Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 Odds, Betting & Race Preview

Looking for this year’s top Let’s Elope Stakes betting odds, tips and form guide? The experts at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.

Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 Results

The official 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Pondalowie ($51) produced one of the shocks of the spring, bursting through late to narrowly head the 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes results at Flemington in 1:22.78, edging out Too Darn Discreet and On Display in a tight photo and finally delivering on the talent her stable has long seen. Buried at the 200m, the Emma‑Lee and David Browne‑trained mare only found clear air late but surged once on top of the ground, a surface she has been craving after recent wet‑track runs. Browne admitted he “thought we were no hope” before she launched, noting she finishes far better when ridden cold, while Lachlan Neindorf — who knowingly risked “bad luck” from a wide draw — praised her ability to accelerate from an unwinnable position. With a strong straight‑track profile and a sharp turn of foot, Pondalowie now shapes as a genuine spring mares’ feature player.

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Race Replay

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

Let’s Elope Stakes odds 2026 are already taking shape as punters look for early value on the mares set to launch their spring campaigns at Flemington. With proven Group performers resuming, sharp triallers stepping up in grade and plenty of emerging talent in the mix, Let’s Elope Stakes betting 2026 at Neds is expected to be highly competitive. Market movement often kicks in once barriers, track conditions and early speed maps become clearer, so keeping a close eye on Let’s Elope Stakes odds 2026 in the lead‑up is essential for punters chasing the best prices before race day.

The latest Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 odds followed by the official race finishing order after the event will be available below.

Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 Tips

Our insider 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes tips will be detailed here the week of the race. You can also check out the Neds Blog for all the spring’s best betting tips and previews.

Latest News

Basketball

Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips

Today • Darren Cole

Perth Wildcats take on Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena this Thursday. Here’s everything you need to know before you bet. Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers Thursday 24th September 2026 9:30 PM Adelaide @ $1.60 Adelaide heads into Round 2 with plenty of momentum after knocking off Melbourne United in the opening round. The 36ers looked composed in that victory and have given themselves a strong platform to build on early in the season. Perth didn’t fire in their opening game, and responding could be tough. The Wildcats are expected to add an import to their roster soon, although he isn’t…

Read More

Basketball

South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Melbourne United Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips

Today • Darren Cole

South East Melbourne Phoenix take on Melbourne United at John Cain Arena this Thursday. Here’s everything you need to know before you bet. South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Melbourne United Thursday 24th September 2026 7:35 PM Phoenix @ $2.40 We’re backing the Phoenix to respond after letting their lead slip against Tasmania when they take on Melbourne United. There were plenty of positives in the Phoenix’s first half on Monday. They built a sizeable advantage, and if they can convert those opportunities more consistently, they’ll have a genuine chance of getting back on track. United, meanwhile, started the season with…

Read More

Basketball

Cairns Taipans vs Tasmania Jackjumpers Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips

Today • Darren Cole

Cairns Taipans take on Tasmania JackJumpers at Cairns Convention Centre this Wednesday. Here’s everything you need to know before you bet. Cairns Taipans vs Tasmania JackJumpers Wednesday 23rd September 2026 7:35 PM JackJumpers -2.5 @ $1.90 The Tasmania JackJumpers produced a remarkable comeback on Monday night, turning around a double-digit halftime deficit to defeat the Phoenix and get their season off to a winning start. They had to do it without Josh Bannan, making the result even more impressive. After trailing for much of the contest, the JackJumpers found a way to get back into the game and finish strongly…

Read More

NFL

Los Angeles Rams vs New York Giants Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips

19 Sep • Liam Fogarty

Los Angeles Rams take on New York Giants at SoFi Stadium this Tuesday. Here’s everything you need to know before you bet. Los Angeles Rams vs New York Giants Tuesday 22nd September 2026 10:15 AM New York Giants +7 @ $1.94 Blake Corum/ Malik Nabers to combine for 1+ TD @ $1.78 Blake Corum/ Cam Skattebo/ Kyren Williams to combine for 150+ Passing Yards @ $1.70 Malik Nabers Over 65.5 Receiving Yards @ $1.92 The Rams made a big song and dance about their Aussie travel to be fit and firing for this game on Tuesday against the Giants. It…

Read More

Run over 1,400 metres, the Let’s Elope Stakes is a Group 2 race taking place at Flemington Racecourse. With a $300,000 prize purse, it attracts a quality line-up of mares each Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and takes place on Makybe Diva Stakes Day in mid-September. 

From 1987-1993 the event ran as the Milady Stakes before being renamed in honour of Let’s Elope who won the 1991 Melbourne Cup.

The Let’s Elope Stakes has held its current Group 2 status since 2009 and serves as an excellent lead up into the Empire Rose Stakes, a Group 1 race formerly known as the Myer Classic. Rose Of Portland (1996) was the last to complete the Let’s Elope Stakes – Empire Rose Stakes double. 

The Let’s Elope Stakes form in 2020 was franked with the runner-up Arcadia Queen continuing on to win both the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) – now Champions Stakes – that spring.

Alsephina ran third in the 2024 Let’s Elope before claiming The Valley’s Group 2 Stocks Stakes at her next start before also placing third in that year’s Toorak Handicap trifecta.

Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 – Quick Information

• Race Day: Saturday, September 12, 2026
• Track Location: Flemington Racecourse
• Track Surface: Turf
• Track Direction: Left-handed
• Race Distance: 1,400 metres
• Weight Conditions: Set weights (with penalties)
• Qualification: Mares four years and over (maidens ineligible)
• Type: Thoroughbred
• Grade: Group 2
• Operator: Flemington Racecourse
• Prize Purse: $300,000
• Inaugural Race: 1987
• 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Winner: Pondalowie

Let’s Elope Stakes Betting 2026

There are many different ways to bet on the Let’s Elope Stakes, and we have included some of the most popular options below:

How To Bet on the Let’s Elope Stakes in 2026

1. Log in at neds
2. Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
3. Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
4. Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on Let’s Elope Stakes Betting above).
5. Select the horse(s) for the race.

Which Horse Will Win the Let’s Elope Stakes in 2026

The best way to pick which horse will win the Let’s Elope Stakes in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up spring racing form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight each horse will carry.

Additional factors to consider when picking the Let’s Elope Stakes winner include: 

• Upsets Likely – A mixture of mares offering double and single digit odds have won this race in recent years, so don’t depend on the odds going into this one. The latest double-figure winners to score an upset were Pretty Brazen ($20 in 2020), Grinzinger Belle ($15 in 2024) and Pondalowie ($51 in 2026).
• Best Lead Up – Mares that went well in the Cockram Stakes are worth keeping an eye on. Because this is a four years and older race, you might want to check out if any of this year’s field did well in last year’s Let’s Elope Stakes field. Kissonallforcheeks (3rd in 2022) and Pondalowie (8th in 2026) are the latest Let’s Elope Stakes winners to come via a run in the Cockram (which is now called the Courtza Stakes). 

Let’s Elope Stakes Favourites 2026

Favourites for the 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes include the consistent Danny O’Brien-trained So You Think four-year-old Gold Coast Belle chasing her fifth win on the trot, Ciaron Maher’s last start Group 3 Courtza Stakes third placed grey Salty Pearl and Proisir six-year-old Coeur Volante.

Kissonallforcheeks ($3.60 in 2022), Amelia’s Jewel ($1.95 in 2023) and Lazzura ($2.05 in 2025) are the latest Let’s Elope Stakes favourites to win.

Let’s Elope Stakes Field 2026

The official Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 field of final acceptances will be released by Racing Victoria the Wednesday of race week and published in full below.

The 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes final field features a class line-up of mares including the Ciaron Maher-trained Salty Pearl coming off a third fresh in the Group 3 Courtza Stakes, Dan O’Sullivan’s resuming proven Flemington performer Too Darn Discreet chasing a hat-trick and her airborne stablemate Gold Coast Belle who is yet to run out of the top two in seven career starts.

Let’s Elope Stakes Race Day 2026

The 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026 as part of Makybe Diva Stakes Day 2026 at Flemington Racecourse. The meeting is headlined by the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m), and the Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) offering the winner a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup field. In 2026, two previous Listed events have been upgraded to Group 3 races on the card – the Cap D’Antibes Stakes and Poseidon Stakes both run over 1100m.

Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 Barrier Draw

The 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes barrier draw will be released to the public a few days before the race and available in our above Let’s Elope Stakes Field section. 

Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 Nominations

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes nominations close at 12:00 PM on the Monday of race week. 

Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 Weights

Set weights with penalties apply to this race. Final 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes weights will be announced by 4:00 PM on the Monday of race week and will be published in our above Let’s Elope Stakes Field section. 

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Topweight:

• No. 1 Salty Pearl (57.5kg)

Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 Acceptances

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes final acceptances must be declared before 9:00 AM on the Wednesday of race week and will be available in our above Let’s Elope Stakes Field section

Let’s Elope Stakes 2026 Jockeys

The final riders’ announcement is at 1:00 PM on the Wednesday of race week and the official 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes jockeys will be published in our above Let’s Elope Stakes Field section. 

Let’s Elope Stakes Scratchings 2026

2026 Let’s Elope Stakes scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

• No. 2 Wrote To Arataki (9)

Let’s Elope Stakes Prize Money 2026

The 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes prize purse is worth $300,000 in total, distributed from places first through eighth.

Let’s Elope Stakes Race Number 2026

The 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes race number is scheduled as Flemington Race 9 at 4:55pm (AEST) on Saturday, September 12, 2026. There are ten races in total that day at Flemington Racecourse.

Let’s Elope 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 Let’s Elope Stakes Form Guide following final acceptances. 

Let’s Elope Stakes Live 2026

You can watch or listen to the 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes 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: 7Live; Racing.com

Online: Neds App

Let’s Elope Stakes Winners

Winners of the Let’s Elope Stakes going back to 2000 are displayed in the table below. If you would like to see results going further back in history, please visit our Let’s Elope Stakes winners’ page.