A new generation of sprinting stars will stamp their credentials down Flemington’s famous straight on Victoria Derby Day, and the Neds form team has you covered with our expert Coolmore Stud Stakes 2026 betting tips, predictions and favourites for one of the premier three-year-old races of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The Coolmore Stud Stakes has launched the careers of some of Australia’s elite sprinters, and this year’s edition is shaping as another beauty with a deep field assembled for the Group 1 $2 million feature over 1200m.
The latest Coolmore Stud Stakes betting markets at Neds are headed by The Next Episode, who arrives on a winning streak and looks primed to make the leap to Group 1 company following his impressive Danehill Stakes victory at Flemington. Close behind him in the market are Chris Waller’s Golden Rose placegetter St Gotthard and the exciting filly Satono Glow, whose unbeaten record down the Flemington straight makes her a genuine threat to the boys.
Further down the market, proven performers including Natural Fling, Pembrey, Paradoxium, Under Focus, and emerging roughie Mbube add plenty of depth to a race packed with speed, talent and future breeding value.
Below you’ll find our full 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes preview, betting tips and same race multi selections. With a stack of future stallion prospects and Group 1 glory on the line, Saturday’s sprint showdown promises to be one of the highlights of Derby Day.
2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes Favourites & Best Bets
THE NEXT EPISODE (14) looks the clear horse to beat in this year’s Coolmore Stud Stakes and rightly sits at the top of the Neds market.
The Ciaron Maher-trained son of Snitzel resumes his quest for Group 1 glory off the back of a dominant Danehill Stakes win at Flemington, where he rounded up Natural Fling late and attacked the line like a colt crying out for the rise to 1200m.
Maher has spaced his runs perfectly this preparation, Mark Zahra stays aboard, and the straight-track setup looks tailor-made for his powerful finishing burst.
While he’ll likely settle near the rear again, the spacious Flemington straight and his proven turn of foot should negate any concerns from the outside draw.
With the strongest recent form in the race and plenty of upside still to come, The Next Episode is my best in the race.
| 1. The Next Episode (14) 57kg211×1 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months won by a long-neck in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m on a heavy track defeating Natural Fling with 58kg at $3.30. Previously second-up settled towards the rear 2nd of 10 in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1100m, on a slow track; head behind Blue Door with 56.5kg at $2.60. Huge win fresh, will be charging home down the outside. | |||
SATONO GLOW (4) looks the obvious danger to the favourite and rates as a terrific each way play.
The John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained filly has won four of her five career starts and arrives in Melbourne chasing a hat-trick after an authoritative Roman Consul Stakes victory over the Coolmore trip.
Perhaps even more importantly, she’s already proven she handles Flemington’s unique straight course, remaining unbeaten in two appearances at the track.
With Ben Melham engaged, a favourable draw and the benefit of carrying the filly’s allowance, Satono Glow maps to get every chance to settle off the speed and finish strongly.
Taking on the boys is never easy in this race, but her form stacks up, her profile is faultless, and she looks more than capable of becoming the first filly since In Secret (2022) to win.
| 13. Satono Glow (4) 55kg14×11 | |||
| Third-up today. First-up won by 0.5 len in the G3 Cap D’antibes Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m defeating Over Excited carrying 58.5kg at $7. Second run from a spell came from midfield and won by 1.3 len in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m defeating Steel Will with 54.5kg at $2.60. Profiles nicely. Big win latest and likes the straight, no knocks. | |||
MBUBE (7) is the runner that could blow up the exotics and appeals as the standout roughie for mine.
The Lloyd Kennewell-trained son of Rubick has only had three starts but has shown plenty of talent, placing in both the Poseidon Stakes and Danehill behind some of the key players in this race.
His Danehill effort in particular ties him directly to favourite The Next Episode, and there’s every chance he’s still got more improvement to come than many of his more exposed rivals.
With Billy Egan aboard, a handy draw and valuable experience down the Flemington straight already under his belt, Mbube looks ideally placed to peak third-up.
He needs to find another length or two to trouble the favourites, but at the price he’s the type of horse worth including in wider multiples and exotics.
| 9. Mbube (7) 57kg1×23 | |||
| Third-up today. First-up made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 1.0 len behind Paradoxium with 57kg at $2.80. Second-up 3rd of 11 in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m, on heavy track; 1.4 len behind The Next Episode with 57kg at $16. Talented colt who will be running on, not sure he’s quite up to winning. | |||
2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes Same Race Multi Selections
- Top 2 – No. 1 The Next Episode
- Top 3 – No. 13 Satono Glow
- Top 6 – No. 9 Mbube
THE NEXT EPISODE (14) is the cornerstone of the multi after his booming Danehill Stakes victory, with the in-form favourite looking ideally suited stepping into Group 1 company down the Flemington straight.
SATONO GLOW (4) for a Top 3 finish adds confidence to the play, with the Roman Consul Stakes-winning filly bringing elite form, a perfect straight-track record and genuine Coolmore winning claims.
MBUBE (7) for a Top 6 finish provides the value component, with the progressive colt’s strong Flemington lead-up form and untapped upside making him a live chance to sneak into the placings at a price.
| 1. The Next Episode (14) 57kg211×1 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months won by a long-neck in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m on a heavy track defeating Natural Fling with 58kg at $3.30. Previously second-up settled towards the rear 2nd of 10 in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1100m, on a slow track; head behind Blue Door with 56.5kg at $2.60. Huge win fresh, will be charging home down the outside. | |||
| 9. Mbube (7) 57kg1×23 | |||
| Third-up today. First-up made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 1.0 len behind Paradoxium with 57kg at $2.80. Second-up 3rd of 11 in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m, on heavy track; 1.4 len behind The Next Episode with 57kg at $16. Talented colt who will be running on, not sure he’s quite up to winning. | |||
| 13. Satono Glow (4) 55kg14×11 | |||
| Third-up today. First-up won by 0.5 len in the G3 Cap D’antibes Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m defeating Over Excited carrying 58.5kg at $7. Second run from a spell came from midfield and won by 1.3 len in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m defeating Steel Will with 54.5kg at $2.60. Profiles nicely. Big win latest and likes the straight, no knocks. | |||
Coolmore Stud Stakes 2026 Odds
| 1. The Next Episode (14) 57kg211×1 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months won by a long-neck in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m on a heavy track defeating Natural Fling with 58kg at $3.30. Previously second-up settled towards the rear 2nd of 10 in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1100m, on a slow track; head behind Blue Door with 56.5kg at $2.60. Huge win fresh, will be charging home down the outside. | |||
| 2. Paradoxium (13) 57kg06×14 | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming favourite; won by 1.0 len in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m defeating Mbube carrying 58.5kg at $3.50. Second run from a spell 4th of 10 in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m, 2 len behind Satono Glow carrying 56.5kg at $2. Overdid it a touch last time but the end of 1200m is a worry. | |||
| 3. Alibaba (11) 57kg389×4 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months 4th of 11 in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m, on a wet track; 1.5 len behind The Next Episode with 58kg at $81. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by a long-neck in the LR Blue Diamond Preview (Colts & Geldings) at Caulfield on January 24 over 1000m defeating Milsons Point with 56kg at $3.20. Good return but has the task ahead. | |||
| 4. Stretan Ruler (5) 57kg25×04 | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming raced on the pace before fading to run last of 11 in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m, on a wet track; 6 len behind The Next Episode with 58.5kg at $41. Second run from a spell 4th of 11 in the G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield on October 17 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Marffiano carrying 57kg at $13. Comes through inferior form. | |||
| 5. St Gotthard (6) 57kg11×22 | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming raced on the pace when 2nd of 11 in a G2 The Run To The Rose at Rosehill on September 12 over 1200m, long-neck behind Warwoven carrying 57kg at $2.60. Second-up made ground from midfield; 2nd of 12 in the G1 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 3 len behind Warwoven carrying 56.5kg at $3.70. Through the top races and Waller will have him primed for this. | |||
| 6. Marffiano (3) 57kg525×1 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by a nose in the G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield on October 17 over 1200m defeating Barracks with 57kg at $41. Previously second-up 5th of 12 in a Mm Nat 2yo SW at Gold Coast on May 22 over 1000m, slow going 3.5 len behind The Next Episode carrying 57kg at $13. Other form stronger. | |||
| 7. Under Focus (1) 57kg3×633 | |||
| Racing well recently. Comes off a 35 day let-up. Most recently held ground to the line 3rd of 12 in the G1 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 3 len behind Warwoven with 56.5kg at $12. Before that 3rd of 11 in a G2 The Run To The Rose at Rosehill on September 12 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Warwoven with 55kg at $6. Brings the top Sydney form and warrants respect. | |||
| 8. Steel Will (10) 57kgx1162 | |||
| Last start made ground from midfield; 2nd of 10 in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m, 1.3 len behind Satono Glow carrying 56.5kg at $12. The race before that eased back early on 6th of 10 in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 4 len behind Paradoxium with 57kg at $7.50. Nice run last time but this has a lot more depth. | |||
| 9. Mbube (7) 57kg1×23 | |||
| Third-up today. First-up made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 1.0 len behind Paradoxium with 57kg at $2.80. Second-up 3rd of 11 in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m, on heavy track; 1.4 len behind The Next Episode with 57kg at $16. Talented colt who will be running on, not sure he’s quite up to winning. | |||
| 10. The Machine Gun (2) 57kg11×6 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months eased back early on 6th of 10 in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m, 4 len behind Satono Glow with 56.5kg at $31. Previously second-up won by a nose in the LR Tattersalls Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 27 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Klocke carrying 57kg at $21. Solid fresh but this is a big ask. | |||
| 11. Doubt Time (12) 57kg1×53 | |||
| Third-up today. First-up 5th of 11 in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m, on a wet track; 3.5 len behind The Next Episode with 57kg at $18. Second-up 3rd of 11 in the G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield on October 17 over 1200m, 0.5 len behind Marffiano with 57kg at $8. Good against pattern latest but still has plenty to find. | |||
| 12. Natural Fling (8) 55kg2×132 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 in the G2 Danehill Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1100m, in the wet; long-neck behind The Next Episode carrying 56.5kg at $2.70. The run before that held ground to the line 3rd of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 1.1 len behind My Gladiola with 50kg at $3. Will roll along in front and be there for a long way. | |||
| 13. Satono Glow (4) 55kg14×11 | |||
| Third-up today. First-up won by 0.5 len in the G3 Cap D’antibes Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m defeating Over Excited carrying 58.5kg at $7. Second run from a spell came from midfield and won by 1.3 len in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1200m defeating Steel Will with 54.5kg at $2.60. Profiles nicely. Big win latest and likes the straight, no knocks. | |||
| 14. Pembrey (9) 55kg10×16 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Freshened for 56 days. Resuming favourite; won by 2.5 len in the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick on August 22 over 1200m in soft going defeating Bangkok Hottie with 56kg at $4.40. Last start faded in the straight 6th of 10 in the G2 Furious Stakes at Randwick on September 5 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Bangkok Hottie carrying 56kg at $2. Nice filly with speed but this is a lot tougher. | |||