2026 William Reid Stakes Day Tips & Preview

IMMORTAL STAR (1) gets some relief at the weights as she looks to bounce back from a last start third in the VOBIS Gold Prelude race at Headquarters. 

The I Am Immortal mare was never really suited by the step back to 1100m and the fast tempo, although she was seen doing her best work late when rattling off some decent final splits. 

Rock hard fit and back out over 1200m now with the winkers off, her best is good enough to get the job done.  

BLUESTONE (4) strips fitter third-up with Ben Allen in the saddle. 

Michael Kent’s galloper was runner-up here at Caulfield over 2000m fresh, then venturing to Sandown last time out where he was held up at a crucial stage, eventually finishing midfield. 

The form from that contest has seen the winner Hurry Curry go on to place in a Group 2 at Morphettville, while the runner-up Bright Legend won the Torney Cup at Pakenham two weeks ago.  

Drawn well again and down at the weights, he’ll be difficult to hold out if given the right ride working off the speed.  

RICH ON BUBBLES (1) brings some nice South Australian form into his fourth appearance at the races.  

After debuting at Flemington last year, the son of Capitalist has gone to another level this prep, winning his maiden well at Pakenham first-up and then tackling the SA Magic Millions at Murray Bridge where he was brave all the way through the line for a solid four length win.  

Off that, the rise to 1200m looks ideal third-up and with most of these on debut, he should have a fitness edge.  

GETTA GOOD FEELING (2) gets back up to the mile looking to build on an impressive Inglis Sprint win over 1200m at Flemington a few weeks ago. 

This is a decent step up in trip for the filly by So You Think, but we’ve already seen her handle the trip quite comfortably when she came out and won the Group 2 Edward Manifold over the spring last year.  

Against a small field that frankly doesn’t measure up in terms of class, she’ll be very hard to beat with a stack of improvement still to come.  

This looks a perfect leadoff point for KING ZEPHYR (4) back from a decent spell.  

Grahame Begg’s sprinter likely has bigger races than this in mind right through to the Winter Carnival in Brisbane, and we’ve already seen him measure up at Stakes level when finishing runner-up to Zou Sensation in the Weekend Hussler last October here at Caulfield. 

The son of Hallowed Crown has always been a good fresh horse and is drawn to receive every chance from the inside barrier.  

BASSETT BABE (12) can measure up in her first start in Melbourne.  

Trained by Andrew Gluyas, this promising Wootton Bassett filly has been enormous winning twice in South Australia, putting paid to her rivals by more than 2.6 lengths last start at Morphettville after setting up nicely just off the speed. 

This is a big step up in class, but she’s got fitness on her side compared to the other key chances and maps to find the front again from the inside alley in the Don Casboult Classic field.

Sticking with TREASURETHE MOMENT (1), who deserves more than just another chance after a brave defeat in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes first-up. 

The multiple Group 1 winner went forward and was only beaten late by two classy animals in Pericles and Buckaroo, while it’s worth keeping in mind, she’s won three of her four starts second-up from a spell.  

Returning to Group 2 level, coming back to weight for age is key to her chances, and she’ll just need room in running from the inside gate to bounce back.  

JIMMMYSSTAR (1) appeals big time back from a good break. 

Now a three-time Group 1 winner, Ciaron Maher’s gelding continues to age like a fine wine, and his first-up record (five wins, one place) supports the current odds-on offer as a short-priced favourite. 

His spring resume includes a third to Ka Ying Rising in The Everest, followed by a Stakes win at Randwick into a dominant CF Orr Stakes victory over the 1400m trip here at Caulfield.  

Both trial wins leading in have been exceptional, making him one of the better bets on Saturday. 

Big watch on the talented PLANET RED (1) third-up now for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr’s team.  

Both runs back over shorter trips have been exceptional when placing in the Autumn Stakes and the Australian Guineas where he’s come off second best to one of the top gallopers going around at the moment (Observer).  

Slight query over 2000m for the first time, but he’s been strong through the line on each occasion, suggesting he can handle it. Maps to get a lovely cart into the race from midfield and looks incredibly hard to beat.  

GOLD MEDALLIST (13) has claims here at each-way odds.  

The Pierata mare has was much-improved second-up after a flat effort at Sale to start her prep, making up some ground from midfield to finish 1.3 lengths off Dirty Grin in a BM78 at Flemington. 

She hasn’t been quite the same horse that saw her win 4/4 to start her career last time in work, but willing to bet two runs over 1200m does her some good as she gets out over her pet trip now carrying only 54kg.