The curtain falls on Australia’s elite racing season this Saturday at Eagle Farm, and punters face a formidable puzzle with a highly competitive, wide-open renewal of the 2026 Tattersall’s Tiara.

Splash Back has firmed into 2026 Tatt’s Tiara favouritism at time of publish. Photo: Bradley Photos.

A maximum-capacity field of mares and fillies has assembled for the Winter Carnival’s grand finale, leaving oddsmakers struggling to separate the top contenders in this year’s Group 1 $700,000 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m).

Currently, five high-class mares are quoted in single figures under the $10 mark, highlighting a fierce battle at the top of the market where Splash Back has trimmed into $6 favouritism in the latest betting at Ladbrokes.

Prepared by Grahame Begg, the six-year-old daughter of Le Havre boasts an excellent record at this distance and is out to secure her first victory since May 2, when she dominated on a Heavy track in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm, defeating Payline by almost two lengths.

Since that victory, she has finished out of the placings in two subsequent runs, most recently crossing the line sixth in Brisbane’s flagship event, the Stradbroke Handicap.

While that effort was on a testing Heavy (9) surface, Saturday’s anticipated Soft rating at Eagle Farm should be far more to her liking, as will the weight-for-age conditions of the Tiara.

Jockey Jordan Childs reunites with the mare from a friendly middle barrier. Having competed creditably against top-tier company throughout this campaign, Splash Back appears well-suited to this assignment.

Behind the favourite, three runners share the second line of betting at $6.50: Manaal, Tuileries, and Gerringong.

Representing the Michael Freedman stable, the four-year-old Tassort mare Manaal lines up at Eagle Farm for just the second time in her career.

While this year’s Tiara lacks some of the star power of previous years, Manaal represents class as the sole Group 1 winner in the lineup, thanks to her triumph in the 2024 Inglis Sires’ at Randwick as a juvenile. However, she has been searching for a win since taking out the Group 2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill last September.

Even so, her first-up effort at Eagle Farm in the Group 2 Moreton Cup on June 6 was full of merit, finishing only a length behind Uncommon James. Back against her own sex on Saturday, she should appreciate the change in conditions.

Highly consistent, Manaal historically improves second-up. Fitter for her return, she will have the services of Ben Melham, who is sure to give her every opportunity from the saddle.

The Peter Snowden-trained Tuileries is also attracting strong support in the online Tiara markets following a brilliant victory in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone.

On that occasion, the four-year-old daughter of So You Think defied her double-figure quote, carrying 59.5kg from the outside gate (15) to score an impressive three-quarters of a length win.

Sent for a spell immediately after that dominant performance nearly two months ago, she arrives in Brisbane fresh and in excellent order.

While she is yet to race at Eagle Farm and generally prefers a dry track, her ability to handle the Soft going will be crucial. Chad Schofield is booked to ride again, and from the inside draw in barrier three, she should settle closer to the speed and make her presence felt.

Snowden is also aiming for consecutive wins in the race after Tashi’s victory last year.

Gerringong is another mare that bookmakers are treating with immense respect.

Despite a tricky wide draw, she remains a major contender. After an early betting plunge briefly saw her firm into favouritism, she has eased to a highly backable price.

Prepared for a peak second-up effort, she made a spectacular debut for the Chris & Corey Munce stable two weeks ago, flying home to finish a close second in the Group 2 Dane Ripper (1300m) on a Heavy track.

That run was full of merit as she charged from mid-field, only to be denied by a nose by She’s Got Pizzazz. This race has traditionally been the premier lead-up guide for the Tattersall’s Tiara.

Though yet to win beyond 1100m, she has two placings at 1400m—including a narrow defeat to elite mare Stefi Magnetica in The Invitation last spring—indicating that the distance won’t be an issue.

Nash Rawiller gets back in the saddle and will know how to extract her best. In a Tiara without an overwhelming standout, she looks to have a major winning chance.

The final single-figure chance is the Bjorn Baker-trained three-year-old Within The Law, who is firming at $8.

As the only filly taking on the older mares, the daughter of Lucky Vega is attempting to become the first of her age group to win the race since Startantes in 2022.

This will be her third consecutive run at Eagle Farm, following successive Group 3 placings. Last start, she ran as favourite in the Gunsynd Classic over 1600m but was beaten three lengths by Skyhook.

Punter confidence remains high for her redemption, with the drop back to 1400m expected to suit, alongside the crucial addition of blinkers to sharpen her focus.

Among the roughies, those with genuine upset claims include Robert Heathcote‘s Abounding ($18), who was a narrow winner of the Group 3 BRC Sprint at Doomben two starts ago; Midnight In Tokyo ($16), who must overcome a wide barrier but comes off a surprise victory in the Listed Hinkler Handicap; and the Liam Ruddy-trained Melody Again ($13), who runs second-up with strong form at this level.

The 2026 Tattersall’s Tiara is scheduled as Race 8 on Saturday’s Eagle Farm card, jumping at 3:58pm (AEST). For those looking to bet on the final Group 1 of the season, Ladbrokes offers top odds, Same Race Multis, and comprehensive live coverage.

2026 Tattersall’s Tiara Field & Barriers

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