Spring’s CF Orr hero Jimmysstar is widely expected to relaunch his autumn campaign with a top-level victory as the high-class Ciaron Maher sprinter headlines the 2026 Ladbrokes William Reid Stakes at Caulfield this Saturday.
Jimmysstar is short favourite for his autumn return in the William Reid. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
While a significant portion of the racing world will be focused on the Golden Slipper festivities at Rosehill, Melbourne remains a hub of elite activity.
With The Valley currently closed for a comprehensive redevelopment, Caulfield takes center stage as the host for the William Reid program.
A formidable group of 11 speedsters is set to contest the Group 1 $1 million Ladbrokes William Reid Stakes (1200m).
Market dominance belongs to the track specialist Jimmysstar, who is currently installed as the $2.40 favourite through race sponsor Ladbrokes.
William Reid favourite Jimmysstar is a Caulfield track specialist boasting five wins from six starts at the track he resumes at this weekend!
The six-year-old son of Per Incanto owns a remarkable record at this circuit, alongside a lethal first-up strike rate (7:5-1-0).
Drawing the rail in barrier one further strengthens his position, with the elite Mark Zahra booked to steer the stable star.
Jimmysstar reached incredible heights in the spring, placing third behind the international sensation Ka Ying Rising in the $20 million The Everest before securing the Russell Balding Stakes / CF Orr double.
Recent Cranbourne trials suggest he has lost none of his spark, and provided he finds clear passage, he remains the benchmark at his favourite venue.
Sharing the second line of the William Reid Stakes betting at $6.50 are Cindy Alderson’s veteran Jigsaw (barrier 11) and the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Tropicus (barrier two).
Jigsaw, now an eight-year-old by Manhattan Rain, is in the form of his life following five consecutive wins.
His summer highlights included a Group 1 upset in New Zealand’s Railway Stakes, and he proved he had handled the travel perfectly by crushing his rivals by 3.5 lengths in the VOBIS Gold Sprint last weekend.
Dropping from 61kg to 58.5kg under weight-for-age conditions, apprentice Logan Bates retains the ride with the wide draw to overcome.
Meanwhile, the four-year-old Tropicus draws perfectly to stalking the speed.
The son of Too Darn Hot is the reigning Group 1 Oakleigh Plate champion and boasts a strong 1200m profile at this track (6:4-1-0).
With Jamie Mott in the saddle, he is a major threat to the favourite.
The Leon Corstens & Will Larkin stable saddles up Baraqiel ($8.50), the final runner in single digits.
A 1200m specialist (9:5-1-2), the Snitzel seven-year-old arrives fit after a brave fourth in the Black Caviar Lightning behind Tentyris.
The spring’s Moir Stakes winner tuned up with a sharp trial win on March 13 and looks ready to strike.
For those hunting double-figure value, Chris Waller’s Angel Capital ($11) and Grahame Begg’s Magic Time ($13) offer genuine knockout potential.
Angel Capital was the runner-up to Jimmysstar in November’s CF Orr and enters this following a fast-finishing third in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.
Magic Time, a daughter of Hellbent, is a notorious fresh performer chasing her fifth first-up victory.
Her spring campaign was elite, highlighted by a runner-up finish to Giga Kick in the Champions Sprint.
Other notable chances include Rey Magnerio ($16) to be ridden by William Pike and last year’s Manikato Stakes winner Charm Stone ($18).
The 2026 Ladbrokes William Reid Stakes is scheduled as Race 8 at 4:15 pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s 10-race card.
2026 Ladbrokes William Reid Stakes Field & Barriers
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Age | Sex | Last Starts | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jimmysstar | Mark Zahra | Ciaron Maher | 1 | 58.5kg | 6 | G | 2311x | $6,675,377 |
| 2 | Jigsaw | Logan Bates | Cindy Alderson | 11 | 58.5kg | 7 | G | 11×11 | $2,149,783 |
| 3 | Rey Magnerio | William Pike | Robbie Griffiths | 7 | 58.5kg | 6 | G | 1331x | $2,087,700 |
| 4 | Angel Capital | Jye Mcneil | Chris Waller | 6 | 58.5kg | 4 | H | 62×43 | $2,045,600 |
| 5 | Baraqiel | Ben Allen | L & T Corstens & W Larkin | 5 | 58.5kg | 7 | G | 112×4 | $1,533,025 |
| 6 | Airman | John Allen | M, W & J Hawkes | 9 | 58.5kg | 6 | G | 7409x | $1,420,950 |
| 7 | Tropicus | Jamie Mott | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 2 | 58.5kg | 4 | H | 126×1 | $1,030,300 |
| 8 | Magic Time | Michael Dee | Grahame Begg | 10 | 56.5kg | 6 | M | 1302x | $4,505,375 |
| 9 | Charm Stone | Thomas Stockdale | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | 3 | 56.5kg | 5 | M | 0x16x | $2,562,775 |
| 10 | Benedetta | Daniel Stackhouse | Ciaron Maher | 4 | 56.5kg | 6 | M | 58×36 | $2,334,415 |
| 11 | Devil Night | Beau Mertens | M, W & J Hawkes | 8 | 56kg | 3 | C | 564×2 | $1,474,100 |
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