We have How Now Stakes tips and predictions for the Group 3 1200m race at Caulfield on Saturday.
It’s a quality field for the all-mares race, and How Now Stakes odds have Bridal Waltz as the favourite.
Form behind Oliveanotherday should hold up well in this race, which is why BRIDAL WALTZ (5) is the current favourite to win the How Now Stakes.
She doesn’t know how to run a bad race after posting six wins and seven placings from 18 starts, and her second-up form consists of two wins. That’s tough to overlook, and she’ll get all favours from the barrier.
She has drawn barrier 5 for this race with Ben Melham riding, so she’ll be able to peel out into the clear at the top of the straight before launching her winning claim. The $2.80 odds are reflective of her ability, and she’s the worthy favourite in an even field.
| 10. Bridal Waltz (5) J: Ben Melham 55kg 172×2 T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 2nd of 8 in a G3 The Heath 1100 Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1100m, slow going 1.5 len behind Oliveanotherday with 55kg at $3.70. Previously second-up 7th of 12 in a G1 The Galaxy at Rosehill on March 21 over 1100m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Marhoona with 51.5kg at $10. Good fresh and gets in very well back to own sex | |||
The biggest danger to Bridal Waltz is POINT BARROW (10), especially if she’s anywhere close to her best. That wasn’t the case last start, but nothing in that race suited her, and she’ll be better at Caulfield.
She is a two-time winner at Caulfield from only four attempts, and the tight home turn gives her more speed to wind up late. That’s her racing style, and she will sit at the back of the field before firing late.
It’s not always the best racing strategy, but it has won her five of her 10 starts so far, and a return to winning form is just around the corner for the 4YO mare by Blue Point.
We priced her at $4, so the $5 odds are a good price for the second favourite in what could be a busy finish, so include her in How Now Stakes tips.
| 3. Point Barrow (10) J: Mark Zahra 57kg 515×0 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 11th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 5 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $16. Previously second-up won by 1.0 len in the G3 Don Casboult Classic (Typhoon Tracy Stakes) at this track on March 21 over 1200m defeating Torsheen with 58.5kg at $2.80. Couldn’t get warm fresh, suited this trip and will be charging late. | |||
Sydney form should be respected in Melbourne, and STARDOM (8) looked good when running second at Randwick behind Prima Bella.
It wasn’t the strongest field we’ve ever seen, but she has experience racing against stronger fields, where she acquitted herself well, and she is a runner going under the radar this spring.
The Waterhouse/Bott stable likes to strike with their longer-priced runners at this time of the year, and Stardom is an ideal candidate to post an upset result. Include her in picks as a Top 5 chance to boost payouts.
| 9. Stardom (8) J: Jordan Childs 56kg 944×2 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months came from midfield; 2nd of 7 in the G3 Toy Show Quality at Randwick on August 22 over 1100m, slow going head behind Prima Bella with 53kg at $16. Previously second-up 4th of 14 in the G3 Gold Coast Guineas on May 9 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Beadman with 55kg at $31. Good run fresh and can give a sight. | |||
Punters get value odds with our How Now Stakes SRM, which includes our three selected runners.
- Top 2 – No. 10 Bridal Waltz
- Top 3 – No. 3 Point Barrow
- Top 5 – No. 9 Stardom
We have Bridal Waltz Top 2, Point Barrow Top 3, and Stardom Top 5, which pays $9.50 for our three-runner SRM.
We have the favourite running in the first two home, and Point Barrow is a good Top 3 hope. She should run in the trifecta, and we add value to our multi by including Stardom to run in the Top 5 at odds.
| 3. Point Barrow (10) J: Mark Zahra 57kg 515×0 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 11th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 5 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $16. Previously second-up won by 1.0 len in the G3 Don Casboult Classic (Typhoon Tracy Stakes) at this track on March 21 over 1200m defeating Torsheen with 58.5kg at $2.80. Couldn’t get warm fresh, suited this trip and will be charging late. | |||
| 9. Stardom (8) J: Jordan Childs 56kg 944×2 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months came from midfield; 2nd of 7 in the G3 Toy Show Quality at Randwick on August 22 over 1100m, slow going head behind Prima Bella with 53kg at $16. Previously second-up 4th of 14 in the G3 Gold Coast Guineas on May 9 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Beadman with 55kg at $31. Good run fresh and can give a sight. | |||
| 10. Bridal Waltz (5) J: Ben Melham 55kg 172×2 T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 2nd of 8 in a G3 The Heath 1100 Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1100m, slow going 1.5 len behind Oliveanotherday with 55kg at $3.70. Previously second-up 7th of 12 in a G1 The Galaxy at Rosehill on March 21 over 1100m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Marhoona with 51.5kg at $10. Good fresh and gets in very well back to own sex | |||
How Now Stakes 2026 Odds
| 1. Ole Dancer (6) J: Luke Nolen 59kg 230×0 T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months ran last of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, on a slow track; 7 len behind My Gladiola with 56.5kg at $61. Previously second-up 3rd of 8 in the G1 Surround Stakes at Randwick on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 2 len behind Tempted with 56kg at $9. See again. | |||
| 2. Inkaruna (2) J: Damian Lane 57kg 200×4 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 4th of 8 in a G3 The Heath 1100 Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1100m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Oliveanotherday with 56.5kg at $19. Previously second-up 2nd of 14 in the G3 Birthday Card Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1200m, on a slow track; head behind Catch The Glory carrying 53.5kg at $2.35. Solid fresh, in the minor mix. | |||
| 3. Point Barrow (10) J: Mark Zahra 57kg 515×0 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 11th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 5 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $16. Previously second-up won by 1.0 len in the G3 Don Casboult Classic (Typhoon Tracy Stakes) at this track on March 21 over 1200m defeating Torsheen with 58.5kg at $2.80. Couldn’t get warm fresh, suited this trip and will be charging late. | |||
| 4. Custom (7) J: Ethan Brown 57kg x2131 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run ran on from midfield and won by 1.75 len in the G3 Courtza (WW Cockram) Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Photograph with 56kg at $6. The run before that 3rd of 8 in a Bm88 at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Flyer with 52kg at $1.75. New peak last time and can go on with it. | |||
| 5. Proved (11) J: Carleen Hefel 57kg 510×7 T: Enver Jusufovic | |||
| Second run back. First-up after nine months 7th of 12 in the G3 Courtza (WW Cockram) Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1200m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Custom with 58kg at $21. Previously second-up won by a nose in the G3 How Now Stakes at this track on November 15 over 1200m defeating Aviatress carrying 55kg at $26. Has a bit to find. | |||
| 6. Hearcomesthestar (4) J: Beau Mertens 56kg 331×0 T: John Moloney | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months ran second last of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 6 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $61. Previously second-up 3rd of 14 in a LR The Straight Six at Flemington on May 16 over 1200m, 3 len behind Losesomewinmore with 54kg at $17. Happy to risk again. | |||
| 8. Miss Freelove (1) J: Blake Shinn 56kg x613x T: Peter Snowden | |||
| Dual acceptor. Resuming. Finished off last preparation third of 17 at Eagle Farm in the LR Qld Day June 6 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Earn To Burn carrying 55kg at $6. When resuming last campaign sixth of 10 at Warwick Farm Bm78 April 15 over 1100m, 3 len behind Golden Straand carrying 59.5kg at $5.50. Prefer to see how she returns. | |||
| 9. Stardom (8) J: Jordan Childs 56kg 944×2 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months came from midfield; 2nd of 7 in the G3 Toy Show Quality at Randwick on August 22 over 1100m, slow going head behind Prima Bella with 53kg at $16. Previously second-up 4th of 14 in the G3 Gold Coast Guineas on May 9 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Beadman with 55kg at $31. Good run fresh and can give a sight. | |||
| 10. Bridal Waltz (5) J: Ben Melham 55kg 172×2 T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 2nd of 8 in a G3 The Heath 1100 Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1100m, slow going 1.5 len behind Oliveanotherday with 55kg at $3.70. Previously second-up 7th of 12 in a G1 The Galaxy at Rosehill on March 21 over 1100m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Marhoona with 51.5kg at $10. Good fresh and gets in very well back to own sex | |||
| 11. Terilee (3) J: Luke Cartwright 55kg 4115x T: Michael Kent | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation fifth of 17 at Morphettville in the G2 Queen Of South April 25 over 1600m, 1.2 len behind Cilacap carrying 55kg at $5. Previously first up; fourth of 10 at Pakenham F&M Bm70 January 23 over 1400m, 3 len behind Paradise City carrying 60kg at $4.20. Will likely need this one. | |||
| 12. Photograph (9) J: Jamie Melham 55kg 6x2x2 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Dual acceptor. Racing second-up today. Last run came from the tail of the field 2nd of 12 in the G3 Courtza (WW Cockram) Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1200m, slow going 1.75 len behind Custom carrying 56kg at $10. At only start last preparation 2nd in a small field in a F&M Swp at this track on March 14 over 1100m, 1.0 len behind Gentle Steel carrying 55kg at $2.50. Nice return and will take holding out. | |||
| 7. Shadhavar (9) Scratched: | |||