🏇 Big Australian Races This Saturday — 14 February 2026
If you’re a fan of elite-level racing, Saturday 14 February delivers one of the first true autumn-shaping race days of the season — headlined by Group racing at Flemington Racecourse and Royal Randwick Racecourse.
With a Group 1 sprint down the Flemington straight and a key Sydney weight-for-age clash, this weekend’s racing provides genuine insight into how the autumn carnival is unfolding.
🌟 Lightning Stakes Day — Flemington
Saturday’s Melbourne highlight is the prestigious Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m), the first Group 1 sprint of the Victorian autumn.
Run down the famous Flemington straight, this race is a pure test of speed and composure. There’s nowhere to hide — tempo is genuine from the outset and positioning across the track can be crucial depending on wind and surface patterns earlier in the day.
The Lightning regularly sets up the elite sprinting hierarchy heading into the Newmarket and The Championships, making it one of the most influential early-season contests on the calendar.
🏇 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes – Flemington R8
The straight 1000m at Flemington rewards horses that can travel comfortably at high speed before letting down sharply over the final 300m. Expect pressure from the outset, with closers getting their chance late if the pace is genuine.
🔥 Best to Back Tip: GIGA KICK
💰 Odds: ~$34.2
⚡ “Proven at the elite level and ideally suited to the Flemington straight. His closing sectionals are among the best in the field, and if he lands within striking distance at the 400m, he’ll be charging late.”
💎 Best Value Bet: MARHOONA
💰 Odds: ~$10
💥 “Strong first-up profile and capable of producing a sharp turn of foot. If conditions play evenly across the straight, she represents genuine each-way value in a high-pressure sprint.”
🏇 CS Hayes Stakes – Flemington R9
Race 9 at Flemington Racecourse shapes as a competitive 1400m handicap to close out the card, with a mix of progressive types and proven performers stepping out under strong late-day pressure.
The Flemington 1400m start gives runners a long run before the bend, so early positioning matters. Horses that can settle midfield with cover and build momentum into the straight are typically well suited, especially if the tempo is genuine.
🔥 Best to Back Tip: ASKURA
💰 Odds: ~$6.5
⚡ “Progressive profile and well placed at the weights. Maps to settle just off the speed and should get clear running at the top of the straight. If she produces her usual closing sectionals, she’s the one to beat.”
💎 Best Value Bet: SPACE RIDER
💰 Odds: ~$6.5
💥 “Strong finishing type who relishes a genuine tempo. If the leaders roll along and set it up late, he’s capable of launching down the centre of the track and giving each-way players a serious sight.”
🌞 Apollo Stakes Day — Royal Randwick
Sydney’s feature meeting centres around the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), traditionally a launching pad for some of the nation’s best middle-distance performers.
The Apollo regularly attracts high-class milers and weight-for-age performers resuming from spells, using this as a stepping stone toward bigger autumn targets.
Randwick’s long straight and likely soft conditions place emphasis on tactical positioning and fitness first-up.
🏇 Apollo Stakes – Randwick R8
A quality weight-for-age contest over 1400m, this race often favours runners that can settle midfield with cover before building momentum into the long Randwick straight.
🔥 Best to Back Tip: AUTUMN GLOW
💰 Odds: ~$2.8
⚡ “Lightly weighted under WFA conditions and still on the upward trajectory. She maps to get a smooth run from her draw and possesses the turn of foot to capitalise if the tempo is genuine. With improvement still to come this preparation, she profiles as the one with the most upside in the field.”
💎 Best Value Bet: CEOLCULF
💰 Odds: ~$5.5
💥 “A genuine Group-class performer who brings toughness and consistency to the race. He’ll position prominently from the draw and if the tempo is genuine, he’s capable of grinding into the finish and giving each-way players a strong sight.”
🏇 Randwick Race 9 – 1200m Sprint
Race 9 at Royal Randwick Racecourse is a high-pressure 1200m sprint that looks set to be run at genuine tempo. With several natural on-speed runners engaged, expect this to truly test finishing strength over the final 300m.
Randwick’s long straight gives swoopers their chance — but only if they’re within striking range turning for home.
🔥 Best to Back Tip: WEEPING WOMAN
💰 Odds: ~$4.4
⚡ “Brings strong recent form and profiles ideally for a genuinely run 1200m. She maps to settle midfield with cover and has the closing sectionals to capitalise if the leaders soften each other up. If she gets clear air at the right time, she’s the one finishing strongest.”
💎 Best Value Bet: MANAAL
💰 Odds: ~$5.5
💥 “Lightly raced and still improving. Possesses tactical speed to land in the first half of the field and won’t need everything to go perfectly. If the race shape suits and she gets a smooth run in transit, she’s well placed to hit the frame at a better price.”
📍 What to Watch on Saturday
- Track patterns early at Flemington — straight racing can favour one side.
- Randwick surface rating — any further rain enhances chances for proven soft-track performers.
- Barrier draws and jockey bookings in both features could prove decisive.
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