Surround Stakes 2026 Preview

Feb 28, 2026 | Horse Racing Previews

What is the Surround Stakes?

The Surround Stakes is Sydney’s premier 1400m Group 1 for three-year-old fillies at Royal Randwick. As the first Group 1 of the year in NSW, it is the ultimate test of early-autumn brilliance. The 1400m trip is often the “crossroads” distance where elite sprinters meet emerging milers, requiring a horse that can handle a high cruising

speed and still find a kick under set-weight conditions.

Recent Winners of the Surround Stakes

Lady Shenandoah (2025): The Chris Waller star lived up to her $1.30 quote, out-dueling Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot in an epic battle.
Tropical Squall (2024): A front-running masterclass for the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable.
Sunshine In Paris (2023): Displayed a freakish turn of foot to announce herself as a top-tier sprinting talent.
Hinged (2022): A typical Chris Waller “miler” performance, showing immense grit to win a photo finish.
Probabeel (2020): The champion Kiwi mare who made the Randwick 1400m her personal playground.

Odds and Tips for the Surround Stakes 2026

The star of the show is the Ciaron Maher-trained Tempted, the dominant $1.65 favourite. Scheduled to jump at 16:00 AEDT, she enters this race as one of the highest-rated fillies in recent years.

Tempted was stunning when winning the Group 3 Eskimo Prince first-up and her form lines—including a second to the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising—simply tower over this field. With Chad Schofield riding from barrier 2, she will likely sit in the first four and prove incredibly hard to hold out.

The main dangers include Apocalyptic ($4.20), who was narrowly beaten fresh in the Light Fingers, and Ole Dancer ($10.00), the Thousand Guineas winner who will relish any rain. However, the team at Pickabookie.com.au has Tempted as the day’s clear “Best Bet” at Royal Randwick.

Please remember to think before you bet. Stay in control, set limits, and seek support if gambling is no longer fun. Head to https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/ if you require help.