Coolmore Stud Stakes 2026 Betting Tips - Will The Next Episode Steal the Show?
The 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington sees The Next Episode tipped as the leading selection following a dominant first-up win in the Danehill Stakes and proven straight-track credentials. Mark Zahra rides from barrier 14, which is expected to suit the colt’s running style. While firmer ground is a potential query, his preparation and course form provide confidence. Pembrey is highlighted as a value chance, returning fresh after a high-rating Silver Shadow Stakes win, and Doubt Time is considered a roughie with strong late sectionals and blinkers applied for this Group 1 contest.
- The Next Episode is tipped to win the 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes after a strong Danehill Stakes victory
- Barrier 14 and proven straight-track form are key advantages for The Next Episode
- Pembrey is noted as a value chance, while Doubt Time is a roughie with late speed
Mark Zahra guides The Next Episode past Natural Fling to win the 2026 Danehill Stakes. (Getty)
The 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes is the first of three Group 1 races on Saturday's famous Victoria Derby Day program, with 14 three-year-olds tackling the Flemington straight over 1200m in one of the spring's premier sprinting contests.
First contested in 1863, the Coolmore Stud Stakes has produced some outstanding winners, including Northern Meteor, Brazen Beau and Home Affairs, with the race providing a major opportunity for emerging colts to establish their stallion credentials.
Danehill Stakes winner The Next Episode heads the betting for the 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes as a $3.80 favourite with BetRight.
2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes Tips
2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes Best Bet - The Next Episode
Mark Zahra was the king of Derby Day last year, highlighted by a scintillating victory aboard Tentyris in this feature, and the big-race hoop partners another deserving favourite in The Next Episode for the 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
The Ciaron Maher-trained colt proved his straight-track credentials with an impressive first-up victory in the Danehill Stakes at Flemington on October 3, and has since completed a quiet tick-over jumpout. There were concerns earlier in the spring following some disappointing Sydney trials, but those were put to rest with more encouraging Victorian hitouts and that successful return, with the stable indicating there's further improvement to come.
The biggest query is potentially firmer ground, even with some rain forecast. His only previous attempt away from rain-affected going came on debut in the Golden Gift in November last year, when he failed to fire and was subsequently found to be lame and slow to recover. It's difficult to take much from that performance, particularly given he's been just about faultless since and has established himself among the most exciting three-year-olds of his crop.
He's a colt who has been geared towards this assignment, and there was plenty to like about the way he sustained his run down the Flemington straight in the Danehill Stakes, reeling in Natural Fling with more improvement to come. That proven straight-track form is an advantage over St Gotthard, who brings strong Golden Rose form behind Warwoven but was outsprinted by three lengths at 1400m and now needs to produce asharper turn-of-foot against specialist sprinters.
Barrier 14 should suit The Next Episode, allowing Zahra to build momentum out wide rather than become cluttered up in a high-pressure contest. There are several talented rivals in what shapes as another strong Coolmore Stud Stakes, but he brings the right preparation, proven course form and considerable upside, making him the clear starting point.
2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes Value Bet - Pembrey
Leading Queensland trainer Tony Gollan is no stranger to success in Melbourne and his only straight track start at Flemington this season was Boomtown Boss wo claimed the Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap at a big price on August 1. He could have another overlooked contender in Pembrey, who returns from a freshen-up for her first attempt down the straight.
The filly was disappointing as favourite in the Furious Stakes at Randwick second-up, failing to reproduce her impressive fresh performance, with a slow recovery noted afterwards. Connections subsequently abandoned the remainder of her Sydney campaign to target this race, and the extended break could be exactly what she needs to bounce back.
Her first-up victory in the Silver Shadow Stakes on August 22 was outstanding, producing a high-rating performance on the Randwick program and comfortably accounting for Bangkok Hottie and Global Goal. That form has since been franked at Group level, with Bangkok Hottie winning the Furious Stakes and Tea Rose Stakes before Global Goal claimed the Group 1 Flight Stakes, making it a particularly strong reference.
The daughter of Prague could be ideally suited by a high-pressure contest down the Flemington straight, especially if allowed to settle into her rhythm close to the speed. Her only failure during her first preparation came in the Golden Slipper on a seven-day turnaround, and the decision to arrive here fresh looks deliberate.
Pembrey has the speed and quality to measure up against the colts, and her best performances have come when able to travel comfortably before producing her turn of foot. Barrier nine gives Craig Williams options, and at a double-figure quote, she's one of the more appealing value chances in a deep Coolmore Stud Stakes.
2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes Roughie - Doubt Time
The Nick Ryan-trained Doubt Time is progressing nicely, with connections landing some substantial bets when he made a winning debut at Caulfield in July before heading for a spell. He's yet to reach that level in two spring appearances, but there have been enough encouraging signs to suggest he could be building towards a peak performance.
He has ground to make up on The Next Episode and Natural Fling from the Danehill Stakes, although his fifth placing in that Group 2 contest was better than it reads. He recorded the second-fastest final 200m of the race after settling back, and there was every indication he would benefit from the first-up hitout.
That improvement continued in the Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield, where he again settled well back before producing the fastest closing 800m, 600m and 400m of the race to finish third behind Marffiano. He lacked the early position to seriously threaten the winner, but his sustained finish was encouraging and suggested he was looking for a high-pressure contest where he could build momentum.
The son of Doubtland has a touch of X-factor, particularly with his ability to produce strong late sectionals, and blinkers go on for this assignment. That gear change was also in effect during a recent Flemington straight-track hitout, where he reportedly worked beautifully, providing another positive ahead of his return to the course.
This is aggressive placement in a strong Group 1, and Doubt Time still has plenty to prove against the leading sprinters of his crop. However, he's on an upward trajectory, should appreciate a genuinely run 1200m and has Michael Dee back in the saddle. At bolter's odds, he's worth including among the roughies and wider chances.
2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes - Field & Odds
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Next Episode | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 14 | 57kg | $3.80 |
| 2 | Paradoxium | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 13 | 57kg | $17 |
| 3 | Alibaba | Ken & Kasey Keys | Craig Newitt | 11 | 57kg | $71 |
| 4 | Stretan Ruler | Phillip & Tommy Stokes | Jamie Mott | 5 | 57kg | $101 |
| 5 | St Gotthard | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 6 | 57kg | $4.40 |
| 6 | Marffiano | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Luke Currie | 3 | 57kg | $71 |
| 7 | Under Focus | Kris Lees | Blake Shinn | 1 | 57kg | $17 |
| 8 | Steel Will | Chris Waller | Jye McNeil | 10 | 57kg | $51 |
| 9 | Mbube | Lloyd Kennewell | Billy Egan | 7 | 57kg | $34 |
| 10 | The Machine Gun | Peter Snowden | William Pike | 2 | 57kg | $61 |
| 11 | Doubt Time | Nick Ryan | Michael Dee | 12 | 57kg | $31 |
| 12 | Natural Fling | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Damian Lane | 8 | 55kg | $6.50 |
| 13 | Satono Glow (NZ) | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Ben Melham | 4 | 55kg | $5 |
| 14 | Pembrey | Tony Gollan | Craig Williams | 9 | 55kg | $11 |
Odds provided by BetRight & correct on 28/10/2026.
Verdict
Our tips for the 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes are:
The Next Episode
To Win
$3.80 - 5 Units
Same Race Multi & Instant Deposit
Referral Code: BETS
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Pembrey
Each Way
$11.00 - 2 Units
Same Race Multi & Instant Deposit
Referral Code: BETS
For South Australian residents, Bet Right's gambling operations are governed by the South Australian Gambling. 18+ Think! About your choices. Don't let the game play you. Stay in control. Gamble responsibly and remember never allow minors to gamble. Call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858.
Doubt Time
Each Way
$31.00 - 1 Unit
Same Race Multi & Instant Deposit
Referral Code: BETS
For South Australian residents, Bet Right's gambling operations are governed by the South Australian Gambling. 18+ Think! About your choices. Don't let the game play you. Stay in control. Gamble responsibly and remember never allow minors to gamble. Call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858.
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