The second and final Group 1 feature at Rosehill this Saturday is the Tancred Stakes (2400m), with Aeliana holding a commanding position in early betting.
Markets have quickly centred on Aeliana for the staying feature, with punters making the mare the clear runner to beat in the 2400m contest.
The Tancred Stakes is one of the key staying tests of the Sydney autumn and this year’s edition looks set to play a major role in shaping the pecking order among the elite stayers.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Tancred Stakes.
2026 Tancred Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Dubai Honour: Hard to ignore Dubai Honour. He is a solid horse overseas but for some reason, not sure why, but he just loves racing in Australia. He won this race last year, I say with luck given Vauban had none. He has eyes on the Queen Elizabeth but his best chance of a win is here IMO and if he is anywhere near right, he’s a clear danger.
2. Vauban: Vauban resumed with an absolute bang in the Sky High two weeks ago. He landed in a decent spot in transit and once that eventuated, it was race over and he gapped them. Unlucky in this race last year, he will look to make amends.
3. Soul Of Spain: Think he’s flying but just don’t think he’s a WFA horse. But, can run first four.
4. Wootton Verni: SCR
5. Valiant King: His Grand Final is two weeks time over 3200m. This should top him off.
6. Zarir: Writing this preview on Thursday, Warrnambool Hurdles start later in the day…Zarir should be lining up there.
7. River Of Stars: River Of Stars wasn’t too bad in the Sky High. She was never really a winning threat behind Vauban but I liked the way she kept chasing and finding the line in defeat. Not sure she is good enough to win but can run first four.
8. Piggyback: Like the Blinkers back on but for mine, she’s not suited at WFA.
9. Aeliana: Aeliana has to be top seed here. I don’t think she busted a gut in winning the Ranvet last Saturday, with a confident J Mac ride seeing her wear down Lindermann. She should eat up 2400m and if this becomes a sit/sprint, she’s got the change up speed, but if it’s the opposite, she has shown she can stay.
2026 Tancred Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Win Aeliana at $1.80.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $5100
Group l Strategy Return: $4083
Tancred Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DUBAI HONOUR (IRE) | William Haggas | Tom Marquand | 9 | 59kg |
| 2 | VAUBAN (FR) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 4 | 59kg |
| 3 | SOUL OF SPAIN (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 6 | 59kg |
| 5 | VALIANT KING (GB) | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 59kg |
| 6 | ZARIR (IRE) | Chris Waller | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 59kg |
| 7 | RIVER OF STARS (IRE) | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 2 | 57kg |
| 8 | PIGGYBACK | Ciaron Maher | Zac Lloyd | 7 | 57kg |
| 9 | AELIANA (NZ) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 8 | 56.5kg |
Tancred Stakes Odds
2026 Tancred Stakes Speed Map
Hard to find a designated leader. Maybe Piggyback? COT for River Of Stars perhaps? Do they give Dubai Honour a dig in the ribs? Not entirely sure, but I can’t find a designated leader and this race could be run at a crawl.
