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Australia Stakes tips, best bets, field & odds. Below is our complete Australia Stakes guide — race details, history and past winners, lead-in form, betting markets and FAQs. Check back race week for the final field, odds and our best bets.
The Australia Stakes is the traditional Australia Day weekend sprint Group 1 run under lights at Moonee Valley — a $500,000 weight-for-age contest over 1200m. Upgraded to Group 1 status in 2019, it now opens the Melbourne autumn sprinting program and regularly attracts top-class first-up sprinters. This guide covers the Australia Stakes dates, distance, prize money, betting markets and our full race-day tips. For the full carnival, see our Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival guide.
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18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
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Australia Stakes Race Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance | 1200m |
| Class | Group 1 Weight-for-Age |
| Age / Conditions | Three-year-olds and upwards |
| Venue | Moonee Valley, Melbourne |
| Prize Money | $500,000 |
| Run Date | Late January |
Australia Stakes History & Winners
Recent winners include Behemoth, Brooklyn Hustle, Jungle Magnate, Aysar and Mornington Glory. The night-time Moonee Valley 1200m is a distinctive test, with the tight turn rewarding on-pace runners from inside barriers.
Lead-In Races
Most runners come to the Australia Stakes fresh or off trials — it is typically a season-opening target rather than sitting behind another race. Spring Everest runners and other elite sprinters resuming from a break are frequent targets.
Australia Stakes Betting Markets
All major Australian bookmakers price the Australia Stakes weeks out, with a full acceptances market released after the final field is declared. The core markets are:
- Fixed-Odds Win & Place — the bread-and-butter markets, with early speculative prices followed by final acceptances pricing.
- Each-Way — typically 1/4 the odds for a place (1-2-3).
- Exotics — quinella, exacta, trifecta and First 4. See our First 4 calculator guide.
- Same Race Multis — combine multiple runners from the same race into one bet. See our Same Race Multi guide.
- Head-to-Head & Group Markets — runner-vs-runner matchups and stable/country markets.
How to Watch the Australia Stakes in Australia
The Australia Stakes is run at Moonee Valley, so as Victorian metropolitan racing it is broadcast live and free on Racing.com — on free-to-air digital TV (Channel 78 metro, 68 regional), online at racing.com and via the Racing.com app. It is also carried on Sky Racing (Foxtel Channel 522), and most licensed Australian bookmakers stream the race live to logged-in customers so you can watch and bet in one place.
The Australia Stakes is run in late January, traditionally on Australia Day weekend, under lights at Moonee Valley — so the sprint goes around in the evening (AEDT) rather than the afternoon. For more autumn sprint and feature form, see our Blue Diamond Stakes tips and All-Star Mile tips, plus our full horse racing tips hub.
Best Bookmakers for the Australia Stakes
For a full comparison of the top Australian racing bookmakers, see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Exclusive 365AUCODE referral code: bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers.18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Australia Stakes FAQs
When is the Australia Stakes?
The Australia Stakes is run under lights at Moonee Valley in late January, traditionally on Australia Day weekend.
What distance is the Australia Stakes?
The Australia Stakes is run over 1200m at Moonee Valley.
Is the Australia Stakes a handicap?
No — the Australia Stakes is run at weight-for-age.
How much is the Australia Stakes worth?
The Australia Stakes carries $500,000 in total prize money.
Who has won the Australia Stakes recently?
Recent winners include Behemoth, Brooklyn Hustle, Jungle Magnate, Aysar and Mornington Glory.
How can I watch the Australia Stakes live?
The Australia Stakes airs free on Racing.com (Channel 78 metro, 68 regional, plus the racing.com website and app) and on Sky Racing via Foxtel Channel 522. As a night meeting it screens in the evening (AEDT), and most licensed Australian bookmakers also stream it live to logged-in account holders.