Betsy’s Dean Watling has joined Gareth Hall on SEN’s Giddy Up in recent weeks to break down the futures markets for the upcoming Autumn Carnival.
As part of that deep dive, Watling has done the hard yards on which horses are targeting which races, arming punters with the information needed to make smarter futures plays. He’s pulled together a handy cheat sheet to give Betsy followers a genuine edge.
Watling runs through some of Australia’s leading stables, outlining the likely campaigns of their headline gallopers, vital intel for anyone looking to get involved in the futures markets over the coming weeks.
Ciaron Maher
Jimmysstar
A relatively light autumn planned for Jimmysstar, with the potential to head to Queensland post the G1 All Aged Stakes.
Not going: Canterbury Stakes $3.00
Tempted
Confirmed first-up assignment this week in the Eskimo Prince before a three-week gap into the G1 Surround Stakes. Post that, she has options including the Canterbury Stakes, TJ Smith and All Aged Stakes.
- 7/2/26 – 1200m Eskimo Prince Stakes
- 28/2/26 – 1400m G1 Surround Stakes $2.62
Not going: Light Fingers Stakes
Gringotts
Likely to go to the Apollo Stakes first-up before possible runs in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m G1), Doncaster or George Ryder Stakes. He has only had seven weeks off and should only need one trial.
- 14/2/26 – 1400m G2 Apollo Stakes
Pride Of Jenni
Quite amazing we get to see this mare again. It’s been confirmed she will target the All-Star Mile, potentially second-up after a run in the Futurity Stakes first-up.
- 7/3/26 – 1600m All-Star Mile $7.00
Chris Waller
Fangirl
In for a light autumn in the early stages and currently listed as spelling. Confirmed first up in the All Aged Stakes before a possible Queensland Carnival (avoid Pride Of Jenni at all costs).
- 18/4/26 – 1400m G1 All Aged Stakes (no price as yet)
Angel Capital
No plans fully locked in yet, but there’s no doubt they’ll be chasing a G1 for his CV before he heads to stud. Chris does like sending his horses into G1’s second up, so a race like the Expressway may be the kick off point. It’s been confirmed now, Angel Capital will more than likely head to the G1 Newmarket second up, with the Canterbury Stakes on the same day still an option.
- 14/2/26 – 1200m G2 Expressway Stakes
- 7/3/26 – 1200m Newmarket Handicap $6.00
- 7/3/26 – 1300m G1 Canterbury Stakes $6.00
Autumn Boy
Expected to follow the traditional path taken by his sire, The Autumn Sun: Hobartville into the Randwick Guineas and then the Rosehill Guineas.
- 21/2/26 – 1400m G2 Hobartville Stakes
- 7/3/26 – 1600m G1 Randwick Guineas $3.75
- 4/4/26 – 1600m G1 Donaster $7.50
Beiwacht
Likely to be kept to sprinting trips for two Australian runs before heading to the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 28. Ascot post-Dubai is also an option.
Autumn Glow
Nothing set in stone for this 4yo mare, but with the retirement of Via Sistina, I’d expect the Waller camp to follow a similar autumn path to Winx. That said, Winx did contest the Doncaster as a 4yo.
- 14/2/26 – 1400m G2 Apollo Stakes
- 28/2/26 – 1600m G1 Verry Elleegant Stakes $2.50
- 21/3/26 – 1500m G1 George Ryder Stakes $2.00
- 11/4/26 – 2000m G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes $4.00
Lady Shenandoah
Confirmed by Chris that she’ll go to the Expressway first up before attacking the G1 Canterbury Stakes second up over the 1300m. From there, she has options in The Queen Of The Turf or George Ryder.
- 14/2/26 – 1200m G2 Expressway Stakes
- 7/3/26 – 1300m G1 Canterbury Stakes $4.50
Joliestar
Near exact prep as Lady Shenandoah first and second up. Confirmed by Chris that she’ll go to the Expressway first up before attacking the G1 Canterbury Stakes second up over the 1300m. From there, she has options in The Queen Of The Turf or George Ryder.
- 14/2/26 – 1200m G2 Expressway Stakes
- 7/3/26 – 1300m G1 Canterbury Stakes $3.50
Private Harry
Formerly with Nathan Doyle, the G1 Galaxy winner is now in the Chris Waller yard. Due to an injury setback in the spring, he won’t race in Sydney or Melbourne this autumn. He will instead target the Queensland Carnival, with the G1 Doomben 10,000 the aim.
- 16/5/26 – 1200m G1 Doomben 10,000
Unknown targets: Joker’s Grin, Panova
Anthony & Sam Freedman
Tentyris
Confirmed the G1 Coolmore winner will head to the G1 Lightning Stakes first-up before a potential second-up run in the Newmarket. From there, he’s set to head overseas to Royal Ascot.
There’s fast and then there’s FAST… 💨
TENTYRIS absolutely explodes in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for @FreedmanRacing… 🔥
🎥: @wwos | #DerbyDay | #MelbourneCup
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) November 1, 2025
Point Barrow
A rising star for the Freedman team. She is likely to head to the 1100m Oakleigh Plate first up, where she would get in incredibly light with her benchmark rating of 88 (likely around 50kg).
- 21/3/26 – 1100m Oakleigh Plate $4.50
Tropicus
Confirmed to target the G1 Oakleigh Plate first-up, with potential to back up into the Newmarket second-up.
- 21/2/26 – 1100m G1 Oakleigh Plate $6.00
Joseph Pride
Ceolwulf
Confirmed he won’t contest the All-Star Mile. He’ll instead be aimed at the Australian Cup, with his grand final in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
- 14/2/26 – 1400m G2 Apollo Stakes
- 28/2/26 – 1600m G1 Verry Elleegant Stakes $4.50
- 14/3/26 – 2000m G2 Sky High Stakes
- 28/3/26 – 2000m G1 Australian Cup $4.50
- 11/4/26 – 2000m G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes $9.00
Attica
The G1 Spring Champion Stakes winner will have his third trial later this week before following the traditional 3yo staying path. He also has the option to take on older horses in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
- 21/2/26 – 1400m G2 Hobartville Stakes
- 7/3/26 – 1600m G1 Randwick Guineas $3.75
- 21/3/26 – 2000m G1 Rosehill Guineas $5.00
Bjorn Baker
Warwoven
The $1.80 favourite for the Magic Millions 2YO will be aimed at the Golden Slipper after a slight setback ruled him out of the MM races.
- 7/3/26 – 1200m G2 Todman Stakes
- 21/3/26 – 1200m G1 Golden Slipper $8.00
Pericles
The consistent type will have his second prep under Baker’s guidance. A Melbourne campaign looks likely, with a Futurity Stakes hit-out before heading to the All-Star Mile.
Stefi Magnetica
She’ll kick off in the Apollo before a path towards either the Queen Elizabeth or Queen Of The Turf Stakes. Between those targets, the George Ryder and/or the Verry Elleegant could be options.
- 14/2/26 – 1400m G2 Apollo Stakes
- 11/4/26 – 1600m G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes $7.00
Overpass
He’ll have the one target this spring in Sydney, the TJ Smith stakes. He is coming off a plain last start run, so I dare say how he runs in the TJ, will determine if they push on to QLD or to an Everest.
- 4/4/26 – 1200m G1 TJ Smith Stakes $26.00
Arapaho
The plan is to have a late autumn prep with Queensland the main target. The QE2 and the Brisbane Cup will be the stayer’s main aim.
- 30/5/26 – 2400m QE2 Quailty
- 13/6/26 – 3200m G2 Brisbane Cup
Matt Laurie
Treasurethe Moment
Confirmed to stick to dry tracks this autumn. One option locked in is the Futurity Stakes into the All-Star Mile, with further options including the Doncaster and/or Queen Of The Turf.
Cliff Brown
Sepals
The All-Star Mile looks the likely early autumn target. From there, the progressive 4yo has options including the Doncaster and George Ryder Stakes.
- 7/3/26 – 1600m All-Star Mile $11.00
Michael Freedman
Ninja
Unlucky in the Magic Millions 3YO Classic. The rapidly progressing colt will now be aimed at the G1 Randwick Guineas.
- 7/3/26 – 1600m G1 Randwick Guineas $8.00
Apocalyptic
Rose quickly to G1 level in the spring and looks back in a big way. Likely to target the fillies’ series in Sydney, with options including the Coolmore Classic and/or the Doncaster.
- 14/2/26 – 1200m Light Fingers Stakes
- 28/2/26 – 1400m G1 Surround Stakes $4.33
- 14/3/26 – 1600m G1 Coolmore Classic $6.00
- 4/4/26 – 1600m G1 Doncaster $15.00
Tony Gollan
Antino
Failed last start in the Cox Plate but has been confirmed back for a strong Sydney Autumn Campaign. He will kick off in a re-hot Apollo Stakes before mapping his way to a G1 Queen Elizabeth. He will also need a new rider with Shinn sidelined with that leg injury.
- 14/2/26 – 1400m G2 Apollo Stakes
- 11/4/26 – 2000m G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes $17.00
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Sir Delius
After failing the vet protocols in Melbourne last Spring, Sir Delius looks back in a big way after back-to-back smart trials. The camp has suggested, though, he’ll likely have a light autumn campaign off the back of that injury. Confirmed ot kick off in the Verry Elleegant Stakes, before having two Grand Finals in the Ranvet & Queen Elizabeth
(All prices quoted are correct as at 2/2/26 at 7pm).
