The 2026 Bletchingly Stakes runs on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Caulfield Racecourse
The Bletchingly Stakes is one of Caulfield’s premier winter sprints, attracting some of the season’s best speedsters and emerging early-spring contenders. With $200,000 in prize money on the line, the Group feature boasts an impressive honour roll of past winners, and another quality galloper will be looking to etch its name into the race’s history this year.
Find everything you need to make an informed bet on the Bletchingly Stakes, including the latest tips, odds, final field, race history, and key statistics. As the final Group race of the Australian season, it’s a winter highlight that consistently delivers an exciting contest.
2026 Bletchingly Stakes Odds
Stay tuned for the latest Bletchingly Stakes odds and betting markets, including all-in and final field betting.
| 1. Cosmic Crusader (1) J: Daniel Stackhouse 58.5kg 3112xT: Andrea Leek | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of seven months. Finished off last preparation second of 12 at Ascot in the G3 Gold Rush December 13 over 1400m, a long neck behind Rey Magnerio carrying 59kg at $2.60. Previous preparation first-up favourite; to post a big 3.5 len win. Belmont Park Rtg 72+ September 13 over 1400m slow track defeating Shmoov Moova with 57.5kg at $2.10. Class WA galloper who might just be too good. | |||
| 2. Recommendation (9) J: Thomas Stockdale 58.5kg 36426T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Last start eased back early on 6th of 11 at this track in the G3 J Monash on July 11 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Winnasedge carrying 58.5kg at $5.50. The run before that 2nd of 12 at Flemington Hcp on June 20 over 1100m, on a slow track; long-neck behind De Bergerac carrying 58kg at $15. Rough hope. | |||
| 3. Zou Sensation (8) J: Jamie Mott 58.5kg 18×50T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Not raced for 49 days. Resuming 5th of 13 at Scone in the LR Luskinstar on May 16 over 1300m, 2.75 len behind Sun God with 58.5kg at $18. Second-up ran second last of 11 at Eagle Farm in the G2 Moreton Cup Swp on June 6 over 1200m, 5 len behind Uncommon James with 56kg at $13. Rates highly. Can do much better back home. | |||
| 4. Aztec Ruler (3) J: Patrick Moloney 58.5kg 2658xT: Matt Laurie | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign when last of 8 at Flemington in the LR The Elms Hcp February 14 over 1400m, 6 len behind Cafe Millenium carrying 57.5kg at $12. First up last campaign ran last of 12 at Ascot in the LR Crawford October 18 over 1200m, 7 len behind Rope Them In with 57.5kg at $12. Others rate better this time. | |||
| 5. Title Fighter (7) J: Luke Cartwright 58.5kg 54090T: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Most recently ran second last of 11 at this track in the G3 J Monash on July 11 over 1100m, slow going 4 len behind Winnasedge carrying 58.5kg at $101. The race before that 9th of 11 at this track in the LR Bel Esprit on May 30 over 1100m, in the wet; 6 len behind Hearcomesthestar with 57kg at $21. Struggling to make an impact and happy to risk again. | |||
| 6. Watchme Win (6) J: Lachlan Neindorf 58.5kg 228×5T: Andrew Gluyas | |||
| Second run back. First-up after two months 5th of 11 at this track in the G3 J Monash on July 11 over 1100m, slow going 0.8 len behind Winnasedge carrying 58.5kg at $5. Previously second-up 2nd of 20 at Morphettville in the G3 Hawkes Stakes on April 25 over 1100m, 0.8 len behind Grand Larceny carrying 60kg at $11. Should be right there again. | |||
| 7. Winnasedge (5) J: Luke Currie 58.5kg x6311T: Nick Ryan | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.5 len at this track G3 J Monash July 11 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Bellatrix Star with 58.5kg at $4.40. The run before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.3 len at this track Bm84 June 27 over 1100m on a rain affected track defeating Bazaball Rewarded carrying 60.5kg at $4.40. Won key lead up and is well placed again. | |||
| 8. Miraval Rose (2) J: Jordan Childs 56.5kg 144×4T: Grahame Begg | |||
| Second run back. First-up after eight months 4th of 11 at this track in the G3 J Monash on July 11 over 1100m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Winnasedge carrying 56.5kg at $12. Previously second-up won by 0.5 len at this track Mares-Swp September 20 over 1200m defeating Stretan Angel with 57kg at $9.50. Better for that, go close. | |||
| 9. Samangu (4) J: Michael Dee 56.5kg 48×67T: Grahame Begg | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up eased back early on 6th of 12 at Flemington Hcp on June 20 over 1100m, slow going 2.25 len behind De Bergerac carrying 54kg at $41. Second run from a spell 7th of 9 at Flemington in the LR Santaanalane on July 4 over 1200m, slow going 2 len behind Ndola carrying 55kg at $9.50. Looking to others. | |||
Bletchingly Stakes Tips
TAB has all your Bletchingly Stakes tips available for the feature race at Caulfield. It’s a great starting point for sprinters looking to build up revvs before the Melbourne Spring Carnival, and many winners have subsequently run well in August, September, and October.
Runners at the top of the market are often best-backed to win. It takes a good sprinter to win this race, and that’s evident by this year’s quality field.
2026 Bletchingly Stakes Tips
Our 2026 Bletchingly Stakes tips will be published when the final field is released, but punters can bet into all-in markets, which is a good way to secure early value.
The 2026 Bletchingly Stakes shapes as an open affair, with Cosmic Crusader heading betting markets. The Perth-trained sprinter boasts the highest rating in the field (110) and brings an outstanding record across to Victoria, having won eight of his 17 starts while placing on another five occasions. Although he resumes from a spell after last racing in December, his fresh form suggests he will take plenty of beating.
Miraval Rose is another leading contender after a solid first-up fourth. The Graeme Begg-trained mare is expected to improve with that run under her belt and returns to a track where she has consistently performed well.
The Sir John Monash Stakes once again looms as the key lead-up race. Several runners, including 2024 Bletchingly Stakes winner Recommendation, back up from the July 11 feature, making that form line one of the strongest guides for this year’s edition. With seven runners coming through the Sir John Monash Stakes, punters are likely to find plenty of clues when assessing the field.
Bletchingly Stakes Race Info
- Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
- Track: Caulfield Racecourse, Victoria
- Distance: 1200m
- Conditions: WFA (Weight-for-Age)
- Status: Group 3
- Prize Money: $200,000
- First Run: 1994
- Current Champion: Bridal Waltz
2026 Bletchingly Stakes Preview
2026 Bletchingly Stakes Results
The Bletchingly Stakes 2026 results and full finishing order will be published after the race is run on Saturday, July 25.
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Bletchingly Stakes Betting
Recent editions of the Bletchingly Stakes have produced a healthy mix of favourites and value winners, although the market has generally been a reliable guide over the past decade.
Recommendation justified heavy support in 2024, saluting as the $1.40 favourite to become the shortest-priced winner in recent years. Other well-backed runners to prevail include Viridine (2020) and Vega Magic (2018), while several recent winners have started in the $4 to $8 price range.
That said, the race has still delivered its share of upsets. Sansom stunned punters with a $17 victory in 2021, while Scales of Justice caused a surprise at $10 in 2019, proving that value runners are always worth considering in this competitive winter sprint.
2026 Bletchingly Stakes Field
The 2026 Bletchingly Stakes field is released on Wednesday. We will have the updated final field once released by Racing Victoria.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Cosmic Crusader
J: Daniel Stackhouse
T: Andrea Leek |
33112x | G | 1 | 58.5kg | |
|
2. Recommendation
J: Thomas Stockdale
T: Ciaron Maher |
x36426 | G | 9 | 58.5kg | |
|
3. Zou Sensation
J: Jamie Mott
T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
418×50 | G | 8 | 58.5kg | |
|
4. Aztec Ruler
J: Patrick Moloney
T: Matt Laurie |
42658x | G | 3 | 58.5kg | |
|
5. Title Fighter
J: Luke Cartwright
T: Clayton Douglas |
x54090 | G | 7 | 58.5kg | |
|
6. Watchme Win
J: Lachlan Neindorf
T: Andrew Gluyas |
x228x5 | G | 6 | 58.5kg | |
|
7. Winnasedge
J: Luke Currie
T: Nick Ryan |
6×6311 | G | 5 | 58.5kg | |
|
8. Miraval Rose
J: Jordan Childs
T: Grahame Begg |
1144×4 | M | 2 | 56.5kg | |
|
9. Samangu
J: Michael Dee
T: Grahame Begg |
548×67 | M | 4 | 56.5kg |
Bletchingly Stakes Barrier Statistics
Barrier draws have played a significant role in recent editions of the Bletchingly Stakes, making them an important factor for punters to consider.
A low draw is typically an advantage at Caulfield, where the tight circuit can make it difficult for runners caught wide, particularly those with limited experience at the track.
The trend is hard to ignore. The past four winners all jumped from barrier five or lower, including King of Sparta, who won from the inside gate in 2022. The only winner in the past decade to overcome a wide draw was Sansom, who scored at generous odds from barrier 11 in 2021.
With nine of the last 10 winners starting from barrier seven or closer, horses drawn favourably are well worth prioritising when assessing this year’s Bletchingly Stakes field.
Bletchingly Stakes Form Guide
While the Bletchingly Stakes is run in the middle of winter, it has long been an important stepping stone to bigger spring targets. The race regularly produces horses that go on to perform well in features such as the Group 1 Memsie Stakes and the PB Lawrence Stakes later in the campaign.
It also serves as an ideal launching pad for sprinters targeting early spring races, including the Gilgai Stakes and McEwen Stakes. Even placegetters have gone on to achieve elite-level success, with Mariamia finishing in the placings before returning the following preparation to win the Group 1 Galaxy.
From a form perspective, the Sir John Monash Stakes remains one of the strongest lead-up races, producing numerous Bletchingly Stakes winners. However, punters should also keep a close eye on fresh runners, who have an excellent record in this winter sprint.
2026 Bletchingly Stakes Form Guide
Our form analysts will have a 2026 Bletchingly Stakes form guide available during the week of the race.
Recent Bletchingly Stakes Winners
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Third | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Bridal Waltz | Kin | Yellow Sam | 1:11.27 |
| 2024 | Recommendation | Semillion | Marble Nine | 1:12.24 |
| 2023 | Ingratiating | General Beau | It’sourtime | 1:09.5 |
| 2022 | King of Sparta | Scallopini | Mariamia | 1:10.8 |
| 2021 | Sansom | Streets of Avalon | Isaurian | 1:11.7 |
| 2020 | Viridine | Streets of Avalon | Great Again | 1:08.1 |
| 2019 | Scales of Justice | Jungle Edge | Cliff’s Edge | 1:10.0 |
| 2018 | Vega Magic | Voodoo Lad | Jungle Edge | 1:01.1 |
| 2017 | Ability | Lankan Rupee | Duke of Brunswick | 1:14.2 |
| 2016 | Lord of the Sky | Fast ‘N’ Rocking | Mahuta | 1:11.6 |
| 2015 | Smokin’ Joey | Platinum Rocker | Petrology | 1:11.2 |
FAQ
How do I bet on the 2026 Bletchingly Stakes?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Betcha. The first step is to create an account at Betcha. The process is quick and easy! Once you’ve created your account, you can make a deposit. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that’s right for you.
Which horse will win the 2026 Bletchingly Stakes?
We have the latest Bletchingly Stakes tips at Betcha. Check out our form guide for all the latest info, betting guide, and latest race tips.
When is the Bletchingly Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Bletchingly Stakes is set to run at Caulfield on Saturday, July 25, as the final Group race of the Australian racing season
What is the prize money for the Bletchingly Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Bletchingly Stakes prize money is set at $200,000, which is paid from 1st to 8th place, including $120,000 going to the winner.
Where is the Bletchingly Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Bletchingly Stakes will run at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, which is located at Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145.
What distance is the Bletchingly Stakes run over?
The Bletchingly Stakes is run over 1200 metres, which suits both sprinters and 1400-1600m runners returning from a spell.
How many horses run in the Bletchingly Stakes?
Field sizes can vary slightly year‑to‑year, but the Bletchingly Stakes typically attracts a compact field of around 10–14 runners, consistent with Caulfield’s usual runner limit for a sprint race.
Who won the 2025 Bletchingly Stakes?
The 2025 Bletchingly Stakes was won by 3YO Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz at $4.60 equal favouritism for trainers Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman with jockey Ben Melham in the saddle.