Port Macquarie Racing Tips 18 May 2026 — can Dunn land a double?
Stawell Racing Tips 18 May 2026 — can Jet Jitsu boss them again?
Stawell Racing Tips 18 May 2026 — can Jet Jitsu boss them again?
There’s one horse on this Stawell card that doesn’t need the usual sales pitch: Jet Jitsu. He’s already won on his only visit to the track, he’s in the sort of recent form that keeps punters honest, and he lands in a race where plenty of rivals are either out of form or still figuring themselves out at the trip.
That’s the hook. The broader picture is a nine-race Sunday meeting on turf, with three maidens in the first four and a couple of benchmark races late that look the cleanest betting lanes. I’ve written these Stawell racing tips like you and I are standing at the rail together: what I think will happen, why I think it, and how I’d actually bet it.
Stawell — the setup
There isn’t a deep bank of course history across today’s fields. Most runners have one or two starts here, which is useful as a note but not something you build a whole case around.
Where Stawell does give us something actionable is in the rider patterns. A couple of jockeys consistently make this place work for them, and when the meeting is full of lightly raced maidens that matters.
Ladbrokes Review [Updated March 2026] | Ladbrokes.com.au Pros & Cons
- Info Hub
- Mates Mode
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B Rawiller | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| D Yendall | 7 | 3 | 5 | 42.86 | 71.43 |
Both are smallish samples but they clear the five-ride line, and they’re the two I want onside in any race where positioning matters. Keep that in mind when you see Rawiller pop up in the middle of the card and Yendall doing the same early.
Race-by-race tips
Race 1: Gift Hotel Stawell Mdn Plate — 12:30, 1203m
The contender is Coral Jet. This is a race where you can make a good living just backing the horse that’s already shown it belongs in the finish, and his recent formline reads like a maiden that’s knocking loudly: 5-7 then straight into 3-3. From gate 2 he maps to land close enough without burning petrol, and Lachlan King can just let the race come to him.
The danger is Positive Image, and it’s a very Stawell kind of danger. He draws 1, he gets Declan Bates, and he’s got enough scattered bits of form (including a 4 and a 2 in recent runs) to take advantage if Coral Jet gets a bit too far back in a sprint home.
One note from the course snippets: Positive Image has placed on his only run here, which at least tells you the track itself won’t ambush him.
Staking: Win bet Coral Jet. Small saver quinella with Positive Image if you want to protect the inside gate.
Race 2: Russ Studio Jewellers Mdn Plate — 13:00, 1422m
This one is a question rather than a declaration: do you want to trust consistency, or do you want upside?
I’m leaning to consistency, which puts Enzo Charley on top. His 4-2-5-2 profile screams “keeps turning up”, and in this sort of mid-distance maiden that’s often the whole game. He draws 10, so the ride is simple: get cover early, creep into it before the bend, and let the horse’s honesty do the rest.
If you want the upside horse, it’s Menzies Creek. He’s been around the mark (4-5-3-6-2 across recent starts) and John Allen is a significant booking. Allen hasn’t had much luck at Stawell historically (five rides here without a top-three), but that’s exactly the point: this track doesn’t owe him anything, so he’ll ride it like it matters.
Staking: Each-way Enzo Charley. Saver win Menzies Creek if the price is right.
Race 3: Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park Mdn Plate — 13:30, 1750m
The shape looks like a staying maiden where plenty will be happy to find a spot and overthink it. I want the horse that can begin a move before the others realise it has started.
Zetheros fits that. He’s been building (4-5-2-7-2), and that last-start second is the sort of run that often turns into a win when the race stays at a similar trip. Tom Madden can roll forward into a midfield sit from gate 3 and keep him in clear air.
Angel’s Gathering is the threat because he keeps running into the money and he gets B Rawiller. Rawiller wins half his rides at Stawell (3 wins from 6), and in these maidens he’s ruthless about taking runs when they appear.
Staking: Win bet Zetheros. Exacta saver Zetheros, Angel’s Gathering.
Race 4: Carlton Draught Mdn Plate — 14:00, 2187m
The market problem here is that punters tend to default to the “been there, nearly” horses at 2200m, even when the race is crying out for something progressive.
Thunderbolt Way looks the right blend of reliability and upside. The form is 9-5 then 2-2, and that’s the progression you want when horses stretch out in trip. Gate 4 helps, and Fred Kersley should be able to park him close enough that stamina, not traffic, decides it.
I’ll respect Epoch because he’s the classic grinder: 3-5-3-3-4-4 reads like a horse that stays and keeps giving you a sight. D Yendall is also a meaningful plus at this track, with three wins from seven rides and five placings, and he won’t be guessing on timing.
Staking: Win bet Thunderbolt Way. Small quinella with Epoch.
Race 5: Discover Northern Grampians Mdn Plate — 14:30, 2187m
The contrast is clear: one horse keeps putting itself in the finish, one horse is still learning but draws to control.
I’m with Nothin’ Wong Here. He’s been the definition of “nearly” with form that reads 2-3-4-2-3-2. At some point, a horse with that many seconds and thirds either wins or punters lose patience. I’d rather be early than late. From gate 2, W Egan can hold a spot, avoid the wide runs, and let the horse’s pattern do the job.
The danger is Chouxdino purely because of map and rider. Barrier 1 at this trip can turn an ordinary runner into a nuisance, and B Rawiller doesn’t waste favours at Stawell. If Rawiller is two pairs closer than you want at the 600m, your “better horse” suddenly needs luck.
Staking: Win bet Nothin’ Wong Here. Saver on Chouxdino if it’s a leader-friendly day.
Race 6: Mackays Family Jewellers Hcp (56) — 15:00, 2187m
This is the best betting race on the card for mine because you can actually lean on two things at once: established race fitness and a clear set of profiles.
Pianta is the one I want to be with each-way. He’s been living in the placings (5-2-2-2-2-7) which tells you the level is right, and the 56 grade at 2200m is exactly where these types finally get their turn. He draws 12, so you’re conceding position early, but this is a staying race and he doesn’t need to be bustled.
Coraggio is the danger because he’s the old pro who can still pinch one. He’s ten, yes, but the recent form includes a win two back and a last-start third. He also has a Stawell placing from his only run here, which is as much as most of these can claim at the track.
Staking: Each-way Pianta. Small saver win Coraggio.
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Race 7: Manhari (Bm56) — 15:30, 1203m
The stable move angle matters here because there’s one runner whose profile screams “placed to win”: Tori’s Dee. She comes in off 0-8 then 5-4-1, which is a sharp little spike, and she gets in with 57kg. The gate (9) isn’t perfect, but sprint races at Stawell can still be won from wide if you’ve got tactical speed and you don’t panic early.
The danger is Olivia’s Scandal, and it’s hard to ignore that 223251 formline. She’s a six-year-old mare who knows how to be in the fight. She draws 5, which is the sort of gate that lets the rider make one decision and stick to it.
I’ll also keep half an eye on Fox Man simply because he draws 1 and he’s the class-weight horse at 61.5kg. If they overdo it up front, the inside run can become the winning run.
Staking: Win bet Tori’s Dee. Saver on Olivia’s Scandal.
Race 8: Bet365 Bet Boost (Bm56) — 16:00, 1422m
If you want a horse with a recent-results profile you can actually trust, it’s Krasnoludek. Over the last 90 days he’s had six runs for one win and four placings, and that’s a solid, repeatable pattern rather than a one-off spike. He also has been to Stawell twice for a win and another placing, so the track itself clearly suits his style.
He draws 4, he gets Chelsea Thompson, and the race looks set up for a runner that can hold a spot and then sustain a run rather than rely on a last-gasp sprint.
The danger is Princess Mess because she’s going the right way (283 then a win last start) and she draws 5 to get every favour. If she holds the better spot in running and the tempo crawls, she can outkick the “better stayer” types.
Staking: Win bet Krasnoludek. Quinella saver with Princess Mess.
Race 9: Thomas Foods (Bm56) — 16:30, 1750m
This is where I’m happy to be a bit firmer. Jet Jitsu is the day’s anchor.
He’s coming off back-to-back wins (044511) and his recent 90-day record backs up the eye: five runs for two wins. He does cop 66kg, but this is a benchmark race at Stawell, not a Saturday metro handicap, and the class edge often matters more than the raw number on the saddlecloth. He’s also already won on his only start at this course, so we’re not guessing on whether the track suits.
The danger is License To Excite, the up-and-comer. He’s a three-year-old with form 35211 and his last 90 days are properly sharp: three runs for two wins and a placing, with an average finish near the top end. If Jet Jitsu feels that weight late, this is the horse that can punish him.
Staking: Win bet Jet Jitsu. If you’re playing exotics, save with License To Excite running second.
The plays
NAP: Jet Jitsu (Race 9, 16:30). Two straight wins and he’s already handled Stawell on his only visit. Weight is the tax, but the class edge looks real.
Value: Pianta (Race 6, 15:00) each-way. He keeps landing in the placings and this 2187m handicap reads like the right race to finally turn those seconds into a win.
Banker for multis: Krasnoludek (Race 8, 16:00). Recent form is reliable, and he’s won at Stawell from limited tries.
Each-way play: Enzo Charley (Race 2, 13:00). Serial placer profile in a maiden where plenty are still learning.
Course angle: When B Rawiller turns up at Stawell, he wins often enough to treat the booking as intent, not decoration. He’s in Race 3 and Race 5, and both are races where a decisive ride matters.
Keep an eye on how the 1200m races are being won early; if leaders keep kicking, the inside gates become gold for the rest of winter.
FAQ
What time does racing start at Stawell today?
The first at Stawell is at 12:30 (Race 1: Gift Hotel Stawell Mdn Plate over 1203m).
Who are the top jockeys at Stawell on today’s stats?
From the riders with meaningful Stawell samples, B Rawiller has 3 wins from 6 rides at the track, while D Yendall has 3 wins and 5 placings from 7 rides. They’re the two I want onside when races come down to timing and track craft.
What are the best bets at Stawell today?
The safest starting point is Jet Jitsu in the 16:30 (Race 9). He’s won on his only start at Stawell and comes off two straight wins. For a second leg, Krasnoludek in the 16:00 (Race 8) brings a solid recent profile and has also won at this course.
Where can I find the best odds for Stawell races?
Shop around with the major bookmakers and the Tote close to jump time. For this meeting, live prices weren’t available through the odds feed at publishing time, so treat early markets carefully and re-check nearer the first.
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