Australian Guineas 2027
The Australian Guineas is a Group 1 set-weights race for three-year-olds over 1600 metres at Flemington. It is the headline event of Australian Guineas Day and one of the marquee mile races of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival.
The 2027 Australian Guineas will be run on Saturday 27 February 2027 at Flemington for $1 million in prize money, with the date and purse confirmed by the Victoria Racing Club.
Australian Guineas
Preview, Trends & Analysis
- Track: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
- Distance: 1600 metres
- Class: Group 1
- Conditions: Set Weights – 3YOs only
- Sponsor: None announced for 2027
- 2027 Date: Saturday 27 February 2027
- 2027 Purse: $1 million
- 2026 Winner: Observer
About the Race
First run in 1986, the Australian Guineas has quickly established itself as Australia’s premier mile race for three-year-olds. It was upgraded to Group 1 status in 1987, was run over 2000 metres from 1998 to 2000 before returning to the mile, and was staged at Caulfield in 2007 while Flemington was being rebuilt. Run under set-weights conditions, it provides a true test of class and stamina at Flemington.
The race is often a launching pad for future stars, with past winners including Zabeel, Flying Spur, Mahogany, Miss Finland, Shamus Award, Mosheen, Alligator Blood and Lunar Fox. Many Australian Guineas winners have gone on to contest the All-Star Mile, Rosehill Guineas, or even the ATC Derby. Ciaron Maher has become the stable to follow, training the winner in 2022 (Hitotsu, with David Eustace), 2024 (Southport Tycoon) and 2026 (Observer). Observer won the Victoria Derby in the spring, resumed with a win in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield, then beat Planet Red ($7) and C S Hayes Stakes winner Sixties ($3.20) by half a length in 1:35.70 on a Good 4 track.
When is the Next Australian Guineas?
The 2027 Australian Guineas will be run on Saturday 27 February 2027 at Flemington, opening the Flemington Autumn Carnival a month before the Australian Cup. The Victoria Racing Club has confirmed the date and the $1 million prize money. The Guineas is usually Race 8 on the card, with the final field and barrier draw released on the Wednesday of race week. The same day features the $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) and the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m), a Win and You’re In race for the All-Star Mile.
Betting Guide
Popular bet types
Win, Place, Quinella, Exacta, Trifecta, First Four, Same Race Multi
Form tips
- The CS Hayes Stakes is the key lead-up race at Flemington.
- Horses with Flemington mile experience often hold an edge.
- Inside barriers (1–6) have produced many recent winners.
- Strong late sectionals and a turn of foot are vital in the long Flemington straight.
The Australian Guineas Recent Winners
| Year | Winner |
| 2026 | Observer |
| 2025 | Feroce |
| 2024 | Southport Tycoon |
| 2023 | Legarto |
| 2022 | Hitotsu |
| 2021 | Lunar Fox |
| 2020 | Alligator Blood |
| 2019 | Mystic Journey |
| 2018 | Grunt |
| 2017 | Hey Doc |
| 2016 | Palentino |
| 2015 | Wandjina |
| 2014 | Shamus Award |
| 2013 | Ferlax |
| 2012 | Mosheen |
| 2011 | Shamrocker |
| 2010 | Rock Classic |
The Questions
Saturday 27 February 2027 at Flemington, confirmed by the Victoria Racing Club.
1600 metres, run under set-weights conditions for three-year-olds.
Observer, the Godolphin colt trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Ethan Brown, beat Planet Red and Sixties by half a length as the $1.85 favourite. Feroce won the 2025 edition from Savaglee and Fistsoffury.
$1 million in 2027, the same purse as 2025 and 2026.
The Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes at Flemington a fortnight earlier is the main trial, with the Group 2 Autumn Stakes and Group 3 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield also producing runners. Spring Group 1 winners returning for the autumn, such as Victoria Derby form, have the best recent record.
