The CS Hayes Stakes is a Group 3 sprint held at Flemington in February as a lead-up to the Australian Guineas.
2025 C4 Hayes Stakes Results
- 1st: #14 Sepals
- 2nd: #8 Ndola
- 3rd: #6 Feroce
CS Hayes Stakes News
The CS Hayes Stakes is a Group 3 race held in mid-late February annually at the esteemed Flemington Racecourse in Victoria during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.
2025 CS Hayes Stakes Results
- 1st: #14 Sepals
- 2nd: #8 Ndola
- 3rd: #6 Feroce
Cliff Brown’s in-form Calyx gelding, Sepals ($7.50), was enormous making it a hat-trick of wins when up in grade to demolish his rivals with a 3.25 length demolition job impressing jockey Blake Shinn in the CS Hayes Stakes 2025 results at Flemington.
CS Hayes Stakes 2025 Odds & Results
C S Hayes Stakes (G3)
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
14. Sepals (1) J: Blake Shinn 56kg
T: Cliff Brown |
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|
2nd
8. Ndola (13) J: Luke Currie 57kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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|
3rd
6. Feroce (3) J: Billy Egan 57kg
T: Dominic Sutton |
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|
4th
1. Goldrush Guru (7) J: Jamie Melham 59.5kg
T: Andrew Gluyas |
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|
5th
7. Stay Focused (4) J: Ben Allen 57kg
T: Phillip Stokes |
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|
6th
4. Opening Address (11) J: Ethan Brown 57.5kg
T: Liam Howley |
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|
7th
3. Royal Insignia (8) J: Craig Williams 58.5kg
T: Grahame Begg |
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|
8th
15. Storm Ahead (5) J: Beau Mertens 56kg
T: Julius Sandhu |
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|
9th
10. Henlein (12) J: Mark Zahra 56kg
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
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|
10th
11. Scary (9) J: Harry Coffey 56kg
T: Emma-Lee & David Browne |
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|
11th
2. Red Aces (6) J: Rhys McLeod 58.5kg
T: Nick Ryan |
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|
12th
13. Stay Humble (2) J: Daniel Stackhouse 56kg
T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
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|
13th
5. Saint Emilion (10) J: Jye McNeil 57.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
Data retrieved: 16/05/2025 12:48:39 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
One of the feature Group races held on Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day, the event takes place along with the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) and the Group 3 s Tressady Stakes (1400m). Run over the middle-sprint distance of 1400m, the CS Hayes Stakes is an event for three-year-old colts and geldings at set weights plus penalties and is worth $200,000 in total prize money.
The handy runners that contest the CS Hayes Stakes will often progress on to the Group 2 Alister Clarke Stakes (1600m) a fortnight later or the prestigious Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) in early March.
The CS Hayes – Australian Guineas double has recently been completed by Wandjina (2015), Hey Doc (2017), Grunt (2018), and Alligator Blood (2020) making it a popular autumn punt.
In 2024 Riff Rocket became the first galloper in 30 years, since Mahogany (1993/94), to win the Victoria Derby and back-up to win the CS Hayes the following season.
Riff Rocket franked the 2024 CS Hayes form going on to run third in the Australian Guineas trifecta before Group 1 wins in Sydney’s Rosehill Guineas & ATC Derby.
The 2025 CS Hayes Stakes took place at Flemington on Saturday February 15, 2025 as part of Black Caviar Lightning Day and saw Sepals ($7.50) destroy the competition with Cliff Brown’s Mornington based galloper winning by over three lengths.
CS Hayes 2025 Info: |
|
Date: |
Saturday February 15, 2025 |
Track: |
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne |
Distance: |
1400m |
Conditions: |
3YO Colts & Geldings Set Weights + Penalties |
Status: |
Group 3 |
Prizemoney: |
$200,000 |
Inaugurated: |
1987 |
2025 CS Hayes Stakes Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | SEPALS | Cliff Brown | Blake Shinn | 1 | 56kg | $7.50 | |||
| 2 | 8 | NDOLA | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Luke Currie | 3.25L | 13 | 57kg | $18 | ||
| 3 | 6 | FEROCE (NZ) | Dominic Sutton | Billy Egan | 3.65L | 3 | 57kg | $4.40 | ||
| 4 | 1 | GOLDRUSH GURU | Andrew Gluyas | Ms Jamie Melham | 4.9L | 7 | 59.5kg | $10 | ||
| 5 | 7 | STAY FOCUSED | Phillip Stokes | Ben Allen | 5.1L | 4 | 57kg | $9.50 | ||
| 6 | 4 | OPENING ADDRESS (NZ) | Liam Howley | Ethan Brown | 5.85L | 11 | 57.5kg | $21 | ||
| 7 | 3 | ROYAL INSIGNIA | Grahame Begg | Craig Williams | 5.95L | 8 | 58.5kg | $4.20F | ||
| 8 | 15 | STORM AHEAD | Julius Sandhu | Beau Mertens | 7.95L | 5 | 56kg | $31 | ||
| 9 | 10 | HENLEIN | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Mark Zahra | 8.45L | 12 | 56kg | $6 | ||
| 10 | 11 | SCARY (NZ) | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Harry Coffey | 9.2L | 9 | 56kg | $26 | ||
| 11 | 2 | RED ACES | Nick Ryan | Rhys McLeod | 10.7L | 6 | 58.5kg | $31 | ||
| 12 | 13 | STAY HUMBLE | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | Daniel Stackhouse | 11.95L | 2 | 56kg | $31 | ||
| 13 | 5 | SAINT EMILION | Ciaron Maher | Jye McNeil | 17.95L | 10 | 57.5kg | $71 | ||
| 16 | NOSTRINGSATTACHED | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Daniel Moor | 0 | ||||||
| 9 | WONDER BOY | Jerome Hunter | Thomas Stockdale | 0 | ||||||
| 12 | RAILWAY MAN | Ciaron Maher | Michael Dee | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 CS Hayes Stakes Betting
The latest CS Hayes Stakes 2025 betting odds will be available at Ladbrokes.com.au and also published here at Races.com.au the week of the race.
Alligator Blood ($1.80 in 2020) and Pinstriped ($5.50EF in 2022*) are the last favourites in CS Hayes Stakes betting to salute for the punters.
*Note: In 2022 the pre-race favourite Lightsaber was scratched at the barriers.
2025 CS Hayes Stakes Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2025 CS HAYES STAKES FORM GUIDE
2025 CS Hayes Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider CS Hayes Stakes 2025 Tips on the autumn lead-up this season.
- To Win: #12 Railway Man ($19 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Going for an upset in the CS Hayes this year with an underrated but consistent three-year-old from the top Maher stable. Railway Man is a well-bred I Am Invincible colt that is putting a nice record together ahead of this step up in grade. He broke his maiden status at his sixth start last time out and is so brings confidence to Flemington on Saturday. Up to Group 3 grade looks right within his reach after he won narrowly at Warwick Farm over this 1400m distance on January 27. Needs to handle the other way of going heading south but will get the run of the race from barrier one. Michael Dee comes aboard for the ride with the double figure hopeful dropping back from 57.5kg to 56kg. Needs to go to another level but is at a juicy price and has the fitness edge. Can surprise.
CS Hayes Stakes Field
The CS Hayes Stakes field attracts a smart line-up of three-year-old colts and geldings each autumn, many eyeing a return to the track the next month for a shot at the Group 1 Australian Guineas over a mile.
Recent Australian Guineas winners to come off a run in the CS Hayes Stakes field include Wandjina (2015) who completed the double, Palentino (2nd in 2016), Hey Doc (1st in 2017), Grunt (1st in 2018), Alligator Blood (2020) who was the last CS Hayes winner to also win the Australian Guineas, and Lunar Fox (12th in 2021).
The CS Hayes Stakes 2025 field and barriers will be released the Wednesday before the race runs on Black Caviar Lightning Day and will be published below.
The 2025 CS Hayes Stakes final field features a smart line-up of potential Australian Guineas bound three-year-olds led in betting by the ultra-consistent Group 3 Manfred Stakes winner Royal Insignia.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7x112211x9 | GOLDRUSH GURU | Andrew Gluyas | Ms Jamie Melham | 8 | 59.5kg | 106 | ||
| 2 | 31x0216x | RED ACES | Nick Ryan | Rhys McLeod | 7 | 58.5kg | 84 | ||
| 3 | 8x311x1 | ROYAL INSIGNIA | Grahame Begg | Craig Williams | 9 | 58.5kg | 82 | ||
| 4 | 41321x | OPENING ADDRESS (NZ) | Liam Howley | Ethan Brown | 14 | 57.5kg | 78 | ||
| 5 | 37118x | SAINT EMILION | Ciaron Maher | Jye McNeil | 11 | 57.5kg | 71 | ||
| 6 | 114x7423x | FEROCE (NZ) | Dominic Sutton | Billy Egan | 4 | 57kg | 98 | ||
| 7 | 125x305x5 | STAY FOCUSED | Phillip Stokes | Ben Allen | 5 | 57kg | 75 | ||
| 8 | 12171×7 | NDOLA | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Luke Currie | 16 | 57kg | 75 | ||
| 9 | 1x325x65 | WONDER BOY | Jerome Hunter | Thomas Stockdale | 13 | 57kg | 77 | ||
| 10 | 13x6262x | HENLEIN | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Mark Zahra | 15 | 56kg | 93 | ||
| 11 | 021352x | SCARY (NZ) | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Harry Coffey | 10 | 56kg | 94 | ||
| 12 | 5x53x471 | RAILWAY MAN | Ciaron Maher | Michael Dee | 1 | 56kg | 63 | ||
| 13 | 7×15163 | STAY HUMBLE | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | Daniel Stackhouse | 3 | 56kg | 69 | ||
| 14 | 411 | SEPALS | Cliff Brown | Blake Shinn | 2 | 56kg | 68 | ||
| 15 | 21 | STORM AHEAD | Julius Sandhu | Beau Mertens | 6 | 56kg | 64 | ||
| 16 | 35×1 | NOSTRINGSATTACHED | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Daniel Moor | 12 | 56kg | 63 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 CS Hayes Stakes Nominations
The 2025 CS Hayes Stakes race nominations close the Monday of race week and will be listed in full below as soon as released by Racing Victoria.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | H Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1144×4 | DETROIT CITY | G | 3 | Dominic Sutton | 72 |
| 2 | 114x7423x | FEROCE (NZ) | G | 3 | Dominic Sutton | 98 |
| 3 | 7x112211x9 | GOLDRUSH GURU | C | 3 | Andrew Gluyas | 106 |
| 4 | 13x6262x | HENLEIN | C | 3 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 93 |
| 5 | 12171×7 | NDOLA | C | 3 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 75 |
| 6 | 35×1 | NOSTRINGSATTACHED | C | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 63 |
| 7 | 41321x | OPENING ADDRESS (NZ) | G | 3 | Liam Howley | 78 |
| 8 | 5x53x471 | RAILWAY MAN | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 62 |
| 9 | 31x0216x | RED ACES | C | 3 | Nick Ryan | 84 |
| 10 | 8x311x1 | ROYAL INSIGNIA | C | 3 | Grahame Begg | 82 |
| 11 | 37118x | SAINT EMILION | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 71 |
| 12 | 021352x | SCARY (NZ) | C | 3 | Emma-Lee & David Browne | 94 |
| 13 | 411 | SEPALS | G | 3 | Cliff Brown | 68 |
| 14 | 125x305x5 | STAY FOCUSED | G | 3 | Phillip Stokes | 75 |
| 15 | 7×15163 | STAY HUMBLE | G | 3 | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | 69 |
| 16 | 21 | STORM AHEAD | G | 3 | Julius Sandhu | 64 |
| 17 | 1x325x65 | WONDER BOY | G | 3 | Jerome Hunter | 77 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
CS Hayes Stakes History
The CS Hayes Stakes was inaugurated in 1987, and the first race was won by Raveneaux.
It began as a Listed race run over 1400m and was originally known as The Debonair. For one year in 1990 the race distance was decreased to 1200m before reverting back to 1400m.
In 1994 the race was called the Vanuatu stakes and was run over 1420m. The following year in 1995 the race name went back to The Debonair, but the race distance was 1432m.
In 1996 the race distance was 1433m and then in 1997 went back to the original 1400m length. In 2001 the race reached Group 3 status. A couple of years later in 2003 the distance was 1420m and the next year the length was 1410m. In 2006 the distance went back to 1400m but in 2007 a shorter race was held over 1200m. In 2008 the distance was again 1400m.
CS Hayes Stakes Winners
CS Hayes Stakes results and winning times since 2000 are provided below.
Year |
Place |
Horse |
Time |
| 2025 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Sepals | 1 minute 24.21 seconds |
| 2nd | Ndola | ||
| 3rd | Feroce | ||
| 2024 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Riff Rocket | 1 minute 22.32 seconds |
| 2nd | King Colorado | ||
| 3rd | Verdad | ||
| 2023 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Elliptical |
1 minute 21.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Holymanz | ||
| 3rd | Maximillius | ||
| 2022 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Pinstriped |
1 minute 22.74 seconds |
| 2nd | Pascero | ||
| 3rd | Captivant | ||
| 2021 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Tagalao |
1 minute 21.63 seconds |
| 2nd | Aysar | ||
| 3rd | Mo’unga | ||
| 2020 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Alligator Blood |
1 minute 22.61 seconds |
| 2nd | Catalyst | ||
| 3rd | Chenier | ||
| 2019 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | The Inevitable |
1 minute 21.99 seconds |
| 2nd | Age Of Chivalry | ||
| 3rd | O’Tauto | ||
| 2018 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Grunt |
1 minute 21.55 seconds |
| 2nd | Cliff’s Edge | ||
| 3rd | Muraaqeb | ||
| 2017 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Hey Doc |
1 minute 22.88 seconds |
| 2nd | Malaise | ||
| 3rd | Land Of Plenty | ||
| 2016 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Tivaci |
1 minute 22.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Palentino | ||
| 3rd | Tulsa | ||
| 2015 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Wandjina |
1 minute 22.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Disposition | ||
| 3rd | Stratum Star | ||
| 2014 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Hucklebuck |
1 minute 22.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Prince Harada | ||
| 3rd | The Quarterback | ||
| 2013 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Sheer Talent |
1 minute 22.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Force Command | ||
| 3rd | Hosting | ||
| 2012 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | That’s The One |
1 minute 22.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Decircles | ||
| 3rd | Instinction/Highly Recommended | ||
| 2011 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Bullbars |
1 minute 23.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Startsmeup | ||
| 3rd | Spirited Eagle | ||
| 2010 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Take The Rap |
1 minute 23.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Encosta Belief | ||
| 3rd | Extra Zero | ||
| 2009 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Fair Trade |
1 minute 22.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Cavalaire Bay | ||
| 3rd | Excelltastic | ||
| 2008 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Playwright |
1 minute 23.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Schilling | ||
| 3rd | Viatorian | ||
| 2007 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Wordsmith |
1 minute 10.8 seconds |
| 2nd | General Albert | ||
| 3rd | Mondano | ||
| 2006 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Minson |
1 minute 21.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Langarza | ||
| 3rd | Zigotto | ||
| 2005 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Lieutenant |
1 minute 24.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Mr Martini | ||
| 3rd | Barely A Moment | ||
| 2004 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Starcraft |
1 minute 24 seconds |
| 2nd | Under The Bridge | ||
| 3rd | Elvstroem | ||
| 2003 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Innovation Girl |
1 minute 22.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Delago Brom | ||
| 3rd | Tycoon Ruler | ||
| 2002 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Dash For Cash |
1 minute 22.6 seconds |
| 2nd | All Courage | ||
| 3rd | Royal Code | ||
| 2001 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Kosta Zoff |
1 minute 22.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Skalato | ||
| 3rd | Crop | ||
| 2000 CS Hayes Stakes | 1st | Crawl |
1 minute 22.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Pins | ||
| 3rd | Kapuna | ||
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