Flemington Betting Tips for October 24, 2026 - Race-by-Race preview for Cox Plate Day

Alex Marsh

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Last updated: Thu. 22 Oct. 2026 18:27

Alex Marsh 2 hours ago

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The $6 million Cox Plate headlines Saturday's nine-race program at Flemington on October 24
Flemington hosts the historic weight-for-age championship for the first time
Race-by-race tips cover the Cox Plate, Moonee Valley Gold Cup and supporting features

Cox Plate Day comes to Flemington for the first time on October 24. (Getty)

Cox Plate Day takes centre stage at Flemington on Saturday, with the famous weight-for-age championship being run away from Moonee Valley for the first time in its history.

Flemington Tips October 24
Race 1 - Manhari Imperatriz Sprint Tips (1000m)
Race 2 - HKJC World Pool Red Anchor Stakes Tips (1200m)
Race 3 - Drummond Golf Vase Tips (2040m)
Race 4 - Symal Crockett Stakes Tips (1200m)
Race 5 - Cirka McEwen Stakes Tips (1200m)
Race 6 - Kia Ora Stud Mile Tips (1600m)
Race 7 - Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup Tips (2500m)
Race 8 - Ladbrokes Cox Plate Tips (2040m)
Race 9 - Powerflo Solutions Tesio Stakes Tips (2040m)

The $6 million Cox Plate headlines the nine-race program, while the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, McEwen Stakes, Drummond Golf Vase and several other quality support races add plenty of depth to the card.

Our race-by-race betting tips and selections for Flemington are below, with broader sports coverage available through Live Racing & Sports Updates.

Flemington Tips October 24

Race 1 - Manhari Imperatriz Sprint Tips (1000m)

4. Ice Kool had some of his early momentum halted when a hat-trick was denied after a freshen-up at Randwick in July, before he again disappointed when returning there on September 19. There were excuses that day after covering ground, and the lightly raced four-year-old bounced straight back at Warwick Farm on October 5.

The David Pfieffer-trained sprinter has now won five of eight starts and tackles the Flemington straight for the first time. Importantly, he is unbeaten from four attempts at 1000m and carries just 53.5kg with Damian Lane aboard.

11. Bred ’Em All is one of the more progressive runners in the field. His only previous Victorian appearance came on testing ground at the end of his first campaign, while he did what was required carrying 60kg first-up. He drops sharply in weight here and the Jolly yard often feature at Flemington in the spring.

3. Point And Shoot lacks tactical speed but can produce a powerful finish when circumstances fall his way. He owns decent fresh figures and has enough class to be competitive at this level.

7. Unflinching is the knockout. He brings a strong fresh profile and his only previous attempt over the Flemington 1000m produced a stakes placing.

Selections: 4-11-3-7

Race 2 - HKJC World Pool Red Anchor Stakes Tips (1200m)

A competitive early market reflects how even the Red Anchor Stakes looks, with 6. Half Pipe here on the seven-day back-up.

The Archibald-trained colt had little room when fifth in last Saturday's Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield before flashing home late, while his earlier Sydney form through the Rosebud and San Domenico Stakes also reads well for this.

Half Pipe is still improving with racing, looks hard fit and finds a race that appears slightly easier than last week. The Flemington straight is the new variable, although his racing style should give him every chance to handle it.

2. Buggsy already has straight-track experience. He ran the fastest closing sectionals of the Poseidon Stakes and had some excuses on testing ground in stronger company last time. Blinkers and a tongue tie go on for the first time.

8. Peyton broke through first-up before a sound fifth in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes behind Satono Glow. He also had good form throughout his previous campaign.

5. Valaroso atoned for his first-up defeat by landing good support in a Seymour maiden on October 11 and remains open to further improvement.

Selections: 6-2-8-5

Race 3 - Drummond Golf Vase Tips (2040m)

Danny O'Brien and Blake Shinn combine with progressive three-year-old 2. True Rebel.

The son of Rebel Dane caught the eye when third on debut before breaking through at Geelong and arguably should have gone back-to-back at Caulfield on October 14.

He was forced further back than ideal, had to commence his run without anything carrying him into the race and sustained a long finish to narrowly miss Mister Whiskers.

The rise to 2040m looks suitable and barrier three gives Shinn more options to settle closer this time. This is another step up, but True Rebel appears to have found the Vase at the right stage of his preparation.

10. Salann showed plenty during her first campaign and, after a slower early build-up this time, she ran the fastest last 600m, 400m and 200m of the Thousand Guineas. She might be on a VRC Oaks path.

11. Joely also brings Saintly Dancer form after finishing second to that filly in the Edward Manifold Stakes on a Heavy 10 at Flemington, although she was beaten six lengths there.

8. King Winston could be value for exotics. The form has been good through the latest Geelong event and this journey is worth a try now.

Selections: 2-10-11-8

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— Racing.com (@Racing) October 14, 2026

Race 4 - Symal Crockett Stakes Tips (1200m)

There was a big opinion of 3. Angels Fury early in her career and there were clear excuses when she disappointed as an odds-on favourite in the Blue Diamond Preview in January, pulling up lame before being spelled.

She showed what she was capable of during a short winter campaign, winning a Bendigo maiden before stepping straight into metropolitan company and saluting again at Caulfield.

Her two lead-up jump-outs have also been excellent and Ethan Brown retains the ride for Ciaron Maher, with this in-form pairing striking at 27.5% this season.

11. Aroused is one of the more intriguing runners. The Grahame Begg-trained filly did not face a deep race on debut at Ballarat but could hardly have been more impressive, cruising to a three-length victory.

The leap from a 1000m maiden to a Listed 1200m contest at start two is significant, but she has looked sharp in her lead-up work and barrier 13 may prove ideal.

1. Chayan owns the strongest exposed form over a longer period and moved well in an October 16 jump-out. James McDonald remains aboard and she could be peaking.

9. Caddington was a stylish first-up winner at Kyneton. This is much harder but she remains lightly raced and has upside.

Selections: 3-11-1-9

Race 5 - Cirka McEwen Stakes Tips (1200m)

8. Extragalactic is building nicely towards her third-up assignment in a strong McEwen Stakes.

Her return in the Group 1 Moir Stakes over 1000m was sound before she improved again in the Manikato Stakes, chasing honestly behind Jimmysstar to finish runner-up at weight-for-age level over this distance.

That 1200m run should bring her to peak fitness and the Flemington straight looks potentially suitable for a mare who can sprint off varying tempos when given clear galloping room.

Rain would create some uncertainty, but she has performed well on softer ground, including a narrow Goodwood defeat.

2. Jigsaw made his first start as an eight-year-old in the Schillaci Stakes and led throughout to extend his winning sequence to eight. Flemington remains the query after four previous starts here without a placing.

5. Smooth Chino continues to build and his first straight-track appearance resulted in a narrow defeat behind Group 1 winner Skybird, who was unlucky in Sydney last Saturday.

7. Splash Back is the value inclusion. The Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara winner was luckless over this distance when resuming during the autumn before recording a strong 1200m victory at Eagle Farm.

Selections: 8-2-5-7

Race 6 - Kia Ora Stud Mile Tips (1600m)

1. Von Hauke remains an underrated galloper and looks capable of bouncing back after a Toorak Handicap run where little went his way.

The Cliff Brown-trained seven-year-old entered this spring after a strong 2026 that included victory in the Golden Mile at Bendigo under 60kg and was then competitive twice at Group 1 level in Brisbane.

His return in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was sound before circumstances went against him at Caulfield last start, where he was ridden back for luck and never found enough clear room.

Von Hauke should now have the fitness base required third-up and can perform on all surfaces. He will again settle back and need a few favours as a result, but an each-way quote appeals in a race he won 12 months ago.

12. Surfin' Bird returned soundly before producing a comfortable two-length victory in the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase at Caulfield on October 10 and, while short enough in early betting, is the obvious starting point on recent form.

14. Astral Flame can be forgiven for her latest effort behind Surfin' Bird after racing wide without cover and she was well backed there. Her only previous attempt over the Flemington mile resulted in a win and she is unbeaten from three second-up attempts. She's a big price.

6. Buckaroo needs to rebound from his Turnbull Stakes failure but his best form is clearly strong enough for this level.

Selections: 1-12-14-6

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— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 10, 2026

Race 7 - Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup Tips (2500m)

The Moonee Valley Gold Cup has attracted a deep staying field and 12. Aethelwulf continues to demand respect after progressing rapidly through the grades.

The Matthew Smith-trained four-year-old put together four consecutive wins, highlighted by an authoritative Newcastle Cup victory, before finishing runner-up to Juja Kibo in The Metropolitan.

He gave up his customary forward position there and never appeared able to build momentum in the same fashion, but still finished a clear second.

Barrier 19 means Craig Williams is likely to press forward and the spacious Flemington circuit should suit. There is some risk this campaign is beginning to take its toll, but he has a lot of natural ability.

11. King Pedro could be the horse with the most upside. His first-up fourth in the Hill Stakes was better than it looked, producing the fastest final 400m and 200m of the race.

He progressed with every run last campaign, culminating in a Grafton Cup victory when overcoming a lot of trouble, and had previously beaten Pinhole comfortably. The rise in distance suits and Damian Lane takes the ride from barrier two.

2. Juja Kibo has improved with every run this preparation and arrives after defeating Aethelwulf in The Metropolitan. Barrier 20 is the obvious tactical issue, although he is versatile enough to roll forward.

13. Autumn Mystery is a roughie for exotics. He's ticking over quite well and is looking for this staying trip now.

Selections: 12-11-2-13

Race 8 - Ladbrokes Cox Plate Tips (2040m)

3. Sir Delius may have been a touch underwhelming as favourite in the Turnbull Stakes, but the Cox Plate has clearly been the primary target and he gets his chance to peak third-up.

The son of Frankel found the 1600m too sharp first-up before finishing fourth behind Cosmic Crusader on a Heavy 8 in the Turnbull.

His previous third-up performances are compelling, including victory over Lindermann in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes during the autumn and a dominant Turnbull Stakes success last spring.

Barrier five looks ideal for Craig Williams and should allow him to settle close enough without doing excessive work. He may not have looked quite as imposing this spring, but this is the race he has been prepared to win.

10. Aeliana continues to build towards her best and her staying strength could become a major weapon if this develops into a demanding Cox Plate.

The Chris Waller-trained mare has won both of her starts at 2400m at Group 1 level and also defeated Lindermann in the Ranvet Stakes over 2000m.

She improved into third behind Cosmic Crusader and Light Infantry Man in the Turnbull and should be fitter again. Barrier 10 is awkward, but the long Flemington straight gives her time to build into the race.

12. Blind Raise is the value runner among the three-year-olds.

He was exceptionally brave when runner-up to Warwoven in the Caulfield Guineas after being pressured on speed for much of the race while the winner enjoyed a more economical passage.

He now carries only 49.5kg and Jamie Melham should be able to roll forward from barrier nine. Warwoven owns the stronger headline form, but the price discrepancy between the pair looks excessive.

1. Ceolwulf also has to be included. His only previous Melbourne appearance produced victory over the Flemington mile in last year's Champions Mile and he enters this with a strong fitness base.

Selections: 3-10-12-1

Race 9 - Powerflo Solutions Tesio Stakes Tips (2040m)

Chris Waller has three acceptances in the last, although Panova is likely going to Sydney, and 15. Chispa looks considerably better than her early price suggests.

The lightly raced mare comfortably defeated Soverato when the pair met over a similar distance in The Roses during the Brisbane winter and that stablemate heads this market.

Soverato turned the tables in the Queensland Oaks a fortnight later, but Chispa endured a much tougher run from a wide barrier and returned with abrasions.

Her first-up effort was only fair, but there was much more merit in her October 3 run when eighth of 17 after settling well back and encountering repeated trouble in the straight.

Chispa improved significantly as her autumn preparation developed and the 2000m range looks particularly suitable for the daughter of Savabeel.

14. Classic Gem produced some useful three-year-old staying form without breaking through, including a fourth in the VRC Oaks, and her latest 1700m effort suggested she was looking for this trip again.

1. Too Darn Discreet is unbeaten from three attempts at 2000m and remains extremely well suited returning to mares' company despite the weight. She beat Might And Power Stakes winner Land Legend in her latest 2000m start at Flemington.

8. Jenni's Meadow is the knockout. Blinkers go back on and she has been shaping as though she wants this journey. The track-and-trip form vs Saint George from January reads superbly for a mares' race.

Selections: 15-14-1-8

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— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 3, 2026