The Gold Rush Tips, Field & Odds | Best Bets

The Gold Rush is Western Australia's $1.5 million Group 3 weight-for-age race over 1400m at Ascot, run on Saturday 12 December 2026. Our tips, field and best bets are published in race week.

The Gold Rush. Western Australia’s newest big-money race headlines its own raceday at Ascot. Formerly the A J Scahill Stakes, it was rebranded by Perth Racing and now carries a $1.5 million prize pool, making it one of the richest races run in WA. The Group 3 weight-for-age contest is run over 1400m at Ascot on Saturday 12 December 2026. This is our complete guide: the 2026 date, the WA form angle, recent winners, betting markets and FAQs.

The Gold Rush: Key Details

Detail	Value
Race	The Gold Rush (Group 3), formerly the A J Scahill Stakes
Date	Saturday 12 December 2026
Venue	Ascot, Perth
Distance	1400m
Conditions	Weight-for-age, three-year-olds and up
Prize money	$1.5 million
Raceday	Gold Rush Day
Broadcast	Sky Racing, plus bookmaker live streams

 

When is The Gold Rush & What Time?

The Gold Rush is run on Saturday 12 December 2026 at Ascot, headlining Gold Rush Day. Perth is on AWST, so it is an afternoon race locally and an evening race on the east coast. The exact start time is confirmed in race week.

Why the Prize Money Changed the Race

The A J Scahill Stakes was a solid WA weight-for-age race. Rebranded as The Gold Rush with a $1.5 million pool, it became something different: a race worth travelling for.

• Prize money pulls fields east to west. A $1.5 million Group 3 is worth more than most Group 1s outside the majors, which is unusual and changes who nominates.
• Weight-for-age at 1400m. No handicap relief, so class is exposed rather than disguised.
• Local knowledge still counts. Ascot rewards horses proven on the surface, and WA-based sprinters are not to be dismissed just because a visitor is better credentialled.

The Gold Rush Tips, Best Bets & Predictions

Our best bets go up once the final field and barriers are declared in race week. Three angles to follow in the lead-up.

• Ascot form over Ascot trips. WA racing rewards track familiarity more than most jurisdictions, so a proven Ascot record is a genuine edge.
• Watch the interstate raiders. The prize money attracts them, but a long float trip into a December Perth summer is a real question.
• The Northerly Stakes form line. Ascot’s other big weight-for-age feature is run the week before, so it is the freshest guide to who is holding form.

The Gold Rush Recent Winners

The Gold Rush has been run under its current name since Perth Racing rebranded the race and lifted the prize money to $1.5 million. Its honour roll continues from the A J Scahill Stakes. We will publish the verified winners table here rather than carry an unconfirmed one.

How to Watch The Gold Rush

The Gold Rush is covered live on Sky Racing, with live streams available through most licensed Australian bookmakers with a funded account. Check the Perth Racing schedule for local free-to-air coverage.

Best Bookmakers for The Gold Rush

For a full comparison of the leading Australian racing bookmakers, see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.

The Gold Rush FAQs

When is The Gold Rush 2026?

Saturday 12 December 2026 at Ascot in Perth, over 1400m.

Was The Gold Rush called something else?

Yes. It was the A J Scahill Stakes before Perth Racing rebranded it as The Gold Rush.

How much is The Gold Rush worth?

$1.5 million, making it one of the richest races run in Western Australia.

Is The Gold Rush a Group 1?

No. It is a Group 3 weight-for-age race, despite the $1.5 million prize pool.

What distance is The Gold Rush?

1400m at Ascot, under weight-for-age conditions for three-year-olds and upwards.