Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2026 - Barrier Draw & Final Field

Bets.com.au Staff

Editor

Last updated: Thu 09 Apr 2026 15:34

Bets.com.au Staff 09 Apr 2026

Share this article

The barrier draw has been completed for the 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes
This Group 1 will be contested on Saturday, April 11 at Randwick
Final field is detailed below

Autumn Glow has drawn barrier two in the 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. (Getty)

Autumn Glow (barrier 2) is looking to stretch her unbeaten run to 12 in the 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where the four-year-old steps up to 2000m for the first time.

Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2026 - Barriers & Final Field
Queen Elizabeth Stakes Winners

The star has continued to shine after handling the rise to Group 1 level earlier this season with three victories this campaign, including a dominant weight-for-age performance when taking out the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes last start on Golden Slipper Day.

Dubai Honour (barrier 5) almost pinched the Tancred Stakes last time out, a race he won in 2025 before finishing runner-up in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at his next start behind Via Sistina.

The William Haggas-trained gelding completed a Sydney Group 1 double in 2023, which included a strong victory in this race, and he again profiles as a key contender.

Sir Delius (barrier 3) was arguably the best horse in Australia last spring before his Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup campaigns were aborted following veterinary scans, prompting connections to pull up stumps for the carnival.

The import’s return was only fair in the Verry Elleegant Stakes, but he improved on that effort when finishing third in the Ranvet Stakes.

Aeliana (barrier 8) broke a decent drought in the Ranvet Stakes and then completed a Group 1 double with a win over Dubai Honour in the Tancred Stakes last time out.

The mare has gone to another level this preparation and drops back to 2000m for this feature.

Light Infantry Man (barrier 1) is a three-time Group 1 winner and completed the latest via his Australian Cup defence on March 26, where the gelding narrowly reeled in a brave Pride Of Jenni.

With a proven record at 2000m, the seven-year-old brings the right form into this feature.

Lindermann (barrier 6) also warrants respect, having pushed Aeliana last time out when runner-up in the Ranvet Stakes.

The Chris Waller-trained galloper likes to make his own luck on the speed and can give a sight again if left alone in front.

Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2026 - Barriers & Final Field

No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight
1	Dubai Honour (IRE)	William Haggas	Tom Marquand	5	59kg
2	Sir Delius	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Craig Williams	3	59kg
3	Light Infantry Man (FR)	Ciaron Maher	Ethan Brown	1	59kg
4	Lindermann	Chris Waller	TBA	6	59kg
5	Wootton Verni (FR)	Chris Waller	TBA	7	59kg
6	Caviar Heights (IRE)	William Haggas	Zac Lloyd	4	59kg
7	Autumn Glow	Chris Waller	James McDonald	2	57kg
8	Aeliana (NZ)	Chris Waller	TBA	8	57kg

Queen Elizabeth Stakes Winners

Originally run as the Queen’s Plate and later known as the AJC Plate, the race was officially renamed the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1954.

The feature has been staged over a range of distances throughout its history, including marathon trips of 4800 metres and 3600 metres, before being reduced as the Sydney Cup rose in prominence, with the race settling at 2000 metres from 1986.

Among the early champions are greats such as Carbine and Tulloch, while the modern era has seen the likes of Jeune, Might And Power and Winx dominate, with the latter completing a memorable three-peat from 2017 to 2019.

More recent winners include Dubai Honour (2023), Pride Of Jenni (2024) and Via Sistina (2025), highlighting the strength of the race in its current form.