The Winx Stakes final field for 2026 has been confirmed, and it’s a stellar field for the Group 1 feature this Saturday out of Randwick.
The Winx Stakes barrier draw had an impact on betting markets, so check out where your favourite runner has drawn, and what odds are available with Winx Stakes betting markets at Neds.
Winx Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw
| 1. Ceolwulf (8) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 1x66xT: Joseph Pride | |||
| Resumes after a break of six months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation sixth of 9 at this track in the G1 V Elleegant February 28 over 1600m, soft track; 5.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $14. When resuming last campaign sixth of 10 at this track in the G2 Apollo February 14 over 1400m, 5 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $10. Expecting him to hit the ground running this campaign. | |||
| 2. Gringotts (7) J: Ethan Brown 59kg x924xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation fourth of 16 at this track in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m, soft track; 6 len behind Sheza Alibi with 58.5kg at $12. When resuming last campaign second last of 10 at this track in the G1 Cant Stks March 7 over 1300m, 1.75 len behind Joliestar carrying 59kg at $15. Looks to be back in great shape, respect. | |||
| 3. Lindermann (12) J: Hugh Bowman 59kg 3922xT: Chris Waller | |||
| First-up. Finished off last preparation second of 7 at this track in the G1 Queen Eliz April 11 over 2000m, 2.25 len behind Sir Delius with 59kg at $31. Previously first up; third of 10 at this track in the G2 Apollo February 14 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $13. Will take great benefit from this run. | |||
| 4. Midnight Dynamite (5) J: Tim Clark 59kg 21314T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently 4th of 7 in the G2 Missile Stakes at this track on August 8 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Ninja carrying 56kg at $10. The start before that won by 3 len in the LR Winter Challenge at Rosehill on July 18 over 1500m in the wet defeating Just Folk with 57kg at $3.20. Goes to a new level here and place best. | |||
| 5. Beiwacht (4) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 8261xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Entire back from a spell of four-and-a-half months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last campaign by 0.9 len this track G1 All Aged April 18 over 1400m defeating Lazzura with 56.5kg at $6.50. First up last campaign ran last of 8 at Flemington in the G1 Lightning February 14 over 1000m, 6 len behind Tentyris carrying 55.5kg at $9. Suited this level and gets map favours. | |||
| 6. Autumn Boy (6) J: Adam Hyeronimus 58.5kg 3212xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation second of 16 at this track in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Sheza Alibi with 52kg at $10. Previously first up; third of 7 at Rosehill in the G2 Hobartvlle February 21 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Ninja with 56.5kg at $2.90. Prefer to see at this level. | |||
| 7. Green Spaces (14) J: Rachel King 58.5kg 6621xT: Bjorn Baker | |||
| First-up. Finished off last preparation post a big 3 len win. This track G1 Atc Derby April 4 over 2400m slow track defeating Dezignation carrying 56.5kg at $4.40. First up last campaign second last of 7 at Rosehill in the G2 Hobartvlle February 21 over 1400m, 4.5 len behind Ninja with 56.5kg at $51. Might be better off following this run. | |||
| 8. Autumn Glow (3) J: James McDonald 57kg 1113xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation third of 7 at this track in the G1 Queen Eliz April 11 over 2000m, 2.5 len behind Sir Delius with 57kg at $1.30. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 2.75 len this track G2 Apollo February 14 over 1400m defeating Aeliana carrying 57kg at $1.40. Champion mare who can keep her undefeated first up record intact. | |||
| 9. Aeliana (11) J: Unknown 57kg 2211xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign won by neck Rosehill G1 Tancred March 28 over 2400m slow track defeating Dubai Honour with 56.5kg at $1.70. Previously first up; second of 10 at this track in the G2 Apollo February 14 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $14. Will be savaging the line. | |||
| 10. Fangirl (10) J: Tommy Berry 57kg x834xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign fourth of 18 at Eagle Farm in the G1 Stradbroke June 13 over 1400m, on heavy track; 2 len behind Spicy Martini with 56.5kg at $11. First up last campaign eighth of 13 at this track in the G1 All Aged April 18 over 1400m, 3 len behind Beiwacht with 57kg at $12. Tough old mare likely to need this. | |||
| 11. Idle Flyer (9) J: Tyler Schiller 57kg x411xT: Matthew Smith | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign by 0.9 len this track G1 Queen Turf April 11 over 1600m defeating Lady Shenandoah with 57kg at $6. When resuming last campaign fourth of 12 at this track in the G3 Wenonagirl March 7 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Gangsta Granny carrying 54.5kg at $2.30. Happy to watch first up. | |||
| 12. Lady Shenandoah (2) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 57kg 3342xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation second of 11 at this track in the G1 Queen Turf April 11 over 1600m, 0.9 len behind Idle Flyer with 57kg at $3.50. When resuming last campaign third in a small field at this track in the G2 Expressway February 14 over 1200m, 1.3 len behind Joliestar carrying 57kg at $6. Look for her closing strongly. | |||
| 13. Barnavara (13) J: Sam Clipperton 57kg 11x4xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign 4th of 7 in the G2 Neville Sellwood Stakes at Rosehill on March 28 over 2000m, slow going 3.5 len behind Wootton Verni with 57kg at $1.70. When resuming last campaign 3rd of 7 in the G3 Snow Fairy (Dance Design) Stakes at Curragh on August 30 over 1810m, 3.5 len behind Red Letter with 58.5kg at $5.50. Trialled on July 31 at Randwick over 1000m and finished fourth. Looking to others. | |||
| 14. Sheza Alibi (1) J: Luke Nolen 56.5kg x111xT: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation by posting a big 4.5 len win at this track carrying 49kg in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m slow track defeating Autumn Boy at $1.90. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 2.25 len Caulfield G2 Armanasco February 21 over 1400m defeating Salty Pearl with 58.5kg at $1.50. Exciting mare who kicks off in a strong Winx, will need to be good from the rails draw. | |||
Winx Stakes Barrier Draw Winners & Losers
The big winner from the 2026 Winx Stakes barrier draw is $1.90 favourite and star mare Autumn Glow, who has landed barrier 3.
Trained by Chris Waller and with James McDonald aboard, Autumn Glow looks perfectly placed to get the run she wants. From barrier 3, she should be able to settle wherever McDonald sees fit before peeling out around the bend and making her move.
It’s hard to find a better-looking runner among the 2026 Winx Stakes horses. Sheza Alibi has drawn the inside barrier, and her chances could be dictated to by other runners. That’s the big concern when betting on the classy 4YO mare.
She will need a bit of luck to escape the rail at the right time. A runner moving forward could give her the perfect trail into the straight, but if she gets held up behind horses, Autumn Glow could have the race won before she gets clear.
Beiwacht is another horse who has come out well from the draw, landing barrier 4. He should settle just behind Autumn Glow and get his chance to chase her down in the straight. At $18, he is worth considering given how well the race appears to map out for him.
What to Expect in the 2026 Winx Stakes
Punters will probably want to stick with the favourites, but don’t rule out a surprise result. This is a Group 1 race, and if Autumn Glow or Sheza Alibi aren’t at their best, there are plenty of runners ready to take advantage.
Beiwacht, Lady Shenandoah and Idle Flyer all have the ability to win first-up, while the favourites may still have some improvement to come as they build towards bigger spring targets.
However, class usually tells when it matters most, and there’s a good reason Neds has Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi at the top of the market. The pair could turn the Winx Stakes into a two-horse showdown, and that’s a race we’ve all waited to see throughout the winter.
Expect a solid tempo up front, which could play right into Autumn Glow’s hands, allowing her to sit comfortably before producing a strong finish. Sheza Alibi and Beiwacht are the likely closers.