One of the key races at Rosehill this Saturday is the Tulloch Stakes (2000m), an important stepping stone toward the Australian Derby.
The 2000-metre contest regularly provides strong form references for the Derby and is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the staying ranks heading into the Randwick feature.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Tulloch Stakes.
2026 Tulloch Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Arcora: Strong all the way win in the Australian Cup Prelude, leading throughout and beating the older horses in an impressive display. Back to his own age, lands in a plum spot from the draw…he runs well but for mine, he’s on the short side.
2. Shangri La Boy: Shangri La Boy pushed Attica all the way in the Spring Champion over this trip so with that in mind, he has to be respected. He comes through the Phar Lap where he led and gave a decent kick but just felt the pinch late. If he gets front end control, he’s dangerous.
3. O’Sheamus: O’Sheamus needs to put his hand up with the Derby in mind. He took on the older horses two weeks ago here and while held, he was far from disgraced in defeat. Back to his own age and rising to 2000m, he’s one of the hardest to beat against these.
4. Brave Danza: Closed really well first up at Sandown behind Roulette King, who came out and won the Alister Clark last Saturday, so the form has been ticked off. Good upside, he’s in the mix.
5. Storm Leopard: Real eye catcher behind Salty Pearl in the Platinum Guineas. Got too far back in the run but closed strongly. If he can settle closer, he’s certainly dangerous.
6. Think Itz You: Strong win at Wyong last time but this looks harder and I have others ahead of him.
7. Varjak: Varjak for me each way. Brings much inferior form to others, but I think he’ll eat up 2000m. Loved the way he has attacked the line in both runs back, notably the latest at Gosford over the mile. 2000m, big track, sense of timing to run well in a thin race…he’ll do me.
8. Falcon Lair: SCR
9. Eureka Rebel: Trip no issue…class is.
10. Dezignation: He’ll stay all day but he does it slowly and lacks change up speed.
11. Pinot Nero: Outclassed.
12. Decalogue: Still a maiden and would be better suited there.
2026 Tulloch Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Varjak
Tulloch Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARCORA | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Nash Rawiller | 3 | 56kg |
| 2 | SHANGRI LA BOY | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 5 | 56kg |
| 3 | O’SHEAMUS | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Zac Lloyd | 1 | 56kg |
| 4 | BRAVE DANZA | Matt Cumani | Billy Egan | 6 | 56kg |
| 5 | STORM LEOPARD | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Tommy Berry | 2 | 56kg |
| 6 | THINK ITZ YOU | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 4 | 56kg |
| 7 | VARJAK (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | James McDonald | 10 | 56kg |
| 9 | EUREKA REBEL | Matthew Smith | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 56kg |
| 10 | DEZIGNATION | Matthew Smith | Tyler Schiller | 11 | 56kg |
| 11 | PINOT NERO | John Ramsey | Braith Nock (a) | 12 | 56kg |
| 12 | DECALOGUE | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 8 | 56kg |
Tulloch Stakes Odds
2026 Tulloch Stakes Speed Map
Arcora led throughout last start but I dare say will opt for cover, likely from Shangri La Boy. Decalogue will likely slide across from a middle draw and outside that pair, I can’t see much early front end pressure.