Looking for this year’s Kingsford Smith Cup betting odds, race tips and form? The experts at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.
2026 Kingsford Smith Cup Odds
Kingsford Smith Cup 2026 Tips
Our exclusive 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup tips will be detailed here the week of the race and a full betting preview published on the Neds Blog.
Run over 1,300 metres, the Kingsford Smith Cup is a Group 1 race taking place at Eagle Farm Racecourse. With a $1,000,000 prize purse as of 2023, the sprint feature is the third elite level of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.
The now weight-for-age race was formerly known as the BTC Cup and contested over 1200m at Doomben before being changed to the 1300m Kingsford Smith Cup held at Eagle Farm from 2017 onwards.
The Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) held a fortnight prior is now the key lead-up into the Kingsford Smith Cup and The Bostonian (2019) was the last horse to do the double.
More recently in 2021 Vega One improved on a lead-up fourth in the Doomben 10,000 to win the Kingsford Smith Cup and also continued on to finish second in that year’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
The Kingsford Smith Cup – Stradbroke Handicap double was last completed by Think About It (2023) who also went on to win that year’s $20 million The Everest race in Sydney over the spring.
From 1964 to 1979, the race was run as a Principal Race. From 1980-1982, it was held as a Listed Race. It was upgraded to Group 3 for three years in 1983, followed by 18 years of Group 2 status. Ever since 2006, the race has been a Group 1 race.
There was no 2020 Kingsford Smith Cup due to COVID-19.
The 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup form stacked up in a big way, with Joliestar returning in spring to knock off the Group 2 The Shorts and run third in the Champions Sprint at Flemington. She then came out flying in early 2026, smashing the Group 2 Expressway Stakes and Group 1 Canterbury Stakes double to prove she’s the real deal.
Kingsford Smith Cup 2026 – Quick Information
- Former Race Name: BTC Cup
- Race Day: Saturday, May 30, 2026
- Track Location: Eagle Farm Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Right-handed
- Race Distance: 1,300 metres
- Weight Conditions: Weight for age
- Qualification: Three-year-olds and over
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 1
- Operator: Brisbane Racing Club
- Prize Purse: $1,000,000
- Inaugural Race: 1964
- 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup Winner: TBD
Kingsford Smith Cup 2026 Results
The official 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Kingsford Smith Cup Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Kingsford Smith Cup, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How To Place This Type of Bet on This Kingsford Smith Cup |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Kingsford Smith Cup. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Kingsford Smith Cup. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Kingsford Smith Cup, 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 Kingsford Smith Cup, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Kingsford Smith Cup to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Kingsford Smith Cup to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Kingsford Smith Cup 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 Kingsford Smith Cup, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How To Bet on The Kingsford Smith Cup 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 Kingsford Smith Cup Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the Kingsford Smith Cup
The best way to pick which horse will win the Kingsford Smith Cup in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up winter racing form, assess the barriers, look for the proven Group 1 runners and those from interstate stables.
Additional factors to consider when picking the Kingsford Smith Cup winner include:
- Double Digit Runners – Favourites have shown poor form in this race in recent years. A strong competitor offering double digit odds is your best pay-out. Apache Chase ($12 in 2022) was the last Kingsford Smith Cup winner to salute at double-figures.
- Best Lead Up – The Doomben 10,000 is your best predictor for this race. Most recently, the James Cummings-trained three-year-old Paulele ran second in both the Doomben 10,000 and the Kingsford Smith Cup results.
Kingsford Smith Cup Favourites 2026
Favourites in 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup betting at time of publish include Jimmysstar who completed the spring’s Russell Balding / CF Orr double, the Chris Waller-trained three-time Group 1 winning mare Fangirl and her star stablemate Joliestar who has taken out the Group 1 Canterbury / TJ Smith Stakes double in Sydney this prep.
Since Black Caviar (2011) the only Kingsford Smith Cup favourites to win are Impending ($4.20 equal favourite) in 2018, I Wish I Win ($3.90 equal favourite) in 2024 and Joliestar ($2.40) in 2025.
Kingsford Smith Cup Field 2026
The official 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup field of final acceptances is announced on the Tuesday of race week and will be published right here.
Kingsford Smith Cup Race Day 2026
2026 Kingsford Smith Cup Day takes place on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Along with the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup the other key races on the card are the:
- Group 1 $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m),
- Group 2 $1 million BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m),
- Group 3 $300,000 Fred Best Classic (1400m),
- Group 3 $200,000 Premier’s Cup (2400m) – recently run as the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, and the
- Group 3 $200,000 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m).
Kingsford Smith Cup Barrier Draw 2026
The 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup barrier draw will be released to the public a few days before the race and published in our above Kingsford Smith Cup Field section.
Kingsford Smith Cup Nominations 2026
2026 Kingsford Smith Cup nominations close at 11AM on Tuesday the 5th of May 2026.
The 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup nominations drew 70 middle-distance stars led in all-in betting by Ciaron Maher’s three-time Group 1 winning sprinter Jimmysstar.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x33219x767 | ABOUNDING | M | 5 | Robert Heathcote | |
| 2 | 12x146x60x | ANOTHER WIL | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 3 | 113×9933 | ARRIVING HOME | M | 4 | Bjorn Baker | |
| 4 | 11x320x168 | BEADMAN | C | 3 | Peter Snowden | |
| 5 | 340x68x311 | BESKAR | G | 3 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | |
| 6 | 65x2635x0x | BOSUSTOW | H | 4 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | |
| 7 | 21x141116x | CINSAULT | M | 4 | Michael Freedman | |
| 8 | x47111x75x | DANCE TO THE BOOM | M | 4 | Bjorn Baker | |
| 9 | 24x21595x4 | DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ) | G | 6 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |
| 10 | 15x564x232 | DEVIL NIGHT | C | 3 | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | |
| 11 | x6497x6002 | ENCAP | G | 5 | Gary Portelli | |
| 12 | x3121x720x | ENRICHED | H | 4 | Michael Freedman | |
| 13 | 42211317×1 | ESJAY | G | 5 | Pat Webster | |
| 14 | 31x16222x6 | ESTADIO MESTALLA (IRE) | G | 7 | Joseph Pride | |
| 15 | 221x4164x8 | FANGIRL | M | 7 | Chris Waller | |
| 16 | 35x937x156 | GENEROSITY | M | 5 | Chris Waller | |
| 17 | x6930x60x1 | GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS (IRE) | G | 5 | Michael Freedman | |
| 18 | 366x1111x3 | GRAFTERBURNERS | C | 3 | Kelly Schweida | |
| 19 | x12314311x | HARRY’S YACHT | G | 4 | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | |
| 20 | 61110×4575 | HEADLEY GRANGE | G | 5 | Joseph Pride | |
| 21 | x379610427 | HERE TO SHOCK (NZ) | G | 8 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | |
| 22 | 556x868x02 | INFANCY | M | 5 | Kris Lees | |
| 23 | 100x62000x | IOWNA MERC | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | |
| 24 | x52311x753 | JIMMYSSTAR (NZ) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 25 | 2x121x115x | JOKERS GRIN | G | 5 | Chris Waller | |
| 26 | 21x153x111 | JOLIESTAR | M | 5 | Chris Waller | |
| 27 | 421351×175 | KERGUELEN | G | 5 | Joseph Pride | |
| 28 | 111x42411x | KING OF ROSEAU | G | 4 | Peter Snowden | |
| 29 | 8211x6x46x | KING OF SPARTA | G | 7 | Peter Snowden | |
| 30 | x11114x672 | LA FRACAS (IRE) | G | 5 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | |
| 31 | 743x2223x5 | LADY OF CAMELOT | M | 4 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |
| 32 | 18x717x776 | LINEBACKER (NZ) | G | 4 | Tom Charlton | |
| 33 | 58x142410x | LONHRO’S QUEEN | M | 5 | Chris & Corey Munce | |
| 34 | 36379×3113 | LORD OF BISCAY (IRE) | G | 6 | Kris Lees | |
| 35 | x8114x229x | MANAAL | M | 4 | Michael Freedman | |
| 36 | 7x244161x1 | MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE | G | 4 | Bjorn Baker | |
| 37 | x1141x228x | NAPOLEONIC | C | 3 | Tom Charlton | |
| 38 | x11x1x73x0 | NIANCE (NZ) | M | 6 | Grahame Begg | |
| 39 | x1502x2108 | OAK HILL (NZ) | G | 5 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | |
| 40 | 214×111 | OLIVEANOTHERDAY | G | 3 | Tom Dabernig | |
| 41 | 6645432×32 | PAYLINE | G | 5 | Chris & Corey Munce | |
| 42 | 18x9953x10 | POINT AND SHOOT | G | 4 | Bjorn Baker | |
| 43 | 790x11511x | POSTER GIRL | M | 4 | Chris & Corey Munce | |
| 44 | 3x124152x3 | PRIVATE EYE | G | 8 | Joseph Pride | |
| 45 | 111x1x55x8 | PRIVATE HARRY | H | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 46 | 25x66111x6 | RESERVE BANK | H | 4 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | |
| 47 | 74x1331x62 | REY MAGNERIO | G | 6 | Robbie Griffiths | |
| 48 | 27x971020x | ROTHFIRE | G | 8 | Robert Heathcote | |
| 49 | 4x1102x47x | SEPALS | G | 4 | Cliff Brown | |
| 50 | 1515×11318 | SIXTIES | C | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 51 | 0x1x69x530 | SKYBIRD | M | 5 | Mitchell Freedman | |
| 52 | 7x1345x461 | SKYHOOK | C | 3 | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | |
| 53 | 1525128×71 | SPLASH BACK (FR) | M | 6 | Grahame Begg | |
| 54 | 1x02x745x8 | STAY FOCUSED | G | 4 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 55 | 3120x5167x | STREET CHASE | G | 4 | Jim Mason | |
| 56 | 79x3105x18 | SUPER SMINK | M | 5 | Daniel Morton | |
| 57 | 1212x1131x | SWEYNESDAY (NZ) | G | 5 | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | |
| 58 | 435x2223x3 | SYLPH | F | 3 | Michael Freedman | |
| 59 | 13x35039x4 | THE INFLICTOR | G | 5 | Craig Cousins | |
| 60 | 316x27240x | THE INSTRUCTOR | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |
| 61 | 18691615×5 | TITLE FIGHTER | G | 5 | Clayton Douglas | |
| 62 | 19x22112x4 | TRANSATLANTIC | G | 5 | Tony Gollan | |
| 63 | x21356x221 | TYCOON STAR | C | 3 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | |
| 64 | 4x07316x51 | VON HAUKE (NZ) | G | 6 | Cliff Brown | |
| 65 | 45742151×3 | WARNIE (IRE) | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 66 | x2420x305x | WODETON | C | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 67 | 2x4708x19x | YELLOW BRICK | G | 6 | Tony & Maddysen Sears | |
| 68 | 4x111x755x | ZABIARI (GB) | H | 5 | Ciaron Maher | |
| 69 | x52x40x36x | ZARASTRO | G | 7 | Tony Gollan | |
| 70 | 146123418x | ZOU SENSATION | G | 6 | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Kingsford Smith Cup Weights 2026
Standard weight for age conditions apply to this race. Final weights are announced at 4 PM on the Tuesday of race week with the official 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup weights on the final acceptors to be published in our above Kingsford Smith Cup Field section.
Kingsford Smith Cup Acceptances 2026
2026 Kingsford Smith Cup final acceptances must be declared before 9:00 AM on the Tuesday of race week and will be published in our above Kingsford Smith Cup Field section.
Kingsford Smith Cup Jockeys 2026
The final riders’ announcement is at 12 PM on the Wednesday of race week with the official 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup jockeys to be published in our above Kingsford Smith Cup Field section.
Kingsford Smith Cup Scratchings 2026
2026 Kingsford Smith Cup scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Kingsford Smith Cup Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup prize purse is worth $1,000,000 in total, distributed from places first through to tenth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $600,000 |
| 2nd | $180,000 |
| 3rd | $90,000 |
| 4th | $45,000 |
| 5th | $25,000 |
| 6th | $12,000 |
| 7th | $12,000 |
| 8th | $12,000 |
| 9th | $12,000 |
| 10th | $12,000 |
Kingsford Smith Cup Race Number 2026
The 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup race number is TBC for Saturday, May 30, 2026. There are nine races in total that day at Eagle Farm Racecourse.
Kingsford Smith Cup 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 Kingsford Smith Cup Form Guide following final acceptances.
Kingsford Smith Cup Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup live, across the following mediums.
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Free to air television: Seven Network
Streaming: Racing NSW
Kingsford Smith Cup Winners
Winners of the Kingsford Smith Cup going back to the year 2000 are displayed in the table below. For a complete list of past BTC Cup / Kingsford Smith Cup winners from 1964 to the present – click here.
| Year | Winner | Trainer/s | Jockey | Weight | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Joliestar | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 57 kg | 1:16.26 |
| 2024 | I Wish I Win | Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 59 kg | 1:17.81 |
| 2023 | Think About It | Joseph Pride | Sam Clipperton | 59 kg | 1:16.11 |
| 2022 | Apache Chase | Desleigh Forster | Jim Byrne | 59 kg | 1:16.39 |
| 2021 | Vega One | Tony Gollan | Ms Jamie Kah | 59 kg | 1:16.91 |
| 2020
Race Not Held (COVID-19) | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2019 | The Bostonian | Tony Pike | Michael Cahill | 59 kg | 1:15.51 |
| 2018 | Impending | James Cummings | Damian Browne | 59 kg | 1:19.51 |
| 2017 | Clearly Innocent | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 59 kg | 1:19.09 |
| 2016 | Malaguerra | Anthony Freedman | Glen Colless | 58.5 kg | 1:08.73 |
| 2015 | Hot Snitzel | Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 58.5 kg | 1:09.47 |
| 2014 | Famous Seamus | Noel Mayfield-Smith | Ryan Wiggins | 58.5 kg | 1:09.06 |
| 2013 | Your Song | Anthony Cummings | Peter Robl | 57 kg | 1:11.27 |
| 2012 | Sea Siren | John O’Shea | Jim Cassidy | 55 kg | 1:08.10 |
| 2011 | Black Caviar | Peter Moody | Luke Nolen | 56.5 kg | 1:08.85 |
| 2010 | Albert The Fat | Eden Petrie | Damian Browne | 58.5 kg | 1:09.24 |
| 2009 | Duporth | Anthony Cummings | Luke Nolen | 57 kg | 1:08.96 |
| 2008 | Apache Cat | Greg Eurell | Corey Brown | 58.5 kg | 1:09.30 |
| 2007 | Bentley Biscuit | Gai Waterhouse | Nash Rawiller | 58.5 kg | 1:08.57 |
| 2006 | Gee I Jane | Neville Couchman | Scott Seamer | 55 kg | 1:08.63 |
| 2005 | Spark Of Life | Allan Denham | Chris Munce | 57.5 kg | 1:09.00 |
| 2004 | Thorn Park | Bob Thomsen | Danny Nikolic | 57.5 kg | 1:08.72 |
| 2003 | Falvelon | Danny Bougoure | Alan Russell | 57.5 kg | 1:10.09 |
| 2002 | Lord Essex | John Hawkes | Scott Galloway | 57.5 kg | 1:08.39 |
| 2001 | Fritz | Neil Coulbeck | Noel Harris | 57.5 kg | 1:09.19 |
| 2000 | Falvelon | Danny Bougoure | Michael Cahill | 56 kg | 1:08.46 |