Looking for this year’s Surround Stakes betting odds, field and racing tips? The expert tipsters at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.
Surround Stakes 2026 Results
The official 2026 Surround Stakes results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
- #1 Tempted
- #4 Savvy Hallie
- #3 Ole Dancer
The Ciaron Maher-trained The Everest second placed filly, Tempted ($1.60F), proved just too good for her fellow fillies when going back-to-back this prep with a narrow but all-important Group 1 win in the 2026 Surround Stakes results. She went stride for stride with Savvy Hallie inside the final furlong getting up by the bob of the head right on the line to get the job done for the punters and earn talks of a potential TJ Smith Stakes bid back at Randwick on April 4.
| 1. Tempted (2) J: Chad Schofield 56kg 132×1T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 4. Savvy Hallie (6) J: Nash Rawiller 56kg 13×41T: Brad Widdup | ||
| 3. Ole Dancer (5) J: Zac Lloyd 56kg 521×2T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | ||
| 2. Apocalyptic (4) J: Tommy Berry 56kg 112×2T: Michael Freedman | ||
| 5. Karinska (1) J: Sam Clipperton 56kg 530×5T: Chris Waller | ||
| 7. Panova (8) J: James McDonald 56kg 4211xT: Chris Waller | ||
| 6. Sunrays (3) J: Jason Collett 56kg x2x64T: Kelly Schweida | ||
| 8. Queen Of Clubs (7) J: Craig Williams 56kg 486×6T: Gary Portelli |
Surround Stakes 2026 Tips
Our insider 2026 Surround Stakes 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 VERRY ELLEEGANT STAKES DAY PREVIEW & TIPS
| 1. Tempted (2) J: Chad Schofield 56kg 132×1T: Ciaron Maher |
| 2. Apocalyptic (4) J: Tommy Berry 56kg 112×2T: Michael Freedman |
| 7. Panova (8) J: James McDonald 56kg 4211xT: Chris Waller |
Run over 1,400 metres in late February or early March as part of Randwick’s Verry Elleegant Stakes Day (formerly Chipping Norton Stakes Day) card, the Surround Stakes is a recently upgraded Group 1 race, held during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. With $750,000 in stakes as of 2024, it is a popular set weights race for three-year-old fillies.
The Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) held a fortnight earlier at the same track is the key Surround Stakes lead-up event and Nakeeta Jane (2019) and Lady Shenandoah (2025) are the latest fillies to do the double.
Surround Stakes 2026 – Quick Information
- Race Day: Saturday, February 28, 2026
- Track Location: Randwick Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Right-handed
- Race Distance: 1,400 metres
- Weight Conditions: Set weights
- Qualification: Three-year-old (fillies only)
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 1
- Operator: Australian Turf Club
- Prize Purse: $750,000
- Inaugural Race: 1979
- 2026 Surround Stakes Winner: Tempted
Surround Stakes Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Surround 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 Surround Stakes |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Surround Stakes. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Surround Stakes. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Surround 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 Surround 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 Surround Stakes to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Surround Stakes to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Surround 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 Surround Stakes, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How To Bet on the Surround Stakes in 2026
- Join up at neds.com.au
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- 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 Surround Stakes Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the Surround Stakes in 2026?
The best way to pick which filly will win the Surround Stakes in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up autumn racing form, assess the barriers and look for any proven Group 1 performers.
Additional factors to consider when picking the Surround Stakes winner include:
- Light Fingers Stakes – The Light Fingers Stakes has produced more Surround Stakes winners than any other lead-up. Lady Shenandoah (2025) was the last filly to complete the Light Fingers / Surround Stakes double.
- Favourite Factor – Favourites have a strong recent record in the Surround Stakes results so backing the top elect to win is a solid tip.
Surround Stakes Favourites 2026
Favourites in 2026 Surround Stakes betting include Ciaron Maher’s The Everest runner-up Tempted, the Michael Freedman-trained Flight Stakes champion Apocalyptic, and the Thousand Guineas champ Ole Dancer from the Moody/Coleman stable.
Nakeeta Jane ($3.60 in 2019), Lady Shenandoah ($1.30 in 2025) and Tempted ($1.60 in 2026) are the latest Surround Stakes favourites to win.
Surround Stakes 2026 Field
The official 2026 Surround Stakes field of final acceptances is announced the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.
The Surround Stakes 2026 final field features a small but class field of eight fillies including the Ciaron Maher-trained track specialist Tempted coming off a win fresh in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Tempted
J: Chad Schofield
T: Ciaron Maher |
x132x1 | F | 2 | 56kg | |
|
2. Apocalyptic
J: Tommy Berry
T: Michael Freedman |
1112x2 | F | 4 | 56kg | |
|
3. Ole Dancer
J: Zac Lloyd
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
1521x2 | F | 5 | 56kg | |
|
4. Savvy Hallie
J: Nash Rawiller
T: Brad Widdup |
113x41 | F | 6 | 56kg | |
|
5. Karinska
J: Sam Clipperton
T: Chris Waller |
6530x5 | F | 1 | 56kg | |
|
6. Sunrays
J: Jason Collett
T: Kelly Schweida |
1x2x64 | F | 3 | 56kg | |
|
7. Panova
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
24211x | F | 8 | 56kg | |
|
8. Queen Of Clubs
J: Craig Williams
T: Gary Portelli |
3486x6 | F | 7 | 56kg |
Surround Stakes Race Day 2026
The 2026 Surround Stakes takes place on Verry Elleegant Stakes Day at Royal Randwick on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The Group 1 $1,000,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) – now known as the Verry Elleegant Stakes – is the marquee event on the program that also features the running of the:
- Group 2 $300,000 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m),
- Group 2 $300,000 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m),
- Group 2 $300,000 Skyline Stakes (1200m), and the
- Group 3 $250,000 Liverpool City Cup (1300m).
Surround Stakes Barrier Draw 2026
The 2026 Surround Stakes barrier draw will be released to the public a few days before the race and published in our above Surround Stakes Field section.
Surround Stakes Nominations 2026
2026 Surround Stakes nominations close at 12:00 PM on Tuesday the 10th of February 2026.
The Surround Stakes 2026 nominations attracted 31 hopeful fillies including Ciaron Maher’s The Everest second placed filly Tempted who won the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes first-up, Michael Freedman’s boom Flight Stakes champ Apocalyptic, and the ultra-consistent Alpha Sofie from the Moody/Coleman camp.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4111×1 | ALPHA SOFIE | F | 3 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |
| 2 | 2 | ALWAYS A RAINBOW | F | 3 | Stirling Osland | |
| 3 | 1×8 | ANGEL EYES | F | 3 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | |
| 4 | 2x1112x | APOCALYPTIC | F | 3 | Michael Freedman | 105 |
| 5 | 4355x2126x | ARTISTIC VENTURE | F | 3 | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | 86 |
| 6 | 1 | CAPITAL CHORD | F | 3 | David Vandyke | |
| 7 | 7373x162x4 | CUSTOM | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 8 | EMERALD EVIE | F | 3 | Edward Cummings | ||
| 9 | 2 | HIGHLAND DANCER | F | 3 | Stirling Osland | |
| 10 | 178x56530x | KARINSKA | F | 3 | Chris Waller | 86 |
| 11 | 246x12x | MARETH | F | 3 | Michael Freedman | 72 |
| 12 | 121x13x | MARHOONA | F | 3 | Michael Freedman | 100 |
| 13 | 11×3 | NEPO BABY | F | 3 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 66 |
| 14 | 150x787x | NEXT JEN | F | 3 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 70 |
| 15 | 1x1521x | OLE DANCER | F | 3 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |
| 16 | 26x | OTTOLENGHI (NZ) | F | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |
| 17 | 137 | OUI FLOURISH | F | 3 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 60 |
| 18 | 537 | OVERSHADOW | F | 3 | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | |
| 19 | 2x4211x | PANOVA | F | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 20 | 3 | PEACE AT LAST | F | 3 | Edward Cummings | |
| 21 | 157×672 | PILLOW FIGHT | F | 3 | Bjorn Baker | 69 |
| 22 | 513x6324x | PROFOUNDLY | F | 3 | Michael Freedman | 66 |
| 23 | 7x51x3486x | QUEEN OF CLUBS | F | 3 | Gary Portelli | 82 |
| 24 | 231x3341x3 | SALTY PEARL | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 86 |
| 25 | 122×5 | SAMARELLE (NZ) | F | 3 | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | 70 |
| 26 | 77x4214x2x | SAPLING | F | 3 | Nacim Dilmi | 63 |
| 27 | 2522x113x4 | SAVVY HALLIE | F | 3 | Brad Widdup | 95 |
| 28 | 2112x311x | SHEZA ALIBI | F | 3 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |
| 29 | 11x211x2x6 | SUNRAYS | F | 3 | Kelly Schweida | 84 |
| 30 | 7131x132x1 | TEMPTED | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 109 |
| 31 | 010x70x | WOOTTON LASS | F | 3 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 66 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Surround Stakes Weights 2026
Standard set weight conditions apply to this race. The weight is set at 56 kilograms for the three-year-old fillies. Final 2026 Surround Stakes weights are announced at 4 PM on the Tuesday of race week with weights on the final acceptances to be published in our above Surround Stakes Field section.
Surround Stakes Acceptances 2026
Final 2026 Surround Stakes acceptances must be declared before 9 AM on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in our above Surround Stakes Field section.
Surround Stakes Jockeys 2026
The final riders must be announced by 12 PM on the Wednesday of race week with the official 2026 Surround Stakes jockeys to be published in our above Surround Stakes Field section.
Surround Stakes Scratchings 2026
2026 Surround Stakes scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Surround Stakes Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Surround Stakes prize purse is worth $750,000 in total, distributed from places first through to tenth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $430,000 |
| 2nd | $141,000 |
| 3rd | $71,500 |
| 4th | $33,250 |
| 5th | $18,000 |
| 6th | $7,500 |
| 7th | $7,500 |
| 8th | $7,500 |
| 9th | $7,500 |
| 10th | $7,500 |
Surround Stakes Race Number 2026
The 2026 Surround Stakes race number is scheduled as Randwick Race 7 at 4:00pm (AEDT) on Saturday, February 28, 2026. There are ten races in total that day at Randwick Racecourse.
Surround Stakes 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 Surround Stakes Form Guide following final acceptances.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2026 SURROUND STAKES FORM GUIDE
Surround Stakes Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 Surround Stakes live, across the following mediums.
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Streaming: Racing NSW
Surround Stakes Winners
Winners of the Surround Stakes going back to the year 2000 are displayed in the table below. If you would like to see results going back to 1979, please check our Surround Stakes winners’ page.
| Year | Winner | Trainer/s | Jockey | Weight | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tempted | Ciaron Maher | Chad Schofield | 56 kgs | 1:22.07 |
| 2025 | Lady Shenandoah | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 56 kgs | 1:20.56 |
| 2024 | Tropical Squall | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 56 kgs | 1:22.63 |
| 2023 | Sunshine In Paris | Annabel Neasham | Ryan Maloney | 56 kgs | 1:22.84 |
| 2022 | Hinged | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 56 kgs | 1:26.09 |
| 2021 | Forbidden Love | Richard & Michael Freedman | Nash Rawiller | 56 kgs | 1:22.30 |
| 2020 | Probabeel | Jamie Richards | Opie Bosson | 56 kgs | 1:21.36 |
| 2019 | Nakeeta Jane | Mark Newnham | Joshua Parr | 56 kgs | 1:21.82 |
| 2018 | Shoals | Anthony Freedman | Joshua Parr | 56 kgs | 1:23.46 |
| 2017 | La Bella Diosa | Mandy & Matt Brown | Jason Collett | 56 kgs | 1:25.62 |
| 2016 | Ghisoni | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 56 kgs | 1:21.35 |
| 2015 | First Seal | John Thompson | Blake Shinn | 56 kgs | 1:22.93 |
| 2014 | Thump | Kris Lees | Jim Cassidy | 56 kgs | 1:23.57 |
| 2013 | Dear Demi | Clarry Conners | Jim Cassidy | 56 kgs | 1:22.26 |
| 2012 | Streama | Guy Walter | Hugh Bowman | 56 kgs | 1:24.70 |
| 2011 | Parables | Peter Snowden | Rod Quinn | 56 kgs | 1:22.35 |
| 2010 | More Joyous | Gai Waterhouse | Nash Rawiller | 56 kgs | 1:23.64 |
| 2009 | Portillo | Peter Snowden | Corey Brown | 56 kgs | 1:21.83 |
| 2008 | Chinchilla Rose | Steele Ryan | Stephen Baster | 56 kgs | 1:24.23 |
| 2007 | Gold Edition | Ron Maund | Jim Cassidy | 56 kgs | 1:22.38 |
| 2006 | Regal Cheer | Joseph Pride | Glen Boss | 55.5 kgs | 1:22.87 |
| 2005 | Lotteria | Gai Waterhouse | Chris Munce | 55.5 kgs | 1:22.85 |
| 2004 | Only Words | John Hawkes | Rod Quinn | 55.5 kgs | 1:25.95 |
| 2003 | Bollinger | Gai Waterhouse | Damien Oliver | 55.5 kgs | 1:23.17 |
| 2002 | Hosannah | John Hawkes | Darren Beadman | 54 kgs | 1:22.85 |
| 2001 | On Type | Gai Waterhouse | Brian York | 54 kgs | 1:22.77 |
| 2000 | Ad Alta | Tony Gillies | Darren Beadman | 54 kgs | 1:24.04 |