben Melham T: Chris Waller	1462x4	H	2	56kg
	5. Sepals J: Daniel Stackhouse T: Cliff Brown	x1102x	G	3	56kg
	6. Caballus J: Craig Newitt T: Bjorn Baker	5181x2	G	1	55kg
	7. Benedetta J: Jamie Melham T: Ciaron Maher	x758x3	M	12	54kg
	8. De Bergerac J: Logan Bates T: Grahame Begg	4512x0	G	13	52kg
	9. Disneck J: Winona Costin T: Bjorn Baker	958x16	G	7	52kg
	10. Gallant Son J: Luke Cartwright T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	24x113	H	9	52kg
	11. Geegees Mistruth J: Lachlan Neindorf T: Mark Walker	022x30	M	4	52kg
	12. Sghirripa J: Harry Coffey T: Shane & Cassie Oxlade	750x18	G	8	52kg
	13. My Gladiola J: Craig Williams T: John Mcardle	1223x2	F	6	50.5kg
	14. Wodeton J: W M Lordan T: Chris Waller	2420x3	C	14	50kg
	15. Pallaton J: Teo Nugent T: Michael Freedman	621x41	C	5	50kg

View Results

Newmarket Handicap Race Day 2026

The 2026 Newmarket Handicap takes place at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Along with the Newmarket Handicap the other key Flemington races on the card include the:

• Group 1 $2,000,000 The All-Star Mile (1600m),
• Group 2 $300,000 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m),
• Group 2 $300,000 Kewney Stakes (1600m),
• Group 3 $200,000 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) formerly held in the spring,
• Group 3 $200,000 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m), and the
• Group 3 $200,000 Matron Stakes (1600m).

Newmarket Handicap Barrier Draw 2026

The 2026 Newmarket Handicap barrier draw will be released to the public a few days before the race and published in our above Newmarket Handicap Field section.

Newmarket Handicap Nominations 2026

2026 Newmarket Handicap nominations close at 12 PM on the Monday of race week and will be updated in full below once confirmed.

The Newmarket Handicap 2026 nominations attracted 24 autumn sprinters led in all-in betting by Anthony & Sam Freedman’s boom Street Boss colt Tentyris coming off a first-up win over the older horses at HQ in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning.

Newmarket Handicap Weights 2026

Handicap conditions apply to this race. Minimum top weight at acceptance is 57 kilograms. The 2026 Newmarket Handicap weights are announced on the Monday of race week with weights on the final acceptances to be published in our above Newmarket Handicap Field section.

Zoutori (57kg in 2021) was the last Newmarket Handicap topweight to salute.

2026 Newmarket Handicap Topweight:

• No. 1 Baraqiel (57.5kg)

Newmarket Handicap Acceptances 2026

Final 2026 Newmarket Handicap acceptances must be declared before 9:30 AM on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in our above Newmarket Handicap Field section.

Newmarket Handicap Jockeys 2026

The final riders must be announced by 1 PM on the Wednesday of race week with the official 2026 Newmarket Handicap jockeys to be published in our above Newmarket Handicap Field section.

Newmarket Handicap Scratchings 2026

2026 Newmarket Handicap scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Newmarket Handicap Prize Money 2026

The 2026 Newmarket Handicap prize purse is worth $1,500,000 in total, distributed from places first through to eighth.

Place	Prize Money
1st	$900,000
2nd	$270,000
3rd	$135,000
4th	$67,500
5th	$37,000
6th	$30,000
7th	$30,000
8th	$30,000

Newmarket Handicap Race Number 2026

The 2026 Newmarket Handicap race number is scheduled as Flemington Race 9 at 4:55pm (AEDT) on Saturday, February 28, 2026. There are ten races in total that day at Flemington Racecourse.

Newmarket Handicap Form Guide 2026

The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 Newmarket Handicap Form Guide following final acceptances.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2026 NEWMARKET HANDICAP FORM GUIDE

Newmarket Handicap Live 2026

You can watch or listen to the 2026 Newmarket Handicap 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

Newmarket Handicap Winners

Winners of the Newmarket Handicap going back to the year 2000 are displayed in the table below. You can find a full list of Newmarket Handicap winners throughout history by clicking here.

Year	Winner	Trainer/s	Jockey	Weight	Time
2026	Caballus	Bjorn Baker	Craig Newitt	55 kgs	1:09.97
2025	Joliestar	Chris Waller	Damian Lane	56 kgs	1:08.75
2024	Cylinder	James Cummings	Ms Jamie Kah	51.5 kgs	1:08.83
2023	In Secret	James Cummings	Dean Holland	51.5 kgs	1:08.24
2022	Roch ‘N’ Horse	Michael Moroney	Patrick Moloney	52.5 kgs	1:09.01
2021	Zoutori	Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra	Luke Currie	57 kgs	1:09.61
2020	Bivouac	James Cummings	Glen Boss	54 kgs	1:09.21
2019	Sunlight	Tony McEvoy	Barend Vorster	50.5 kgs	1:8.25
2018	Redkirk Warrior	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	Regan Bayliss	57.5 kgs	1:08.33
2017	Redkirk Warrior	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	Regan Bayliss	52.5 kgs	1:09.05
2016	The Quarterback	Robbie Griffiths	Craig Newitt	52 kgs	1:09.23
2015	Brazen Beau	Chris Waller	Joao Moreira	52 kgs	1:09.24
2014	Lankan Rupee	Mick Price	Chad Schofield	56.5 kgs	1:09.26
2013	Shamexpress	Danny O’Brien	Craig Newitt	51.5 kgs	1:08.16
2012	Hay List	John McNair	Glyn Schofield	58.5 kgs	1:08.72
2011	Black Caviar	Peter Moody	Luke Nolen	58 kgs	1:07.36
2010	Wanted	Peter Moody	Luke Nolen	51.5 kgs	1:10.11
2009	Scenic Blast	Daniel Morton	Steven Arnold	57 kgs	1:08.75
2008	Weekend Hussler	Ross McDonald	Brad Rawiller	56 kgs	1:08.97
2007	Miss Andretti	Lee Freedman	Craig Newitt	56 kgs	1:07.74
2006	Takeover Target	Joe Janiak	Jay Ford	57 kgs	1:08.03
2005	Alinghi	Lee Freedman	Damien Oliver	53.5 kgs	1:08.10
2004	Exceed And Excel	Tim Martin	Corey Brown	55 kgs	1:08.72
2003	Belle Du Jour	Clarry Conners	Danny Nikolic	52.5 kgs	1:08.64
2002	Rubitano	Brian Mayfield-Smith	Stephen Baster	51 kgs	1:09.03
2001	Toledo	Russell Cameron	Damien Oliver	54.5 kgs	1:08.67
2000	Miss Pennymoney	Jim Conlan	Danny Beasley	53.5 kgs	1:07.68