Another big Saturday for the three-year-olds looms large with the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas headlining a massive 10-race card in Melbourne.
This year’s $3 million race over the mile sees last start Golden Rose Stakes winner Warwoven out to prove himself against Prelude winner Blind Raise, with a wide-open Toorak Handicap to follow immediatley after.
A small field has also accepted for the Group 1 Might And Power earlier on the program, and it’s all about last start Underwood Stakes winner Sheza Alibi, who lines up as the odds-on favourite.
It’s one of the biggest and most important race days of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, and you can find our thoughts, best bets, and form analysis ahead of Caulfield Guineas Day below!
IN’KANTOSSTAR (9) was odds-on at Geelong last start and did not disappoint when winning by just over a length.
Ethan Brown gave the four-year-old a perfect ride throughout, finding the box seat early off the speed before finding the centre of the track and eventually working through the gears.
This is a decent step up from 1500m, but with a hat-trick of wins and some improvement still to come, this talented galloper out of Ciaron Maher’s yard looks one of the key chances from the inside gate.
| 9. In’Kantosstar (1) J: Ethan Brown 57.5kg 2×111 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| On a three run winning streak. Last start favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.3 len in a Bm70 at Caulfield Heath on September 16 over 1500m defeating Glenfinnan with 58kg at $1.45. The race before that favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.75 len in a Bm62 at Geelong on August 28 over 1347m on a soft track defeating Yauson carrying 60kg at $2.15. Keeps raising the bar and can do so again. | |||
VERZAIN (1) is third-up for Phillip and Tommy Stokes and ready to peak.
She raced a touch keen fresh over 1100m at Headquarters in a Group 3 contest and finished down the order, while no luck went her way last start here over the same trip where she was held up badly for a run.
The rise to 1200m is a big plus given she won the Group 3 Breeders Stakes over the same trip at Morphettville in late April, not to mention the added class of Blake Shinn stepping into the saddle.
If she can settle a little closer to the speed this time from another awkward gate, she’ll be hard to hold out this time.
| 1. Verzain (8) J: Blake Shinn 58.5kg 11×08 T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 10th of 13 in the G3 Cap D’Antibes Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1100m, 4 len behind Satono Glow carrying 58.5kg at $21. Last start got back early 8th of 10 in a 3yo Qlty Hcp at this track on September 27 over 1100m, 4 len behind Threads with 57.5kg at $31. Useful type but must improve sharply. | |||
PERFECT TEN (8) has drawn a nice soft gate ahead of her return.
The daughter to Tavistock has her sights set on a hat-trick after wrapping up her winter prep a winner here over 1800m on the Heath track, form that has recently been franked with the runner-up winning at Warrnambool last week.
She’s had a nice soft jump out leading in and maps to settle just off the speed in the early stages.
With some decent fresh form and Willo experienced in the saddle, she’ll be one of the hardest to beat with a pair of wins to her name over the mile.
| 8. Perfect Ten (5) J: Craig Williams 56kg 1211x T: Nikki Burke | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation won by 2.25 len Caulfield Heath Bm74 August 8 over 1800m slow track defeating Black Peppermint carrying 57.5kg at $3.60. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 2.25 len Sale Bm62 May 3 over 1400m defeating La Belle Grande with 59.5kg at $13. Good mare who can run well off a short break. | |||
FUTURE HISTORY (3) is third-up and looking close to another win.
The old boy is winless from 10 starts here at Caulfield but has held his own in a pair of similar races over shorter this prep, holding on late for third in a diving effort in the JRA Cup a few weeks earlier.
It was the same story up in Queensland when he ran third in the Lord Mayor’s Cup at Eagle Farm, and although he’s mixed his form over the 2400m trip, his recent results tick a few boxes in a tricky edition of the Herbert Power Stakes.
| 3. Future History (3) J: Ben Melham 57kg 36×32 T: Gregory Hickman | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up came from midfield; 3rd of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 2.5 len behind St Lawrence with 62.5kg at $41. Second-up sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 13 in the G3 JRA Cup at this track on September 27 over 2000m, 0.8 len behind Royal Supremacy with 59.5kg at $11. Capable of another forward showing. Has come back well and sets up nicely, solid chance. | |||
HEARCOMESTHESTAR (6) was eye-catching late for fifth in the How Now Stakes a few weeks ago, finishing just over 3.5 lengths off the winner Point Barrow.
She made up enormous ground from the tail of the field and only appeared to warm to the task late, an encouraging effort after a disappointing run fresh from a wide gate in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.
Twice a winner here at Caulfield and in carrying just 1kg extra, she simply needs to settle a little closer in transit this time to be a serious chance.
| 6. Hearcomesthestar (6) J: Beau Mertens 57kg 31×05 T: John Moloney | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up ran second last of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, on a slow track; 6 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $61. Second run from a spell from last on the turn 5th of 10 in the G3 How Now Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Point Barrow with 56kg at $26. Rough hope on latest. | |||
JIGSAW (1) finds a very winnable race on return following some likable jump outs.
He’s been the absolute model of consistency since this time last year, adding a pair of Group 1s and a Quokka victory to his resume.
Loves the Caulfield track with five wins to his name and maps to go straight to the front from the inside draw under Logan Bates. Rain or shine, he’ll be very hard to run down in the 2026 Schillaci Stakes.
| 1. Jigsaw (1) J: Logan Bates 58.5kg 1111x T: Cindy Alderson | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of six months. Finished off last preparation won by long-neck Ascot Quokka April 18 over 1200m slow track defeating Rey Magnerio carrying 58.5kg at $4. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 0.8 len Ellerslie G1 Sistema Railway January 24 over 1200m slow track defeating Arkansaw Kid carrying 57kg at $7.90. Was a revelation last time in and will be very hard to run down. | |||
SHEZA ALIBI (6) is the class runner in this field and almost impossible to fault following a flawless win in the Makybe Diva two weeks ago at Flemington.
She let down with a stunning turn of foot to win by 2.75 lengths, and although the 2000m trip is a bit of a question mark, she really only needs to replicate that performance to win again.
BIRDMAN (1) has been a popular runner right though this prep and he rewarded punters’ faith with a barnstorming win in the Underwood Stakes. That form has held up since with Cosmic Crusader winning the Turnbull Stakes last Saturday, and with 2000m looking perfect for him at this stage of his prep, it’s worth having something on the Irish import as well.
| 1. Birdman (2) J: Ben Melham 59kg 21×61 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up got back early 6th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Beiwacht with 59kg at $61. Second run from a spell won by 1.75 len in the G1 Underwood Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1800m defeating Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $6. Has proven himself as one of the country’s best and he’s a genuine hope of knocking off the mare. | |||
| 6. Sheza Alibi (6) J: Luke Nolen 56kg 11×21 T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming came from midfield; 2nd of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 22 over 1400m, slow going 1.4 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 56.5kg at $3.50. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 2.75 len in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1600m defeating Autumn Boy carrying 56.5kg at $1.60. Superstar mare who only has to run the trip to be winning another G1. | |||
It’s taken a while for WARWOVEN (2) to bounce back from an injury, but he is really starting to live up to the hype as one of the best three-year-olds in the country.
His arrogant win in the Golden Rose Stakes two weeks ago was nothing short of breathtaking, putting his rivals to the sword with a late burst to go over three lengths clear.
If he brings that same kind of confidence into this race and handles the rise to the mile, he’ll take a power of beating with Rachel King likely to adopt similar tactics from midfield early on.
Check out our full Caulfield Guineas 2026 Betting Tips, Predictions & Favourites now!
| 2. Warwoven (6) J: Rachel King 57kg 6×511 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. At the latest run won by 3 len in the G1 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m defeating St Gotthard carrying 56.5kg at $6. Before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a long-neck in a G2 The Run To The Rose at Rosehill on September 12 over 1200m defeating St Gotthard carrying 57kg at $8. Awesome win in the Golden Rose, clearly the one to beat off that. | |||
SUN GOD (9) is a three-time winner over the mile who looks ready to run a big race at odds.
He was a little flat over the late stages in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes fresh, tucked away along the rail where he only battled on to finish sixth in the end.
In saying that, he was clearly in need of the run and deserves big respect as a two-time Stakes winner up in Brisbane over the winner.
| 9. Sun God (5) J: Jye Mcneil 54kg 121×8 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months 8th of 16 in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 3 len behind Angel Capital carrying 52.5kg at $26. Previously second-up 2nd of 11 in the LR Spear Chief Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 6 over 1500m, head behind War Eternal carrying 59kg at $4.80. Solid return and gets a lovely map up in trip, including in all exotics. | |||
HARRY’S YACHT (12) sticks to his preferred trip with less of a gap between runs.
He was sent around at short odds in the Testa Rossa Stakes a fortnight ago over shorter off a four-week break, settling fourth early doors and holding that spot all the way to the line in a fast finish.
The son to Harry Angel has won three times over the track/distance and gets in much better off at the weights here spotting last start winner Regal Zeus a few kilos.
The gate does make this a slightly awkward challenge for Ben Allen, but if he slots across early and drops right back in the run, he should be left with plenty of horse underneath.
| 12. Harry’s Yacht (7) J: Ben Allen 55.5kg 34×54 T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 5th of 8 in a G3 The Heath 1100 Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1100m, slow going 5 len behind Oliveanotherday carrying 57kg at $19. Second run from a spell 4th of 9 in the LR Testa Rossa Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 1.75 len behind Regal Zeus carrying 57kg at $3.50. Ready to peak now and should go well. | |||