Looking for this year’s CS Hayes Stakes betting markets, field and tips? The tipsters at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.
CS Hayes Stakes 2026 Results
The official 2026 CS Hayes Stakes results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
- #2 Sixties
- #9 Asakura
- #12 Beyond Question
The Group 1 Australian Guineas on February 28 is calling for the talented and progressive Chris Waller-trained Sixties ($1.60F) who showed plenty of class late to overcome a wide run at HQ and salute for the punters in the 2026 CS Hayes Stakes results for his second Group 3 victory thanks to a gutsy ride by Damian Lane. Sixties has firmed into $4 second favouritism behind Observer to win the Guineas.
| 2. Sixties (9) J: Damian Lane 58.5kg 515×1T: Chris Waller | ||
| 9. Asakura (6) J: Dean Yendall 56kg 2×11T: Mitchell Freedman | ||
| 12. Beyond Question (2) J: Harry Coffey 56kg 1T: Patrick Kearney | ||
| 6. Romantic Encounter (3) J: Daniel Stackhouse 56kg 120×9T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 5. Officiate (4) J: Ben Melham 56kg 2130xT: Chris Waller | ||
| 1. West Of Swindon (7) J: Thomas Stockdale 58.5kg 2194xT: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 8. Express Class (8) J: Patrick Moloney 56kg 36×96T: Gerard Moloney | ||
| 11. Wetumpka (1) J: Ben Allen 56kg 224×2T: Peter Gelagotis | ||
| 4. Bingi (11) J: Zac Spain 57kg 3177xT: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | ||
| 10. Loud Charlie (10) J: Jamie Mott 56kg 31T: Lloyd Kennewell |
CS Hayes Stakes 2026 Tips
Our insider 2026 CS Hayes Stakes tips will be detailed here the week of the race and a full betting preview available on the Neds Blog.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR COMPLETE 2026 BLACK CAVIAR LIGHTNING DAY PREVIEW & TIPS
| 2. Sixties (9) J: Damian Lane 58.5kg 515×1T: Chris Waller |
| 3. Space Rider (2) Scratched: | |||
| 7. Pictor (7) Scratched: | |||
Named after legendary trainer Colin Hayes, the CS Hayes Stakes is a longstanding Group 3 race run over 1,400 metres each February at Flemington Racecourse on Black Caviar Lightning Day. Restricted to colts and geldings, with a $200,000 prize purse, the race is the male equivalent of the The Vanity held at the same meeting for the three-year-old fillies.
The CS Hayes Stakes is a key lead-up into the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) held later during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival and the latest to do the double include Wandjina (2015), Hey Doc (2017), Grunt (2018), and brilliant Queenslander Alligator Blood (2020).
In 2024 the CS Hayes Stakes winner Riff Rocket won first-up after his Victoria Derby success the spring prior becoming the first horse in 30 years to do the double, the first since Mahogany (1993).
Riff Rocket went on to run third in the Australian Guineas 2024 at his next start before completing the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas – Australian Derby double in Sydney that autumn.
Sepals, winner of the 2025 CS Hayes Stakes, turned that victory into the launchpad for an outstanding campaign, going on to finish fourth in the Australian Guineas before returning in the spring to capture the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and run second in the $10 million Golden Eagle. The race also proved a key form reference for the Australian Guineas, with Feroce elevating sharply off his third placing in the CS Hayes to rise to the mile at his next outing and claim the Group 1 feature in impressive style.
CS Hayes Stakes 2026 – Quick Information
- Race Day: Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Track Location: Flemington Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Left-handed
- Race Distance: 1,400 metres
- Weight Conditions: Set weights (plus penalties)
- Qualification: Three-year-olds (colts and geldings only)
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 3
- Operator: Victoria Racing Club
- Prize Purse: $200,000
- Inaugural Race: 1987
- 2026 CS Hayes Winner: Sixties
CS Hayes Stakes Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the CS Hayes Stakes, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How To Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s The Vanity |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s CS Hayes Stakes. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s CS Hayes Stakes. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the CS Hayes Stakes, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the CS Hayes Stakes, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the CS Hayes Stakes to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the CS Hayes Stakes to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the CS Hayes Stakes to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the CS Hayes Stakes, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How To Bet on the CS Hayes Stakes in 2026
- Login at neds.com.au
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on CS Hayes Stakes Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the CS Hayes Stakes in 2026
The best way to pick which horse will win the CS Hayes Stakes in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up autumn racing form, assess the barriers, consider the weight the horse will carry and back the proven Group horses in the mix.
Additional factors to consider when picking the CS Hayes Stakes winner include:
- Class Has It – The favourites have an excellent record in the CS Hayes Stakes.
- Flemington Factor – Past runs at the iconic HQ track are an advantage.
- Last Start Winners – Three-year-olds coming off a lead-up run traditionally do well in this event.
CS Hayes Stakes Favourites 2026
Favourites in 2026 CS Hayes Stakes betting include Chris Waller’s last start Rosehill winning Flying Artie colt Sixties, the Price & Kent Jnr-trained Space Rider coming off a win fresh in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes, and the resuming Ciaron Maher-trained Group 2 Stutt Stakes winner West Of Swindon.
Alligator Blood ($1.80 in 2020), Pinstriped ($5.50EF in 2022) and Sixties ($1.60 in 2026) are the last CS Hayes Stakes favourites to win.
CS Hayes Stakes 2026 Field
The official 2026 CS Hayes Stakes field of final acceptances is announced on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.
The 2026 CS Hayes Stakes final field features a quality line-up of potential Australian Guineas bound three-year-olds including last start Group 3 Manfred Stakes winner Space Rider and the progressive Asakura chasing a hat-trick.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. West Of Swindon
J: Thomas Stockdale
T: Ciaron Maher |
42194x | C | 7 | 58.5kg | |
|
2. Sixties
J: Damian Lane
T: Chris Waller |
1515x1 | C | 9 | 58.5kg | |
| 3. Space Rider (2) Scratched: | |||||
|
4. Bingi
J: Zac Spain
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
13177x | C | 11 | 57kg | |
|
5. Officiate
J: Ben Melham
T: Chris Waller |
x2130x | C | 4 | 56kg | |
|
6. Romantic Encounter
J: Daniel Stackhouse
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
120x9 | C | 3 | 56kg | |
| 7. Pictor (7) Scratched: | |||||
|
8. Express Class
J: Patrick Moloney
T: Gerard Moloney |
136x96 | G | 8 | 56kg | |
|
9. Asakura
J: Dean Yendall
T: Mitchell Freedman |
2x11 | G | 6 | 56kg | |
|
10. Loud Charlie
J: Jamie Mott
T: Lloyd Kennewell |
31 | G | 10 | 56kg | |
|
11. Wetumpka
J: Ben Allen
T: Peter Gelagotis |
224x2 | C | 1 | 56kg | |
|
12. Beyond Question
J: Harry Coffey
T: Patrick Kearney |
1 | G | 2 | 56kg | |
|
13. Earthing
J: Luke Nolen
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
6 | C | 5 | 56kg | |
CS Hayes Stakes Race Day 2026
The 2026 CS Hayes Stakes takes place at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, February 14, 2026, as part of Black Caviar Lightning Day 2026.
The action at HQ is headlined by the sprinters facing off in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m), while the Group 3 Frances Tessady Stakes (1400m) is the other key support act on the card.
CS Hayes Stakes Barrier Draw 2026
The 2026 CS Hayes Stakes barrier draw will be released to the public a few days before the race and will be published in our above CS Hayes Stakes Field section.
CS Hayes Stakes Nominations 2026
2026 CS Hayes Stakes nominations close at 12 PM on the Monday of race week.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2×11 | ASAKURA | G | 3 | Mitchell Freedman | |
| 2 | 1 | BEYOND QUESTION | G | 3 | Patrick Kearney | |
| 3 | 13177x | BINGI | C | 3 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |
| 4 | 6 | EARTHING | C | 3 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |
| 5 | 136×96 | EXPRESS CLASS | G | 3 | Gerard Moloney | |
| 6 | 1 | FLY BY LIGHT | G | 3 | Clinton McDonald | |
| 7 | 31 | LOUD CHARLIE | G | 3 | Lloyd Kennewell | |
| 8 | 8x2130x | OFFICIATE | C | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 9 | 63×14 | ONAVUITTON | G | 3 | Simon Zahra | |
| 10 | 2x7134x | PICTOR | C | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 11 | 120×9 | ROMANTIC ENCOUNTER (NZ) | C | 3 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | |
| 12 | 821515×1 | SIXTIES | C | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 13 | 14x1740x1 | SPACE RIDER | C | 3 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | |
| 14 | x20x42194x | WEST OF SWINDON | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 15 | 224×2 | WETUMPKA | C | 3 | Peter Gelagotis |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
CS Hayes Stakes Weights 2026
Set weights plus penalties apply to this race. Final weights are announced at 4 PM on the Monday of race week with the official 2026 CS Hayes Stakes weights on the final acceptances to be published in our above CS Hayes Stakes Field section.
Tagaloa (59.5kg in 2021), Riff Rocket (59.5kg in 2024) and Sixties (58.5kg in 2026) are the last CS Hayes Stakes topweights or equal topweights to win.
2026 CS Hayes Stakes Topweights:
- No. 1 West Of Swindon (58.5kg)
- No. 2 Sixties (58.5kg)
- No. 3 Space Rider (58.5kg)
CS Hayes Stakes Acceptances 2026
2026 CS Hayes Stakes final acceptances must be declared before 9:30 AM on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in our above CS Hayes Stakes Field section.
CS Hayes Stakes Jockeys 2026
The final riders must be announced by 1 PM on the Wednesday of race week with the official 2026 CS Hayes Stakes jockeys to be published in our above CS Hayes Stakes Field section.
CS Hayes Stakes Scratchings 2026
2026 CS Hayes Stakes scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
CS Hayes Stakes Prize Money 2026
The 2026 CS Hayes Stakes prize purse is worth $200,000 in total, distributed from places first through to eighth. There is a SUPER VOBIS Nominators bonus of $10,000 for eligible placegetters.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $120,000 |
| 2nd | $36,000 |
| 3rd | $18,000 |
| 4th | $9,000 |
| 5th | $5,000 |
| 6th | $4,000 |
| 7th | $4,000 |
| 8th | $4,000 |
CS Hayes Stakes Race Number 2026
The 2026 CS Hayes Stakes race number is scheduled as Flemington Race 9 at 4:50pm (AEDT) on Saturday, February 14, 2026. There are ten races in total that day at Flemington Racecourse.
CS Hayes Stakes Form Guide 2026
The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 CS Hayes Stakes Form Guide following final acceptances.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2026 CS HAYES STAKES FORM GUIDE
CS Hayes Stakes Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 CS Hayes Stakes live, across the following mediums.
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Free to air television: Channels 78 (and 68 in regional areas)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Streaming: Racing.com
Mobile: Neds App
CS Hayes Stakes Winners
Winners of the CS Hayes Stakes going back to the year 2000 are displayed in the table below.
| Year | Winner | Trainer/s | Jockey | Weight | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sixties | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 58.5 kgs | 1:22.35 |
| 2025 | Sepals | Cliff Brown | Blake Shinn | 56 kgs | 1:24.21 |
| 2024 | Riff Rocket | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 59.5 kgs | 1:22.32 |
| 2023 | Elliptical | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Blake Shinn | 56 kgs | 1:21.96 |
| 2022 | Pinstriped | Enver Jusufovic | Michael Dee | 57 kgs | 1:22.74 |
| 2021 | Taglaoa | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Luke Currie | 59.5 kgs | 1:21.63 |
| 2020 | Alligator Blood | David Vandyke | Ryan Maloney | 57.5 kgs | 1:22.61 |
| 2019 | The Inevitable | Scott Brunton | Sigrid Carr | 56 kgs | 1:21.99 |
| 2018 | Grunt | Mick Price | Damien Oliver | 55 kgs | 1:21.55 |
| 2017 | Hey Doc | Tony McEvoy | Luke Currie | 57.5 kgs | 1:22.88 |
| 2016 | Tivaci | Michael Moroney | Craig Williams | 55 kgs | 1:22.77 |
| 2015 | Wandjina | Gai Waterhouse | Damien Oliver | 54 kgs | 1:22.27 |
| 2014 | Hucklebuck | Phillip Stokes | Dom Tourneur | 55.5 kgs | 1:22.95 |
| 2013 | Sheer Talent | Mark Kavanagh | Stephen Baster | 54 kgs | 1:22.60 |
| 2012 | That’s The One | Colin Alderson | Craig Williams | 54 kgs | 1:22.08 |
| 2011 | Bullbars | Peter Snowden | Mark Zahra | 54 kgs | 1:23.93 |
| 2010 | Take The Rap | Danny O’Brien | Craig Williams | 54 kgs | 1:23.25 |
| 2009 | Fair Trade | Michael Kent | Nicholas Hall | 54 kgs | 1:22.50 |
| 2008 | Playwright | Steve Richards | Sebastian Murphy | 54 kgs | 1:23.66 |
| 2007 | Wordsmith | Shane Nichols | Steven King | 54 kgs | 1:10.87 |
| 2006 | Minson | Michael Hibbs | Craig Williams | 55.5 kgs | 1:21.65 |
| 2005 | Lieutenant | John Hawkes | Darren Gauci | 54 kgs | 1:24.29 |
| 2004 | Starcraft | Garry Newham | Matt Pumpa | 54 kgs | 1:24.03 |
| 2003 | Innovation Girl | Brian Mayfield-Smith | Nash Rawiller | 54 kgs | 1:22.72 |
| 2002 | Dash For Cash | Rick Hore-Lacy | Kerrin McEvoy | 56.5 kgs | 1:22.60 |
| 2001 | Kosta Zoff | Mathew Ellerton | Vincent Hall | 54 kgs | 1:22.30 |
| 2000 | Crawl | John Hawkes | Darren Gauci | 54 kgs | 1:22.75 |