One of the feature races at Flemington this Saturday is the Newmarket Handicap (1200m), where Tentyris is a clear favourite.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Newmarket Handicap.
2026 Newmarket Handicap Runner Preview:
1. Baraqiel: He was solid in the Lightning but I can’t see him turning the tables on Tentyris.
2. Tentyris: Tentyris…what more can you say? No horse could do what he did in the Lightning. Tardy away, last in the run, last at the 250m and then was given clear air…and just exploded, making an absolute mess. I will say, with respect, he’s only beaten My Gladiola the last two runs/wins, so how strong is that form? Not sure, but to the eye, he’s an absolute beast and will love the rise to 1200m.
3. War Machine: Pulled up lame, as did punters, when beaten at $1.30 in the Australia Stakes. He’s had two jumpouts, he likes the straight and is dynamic on the fresh side, so watch the betting late and see if the push is sustained.
4. Angel Capital: Most overrated horse in Australia…he’ll come out and win now I have said this. But yes, he did everything wrong in the Expressway, but to me, he is a Goldilocks horse that needs everything to fall into place. Even then, I don’t think he’s right up to the elite level of Group l company.
5. Sepals: So hot on this horse for the Doncaster…just a strange race to resume in, 1200m vs 1400m. But his trial work says he is here to run really well and will be strong late.
6. Caballus: Proven down the straight and pushed Joliestar hard in the Expressway. He’ll give a good sight. Just depends on the class.
7. Benedetta: I think Jamie slaughtered her in the Lightning and you can argue her run was very good behind Tentyris. Desperate to get another big one with her, she’s in the mix.
8. De Bergerac: Better suited in benchmark company.
9. Disneck: Can certainly speck Disneck at a big price given how dynamic he was when winning down the straight here in the Standish. He then went to the JRA Plate at Rosehill when back in a slowly run race and was never a factor. Back to the straight track, right down in the weights, he will run a cheeky race.
10. Gallant Son: Ran a beauty in the Oakleigh Plate but just don’t think he is up to these.
11. Geegees Mistruth: Bombed the start in the Oakleigh Plate. If she brings her best, she’s one for wider exotics.
12. Sghirripa: Not up to these.
13. My Gladiola: She is the weights/measures horse given she ran second to Tentyris but is she a filly that wants to find the line and win? For me, I say no and want to be against her in terms of backing her to win. Including in the Quaddie.
14. Wodeton: The jockey booking scares the absolute you know what out of me, but at the odds, I have to back Wodeton each way. He was left flat footed when they sprinted in the Eskimo Prince but loved the way he kept chasing. I’ve been near the front of the queue to say he’s overrated, but I think the return was quite encouraging and his jumpout win here last week…he looked to be absolutely jogging. Each way for me.
15.Pallaton: Won a terrible race at Caulfield and is not up to these.
2026 Newmarket Handicap $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win / $80 Place Wodeton
Group 1 Strategy Outlay: $4000
Group 1 Strategy Return: $3533
Newmarket Handicap Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BARAQIEL | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | Ben Allen | 3 | 57.5kg |
| 2 | TENTYRIS | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Mark Zahra | 12 | 57kg |
| 3 | WAR MACHINE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Jamie Mott | 11 | 57kg |
| 4 | ANGEL CAPITAL | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 2 | 56kg |
| 5 | SEPALS | Cliff Brown | Daniel Stackhouse | 4 | 56kg |
| 6 | CABALLUS | Bjorn Baker | Craig Newitt | 1 | 55kg |
| 7 | BENEDETTA | Ciaron Maher | Ms Jamie Melham | 13 | 54kg |
| 8 | DE BERGERAC | Grahame Begg | Logan Bates (a) | 14 | 52kg |
| 9 | DISNECK | Bjorn Baker | Ms Winona Costin | 8 | 52kg |
| 10 | GALLANT SON | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Cartwright (a) | 10 | 52kg |
| 11 | GEEGEES MISTRUTH | Mark Walker | Lachlan Neindorf | 5 | 52kg |
| 12 | SGHIRRIPA | Shane & Cassie Oxlade | Harry Coffey | 9 | 52kg |
| 13 | MY GLADIOLA | John McArdle | Craig Williams | 7 | 50.5kg |
| 14 | WODETON | Chris Waller | Wayne Lordan | 15 | 50kg |
| 15 | PALLATON | Michael Freedman | Teo Nugent | 6 | 50kg |
Newmarket Handicap Odds
2026 Newmarket Handicap Speed Map
Looks to be good speed here with Baraqiel pressing forward, as will Caballus, but will have company via the likes of Pallaton, Sghirripa and Gallant Son. The rest will likely drag back and wanting a drag into the race.
