One of the feature races at Caulfield this Saturday is the Thousand Guineas (1600m), where the market says it is an open contest.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Thousand Guineas.
2026 Thousand Guineas Runner Preview:
1. Lara Antipova: Ran well in the Stutt and is suited back to her own sex, but the gate is very tricky and 1600m is a query.
2. Pretty Baby: I think the holes in her form are real, and IMO has been in work forever. She has to be a tired horse surely.
3. Saintly Dancer: Saintly Dancer…not sure what to make of the Edward Manifold, because it was out of this world good, leading throughout and she proper smashed them from the front. If she can translate that heavy form to dry, she appeals.
4. De Armas: I’m red hot on De Armas. I thought she was incredible in the Flight Stakes. She was second up, 1200m to the mile, was in the worst ground, yet was only pipped late by Global Goal. She is the one with upside, sense of timing, C Waller polish…I’m so keen on her running well.
5. Icelady: Knuckled down with purpose to win the Prelude. Tricky draw, will press forward and give a decent sight.
6. Grinzinger Heart: Looks up against it.
7. Rubi’s Choice: Think she’s sneaky going well but just needs it a fraction easier.
8. Over The Bridge: 1200m to 1600m is a query…but with Ciaron Maher as the trainer, not so much. She looks smart…just needs luck from the draw.
9. Regal Ambition: Big win in the Jim Moloney given she was one of only a couple to come back/wide and win. The gate is tricky but she commands respect.
10. Salann: Why are they staying at the mile? She looks 2000m+.
11. Sing Your Song: Sneaky going well but not sure she’s up to these.
12. Katoto: Katoto comes through the Jim Moloney. She got a fair way out of her ground and while she was never a winning threat, I liked the way she kept chasing and finding the line in defeat. Another with the Chris Waller polish, she’s one of the hardest to beat at a price I say.
13. Platinum Pearl: Racing well, nearing a win, but think the barrier seals her fate.
2026 Thousand Guineas $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Win De Armas @ $7
Group 1 Strategy Outlay: $1500
Group 1 Strategy Return: $886
2026 Thousand Guineas Speed Map
Saintly Dancer led throughout to win the Edward Manifold so I suspect she leads. Grinzinger Heart lobs box seat, whilst drawn wide, I think Icelady comes across and in turn will give a drag over (potentially) to Platinum Pearl and Over The Bridge.
Thousand Guineas Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LARA ANTIPOVA | Mark Walker | Craig Williams | 9 | 56kg |
| 2 | PRETTY BABY | Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle | Damian Lane | 5 | 56kg |
| 3 | SAINTLY DANCER (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Blake Shinn | 4 | 56kg |
| 4 | DE ARMAS (NZ) | Chris Waller | William Pike | 7 | 56kg |
| 5 | ICELADY | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 10 | 56kg |
| 6 | GRINZINGER HEART | Ben Brisbourne | Lachlan King | 3 | 56kg |
| 7 | RUBI’S CHOICE | Greg Eurell | Lachlan Neindorf | 1 | 56kg |
| 8 | OVER THE BRIDGE | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 13 | 56kg |
| 9 | REGAL AMBITION | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Michael Dee | 11 | 56kg |
| 10 | SALANN | Ben Brisbourne | Ms Rachel King | 6 | 56kg |
| 11 | SING YOUR SONG | Chris Waller | Jye McNeil | 2 | 56kg |
| 12 | KATOTO | Chris Waller | Tyler Schiller | 8 | 56kg |
| 13 | PLATINUM PEARL | Ciaron Maher | Thomas Stockdale | 12 | 56kg |
Thousand Guineas Odds
