Ciaron Maher’s spring sensation and VRC Derby winner, Observer, has emerged as the clear horse to beat as he looks to add a second Group 1 to his resume in this Saturday’s $1 million Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.
Victoria Derby winner Observer is second-up favourite for the Australian Guineas this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The three-year-old classic takes center stage at Headquarters this weekend, featuring a competitive field of ten colts and geldings.
According to latest markets at Ladbrokes, the punters have singled out Observer as the primary target, with the star colt currently firming at $2.30.
Following a standout spring that saw him capture the Moonee Valley Vase and VRC Derby double, Observer proved his versatility by resuming with a clinical victory in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Having already brushed aside many of his key rivals in that first-up assignment, the son of Ghaiyyath arrives at Flemington fitter and better suited by the step up to the mile.
Jockey Ethan Brown, who has formed a strong partnership with the colt, retains the ride.
Given his natural speed, Observer is expected to settle prominently and will be the benchmark for the rest of the field as he targets a fourth straight win.
“I think the sky’s the limit for this colt, he’s just so adaptable,” Ciaron Maher told Racing.com.
“He was unlucky in a Guineas, he’s won a Vase and now he’s won a Derby and he’s pretty similar to his old man.”
Leading the chase is the Chris Waller-trained Sixties, who sits on the second line of Australian Guineas betting at $2.80.
Chasing a hat-trick of wins, the talented Flying Artie colt will jump from the outside barrier under Damian Lane.
Sixties heads into the Guineas in peak form, having saluted as an odds-on favourite in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington on February 14.
Should he succeed on Saturday, he would become the first horse since Alligator Blood (2020) to secure the coveted CS Hayes / Australian Guineas double.
The only other runner currently under double-figure Australian Guineas odds is Planet Red ($5.50).
Prepared by the Price & Kent Jnr stable, the Admire Mars gelding—who finished second in last year’s Caulfield Guineas—produced an eye-catching return when finishing runner-up to Observer in the Autumn Stakes.
Despite jumping from a wide gate and being forced to make up significant ground late, he was beaten only 1.25 lengths.
With Jamie Melham in the irons, he is considered a major threat if he can bridge the gap on the favourite.
For those looking at value runners, the consistent Victorious Spirit ($21) for Moody & Coleman and the Simon Zahra-trained Onavuitton ($27) both warrant consideration. Both horses finished closely behind Observer in the Autumn Stakes, which is widely regarded as the primary form line for this year’s edition.
The 2026 Australian Guineas is scheduled as Race 8 at 4:20pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s 10-race Flemington program.
2026 Australian Guineas Field & Barriers
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Age | Sex | Last Starts | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Observer | Ethan Brown | Ciaron Maher | 6 | 57kg | 3 | C | 311×1 | $1,959,950 |
| 2 | Planet Red | Jamie Melham | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | 9 | 57kg | 3 | G | 432×2 | $678,375 |
| 3 | West Of Swindon | Ben Allen | Ciaron Maher | 3 | 57kg | 3 | C | 194×6 | $497,800 |
| 4 | Sixties | Damian Lane | Chris Waller | 10 | 57kg | 3 | C | 15×11 | $439,750 |
| 5 | Bingi | Luke Cartwright | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 2 | 57kg | 3 | C | 177×9 | $113,850 |
| 6 | Officiate | Ben Melham | Chris Waller | 4 | 57kg | 3 | C | 130×5 | $88,975 |
| 7 | Romantic Encounter | Daniel Stackhouse | Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | 5 | 57kg | 3 | C | 20×94 | $86,375 |
| 8 | Victorious Spirit | Zac Spain | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 7 | 57kg | 3 | G | 231×3 | $61,850 |
| 9 | Onavuitton | Thomas Stockdale | Simon Zahra | 8 | 57kg | 3 | G | 63×14 | $59,200 |
| 10 | Express Class | Patrick Moloney | Gerard Moloney | 1 | 57kg | 3 | G | 6×967 | $59,100 |
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