Attwood Marshall Lawyers is proud to celebrate its 14th year as sponsor of the Gold Coast Turf Club’s Caulfield Cup/Everest Race Day at Aquis Park Racecourse, Bundall. Over the years, the annual race day has grown into a fixture on the Gold Coast racing calendar.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers is proud to present the Caulfield Cup and The Everest Race Day at the Gold Coast Turf Club, an event that brings the Gold Coast racing community together to open the Spring Racing Carnival in Queensland. It is the first of four weeks of racing, fashion and entertainment at Aquis Park in Bundall, and one of the biggest race days on the local racing calendar.
Racegoers can enjoy eight local races from 10am to 5:30pm, while the Caulfield Cup from Melbourne and The Everest from Sydney stream live on the big screens, as part of a 10-race card in both states.
The Everest race traditionally runs at 4:15pm AEDT at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, and Caulfield Cup runs at 5.15pm AEDT at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne.
Our team will be trackside at Aquis Park with the other racing enthusiasts, and we are looking forward to a great day of racing and community spirit in our home city.
It is a privilege to support the Gold Coast Turf Club and the local racing community again this year.
“It’s a real privilege to sponsor such a huge race day in the Spring Carnival at the GCTC. The classic Caulfield Cup in Melbourne is reason enough to sponsor a race day, but the addition of the Everest makes the day a unique opportunity to experience racing of the highest calibre,” said Attwood Marshall Lawyers’ Legal Practice Director, Jeff Garrett.
Jeff served as a Board Member of the Gold Coast Turf Club from 2009 to 2014 and remains a strong advocate for the Club’s continued growth and success. We congratulate the Board of the GCTC and the success of the club under the excellent direction of CEO Steve Lines and Chairman, Brett Cook.
The Caulfield Cup: context and history
The Caulfield Cup is one of the highlights of the Melbourne Spring Carnival and the traditional lead-up to the Melbourne Cup, which this year runs on Tuesday 3 November. The Cox Plate follows on Saturday 24 October at Flemington.
First run in 1879 over 2400 metres, this year’s Caulfield Cup Group 1 race carries $6 million in prize money, up from $5 million last year. The race remains a stepping stone for stayers aiming for the Cups double, and its prestige and popularity are second only to the Melbourne Cup itself.
Last year’s winner, Half Yours, completed the double by winning the Melbourne Cup three weeks later, following the same double by Without A Fight in 2023. Half Yours returns this year to defend his title, carrying top weight of 57.5kg from barrier seven.
The 2026 field
Eighteen runners have been declared for this year’s race. The favourite is the New Zealand-bred Cosmic Crusader, trained by Andrea Leek and ridden by William Pike, who drew a wide gate in barrier 17. Pike is in fine form on the horse after a dominate victory in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes over 2000m. He is related to the famous jockey who rode Phar Lap, Jim Pike. Three overseas runners are in the field: Enfjaar (Roger Varian), Starford (Joseph O’Brien) and Wine Dark Sea (Harry Charlton). Royal Supremacy, drawn in barrier eight, is expected to have a significant influence on the speed of the race. Treasure the Moment and Saint George should be thereabouts in the finish.
Jeff’s Caulfield Cup 2026 tips
My tip is for Cosmic Crusader to win again under Willy Pike. Maybe box a 4 horse trifecta with Half Yours, Treasure the Moment and Saint George. A trifecta requires punters to select the first three finishers in any order, and boxing the selections covers every possible order of the horses chosen. The Caulfield Cup trifecta has paid well in recent years and is worth a flutter.
The Everest 2026, Sydney
The Everest at Royal Randwick is a 1200 metre sprint with a prize pool of $20 million. Entry is limited to 12 runners, with each place held by a slot holder who selects the horse. Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising returns as the clear favourite to win a second consecutive Everest.
My tip for the Everest is the favourite, Ka Ying Rising. There is talk a heavy track will be the undoing of the 22 win streak for the champ, but I think his New Zealand pedigree will help him get through the heavy going. I think Tempted is the big danger and Jimmystar & Giga Kick will be hitting the line hard – maybe a boxed quinella with 1, 2, 3, & 9?
A quinella requires punters to select the first and second place getters in either order. You can also box them for a trifecta.
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Attwood Marshall Lawyers: leaders in thoroughbred breeding and racing law
Our dedicated Equine Law team has deep roots in the racing industry. We assist clients with syndication structures, trainer and jockey appeals, horse ownership disputes, ATO audits, taxation advice, and all aspects of thoroughbred and racing law.
For assistance with a breeding, racing or equine law matter, contact Equine Law Department Manager Georgia Trapp on 0498 499 122, email gtrapp@attwoodmarshall.com.au, or call 1800 621 071.
Our team is available for appointments at all our office locations at Robina Town Centre, Coolangatta, Southport, Kingscliff, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
