Winx Stakes 2026 Form Guide & Runner Analysis

Ceolwulf has proven himself at the highest level, but we’re not convinced the 1400m is his ideal distance. We’d rather wait for a more suitable race before getting involved. At $34, the market looks to be taking a similar view, with this run likely to bring him on.

We wouldn’t be writing Gringotts off at $23. He’s already shown that he can get the job done first-up, and the draw gives him every chance to get a nice run in transit. He’s not the best horse in the race, but there are certainly worse bets at the price.

Lindermann will need to find his best to be competitive, but we can’t see it happening. He’s being set for longer races next month and in October.

Midnight Dynamite has been racing through the winter, but this is a big step up in class. We expect him to struggle, as does the betting market.

We certainly wouldn’t be ruling out Beiwacht. He’s two from two at 1400m and looks to have found a race where he can show just how good he might be. He’s still improving and should be an even better horse as a 4YO.

There’s plenty to like about Autumn Boy, and Waller clearly has a high opinion of him. That said, his best work is likely to come over further as the spring goes on. He looks like the type who could eventually step up to 2000m this preparation.

We’re not seeing enough here to make a case for Green Spaces. He looks like he’ll be much better suited once he gets over a longer trip, and the speed of this race could leave him chasing from the outset.

Autumn Glow is the star attraction and rightly heads the market. She returns as the $1.90 favourite and looks very hard to beat if she’s anywhere near her best. She was outstanding during the autumn, and Waller appears to have her ready to go. The price is short, but she has the class to justify it and can make a winning return.

Aeliana is one we’re finding difficult to assess. There’s plenty of ability there, but the recent setback is enough to make us cautious. We’d rather see how she performs on Saturday before jumping in, particularly with the bigger spring targets still ahead.

Aeliana is one we’re finding difficult to assess. There’s plenty of ability there, but the recent setback is enough to make us cautious. We’d rather see how she performs on Saturday before jumping in, particularly with the bigger spring targets still ahead.

Idle Flyer is an interesting runner at $46. She usually attracts plenty of attention when she goes around, but the market isn’t giving her much respect here. She could potentially land close to the speed and give herself every chance. A Top 4 chance at her best.

Lady Shendandoah tends to race well when fresh, which is a big positive heading into this. She has a sharp turn of foot and could be very dangerous late if they run along up front. She can’t be discounted at odds.

Barnavara has attracted a little bit of support since opening at $251, now sitting at $151. That could simply be a case of connections having a small play, because we’re struggling to see her winning.

Sheza Alibi is the exciting mare, and she quickly firmed in betting markets after opening at $3.50. She wouldn’t look out of place winning the Winx Stakes, and that’s a sentiment shared by most punters. If Autumn Glow wasn’t in the field, she would be a $1.50 favourite, so the odds are worth taking.