Flight Stakes 2026 Betting Tips - Global Goal Looms Large at the Mile
The 2026 Flight Stakes at Randwick marks the conclusion of the Princess Series, with three-year-old fillies stepping up to 1600m for their first Group 1 mile challenge. Striking Alibi opens as favourite, but the best bet is Global Goal, who is expected to thrive at the longer distance after a strong finishing run in the Tea Rose Stakes. De Armas presents strong value, showing impressive late speed and dropping significantly in weight. Key contenders also include Bangkok Hottie, but Global Goal and De Armas are tipped as the main plays.
- Global Goal is the best bet, expected to excel over 1600m
- Striking Alibi is the favourite, Bangkok Hottie a strong contender
- De Armas presents as the value bet in a compact, competitive field
The Princess Series culminates with the Group 1 Flight Stakes. (Getty)
The Flight Stakes brings the Princess Series to a close at Randwick on Saturday, with the three-year-old fillies stepping to 1600m for their first Group 1 test over the mile.
The small field adds another layer to the race, with the established Sydney form lines converging and several runners now reaching the distance that could bring out further improvement.
At $2.60 with BetRight, Striking Alibi is favourite for the 2026 Flight Stakes.
2026 Flight Stakes Tips
2026 Flight Stakes Best Bet - Global Goal
There is clearly not much separating the leading trio coming out of the Tea Rose Stakes, but Global Goal looks the one most likely to relish the rise to 1600m as the fillies complete the Princess Series in the Group 1 Flight Stakes.
Bangkok Hottie has done nothing wrong through the 1200m and 1400m lead-ups, while Striking Alibi had excuses in the Tea Rose, but Global Goal was a month between runs there and produced another strong closing effort.
The John Sargent-trained filly resumed over 1200m in the Silver Shadow before stepping to 1400m, and the way she lengthened late in the Tea Rose suggested those shorter trips were always going to leave her wanting further.
Third-up at the mile now looks the right progression for a filly from a stable that thrives with three-year-olds once they reach middle-distance and staying trips, with a potential VRC Oaks path further down the track if she continues to progress.
It is a tricky little race, particularly if Bangkok Hottie gets things her own way up front, but Global Goal looks ready to reach another peak and should get every chance to wind up strongly over the extra distance.
2026 Flight Stakes Value Bet - De Armas
If one of the leading trio is to be upstaged, the lightly raced De Armas has the profile to make a sharp jump at a much bigger price.
Her Australian debut on September 23 can almost be treated as another barrier trial, carrying 61kg and being taken back from a wide draw before working home strongly late without ever threatening.
She recorded the fastest last 400m of the entire program that day, and while the rise from 1200m to a mile second-up is significant, it looks very much by design.
The Listed-winning former New Zealand filly finished her two-year-old season with an eye-catching fourth-of-14 in the Karaka Millions, and she now drops 5kg from her September 23 return.
This is much tougher on paper, but she has genuine upside, Zac Lloyd gets barrier one to work with, and Waller and Lloyd combined to win this race in 2024 with Lady Shenandoah, giving De Armas enough X-factor to appeal at the price.
2026 Flight Stakes - Field & Odds
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangkok Hottie | David Payne | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 56kg | $3.30 |
| 2 | Striking Alibi | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 2 | 56kg | $2.60 |
| 3 | Global Goal | John Sargent | Dylan Gibbons | 5 | 56kg | $3.20 |
| 4 | Queen’s Gamble | Matthew Smith | Tommy Berry | 7 | 56kg | $14 |
| 5 | De Armas (NZ) | Chris Waller | Zac Lloyd | 1 | 56kg | $15 |
| 6 | Sumac | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Jason Collett | 6 | 56kg | $81 |
| 7 | Parisest Magic | Alexandre Lemarie | Rachel King | 4 | 56kg | $201 |
Odds courtesy of BetRight & correct on 30/09/2026.
Verdict
Our tips for the 2026 Flight Stakes are:
Global Goal
To Win
$3.20 - 3 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.
De Armas
To Win
$15.00 - 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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