Tattersall's Tiara Tips 2026 – Group 1 Preview & Best Bets

The Dane Ripper Stakes has historically been the premier lead-up, producing seven Tattersall's Tiara winners since 2010, and it again appears the race to follow. 

Eight runners back up from that contest, headed by Gerringong, who resumed for Chris and Corey Munce with an outstanding first-up performance. She settled just behind the speed before attacking the line strongly to finish a narrow runner-up, recording a figure almost 11 lengths faster than standard, comfortably the best last-start rating of any runner in this field. The daughter of Blue Point strips fitter second-up and looks ready to produce

That same race also produced Savagery Vibe, who endured a torrid run after jumping from barrier 15 before covering ground throughout and still fighting on gamely for 3rd. She has now finished in the placings in eight of her past 10 starts and boasts an excellent Eagle Farm record. Stablemate Poster Girl also comes through that race after finishing 4th and should roll forward despite another awkward draw. With Saturday expected to be run on a Soft track rather than the Heavy conditions of the Dane Ripper, all three mares can improve again.

The Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) is the other key form reference. Splash Back arguably produced one of the better closing efforts after settling near the tail from a wide draw before charging home into 6th against open company. She returns to mares' grade here and is capable of making her presence felt with a kinder run, although she does rise 5kg. Abounding also drops back from the Stradbroke after failing to threaten but has shown enough quality previously to improve sharply.

Tuileries brings a different profile after winning the Dark Jewel Classic at Scone six weeks ago. She has won two of her past three starts, continues to improve with racing and has drawn perfectly to receive an economical run just behind the speed. Another major player is Manaal, who rarely runs a poor race. The Group 1-winning mare resumed with a solid third in the Moreton Cup and should take natural improvement into her second-up assignment after previously running second in the Guy Walter Stakes behind Rona Rose.

The lightweight Within The Law is the only three-year-old in the field and receives a valuable weight pull under the weight-for-age conditions. She drops back to 1400m after another excellent effort in the Gunsynd Classic and has consistently produced strong ratings throughout her campaign. Melody Again also continues to race honestly and can feature if the race is run to suit.

The speed map suggests Manaal has the opportunity to control proceedings after drawing barrier nine, with Poster Girl, Midnight In Tokyo and Blindedbythelight also expected to race prominently. Gerringong should be able to offset her wide draw by using her natural gate speed to find cover midfield, while Tuileries maps for an economical run just off the leaders. Backmarkers such as Soft Love, Splash Back, Melody Again and Infancy will require genuine tempo and luck in running to unleash their finishing bursts.

Gerringong looks the horse to beat. Her first-up effort in the Dane Ripper Stakes rated the highest last-start performance in the field after charging home into second behind She's Got Pizzazz. She strips fitter second-up, Nash Rawiller takes over the ride and despite drawing barrier 13, she has enough early speed to find cover without doing too much work. With only moderate speed engaged, she should secure a midfield position before proving strongest over the final 300 metres.

Soft Love appeals as the value runner at the double-figure odds. She had little chance in the Dane Ripper after drawing the outside gate and settling near the tail in a race that lacked genuine tempo. Despite that, she produced the fastest 400m-200m sectional of the meeting before her run understandably peaked late. Prior to that she was runner-up at Doomben after winning impressively at Caulfield in a performance more than 12 lengths faster than standard. Daniel Stackhouse should have the opportunity to settle slightly closer from barrier eight and, with conditions expected to be firmer than the Heavy track she encountered last start, she looks capable of launching late at attractive odds.