The Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) shapes as one of the key races at Caulfield this Saturday with an intriguing field assembled.
Light Infantry Man looks very hard to beat after resuming with a strong win in the Carlyon Cup. Despite looking in trouble at stages, his class came to the fore late and he proved too good. A solid jumpout since suggests he has held his form and his ability to settle forward and keep fighting makes him a major contender.
Buckaroo also demands respect. His first-up run in the Futurity Stakes was excellent, charging home strongly behind Pericles. If he has overcome the issue that kept him out last week, he shapes as one of the hardest horses to hold out.
Apulia should appreciate the rise to 1800m after resuming in the Blamey Stakes over a mile. He settled near last off a slow tempo and was never really a winning chance but kept working home well and should improve with the extra trip and added fitness.
Birdman returned in terrific fashion in the Blamey Stakes, giving the field a start before producing an impressive finish to win. He appears to have come back in excellent order and despite a minor setback he warrants plenty of respect.
Bankers Choice has trialled well ahead of his return but faces a tough assignment against this company, while Whisky On The Hill appears to be building towards a race like the Mornington Cup.
Basilinna also returns to the races but is likely to improve with the run.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Peter Young Stakes.
2026 Peter Young Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Light Infantry Man: I think Light Infantry Man is hard to beat. He resumed with a bang in the Carlyon Cup. Late market push said he was near unbeatable and won accordingly despite looking in trouble on numerous occasions. Class kicked in and he was much too good. Tick over jumpout was strong, he can settle forward and will just keep on fighting.
2. Buckaroo: Buckaroo looks the top seed if he’s ready to go. He resumed in the Futurity and ran out of his skin in defeat I thought behind Pericles, closing with real purpose. If he’s over the issue he had last week, he takes a power of beating.
3. Apulia: Apulia should appreciate a rise to 1800m after resuming over the mile in the Blamey two weeks back. He got back to near last off speed and was never really threatening but kept chasing and was quite good in defeat. Fitter and up in trip, he’s a definite improver.
4. Bankers Choice: He can pull out a run fresh and has trialled well for the return but he’s well and truly up against these.
5. Birdman: Gave them a start and a beating in an impressive performance in the Blamey. He’s come back in beast mode and despite the mini set back, he commands respect.
6. Whisky On The Hill: Ticking along beautifully towards something like the Mornington Cup. He’s not up to these.
7. Chief Little Rock: SCR
8. Basilinna: Great to see her back at the races but she will need the hit out.
2026 Peter Young Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Win Light Infantry Man
Peter Young Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (FR) | Ciaron Maher | Harry Coffey | 1 | 59kg |
| 2 | BUCKAROO (GB) | Chris Waller | Jye McNeil | 2 | 59kg |
| 3 | APULIA | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Luke Currie | 7 | 59kg |
| 4 | BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Daniel Stackhouse | 4 | 59kg |
| 5 | BIRDMAN (IRE) | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 6 | 59kg |
| 6 | WHISKY ON THE HILL (GB) | Glen Thompson | Declan Bates | 3 | 59kg |
| 8 | BASILINNA (NZ) | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Dean Yendall | 8 | 57kg |
Peter Young Stakes Odds
2026 Peter Young Stakes Speed Map
I think Light Infantry Man leads for fun and honestly, like harness racing, they may not change their order from barrier position. No early pressure whatsoever so I think Light Infantry Man leads and gets complete control.