While the undefeated Autumn Glow dominates the headlines for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the undercard features a clash that threatens to steal the show.
Treasurethe Moment is narrow favourite in a terrific edition of the Queen Of The Turf Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The 2026 Queen Of The Turf Stakes has assembled one of the most formidable fields of female milers in recent memory, with the multi-time Group 1 winner Treasurethe Moment currently holding a narrow advantage in the betting.
The Day 2 of The Championships program at Royal Randwick is undoubtedly headlined by the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
However, just one race prior, a world-class assembly of mares will contest the Group 1 $1 million Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m).
Leading the charge at $3.80 with Ladbrokes is the Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment.
The four-year-old daughter of Alabama Express arrives in Sydney brimming with confidence following a dominant two-length victory in the Group 2 Sunline Stakes at Caulfield.
A versatile performer, she is no stranger to Randwick success, having swept the Vinery Stud Stakes / ATC Oaks double during last year’s autumn carnival.
With an impressive mile record (5:3-1-0) and a Cox Plate placing to her name, she has drawn perfectly in gate three for regular rider Damian Lane.
The primary challenger on the second line of betting at $3.90 is Lady Shenandoah, the pick of a four-pronged attack from the Chris Waller stable.
Waller has a mortgage on this event lately, having prepared the last three winners, including the champion Fangirl.
Trainer Chris Waller has four chances to post his fifth Queen Of The Turf Stakes victory and fourth on the trot!
Lady Shenandoah will jump from barrier two under the guidance of James McDonald.
A three-time Group 1 winner and a former Flight Stakes heroine at this track and trip, the daughter of Snitzel has been building toward a peak performance this preparation.
She was last seen finishing a strong fourth behind Autumn Glow in the George Ryder Stakes and is expected to relish the strong tempo anticipated on Saturday.
Waller has prepared the past three straight Queen Of The Turf Stakes champions including Fangirl last year and returns with a strong contingent again in 2026.
The speed map will be dictated by the phenomenal Pride Of Jenni, who sits close behind at $4.20.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare has been extraordinary since returning to the track, following up a narrow All-Star Mile defeat with a heartbreaking nose second in the Australian Cup.
Back to the 1600m—a distance where she destroyed her rivals in the Empire Rose last spring—she remains the horse they all have to catch.
Declan Bates will look to control the race from the inside rail.
The single-figure fancies are rounded out by the Matthew Smith-trained Idle Flyer ($6).
The progressive Dundeel mare enters the elite level for the first time following a stylish victory in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill.
With Zac Lloyd aboard from barrier four, she represents the “new blood” in the field with plenty of upside.
The 2026 Queen Of The Turf Stakes is scheduled as Randwick Race 8 at 3:55pm (AEST).
2026 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Field & Barriers
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Age | Sex | Last Starts | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pride Of Jenni | Declan Bates | Ciaron Maher | 1 | 57kg | 8 | M | 18×32 | $12,016,185 |
| 2 | Lady Shenandoah | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 2 | 57kg | 4 | M | 2×334 | $3,485,250 |
| 3 | Treasurethe Moment | Damian Lane | Matt Laurie | 3 | 57kg | 4 | M | 34×31 | $4,092,462 |
| 4 | Lazzura | Nash Rawiller | Chris Waller | 10 | 57kg | 4 | M | 55×21 | $1,562,945 |
| 5 | She’s A Hustler | Jordan Childs | Grahame Begg | 5 | 57kg | 5 | M | 1121x | $842,137 |
| 6 | Leica Lucy | Tommy Berry | Chris Waller | 9 | 57kg | 4 | M | 2×566 | $1,274,684 |
| 7 | Arctic Glamour | Tom Sherry | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | 6 | 57kg | 5 | M | 20×32 | $1,015,250 |
| 8 | Idle Flyer | Zac Lloyd | Matthew Smith | 4 | 57kg | 4 | M | 10×41 | $550,300 |
| 9 | Melody Again | Winona Costin | Scott Singleton | 8 | 57kg | 6 | M | 38×34 | $564,950 |
| 10 | Pinito | Jason Collett | Chris Waller | 12 | 57kg | 4 | M | 2×419 | $483,700 |
| 11 | Perfumist | Regan Bayliss | Bjorn Baker | 7 | 57kg | 4 | M | 20×07 | $646,523 |
| 12 | Dark Glitter | Dylan Gibbons | Mick Van Gestel | 13 | 57kg | 5 | M | x4388 | $542,400 |
| 13 | Modella | Chad Schofield | Lee & Cherie Curtis | 11 | 57kg | 4 | M | 8×516 | $326,850 |
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