King Charles III Stakes 2026 Betting Tips, Predictions & Favourites

AUTUMN GLOW (4) is our leading selection after delivering two convincing wins during her current preparation. She resumed successfully in the Group 1 Winx Stakes before returning to Randwick for the 7 Stakes, where she stepped up to 1600m and defeated her rivals by 1.3 lengths.

Her recent performances suggest she’s thriving this preparation, and her record over the Randwick mile gives punters further confidence. She has won all three of her starts at the distance, so she’s clearly the one to beat.

Our only worry is that she’ll need to do the chasing behind Pride of Jenni, but we’re sure Chris Waller and James McDonald have devised a plan. She’s the star of the show, so she tops King Charles III Stakes predictions.

The Joseph Pride-trained CEOLWULF (1) has won the King Charles III Stakes in each of the past two years and now has the opportunity to claim a historic third straight victory.

He finished second in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick last time out, which followed a close finish behind Autumn Glow, so he’s knocking on the door of a Group 1 win.

Those performances show that he’s still competitive against leading middle-distance horses, and the return to WFA conditions could help him against rivals he recently met under different circumstances.

He hasn’t been missed in the betting markets at $3.60, and if there’s going to be a minor upset, Ceolwulf is the one.

JUST FOLK (3) is our long-shot selection for punters looking beyond the three top chances. The veteran galloper has been racing consistently in Melbourne and deserves consideration despite facing a substantial class rise.

The Gavin Bedggood-trained 10-year-old finished second in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes over 1400m at Flemington on 4 October, so he’s racing well enough to figure in the finish at big odds.

If Pride Of Jenni sets a strong tempo up front, the race could develop into a test of stamina, and he is fit enough to be right there in the thick of the finish. The odds are big, as he’s not as good as the three favourites, but racing is a funny game, so upsets can happen.

Punters get value odds with our King Charles III Stakes SRM, which includes our three selected runners.

• To Win – No. 5 Autumn Glow
• Top 2 – No. 1 Ceolwulf
• Top 4 – No. 3 Just Folk 

We have Autum Glow to Win, Ceolwulf Top 2, and Just Folk Top 4, which pays $5.75 for our three-runner SRM.

We’re picking Autumn Glow and Ceolwulf to run the quinella, and we have Just Folk finishing in the Top 4, as he only needs to beat two runners home, which is possible for the consistent type.