Surround Stakes 2026 Betting Tips - Does Tempted Run 1400m?

Alex Marsh

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Last updated: Wed 25 Feb 2026 10:02

Alex Marsh 25 Feb 2026

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The 2026 Surround Stakes marks first Group 1 of the year in Sydney
Tempted is the favourite with odds of $1.65
Ole Dancer poses a threat, providing value second-up

Expired

Tempted winning Eskimo Prince Stakes on February 7. (Getty)

The Surround Stakes is the first Group 1 of the year in Sydney, kicking off the autumn carnival with a key 1400-metre test for three-year-old fillies at Randwick.

2026 Surround Stakes Tips
2026 Surround Stakes - Field & Odds

A competitive field has assembled for the set weights feature, with Thousand Guineas winner Ole Dancer and last-start runner-up Apocalyptic adding depth and genuine Group 1 quality to the contest.

Tempted sits as favourite at $1.65 with Picklebet.

2026 Surround Stakes Tips

2026 Surround Stakes Best Bet - Tempted

The Godolphin filly has been consistent throughout her two-year-old season and into three-year-old company, including a comfortable first-up victory in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes on February 7.

Her spring campaign culminated with a second to the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, while finishing ahead of the likes of Jimmysstar, Joliestar, Lady Shenandoah and Briasa.

Those form lines rate well above this set weights three-year-old fillies affair and give her a clear edge on exposed class.

That Everest second was her only defeat at Randwick, with wins in all other appearances at the track.

The main query is 1400m, having been beaten second-up over that trip last preparation following a big fresh win, although that came in a fast-run Golden Rose.

2026 Surround Stakes Value Bet - Ole Dancer

Ole Dancer shapes as a genuine threat, the Victorian visitor spelled after a Group 1 triumph in the Thousand Guineas during the spring.

She defeated Apocalyptic on that occasion, with the second and third home both winning at Group level at their subsequent starts, strengthening the form.

Her first-up run at Flemington was effectively a trial, snagged back early before working home strongly for second behind a fit and in-form winner who controlled the race.

Connections could have taken the Australian Guineas route if they felt the challenge of Tempted was too great, and the 3kg drop under set weights conditions combined with added fitness are notable positives.

With rain predicted, she may be the runner best suited should it become a testing 1400m contest.

2026 Surround Stakes - Field & Odds

No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Odds
1	Tempted	Ciaron Maher	Chad Schofield	2	56kg	$1.65
2	Apocalyptic	Michael Freedman	Tommy Berry	4	56kg	$4
3	Ole Dancer	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	Zac Lloyd	5	56kg	$10
4	Savvy Hallie	Brad Widdup	Nash Rawiller	6	56kg	$10
5	Karinska	Chris Waller	Sam Clipperton	1	56kg	$34
6	Sunrays	Kelly Schweida	Jason Collett	3	56kg	$34
7	Panova	Chris Waller	James McDonald	8	56kg	$16
8	Queen Of Clubs	Gary Portelli	Craig Williams	7	56kg	$151