The Spring Carnival is still several weeks aaway, but the roadmaps are already taking shape. Below is our Futures Cheat Sheet, a running tracker of where the biggest names in Australian racing are being pointed this preparation, from first-up assignments through to their Group 1 targets. We’ll be keeping this updated stable-by-stable as more plans are confirmed, so bookmark it and check back throughout the carnival.
Odds are from TAB and are subject to change.
Ciaron Maher
Jimmysstar
After what was a below-par autumn campaign for Jimmysstar, all eyes will be on his spring preparation and what level he can get back to, or even improve on. He’s likely to target the Memsie Stakes (1400m) first-up before connections weigh up tilts at either The Everest or the King Charles III Stakes. Beyond that, there’s an abundance of options for him.
| Date | Race | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 29/8/2026 | G1 Memsie Stakes 1400m | TBC |
| 17/10/2026 | G1 TAB Everest 1200m | $15.00 |
| 17/10/2026 | G1 King Charles III Stakes 1600m | $11.00 |
Chris Waller
Barnavara
The $10.1 million filly was disappointing in her sole run during the autumn under the new ownership of Yulong and new trainer Chris Waller. She’s had a good spell and looked much better in a recent trial on Monday, July 19. She appears to be on a Caulfield Cup path, with the potential to target the Champions Stakes at the end of the spring, while also having plenty of other options along the way.
| Date | Race | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 17/10/2026 | G1 Caulfield Cup 2400m | $26.00 |
| 24/10/2026 | G1 Cox Plate 2040m (Flemington) | $34.00 |
Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
Guest House
The Golden Slipper winner is set to be stabled in Sydney for the spring, targeting the traditional Golden Rose path with the possibility of an Everest / Coolmore tilt.
WATCH: Guest House winning the Golden Slipper
| Date | Race | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 29/8/2026 | G3 San Domenico Stakes 1100m | TBC |
| 12/9/2026 | G2 Run To The Rose 1200m | TBC |
| 26/9/2026 | G1 Golden Rose 1400m | $4.50 |
| Possible | ||
| 17/10/2026 | G1 TAB Everest 1200m | $15.00 |
| 31/10/2026 | G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes | TBC |
Clayton Douglas
Giga Kick
An open mind here from Clayton. Confirmed kick-off points in Melbourne, and from there he’ll toss up either sticking to Melbourne or a visit up the Hume for a potential fourth tilt at The
Everest.
| Date | Race | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5/9/2026 | G1 Moir Stakes 1000m (Sandown) | TBC |
| 27/9/2026 | G1 Manikato Stakes 1200m (Caulfield) | TBC |
| Possible | ||
| 17/10/2026 | G1 TAB Everest 1200m | $26.00 |
Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman
Sheza Alibi
Her dominant Doncaster win was one of, if not the, performance of the autumn carnival. Arguably the most anticipated mare heading into the spring carnival, she’ll split her time between Melbourne and Sydney with the ultimate target the Golden Eagle.
Relive Sheza Alibi’s breathtaking Doncaster win:
| Date | Race | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 29/8/2026 | G1 Memsie Stakes 1400m | TBC |
| 12/9/2026 | G1 Makybe Diva Stakes 1600m | TBC |
| 17/10/2026 | G1 King Charles III Stakes 1600m | $3.50 |
| 31/10/2026 | G1 Golden Eagle 1500m | $1.90 |
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Sir Delius
The king of the autumn carnival, whose breathtaking win in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes stamped him as one of the country’s elite. Where do we see him heading this spring?
There’s no doubt the Cox Plate will be the main target. How he gets there remains the question, but I dare say they’ll follow the traditional lead-up via the G1 Turnbull Stakes, like they did last year. Beyond the Cox Plate, he has the option of tackling either the Melbourne Cup or the Champions Stakes (2000m). Of course, that will all come down to what the stable decides regarding the Victorian veterinary protocols.
| Date | Race | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 24/10/2026 | G1 Cox Plate 2040m (Flemington) | $3.50 |
| 3/11/2026 | G1 Melbourne Cup 3200m | $11.00 |
| 7/11/2026 | G1 Champions Stakes 2000m | $3.50 |
More stables and horses to be added as plans are confirmed, check back
for updates throughout the carnival.
