One of the feature races at Flemington this Saturday is the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m), where Gold Coast Belle is a clear favourite.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes.
2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Salty Pearl: Salty Pearl should love getting to 1400m after resuming over 1200m two weeks ago at Caulfield. She was never a winning threat but I loved the way she finished her race off in defeat. Fitter, 1400m, proven performer, she only runs well I say.
2. Wrote To Arataki: SCR
3. Too Darn Discreet: Talented mare but is better suited over further.
4. Gold Coast Belle: Gold Coast Belle is a beauty for Danny O’Brien. Loved the way she knuckled down to win first up at Sandown, finding plenty under pressure to fend them off and score. Home track, rising to 1400m with good upside, he takes beating.
5. Coeur Volante: Was doing some really nice things in the Winter before a midfield effort in the PB Lawrence. Freshened up…just don’t think she’s got much improvement.
6. Sea What I See: Talented staying mare that will be better suited over further.
7. Merrigold: Hit and miss but is capable and maps to do no work in the run. One for exotics.
8. On Display: Blinkers first time signals clear intent and she is a Stakes class mare when right. Watch betting.
9. Butternut Princess: Luckless last start…but was luckless in a thin 78. Much, much harder here.
10. Gold Medallist: Good late fresh over an unsuitable trip. Better set up here, will be strong late, one for multiples.
11. Pondalowie: Capable but happy to just watch.
12. Charisse: Not here to play.
13. Mystery N Drama: Scratched from an easier race on Wednesday but looks up against it.
2026 Let’s Elope Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Salty Pearl
2026 Let’s Elope Stakes Speed Map
Think the speed comes across from out wide with Wrote To Arataki pressing forward, giving in turn the cart over to Gold Coast Belle. Merrigold should hold a forward spot from an inside gate.
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Let’s Elope Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SALTY PEARL | Ciaron Maher | Ben Allen | 10 | 57.5kg |
| 3 | TOO DARN DISCREET | Dan O’Sullivan | Declan Bates | 12 | 56kg |
| 4 | GOLD COAST BELLE | Danny O’Brien | Jordan Childs | 11 | 56kg |
| 5 | COEUR VOLANTE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Ethan Brown | 2 | 55kg |
| 6 | SEA WHAT I SEE (IRE) | Danny O’Brien | Blake Shinn | 3 | 55kg |
| 7 | MERRIGOLD | John Sadler | Daniel Stackhouse | 1 | 55kg |
| 8 | ON DISPLAY | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Damian Lane | 4 | 55kg |
| 9 | BUTTERNUT PRINCESS | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Ben Melham | 6 | 55kg |
| 10 | GOLD MEDALLIST | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 7 | 55kg |
| 11 | PONDALOWIE | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Lachlan Neindorf | 8 | 55kg |
| 12 | CHARISSE | Gerard Moloney | Patrick Moloney | 13 | 55kg |
| 13 | MYSTERY ’N’ DRAMA | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Cartwright (a) | 5 | 55kg |
Let’s Elope Stakes Odds
