The feature race at Randwick this Saturday is the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), where the market says it is an open contest.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Spring Champion Stakes.
2026 Spring Champion Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Diameter: Diameter is hard to beat. He was an eye catcher in the Caulfield Guineas, getting a fair way out of his ground but really liked the way he finished his race off in defeat. He will love getting onto a bigger track, he’s a key chance.
2. Cormier: I have been hot on Cormier for this race for several weeks and won’t be dropping off. I thought he was a total forgive in the Gloaming. Yes, he led and walked in front, but I just don’t think he’s a leader and was left a sitting shot. I think 2000m suits, hopefully gets a bunny to chase and will be strong late.
3. Scarole: Ridden with a sit in the Gloaming and closed strongly when third. 2000m, lands on speed with a dig in the ribs, dangerous for sure.
4. Wonka: Surged in the Gloaming from off speed and just missed. Maps to do no work, he’s in the mix I say.
5. Stormy Marco: Stormy Marco is on track. He ran two weeks back in the Gloaming and kept chasing from off speed in a good effort in defeat. He should appreciate getting to 2000m and does have that Waller sense of timing to give this a shake.
6. Persian Wonder: Sneaky flying this horse and was sneaky good in the Gloaming. Dangerous at a price.
7. Mindgames: He’s on the podium for sickest beat of 2026. Backing up seven days later I like…but for mine, this is the wrong race, unless they think he’s a Derby prospect.
8. Global Goal: Global Goal has the potential to blow this field away. Just a matter of the set up, whether this is the Grand Final or the Oaks. Her Flight Stakes win was superb. She gave them a start and a beating, getting better as the race went on to score. 2000m no issue, weight pull, clearly hard to beat. Just from a betting angle…is she on the short side?
9. Proxima Dea: Completely blessed in the Gloaming IMO. Tricky draw, will need to be ridden aggressively I say…I’m hard against.
2026 Spring Champion Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Cormier
Group l Strategy Outlay: $2100
Group l Strategy Return: $1144
2026 Spring Champion Stakes Speed Map
Cormier led in the Gloaming but seemed to get lost. I think he’d be better with a bunny to chase. Scarole looks the leader…maybe Proxima Dea gets the drag across from Cormier, with that horse landing 1/1 on the back of Proxima Dea. Diameter is another that could be ridden forward.
2026 Spring Champion Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DIAMETER | Chris Waller | Tyler Schiller | 6 | 56.5kg |
| 2 | CORMIER | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Aaron Bullock | 8 | 56.5kg |
| 3 | SCAROLE | Ciaron Maher | Nash Rawiller | 4 | 56.5kg |
| 4 | WONKA | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 2 | 56.5kg |
| 5 | STORMY MARCO | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 7 | 56.5kg |
| 6 | PERSIAN WONDER (NZ) | David Payne | Ashley Morgan | 5 | 56.5kg |
| 7 | MINDGAMES | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Tim Clark | 1 | 56.5kg |
| 8 | GLOBAL GOAL | John Sargent | Dylan Gibbons | 3 | 54.5kg |
| 9 | PROXIMA DEA | David Payne | Zac Lloyd | 9 | 54.5kg |
