Best Bets For Thousand Guineas at Caulfield
The Thousand Guineas takes place at Caulfield on Saturday, and the race for three-year-old fillies is one of the highlights of the Melbourne Racing Carnival.
Here is a look at the best bets for the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.
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
Thousand Guineas 2025 – The Stage
-
The Thousand Guineas (1600m, set weights, for three-year-old fillies) returns to Caulfield on Caulfield Cup day, reinstating its traditional position.
-
Prize money is $1,500,000.
-
It is arguably the premier mile test for fillies in Victoria across the spring – only the Flight Stakes at Randwick is its equivalent in NSW.
-
The barrier draw looms as very important: only a small number of winners historically have jumped from double-digit gates.
-
The lead-up form typically comes via the Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) or from Sydney via the Flight Stakes (1600m) or other major three-year-old fillies’ races.
Key Contenders & Betting Angles
Here are some of the major hopes in this year’s field, and how they stack up:
Apocalyptic (Favourite)
-
The unbeaten filly looks set to head betting.
-
She comes in off a strong win in the Flight Stakes, which is a solid guide for this race.
-
She landed a favourable draw in barrier 4, giving her good positional options.
-
With Mark Zahra aboard, this is a serious chance to deliver for punters.
Ole Dancer
-
Drawn just outside Apocalyptic (barrier 5), she will be one of the key dangers. If she can settle nicely behind the speed and finish hard, she could upset.
Ferivia
-
The Thousand Guineas Prelude winner, drawn in barrier 3, is in prime position to carry forward her form.
-
Her fitness and momentum make her a logical inclusion in the top hopes.
Getta Good Feeling
-
Winner of the Edward Manifold Stakes, she has form at pattern level.
-
Barrier 2 gives her a chance to work across without too much trouble.
Salty Pearl & Cherish Me
-
Ciaron Maher has a strong hand with two entries: Salty Pearl (barrier 6) and Cherish Me (barrier 1).
-
Depending on how the race unfolds, either could hit the line strongly.
Karinska
-
Chris Waller runs Karinska from barrier 7, chasing a fourth Thousand Guineas success.
-
She may need luck in the run given her barrier, but cannot be dismissed given Waller’s record in this race.
Strategies & Best Bets
Win / Each-Way
-
Apocalyptic is the logical win pick — class, draw, and form all in her favour.
-
Ferivia is the leading each-way back-up: she brings solid Prelude credentials and a good barrier.
Quaddie / Exotic Options
-
In exotics (Exacta, Trifecta), combinations involving Apocalyptic + Ole Dancer + Getta Good Feeling + Karinska (or Salty Pearl) tick many boxes.
-
You may also sneak Cherish Me or Salty Pearl in the back of exotic combos for value, especially if the pace is strong up front.
Value / Dark Horses
-
If rains intervene or the track plays slowly, late finishers like Cherish Me might surprise.
-
Watch the scratching list — any late scratch could shift betting markets.
Form Tips & Patterns to Watch
-
Favourites have a solid record in the Thousand Guineas, but upsets happen: several winners in the last two decades have started at double-figure odds.
-
Barrier 1–5 has historically been strong for winners.
-
Horses that ran in the Prelude or in other recent pattern fillies’ races and finished well tend to fire here.
-
Keep an eye on the earlier races on the card for track bias (inside vs outside) or rail position impact.
Final Field, Barriers & Odds
Below is the declared field, barrier draw, jockeys and approximate odds:
| No | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Approx Odds* | Notes / Recent Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apocalyptic | 4 | Mark Zahra | Michael Freedman | $2.10 | Unbeaten, last start win in Flight Stakes. |
| 2 | Ferivia | 3 | Lachlan Neindorf | Phillip Stokes | $15.00 | Thousand Guineas Prelude form. |
| 3 | Ole Dancer | 5 | Blake Shinn | Peter G Moody / K Coleman | $5.50 | Strong placing form. |
| 4 | Getta Good Feeling | 2 | Billy Egan | Danny O’Brien | $10.00 | Edward Manifold Stakes winner. |
| 5 | Zany Girl | 8 | Jye McNeil | Stuart Gandy | $46.00 | Gets in on inside. |
| 6 | Salty Pearl | 6 | Ben Allen | Ciaron Maher | $20.00 | Solid mid-level form. |
| 7 | Steel Trap | 12 | Luke Currie | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | $31.00 | Wide barrier, tricky draw. |
| 8 | Cherish Me | 1 | Andrea Atzeni | Ciaron Maher | $41.00 | Drawn to get cover. |
| 9 | Ethereum Girl | 9 | Harry Coffey | Hayes / Hayes / Hayes | $23.00 | Up in class, interesting. |
| 10 | Karinska | 7 | Nash Rawiller | Chris Waller | $11.00 | Consistent lately, must respect. |
| 11 | Chateau Eze (GB) | 11 | Daniel Stackhouse | Mark Walker | $19.00 | Coming from overseas, unknown in local pattern. |
| 12 | Mating Call | 10 | Jamie Melham | Clarken / MacGillivray | $17.00 | A chance for value if gets a run. |
* Odds correct at time of publication
Runner-by-Runner Notes & Comments
Here’s how I see each chance:
-
Apocalyptic (Barrier 4) – The standout in the field. Unbeaten, and her Flight Stakes win is a perfect lead-up for a mile test. The barrier gives tactical flexibility.
-
Ole Dancer (5) – One of the chief dangers. Has shown speed and ability to handle pressure; likely to be prominent.
-
Ferivia (3) – The Prelude form gives her a solid staying chance. Needs to find room, but barrier is handy.
-
Getta Good Feeling (2) – Drawn very well; has Group race credentials via the Edward Manifold. If she tracks the speed, she could pounce.
-
Karinska (7) – Consistent and battles hard. From a mid barrier, she could be a value play in exotics.
-
Salty Pearl (6) – Solid form but needs the run to come; may be a back-end exotic hope.
-
Cherish Me (1) – Inside gate helps; if she can settle mid-pack she might hit the line.
-
Ethereum Girl (9) – Risky barrier, but some latent ability. If the inside track is strong, she could collect.
-
Mating Call (10), Chateau Eze (11) – Both likely to be backmarkers. Could be gatekeepers for trifectas if the pace is genuine.
-
Steel Trap (12) – Has to overcome a wide draw; would need luck in running.
-
Zany Girl (8) – Long odds; may only be relevant if something goes wrong up front.
Strategy, Pace & Tactics
-
Pace scenario: Expect a decent tempo. Apocalyptic and Ole Dancer may push forward, with Ferivia or Getta Good Feeling sitting just behind.
-
Barrier importance: Historically, winners have come from inside barriers or mid gates; very few winners jump from double digits. (Races.com.au notes only one winner since 2004 from a double-digit barrier)
-
Midfield runs: Horses that can settle just off the speed then erupt in the last 400 m are well placed.
-
Track bias: Keep an eye on whether the inside or outside is favoured on the day. Early races may show whether rails get favoured or if the track plays wide.
-
Spread your exotic plays: Don’t overcommit to one trifecta line; include combinations with Karinska, Cherish Me, Salty Pearl for coverage.
Tips & Bets for Race Day
Here’s a structured betting plan (for a hypothetical $100 unit base) for the Thousand Guineas itself:
| Bet Type | Suggested Bet / Comments |
|---|---|
| Win | Apocalyptic (single with confidence) |
| Each-Way (if offered) | Ole Dancer, Ferivia, Karinska |
| Exacta / Quinella | 1 (Apocalyptic) with 3, 4, 10, 6 |
| Trifecta | 1 / (3,4,10,6) / (3,4,10,6,8,11) |
| First Four / Quartet | 1,3,4,10 with backups 6,12 |
| Boxed multis | 1,3,4,10 in permutations for safety |
Value angles:
-
Karinska is a sneaky value if she can pounce late.
-
Cherish Me from barrier 1 might get a soft run and strike late.
-
If the inside track is strong, horses drawn low (Getta Good Feeling, Ferivia) could take advantage.
Looking for the best Bookmakers to bet on The Thousand Guineas?
Looking for the best online betting sites in Australia for The Thousand Guineas? Here at Racingbase.com.au we provide the most up-to-date information on which bookmakers are the best in Australia. Looking for the best NRL and AFL content? check out our sister site Bettingpro.com.au for the latest tips and previews for the 2025 season
Ladbrokes Review [Updated March 2026] | Ladbrokes.com.au Pros & Cons
- Info Hub
- Mates Mode
