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Tuesday, September 23, 2025

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Tulloch Lodge dominate juvenile trials as first-season sires take centre stage

Trevor Marshallsea

ANZ News

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I’m Ya Huckleberry pictured as a yearling (Credit: Magic Millions )

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable and Coolmore’s young sire Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) were the stars of the show as the season’s juveniles stepped out at Sydney’s first official two-year-old trials on Monday.

You can’t really get more “early running” than winning the first two heats at the Kensington trials but that’s what Home Affairs achieved on Monday through his only two offspring at the event - colt I’m Ya Huckleberry and filly Home Invasion.

For that matter, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott were also the winning trainers for those two heats, and the third, but they were a long way from finished.

The Tulloch Lodge juvenile powerhouse won no fewer than six of the nine trials, hinting their latest draft of young horses could be out to match the stable’s phenomenal two-year-old deeds of two years ago.

Another notable success was the young Hawkesbury stable of Mitchell and Desiree Kearney, who reaped instant dividends from their sudden and major splash at Inglis Classic, winning with filly Oh Yes She Did (Yes Yes Yes) and colt Iambubb (I Am Invincible).

And syndicator Darby Racing had two Waterhouse-Bott winners in colts Home Invasion and colt Revengeance (Hellbent) - the day’s cheapest victor at $100,000.

While the trials were held in glorious sunshine, they showcased a relatively low number of horses - a reminder of the changing face of two-year-old racing in NSW, and perhaps of the nation’s diminishing foal crop. Whereas bygone years had featured up to 20 heats, on Monday 58 juveniles competed in nine, at 6.4 entrants per race.

In any event, Waterhouse and Bott were ebullient over what the day portended for their new season, in which they’ll try to match their 2023-24 haul of 35 two-year-old wins, 11 at stakes level. Those included the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) with Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon), the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) with Storm Boy (Justify), and the Inglis Millennium (RL, 1100m) with Fully Lit (Hellbent).

What's On

Tulloch Lodge boasted the fastest heat winner in $420,000 filly Shiki (Too Darn Hot). The Kurrinda Bloodstock runner sizzled home by 0.59 lengths in 49.46 seconds, admittedly on a drying good 4 in the second-last heat of the day.

And Waterhouse-Bott had the most impressive winner to the eye as $375,000 colt Eviction Notice (Stay Inside) romped home in heat three by 7.82 lengths in 49.53 - the day’s second-fastest time and with its second-best last 600m of 33.19.

“The early signs are encouraging,” Bott told ANZ News of the stable’s newest inductees.

“They’ve been consistent across the morning and there’s a bit of depth there as well. It’s what we’re going to need across the season, but I think we’ve got a couple of really nice types who are putting their hands up.”

Waterhouse was her usual confident self when asked if she felt the stable’s babies could match the class of 2023-24.

“Yes I do,” she told ANZ. “They’re top class two-year-olds. They’re exactly what I look for - they’re tough, not only physically but mentally, which is very important with two-year-olds.”

With Saturday week’s Gimcrack Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) and Breeders’ Plate (Gr 3, 1000m) the targets for Monday’s most successful fillies and males respectively, the day began as a heralding call for Home Affairs.

Coolmore’s $82,500 (inc GST) sire made a stunning debut at the yearling sales this year with the top lots at Magic Millions Gold Coast and Inglis Easter, a $3.2 million filly and a $3m colt.

Gallery

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Home Invasion pictured as a yearling Credit: Magic Millions

Oh Yes She Did pictured as a yearling Credit: Inglis

Iambubb pictured as a yearling Credit: Inglis

Revengeance pictured as a yearling Credit: Inglis

Shiki pictured as a yearling Credit: Magic Millions

Eviction Notice pictured as a yearling Credit: Magic Millions

Knightsbridge pictured as a yearling Credit: Magic Millions

Masvingo pictured as a yearling Credit: Magic Millions

And he carried on that impressive “first-up” form when I’m Ya Huckleberry strode to an impressive 2.39 length win in heat one, and Home Invasion scored by 1.92 lengths 15 minutes later.

Bought by Waterhouse-Bott and Kestrel Bloodstock from Kia Ora Stud’s draft at the Gold Coast for $400,000, I’m Ya Huckleberry hails from the last crop of John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud. Kia Ora purchased his dam - the New Zealand Group 3-placed Key (Exceed And Excel) - from the Strawberry Hill dispersal the day before she bore this, her second foal.

Third dam is the outstanding Princess Coup (Encosta De Lago), the triple Group 1 winner and mother of stakes victors Argentia (Frankel) and Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice).

“He looked very professional,” Bott said of I’m Ya Huckleberry, who set the third-fastest of the three sub-50 second times, at 49.54.

“He showed good gatespeed and sustained speed throughout. There was a bit of pressure throughout, he absorbed that really well, and I loved the way he was still able to quicken and lengthen. He’s a physically very strong and robust style of horse, and he handles everything really well.”

Home Invasion, bred by Allam Racing and bought by Darby for $220,000 from Segenhoe Stud’s Gold Coast draft, bounced out of the gates and gave nothing else a chance in a consummate performance.

“She’s a fast filly, with a lot of natural talent,” Bott said of the daughter of Catwalk (Foxwedge), a Sydney city winner out of a half-sister to black-type victors White Moss (Mossman) and White Sage (Reset).

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“She did a few things wrong today, which is a bit unlike her. She was having a good look at everything on the inside, so with that she wanted to lay out slightly. But once she balanced up, she lengthened very well and was very good late.

“There’s a lot of natural improvement to come off that trial, so she’ll be able to rectify those faults.”

Waterhouse-Bott have some ten Home Affairs juveniles in their stable.

“The early signs with him are very positive,” Bott said. “He can obviously get colts and fillies, and they’re a bit like he was - professional, with natural speed and strong types.”

Coolmore were delighted with the first reveals of Home Affairs runners.

“You can only be impressed with what we’ve seen today. It’s very encouraging,” said the stud’s nominations and sales manager Colm Santry.

“It’s nice to see them do something at this stage of their career. Usually, good horses come out of these trials, and we couldn’t be more impressed than with that colt and filly today.”

Shiki looked every inch another class runner for Darley’s shuttle sensation Too Darn Hot (Dubawi), camping off the leader’s rump and storming powerfully to the line to give Kurrinda a little consolation for Private Harry’s (Harry Angel) first defeat when fifth at start number six in Saturday’s The Shorts (Gr 2, 1100m).

Bred by South Australia’s Cornerstone Stud, the filly was bought from Riverstone Lodge’s draft by Kurrinda at Magic Millions Gold Coast. She’s the fourth foal of three-time winning sprinter Jest Excel (Exceed And Excel), with fourth dam Elegant Shell (Deep Diver) a four-time stakes victor in Perth.

“Of our fillies, she could be our top seed,” Bott said of Shiki. “She’s naturally a very fast horse and she’s been excellent all the way through. She travelled well, relaxed nicely, and it was good to see her quicken up and sustain that in the manner she did.”

Eviction Notice was four lengths in front on settling, six lengths clear on the turn, and only drew further away to shape as an early star performer from the first crop of Newgate Farm’s Slipper winner Stay Inside (Extreme Choice).

Bred by Newgate and affiliates, the colt is the fourth foal of Group 3-placed American mare Euroboss (Street Boss), who’s already thrown a US Listed winner, and was bought for $375,000 by Waterhouse-Bott and Kestrel at the the Gold Coast.

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“He’s a very, very natural horse,” Waterhouse said. “He has huge gatespeed, travels very easily, and is a very relaxed individual.”

Tulloch Lodge raised their fourth success in only the fifth heat when the most expensive winner on the day - James Harron and Tony Fung’s $750,000 colt Knightsbridge (Farnan) - scored in a tight battle with Our Emperor (Stay Inside), who gave Waterhouse-Bott the quinella.

Bred by Lime Country Thoroughbreds et al and sold from their draft at the Gold Coast, Knightsbridge is a half-sister out of multiple city winner Festivity (Nicconi) to dual stakes winning mare Semana (Winning Rupert), with fourth dam being outstanding 1970s galloper Scomeld (Scotian).

“He’s a lovely horse,” Harron said of Knightsbridge, who owned the day’s fastest last 600 metres at 33.15.

“He did really well from the sale onwards, kept going forward physically and developed very well. He’s very buoyant and has a very good attitude,” Harron said of the son of Kia Ora’s Farnan, who finished third among first season sires last term and currently heads the second season table.

Waterhouse-Bott completed their six-timer when Revengeance fought back powerfully on the fence after being headed by two rivals inside the last 200 metres. The colt scored by 0.28 lengths from Artaneous (Trapeze Artist), who gave Darby the quinella.

Bred by Davali Thoroughbreds and sold by them to the canny-shopping Darby for just on six figures at Inglis Classic, Revengeance is the first foal of an unraced half-sister to triple New Zealand stakes winner Miss Federer (Swiss Ace).

“He showed he was a real racehorse,” Waterhouse said. “He rolled up his sleeves and said, ‘I’m not going to be left in the wake’ and just won the trial. He was very impressive.”

The Kearneys came out of the shadows at Inglis Classic, buying 11 lots with the backing of old friend and building industry executive Daniel Springfield, with the trio ending up as the sale’s second-top buyers. The spree almost doubled the size of the Kearney stable.

On Monday, they saw stunning results when Oh Yes She Did won her heat by 1.69 lengths and Iambubb took his by 0.49 lengths - the pair running 50.58 and 50.57 respectively.

Bought from Tyreel Stud’s draft for $240,000, Oh Yes She Did is the fifth foal of multiple city winner Lanikai (I Am Invincible), dam of Melbourne Listed victor Kalino (Pierro).

“I had her bought before we even went to Classic,” Desiree Kearney told ANZ. “We went through her breeding and photos and she stood out. We viewed her about five times, and at the end of the first viewing day I said, ‘We’re not going home without this one, there’s something about her’.

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“She’s built for the future, not just for now, and that’s what we went to the sales for. We weren’t just buying two-year-olds; we wanted horses we could have a future with as well. She ticked all the boxes.

“She’ll get to the Gimcrack but I think later on - the Champagne stakes over the 1600 metres. She should get over a trip.”

After the daughter of moved-on ex-Coolmore sire Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) scored, Kearney said she had a potentially better prospect coming up coming up in Iambubb.

That colt didn’t disappoint, surging home along the rails to take heat seven.

Bred by Gall Bloodstock and bought from Yarraman Park’s Classic draft for $270,000, Iambubb looks poised to outshine a pedigree best boasting Listed placegetters as second and third dams.

“He’s the one who’s probably shown the most to us in the stable,” Kearney said.

“The two we wanted to qualify [for the Gimcrack and Breeders’ Plate] did qualify, so we’re very happy.

“Both of these horses came to us in very good order. They were easy to educate, broke in easily, and it made it a breeze for us to get them ready for these trials. Kudos to the breeders for that.”

The day’s other winner was its second most expensive yearling - the Bjorn Baker-trained filly Masvingo (Zoustar) - who sat off the leader and came away to score in imposing fashion, by 1.38 lengths.

Bred and offered by Silverdale Farm at the Gold Coast, Masvingo was bought for $580,000 by the Ridgmont Fillies Partnership and Jim Clarke Bloodstock. She’s out of the Group 3-placed Rotator (Not A Single Doubt), a half-sister to Positive Peace (Stratum), a mare Baker trained to win two Group races.

“We put together a fillies’ partnership to try to buy well-bred fillies at the sales this year,” Clarke said. “She was one of the first we bought, and she shows good early promise.

“We bought six in total. The broodmare market has been very hard and very competitive the last few years. We looked at it as an opportunity to try to acquire what we think will be future broodmares at yearling sales and hopefully enjoy the fun of racing along the way.”

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Industry News

Racing NSW: ‘ATC is losing financial resilience’

Dr Saranne Cooke (Credit: rOYAL flying doctor Service)

Trevor Marshallsea

ANZ News

Peter V’landys’ Racing NSW has moved to illustrate why it issued a notice to the Australian Turf Club to show cause why its board should not be replaced by an administrator, highlighting a list of areas - financial and otherwise - where it says the ATC is falling down.

RNSW issued a “participants bulletin” on Monday night, signed off by chair Saranne Cooke, in which the state’s racing regulator said it was moving to ensure the livelihoods of those in the industry in NSW.

It was a notice that effectively drew up battle lines between RNSW and the ATC, in a fight likely to become extremely bitter.

“Unfortunately, there has been much misinformation relating to the [ATC] and why Racing NSW has issued a show cause notice as to why the ATC should not be put into administration,” the missive began.

“Racing NSW wanted to take the opportunity to reassure all participants that this action was being taken to protect the interests of the entire NSW Thoroughbred Racing Industry. Racing NSW will work through this process with the ATC, in the best interest of all our 50,000 participants to ensure their jobs and livelihoods.”

Setting out to explain why RNSW intervened, the notice said the ATC was “heavily subsidised by the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Industry” and depended “almost entirely” on RNSW for operating and capital funding.

“Cash reserves have been shrinking, raising concerns around ongoing solvency,” it said. “Recent developments have raised alarms regarding governance practices.”

RNSW said the ATC’s situation had come about despite RNSW having increased the club’s funding from $31 million per annum in 2015 to $164.7m in 2025, having negotiated an extra $42m per year “in agreements to support the ATC”, and having “bailed out the ATC on multiple occasions when it couldn’t make payments needed for loan repayment, redundancies and grandstand cladding”.

The regulator hit back at assertions it did not distribute enough funding to the ATC.

“A frequent claim is that ATC should simply receive all wagering revenue generated by betting from all wagering operators on all its races,” the notice said.

“Based on this claim, the ATC would receive $80.1 million. The actual money it receives from Racing NSW from wagering highlights why this argument is absurd given that in 2025, the ATC actually received $233.1 million in total funding from wagering revenues (TAB distribution + Racing NSW contributions).

“That’s $153 million more than the ATC generated itself. It also received an additional $42 million per annum from agreements negotiated by Racing NSW with TAB, Sky Channel and Channel 7.

“This means Racing NSW is already giving the ATC far more than its own races directly produce from wagering. Without Racing NSW’s intervention, prize-money levels and operations would be unsustainable, which demonstrates the extent to which the ATC is subsidised by the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Industry.”

RNSW said ATC prize-money had increased from $89.3m in 2015 to $216.9m in 2025, “with the increase funded entirely by Racing NSW”.

“This increase was critical for keeping Sydney racing competitive and providing the ATC with additional opportunities to drive commercial revenues,” the bulletin said.

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The ATC had $35m in debt facilities - made up of a bank loan and overdraft - RNSW said.

“ATC could not meet a $5 million repayment to its bank so Racing NSW had to pay it on behalf of the ATC and further had to be guarantor on the ATC’s $35 million debt facilities,” the notice said.

“Racing NSW had highlighted to the ATC that its cost structure was unsustainable and required to put in place a much more cost effective executive management structure.”

RNSW said the ATC’s cash reserves had dropped in the past decade from $50.1m to $21m, while its net assets had declined from $31.5m to “$8.7m (excluding $30m loan)”.

“Overall: ATC is losing financial resilience. Rising costs, falling reserves, and heavy borrowing have created significant doubts about its ability to survive without ongoing bailouts,” the bulletin said.

RNSW’s notice also listed “corporate governance issues”.

It noted there had been three recent resignations from the ATC’s board.

Chairman Peter McGauran resigned in July in the wake of the bungled attempt to sell Rosehill.

Ben Bayot and Natalie Hewson resigned from the club’s board on Thursday evening, less than 24 hours before RNSW issued its show-cause notice.

RNSW said two of the three resignations “explicitly cited governance concerns”, which is believed to be a reference to Bayot and Hewson.

“Racing NSW has evidence of breaches of ATC’s code of conduct by board members, and has written to ATC outlining these concerns, which have not been adequately addressed,” the notice continued.

“These governance failures compound financial weaknesses, making it harder for Racing NSW to trust and rely on ATC’s management to effectively operate our metropolitan race club.”

The ATC is believed to have two weeks in which to respond to RNSW show-cause notice.

According to media reports, the club has a $30 million debt due for repayment to the Commonwealth Bank by October, 2026.

It also owes RNSW $145m - but that is in the form of a non-interest accruing loan which is only repayable if the club sells a major asset.

In its 2023-24 annual report, the ATC listed net assets of $303 million.

Club chairman Tim Hale SC, and other industry figures contacted by ANZ, are confident the club will address the regulator’s concerns.

But, given the detail set out in such a concerted fashion by RNSW on Monday night, it appears the club will have a substantial fight on its hands to stop the regulator appointing an administrator.

Some observers fear the appointment of an administrator would represent an attempt to revive the plan to sell Rosehill for property development. In May, club members voted down that proposal, which the club said could have raised $5 billion.

However, one prominent industry figure told ANZ on Sunday it would be “remarkable” for an administrator to order the sale of Rosehill so soon after the members’ vote.

“An administrator is subject to fiduciary duties,” said Hamish Esplin, president of Thoroughbred Breeders NSW and a lawyer by profession. “They can’t just come in and do whatever they like. They still have to act in the interests of the stakeholders.

“In this instance, it would be remarkable for an administrator to come into a registered club, and say, ‘I get to disregard the views of the stakeholders which were only given in a vote three months prior’.”

Esplin said “that wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny” if appeals were lodged with courts or government.

Despite confidence from some that the ATC will repel the RNSW notice, the state’s regulator has previously appointed administrators to country and provincial clubs, including Tamworth, Wyong and Hawkesbury.

Esplin told ANZ he feared the notice issued to the ATC was an attempt to bring more control to RNSW.

“What’s the end-game of that show-cause hearing?” he said. “If the club is placed into administration, what does that mean for the centralisation of power for this sport, except to say it’s going to end up with Racing NSW?”

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Australia

Lady Shenandoah heads south for Manikato test

Lady Shenandoah (Credit: sportpix)

Chris Waller’s Group 1-winning mare Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) will make her first Melbourne appearance in Friday night’s $2 million Manikato Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at The Valley. The four-year-old daughter of Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) had a look around the circuit on Monday in a light gallop, pleasing her trainer. “She had a good look around pre-work, so we didn’t do too much with her on the track,” Waller said. “She’s pretty fit, her first-up run was terrific and she’s ready to run Friday night.” Winner of the Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m), Surround Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) and Coolmore Classic (Gr 1, 1500m), Lady Shenandoah was luckless first-up in the Concorde Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) when narrowly beaten by Headwall (Dream Ahead). Waller said she has done plenty of left-handed work in preparation for her first run anti-clockwise. “She’s got a huge stride for a sprinter but she’s very sharp,” he said. “It was a gamble bringing her back to 1000 metres, but 1200 metres will just be that bit better for her.” The Manikato has attracted 13 nominations, including Moir Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m) winner Baraqiel (Snitzel), Magic Time (Hellbent) and Skybird (Exosphere).

Pride Of Jenni returns in Feehan Stakes defence

Three-time Group 1 winner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) will kick off her spring in Friday night’s Feehan Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) at Moonee Valley, a race she won 12 months ago. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare galloped at the circuit on Monday with Declan Bates aboard and the jockey reporting she felt relaxed early before wanting to quicken late. “She’s a pretty easy read, she lets you know when she’s had enough,” Maher told Racing.com. “All the signs are pretty good…older mare, you always want to see it, but she’s heading in the right direction.” Pride Of Jenni had an up and down season last year, mixing brilliant front-running wins in the Feehan and Peter Young Stakes (Gr 2, 1800m) with heavy defeats in the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m), Australian Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) and Doomben Cup (Gr 1, 2000m). Maher indicated the Empire Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) looms as a likely spring target, with the mare having improved through two recent jump-outs.

Morgan loses Private Harry ride after Shorts flop

Star sprinter Private Harry (Harry Angel) will have a new jockey for his next start after connections removed Ashley Morgan following his underwhelming performance in The Shorts (Gr 2, 1100m) at Randwick last weekend. The Nathan Doyle-trained colt lost his unbeaten record when knuckling badly at the start, racing outside tearaway leader Mazu (Maurice) and fading to finish fifth as the $2.15 favourite. Connections, including major shareholder Yulong, opted to replace Morgan – who had partnered Private Harry in all six of his starts – citing the colt’s future at stud as a decisive factor. “At the end of the day, we’re on a big stage…it might seem ruthless but he’s a colt, he’s going to stand at Yulong. They’ve paid a lot of money for this horse,” Sean Driver, bloodstock manager at Kurrinda Bloodstock told Racing.com. Driver stressed the four-year-old should be forgiven for the defeat. “He knuckled that bad… his nose hit the turf. It was pretty much game over from there,” he said. Private Harry, a winner of The Galaxy (Gr 1, 1100m) in March, is set to press on towards The Everest (Gr 1, 1200m) via the Premiere Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Randwick on October 4, with Yulong expected to announce his new rider in coming days.

Sir Delius on Cox Plate path as Vauban stays in Sydney

The Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) remains the ultimate aim, but co-trainer Adrian Bott believes Sir Delius (Frankel) can prove himself Australia’s best weight-for-age horse along the way with a Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) victory. The import claimed his first Group 1 in Saturday’s Underwood Stakes (Gr 1, 1800m) at Caulfield, producing the acceleration and turn of foot that has the stable convinced he can match it with the elite. “He certainly impressed us on the weekend,” Bott told Racing.com. “That’s the reason we put him on this path and it gave us the confidence to head towards a Cox Plate. I think he can be competitive there. The Cox Plate has always been a good guide for horses heading to the Cup.” Sir Delius is expected to next step out in the Might And Power Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m), although Bott conceded he still looked a touch uncomfortable running the Melbourne way. “He seemed a bit awkward at Caulfield, a bit unbalanced on the wrong leg at times,” he said. “There’s natural improvement to come in that regard.” Stablemate Vauban (Galiway) faces a different program after his shock defeat as a short-priced favourite in the Kingston Town Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) last weekend. While initially pencilled in for the Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m), Bott said the Metropolitan Handicap (Gr 1, 2400m) on October 4 in Sydney was now firmly on the radar. “We probably wanted to see a little more on Saturday,” Bott said. “But we’ll adjust. He still has his chance to build into the spring.”

Half Yours penalised for Caulfield Cup after Naturalism win

Half Yours (Credit: sportpix)

Half Yours (St Jean) has been penalised 1.5kg for his dominant Naturalism Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) victory at Caulfield, with the five-year-old now set to carry 52.5kg in next month’s $5 million Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m). The win earned him ballot exemption into the feature, with Racing Victoria chief handicapper David Hegan describing the performance as “effortless” and worthy of reassessment. “Half Yours won the Naturalism Stakes in effortless style, and the dominant nature of his performance by an expanding margin is worthy of a reassessment in both Cups,” Hegan said. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding is now joint $6 favourite for the Caulfield Cup alongside Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock), runner-up in Saturday’s Underwood Stakes, who shares topweight honours of 59kg with Light Infantry Man (Fast Company). Half Yours also remains in Melbourne Cup contention, though he stays on the minimum 51kg under this year’s scale, which sits 2kg lower than the Caulfield Cup. The penalty does, however, elevate him in the order of entry from 60th to 47th, meaning he may still need further weight relief or a “golden ticket” win to be assured of a Cup start.

Cup still the plan for Knight’s Choice

Connections of defending Melbourne Cup hero Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) were left frustrated but relieved after the gelding was withdrawn from Saturday’s Underwood Stakes (Gr 1, 1800m) at Caulfield due to a mild temperature. Trainer Sheila Laxon, who co-trains with John Symons, admitted the scratching was likely an overreaction, but one she had no hesitation making given the horse’s profile. “His temperature was slightly elevated the morning before the races and we didn’t know why,” Laxon told Racing.com. “Because we didn’t know what it was, we didn’t want to risk anything. He’s eaten up and everything, so I think we just panicked.” Blood tests are being assessed by Racing Victoria, though Laxon reported the six-year-old was back to normal on Sunday and showing no signs of illness. Knight’s Choice is based at Mt Macedon, the same property where Laxon trained 2001 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup heroine Ethereal (Rhythm). She said the stayer’s fitness base remained solid thanks to the hill track and regular conditioning work. “We had a program planned out for him but it included that race yesterday, so we’ve got to review the other options we have now,” she said.

Ka Ying Rising lands in Sydney

Superstar Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress), the odds-on favourite for this year’s $20 million The Everestn (Gr 1, 1200m), arrived safely in Sydney on Monday. The David Hayes-trained five-year-old touched down and was transported to the Canterbury Quarantine Facility, where he will serve his two-week quarantine ahead of a planned Randwick trial on October 7. Winner of 14 of 16 starts, including his past 13 in succession, Ka Ying Rising is the highest-rated horse in the world on Timeform ratings (135) comparable to peak ratings of champions Winx (Street Cry) (134) and Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) (136). ATC racing manager Nevesh Ramdhani said Ka Ying Rising’s presence was a coup for the Sydney Spring Carnival. “In the ten years we’ve been doing this, I can’t remember another horse rated as highly as he has,” Ramdhani said. “It also builds on the relationship we already have with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.” Ka Ying Rising will be joined in Sydney this week by other internationals including Golden Eagle (1500m) winner Lake Forest (No Nay Never) and his William Haggas-trained stablemate Sam Hawkens (Galileo).

National Thoroughbred week launched

The 2025 National Thoroughbred Week, the newly launched industry initiative designed to bring the public closer to the thoroughbred and our sport, is excited to confirm a truly trans-Tasman exposure, with hosts confirmed across all Australian and New Zealand regions. The five-day event, scheduled for November 20-24, will see racing stables, stud farms, and aftercare facilities open their doors, giving the public a firsthand look at the daily care, dedication, and passion behind Thoroughbred racing. Public registrations to attend these events will open on October 13. The initiative aligns with Together for Racing International (TfRI), a movement designed to share best practices across racing nations to promote equine welfare, community engagement, and sustainable industry growth. It also follows the footsteps of National Racehorse Week (UK), which has made significant strides in how the industry engages with the public. Opportunities to be involved and support the not-for-profit NTW to deliver a foundational blueprint for the annual event still exist. Visit www.thoroughbredweek.com.au or contact hello@thoroughbredweek.com.au.

New Zealand

Trav seals ticket to Melbourne

Trav (Almanzor) confirmed his Melbourne Cup (Gr , 3200m) plans with a pleasing effort over 2100 metres at Ellerslie on Saturday, his first run at the track since capturing the Auckland Cup (Gr 2, 3200m) in March. The Raymond Connors-trained gelding, reunited with Cup-winning rider Masa Hashizume, settled at the rear before sweeping wide on the turn and finishing strongly to grab fourth, beaten less than a length by Diamond Jak (Jakkalberry). Connors, who also co-bred and co-owns the son of Almanzor (Wootton Bassett), was satisfied with the performance and confirmed the Melbourne spring is now firmly on the agenda. “He seems to have come through it alright, so I think we will have to have a go now and carry on with the plan,” Connors said. Trav sits 53rd in the Melbourne Cup order of entry with 51kg and is scheduled to fly across the Tasman next week, with his first Australian assignment to be the Bart Cummings (Gr 3, 2500m) at Flemington on October 4. “It’s a big step up over there obviously, but that will give us a good guide,” Connors said. Should he run well, the Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) on October 22 looms as his next target as he tries to secure ballot exemption into the $10 million Cup.

Tajana headlines Oaks Stud treble for Ritchie and Murray

Cambridge trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray are set for a busy spring with The Oaks Stud’s team after landing a winning treble across the weekend, headlined by Tajana’s (Darci Brahma) narrow victory in the Sunline Vase (Gr 3, 1400m) at Ellerslie. The filly, a $5 second favourite for the New Zealand 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m), outgunned rival Lollapalooza (El Roca) by a nose and will now head to the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) on October 18. “She’s eaten up since the race and the four weeks between runs will really suit her,” Ritchie said. “Keeping her fresh keeps the speed in her legs, which is key at 1400 metres, but longer trips will be her go.” Stablemate Tempest Moon (Turn Me Loose) provided another highlight, the dour mare breaking her maiden over 2200 metres at Te Aroha. Ritchie said she will now be aimed at the A$304,000 Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool after a likely run in Riccarton’s 3000-metre qualifier next month. A third winner came courtesy of Giveusawink (Rip Van Winkle), a brother to New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Jennifer Eccles, who scored over a mile at Te Aroha. “He’s still learning and frustrating at times, but he’s got the ability,” Ritchie said. The stable now turn their attention to Tuxedo (Tivaci), who tackles Saturday’s Howden Insurance Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) at Te Rapa. “He’s a year away from matching hardened weight-for-age horses like Legarto and El Vencedor, but we’ll get a good line on him this weekend,” Ritchie said.

Tyler sweeps open contests at Gore

Kelvin Tyler (Credit: Race Images)

Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler enjoyed a dominant afternoon at Gore on Sunday, producing three winners, three seconds and two fourths from his eight runners. Tyler’s day opened with homebred More Sass (Mongolia Falcon) scoring over 1100 metres, the four-year-old showing a more professional side after a spell to mature mentally. “She’s got loads of ability but hasn’t always put it together,” Tyler said. Former northerner Martell (El Roca) then showcased his class in the Advance Agriculture Open 1100 (1100m), tracking the rail under apprentice Floor Moerman before quickening clear to win by 1.3 lengths. “I couldn’t believe his odds at $4.80, he’s a really good horse,” Tyler said. The feature win came in the Kevin Doyle Memorial Open 1800 (1800m), where heavy-track specialist Vamos (Vadamos) made it back-to-back romps, leading throughout to beat stablemate Prince Alby (Sacred Falls) by eight lengths. “His work has been unreal, he loves wet tracks and had the race fitness,” Tyler said.

With Your Blessing continues Wentwood Grange’s hot run

Wentwood Grange principal Dean Hawkins admits he shed a tear when With Your Blessing (Vadamos) was sold as a yearling – a rare show of emotion that speaks to the gelding’s quality. Offered through the farm’s draft at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Classic Sale, the Vadamos (Monsun) colt made A$70,000. Now trained at Randwick by John Thompson, he has returned more than ten times that figure, with seven wins and a career highlight last Saturday in the Bill Ritchie Handicap (Gr 3, 1400m) at Randwick. “He was absolutely beautiful as a yearling and, hand on heart, the only horse I’ve loved that much that I cried when he was sold,” Hawkins said. “They’ve been patient with him and he’s just kept getting better each campaign.” With Your Blessing is out of the Darci Brahma (Danehill) mare Super Trouper, a five-time winner. She has since produced a filly by Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) winner State Of Rest (Starspangledbanner) and was recently covered by Switzerland (Snitzel). The result continued Wentwood Grange’s hot run of form, with the farm also linked to early-season stakes winners Quintessa (Shamus Award) and Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes) and Listed placegetter Intention (Bivouac). “It’s been a great start to the season,” Hawkins said. “Sometimes you take a gamble and it pays off.” Wentwood will return to Karaka in 2025 with further progeny from this successful line, including a “cracking” Super Seth (Dundeel) filly out of Beela Hudood (Snitzel).

International

91 for Siyouni

The Andreas Wohler-trained Soreanga (2 f ex Saltita by Galileo) provided Siyouni (Pivotal) with his 91st individual stakes winner when she proved too good for her rivals in Sunday’s Junioren-Preis (Listed, 1600m) at Hannover. After racing prominent early under Eduardo Pedroza, the filly hit the front at the 300-metre mark and ran out a comfortable two and a half-length winner over Loucas (Best Solution) with Dalyan (Romanised) just a neck further behind in third. A Gestüt Fährhof homebred, Soreanga is a half-sister to the Group 2-placed six-time winner Palavecino (Cacique) and the Group 1-placed winner Salt Bay (Farhh), out of the unraced Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) mare Saltita from the family of the Preis der Diana (Gr 1, 2200m) heroine Serienholde (Soldier Hollow). Siyouni stood the 2025 northern hemisphere breeding season at Haras de Bonneval for a fee of €200,000 (approx. AU$356,080).

Unbeaten Chelsea Believe doubles stakes win tally

Make Believe (Makfi) filly Chelsea Believe notched up her second black type win on Sunday when landing the Premio Repubbliche Marinare (Listed, 1500m) at Rome. The Endo Botti-trained filly had a troubled passage but found a gap at the 400 metres which saw her ran on to defeat stablemate Santa Trada (Bungle Inthejungle). Salar Forever (Sergei Prokofiev) finished third. Bred by Thomas Hassett, the winner was a €26,000 purchase by Razza Latina at Book 2 of the Goffs Orby Sale. She is out of Fresh Snow (Dark Angel), who was a 16,000gns purchase from the Godolphin draft at the 2021 Tattersalls March Sale and is herself out of Snow Rose (Elusive Quality) – a winning sister to dual Group 1 winner and sire Raven’s Pass.

Five for Invincible Army

Haras des Etincelles sire Invincible Army (Invincible Spirit) registered his fifth individual stakes winner on Sunday when Capitana Bling (3 f ex Todegica by Giant’s Causeway) took out the Lanwades Stud Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at Bro Park. Trained by Silja Støren, the three-year-old jumped well and made all to win by three and a half lengths over Blueridge Silver (Siyouni), with Thunder Sea (Night Of Thunder) coming home just a further half a length back in third. A £20,000 purchase by De Burgh Equine from the Lackendarra Stables draft at last year’s Goffs Breeze-Up Sale and racing in the colours of Stall Flax, Capitana Bling notched her fourth career win after finishing runner-up behind Thunder Sea in the Lanwades Stud Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes (Listed, 1600m) last month. Bred by Yeomanstown Stud and Cavalier Bloodstock, she is the fourth winner out of Todegica (Giant’s Causeway), herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Tomyris (Invincible Spirit). Invincible Army stood for a fee of €3,500 in 2025.

11 for Ten Sovereigns

Former Coolmore Stud resident Ten Sovereigns (No Nay Never) was supplied his 11th individual stakes winner when Tamouth (2 f ex Shafafya by Shamardal) landed her fourth win from as many starts in Sunday’s Premio Ubaldo Pandolfi (Listed, 1200m) at Rome. The filly made all under Mario Sanna and kicked clear impressively to beat stakes winner Queen Martina (Ardad) by a length and a half, with Nera Nera (Dandy Man) back in third. Bred by Macha Bloodstock and M Downey, the winner was a €2,000 purchase by Stefano Botti at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale Part II. She is the first winner from three to race out of winner Shafafya (Shamardal), herself a half-sister to Group 1 winner Matterhorn (Raven’s Pass), Group 2 winners The Foxes (Churchill) and Bangkok (Australia), and Group 3 winner Tactic (Sadler’s Wells). Ten Sovereigns moved to stand in Turkey this season.

Nastaria claims Stockholm Cup

Nastaria (6 m Outstrip – Cinta by Monsun) made it back-to-back stakes wins and claimed a deserved first Group victory when she took out Sunday’s Stockholm Cup International (Gr 3, 2400m) at Bro Park. The Anna Schleusner-Fruhriep-trained mare – six times a winner at stakes level – had come straight to Sweden after landing a Listed event at Hannover last month. She ran out a two and a half-length winner over Claymore (New Bay), with Espen Hill (Helsinki), winner of the race in 2023, another length and a half back in third.

105 for Holy Roman Emperor

Castle Hyde Stud stallion Holy Roman Emperor (Danehill) sired his 105th individual stakes winner when Lamborghini Bf (4 g ex Smoken Rosa by Smoke Glacken) took out the Bro Park Sprint Championship (Listed, 12200m) at Bro Park on Sunday. The Fredrik Reuterskiöld-trained gelding took up the lead with less than 300 metres to go and went on to score by a length and three-quarters over Aphelios (Kodiac), with Crystal Love (Oasis Dream) another length and a half back in third. Bred by J K Dewberry, Lamborghini Bf is a half-brother to six other winners, including juvenile winner Miss Phillyjinks (Zoffany), the dam of juvenile Group 1 winner Tiger Tanaka (Clodovil). Holy Roman Emperor stood the 2025 northern hemisphere breeding season for a fee of €8,000 (approx AU$14,230).

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Let’s bring it on

Tajana (Credit: Race Images)

Lloyd Jackson

ANZ News

It’s clear that Sunline Vase (Gr 3, 1400m) winner Tajana (Darci Brahma) is for real. Her form at two was more than promising but in her two starts this season she has proved best of the fillies and maybe the best three-year-old at this point of the season.

Although she performed fairly on top of the ground as a juvenile, her win on a heavy Ruakaka track (normally the best winter track in the country) was the only question surrounding Saturday’s Vase which was run on a Good 4 surface.

Similar to her Northland Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) victory, she settled towards the rear and was giving the leaders a decent start with 600m to run. Accelerating from the 600m she tacked onto the pack but soon after straightening still had all but one of the field to pass.

Again similar to Ruakaka, she drove into top gear but this time steamed down the centre of the course and was in front inside the 100m. She then had to dig deep to hold out Lollapalooza (El Roca) who matched her stride for stride, just a nose in advance of another very good filly. Tajana’s record now stands at three wins in six starts. The first two home had the race to themselves which again underlined Lollapalooza’s form from Ellerslie’s September 6th Gold Trail Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m).

Both fillies are likely headed for Riccarton and the New Zealand 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) but we can only hope that they clash again before that. For racing’s sake, let’s hope so and so does Tajana’s co-trainer Shaune Ritchie: “Isn’t it great to have a couple of top-class fillies going head to head like that. It is good for racing so let's bring it on some more.”

Tajana’s racing pattern augers well for Riccarton. She won’t be bothered by the extra 200m. Later in the season, 2000 metres should be within her scope too plus there is the prospect of a New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) which moves from Trentham in March to Ellerslie in February.

Darci Brahma (Danehill) has sired two Oaks winners, namely Gust Of Wind, winner of the Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) and New Zealand Oaks victress Artistic.

Tajana’s dam is by July Cup (Gr 1, 6f) winner Sahkee’s Secret whose damsire Secreto (Northern Dancer) was successful in the Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f). Sahkee’s Secret’s maternal grandsire Majestic Prince (Raise A Native) was injured yet ran second in the Belmont Stakes (Gr 1, 12f), his only defeat in ten starts which included the Kentucky Derby, (Gr 1, 10f). On that, Tajana has every chance of seeing out the Oaks distance, especially against her peers.

Her dam Sleek Secret (Sakkee’s Secret) scored five wins and is one of seven winners from Brisbane winner Miss Smugg (Volksraad). Miss Smugg’s half-sister Spin ‘n Grin (Spinning World) took out Ellerslie’s Eight Carat Classic (Gr 2, 1600m). Her half-brother Mr Smug (Spectacular Love) was a Listed winner of seven races. Their dam, Smile (Sackford) ranks as a three-quarter blood sister to Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) and Queensland Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) winner A Little Kiss (Sackford).

Future mating?

Dick Karreman, Rick Williams and The Oaks Stud had a memorable 2024-25 season with Savaglee (Savabeel) and their fortunes have continued into this spring. Anyone in racing will tell you that such success is rare.

Savaglee was purchased as a stallion prospect and one might imagine that a mating between Savalee and Tejana is a distinct possibility some years down the track. In the meantime, there is the prospect of further racetrack action but such a match is something to look forward to. Maybe the 2030 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale?

Three trips, four starts, two stakes

When Ears Back (Jakkalberry) reversed the trend for the second time and crossed Cook Strait from the south to north back in May she was successful in Wanganui’s AGC Training Centre Stakes (Listed, 1600m) in two starts and her maiden stakes win.

Her trainer, Rangiora-based John Blackadder, has found the formula and repeated the dose on Saturday when the mare scored her most important win in taking out Trentham’s Metric Mile (Gr 3, 1600m). She sat outside the lead until the 600 metres then forged into the lead before the last corner. In a gutsy display she dared the field to run her down yet held off all challenges.

The 7YO broke her maiden at start four and scored a treble in early 2023 yet her greatest successes have been in the North Island and her career includes nine wins with earnings in excess of $340,000. “This is probably the biggest thrill of my life, apart from family,” said Blackadder. “I’m just absolutely ecstatic to be here and to win this race.”

Although Ears Back’s dam Makesmewonder (Grass Wonder) won in New Zealand, most of her immediate family are Japan-based except for her half-sister Reliability (Kurofune), dam of Hobart Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) winner Pretty Punk (Rebel Raider). When Ears Back retires she will be a welcome addition to any breeding barn.

Ears Back (Credit: Race Images)

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We are into the last week of the first month of the 2025 breeding season and normally, spring stakes results can have some effect on late stallion bookings. Not so this past weekend, at least not in New Zealand.

Jackkalberry (Storming Home), sire of Ears Back is dead. Darci Brahma (Danehill), sire of Tajana, is retired from stud duties. Vadamos (Monsun), sire of Bill Ritchie Handicap (Gr 3, 1400m) winner With Your Blessing, no longer shuttles to New Zealand. Interestingly, With Your Blessing is from a Darci Brahma mare. Breeders who have yet to book their mares will just have to wait until next weekend for inspiration.

With Your Blessing has certainly taken his time to strike his best form and took six starts to break his maiden, at Kensington as a three-year-old. In the meantime he has recorded wins at the main Randwick track (now four times) with his six-year-old season proving his most productive. The seven-year-old placed in three Group races leading into Saturday’s qualifier for the Epsom Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) but the Ritchie is his first stakes success, won with an intelligent ride by Alysha Collett who took advantage of the gelding’s propensity to lead.

Collett allowed him to stride to the lead from the jump but cuddled him up past the 800 metres and was still sitting quietly from the 400 metres to the 300 metres where she asked for a bit more. A couple of shakes and the response saw a lead of more than a length then it was just a matter of where was the post but they had enough to hold on for win seven at start 33 for earnings exceeding $788,000.

Collett was full of praise: “He loves pinging the barriers, getting to the front, and as long as you sit there and cuddle him and tell him he’s good, he’ll give you a really good effort.”

With Your Blessing is a graduate of the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and was sold via Wentwood Grange’s draft, fetching $70,000. He is one of two winners from five-times winner Super Trouper (Darci Brahma), a sister to Malaysian stakes performer Lim’s Dashing (Darci Brahma). Super Trouper is one of eight winners from Trouville (Hurricane Sky), herself a half-sister to two French Listed winners. The best performer in the family is Prix Lupin (Gr 1, 2100m) winner Persepolis (Kalamoun) who is a half-brother to With Your Blessing’s great granddam.

Darci Brahma (Credit: The Oak Stud)

Fine family

Sepals (Calyx), winner of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, joins the growing Group 1 club that descends from the imported mare Head Of The River (Shirley Heights). That number grew to seven with Sepals’ super win as he became the fifth Group 1 winner to represent this family since the 2020-21 season. It is a wonderful line.

Head Of The River had two foals in Australia before she was imported to New Zealand in 1993, an inspired decision which has resulted in one the highest quality producing families in the New Zealand Stud Book.

The year following her import she foaled Ellerslie Group juvenile, Good Faith (Straight Strike), also the fourth dam of Sepals.

Head Of The River’s 1998 foal was Spring (O’Reilly), representing the first crop of O’Reilly (Last Tycoon). Spring produced three-times Group 1 winner Daffodil (No Excuse Needed) and a sister to Daffodil, named Posy (No Excuse Needed), the dam of another three-time Group 1 winner Atishu (Savabeel).

Head Of The River’s 2000 foal was Heads Or Tails (Tale Of The Cat) whose daughter Toss Up (Zabeel) is the dam of New Zealand 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Aegon (Sacred Falls).

In 2005 Head Of The River saved her best for last when foaling Chorus (Danasinga) whose daughters Symphonic (O’Reilly) and Chorus (O’Reilly) produced the top New Zealand three-year-olds of the last two seasons, namely full relations-in-blood Orchestral (Savabeel) and Savaglee (Savabeel). They are by the same sire from sisters.

Courtesy of Arion Pedigrees’ database, 188 runners representing five generations descendant from Head Of the River include 135 winners (71.4 per cent) of 398 races. In a little more than 30 years the family has produced 14 stakes winners (seven Group 1 winners) and a further ten stakes placed winners.

Sepals (Credit: Racing Photos)

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Results

Monday, September 22, 2025

Tab Meetings

Grafton NSW Soft(5)
Show

Grafton NSW Soft(5)

R1: Graftontickets.com.au Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1710m

  1. Our Jewel (AUS) (b/br M 4 Brutal (NZ) - Prophet Jewel (AUS)
    T: Tony & Maddysen Sears J: A Mallyon
  2. Think Of One (AUS) (b/br G 5 So You Think (NZ) - Manhattan Mam (AUS))
  3. Turpin's Torment (AUS) (b G 6 Fighting Sun (AUS) - Black Bess (AUS))

Margins: 2.1 lens, 1.8 lens. Time: 1:43.90 (last 600m 35.97)

R2: Book A Christmas Party At CRJC Mdn Hcp, $27,000, 1206m

  1. Need for Spieth (AUS) (ch C 3 Spieth (NZ) - Send Us a Sign (AUS)
    T: Indiana Turner J: Damien Thornton
  2. Deodee (AUS) (br M 4 American Pharoah (USA) - Deokyhe (AUS))
  3. Pineto Lad (AUS) (b/br G 3 Spieth (NZ) - Sam's A Fox (AUS))

Margins: 1.5 lens, 1.2 lens. Time: 1:11.23 (last 600m 35.75)

R3: CRJC AGM 12 November Country Boosted Mdn Plate, $30,000, 1006m

  1. Prestige Ice (AUS) (b F 3 Tagaloa (AUS) - Written Era (AUS)
    T: Jordan Lee J: L P Rolls
  2. Midwest Princess (AUS) (b F 3 King's Legacy (AUS) - Exclusive Lass (AUS))
  3. Immortal Storm (AUS) (b G 3 I Am Immortal (AUS) - La Romanina (AUS))

Margins: 0.1 lens, 0.4 lens. Time: 0:57.99 (last 600m 34.37)

R4: CRJC Christmas Race Day 30 November Hcp (C1), $27,000, 1006m

  1. All Too Wild (AUS) (b M 4 All Too Hard (AUS) - Wildwood Dancer (AUS)
    T: T J Bartley J: M Mc Guren
  2. Mofeed (AUS) (b G 5 Akeed Mofeed (GB) - Empress Zhao (NZ))
  3. Platinum Gift (AUS) (ch G 4 Sooboog (AUS) - Ginali (AUS))

Margins: 0.6 lens, 1 lens. Time: 0:58.15 (last 600m 33.97)

R5: Team Aidan Markets @ CRJC 23 November (Bm66), $27,000, 1106m

  1. Jewels Statement (AUS) (b M 5 Press Statement (AUS) - Poppet's Treasure (GB)
    T: Samantha McGuren J: Jake Bayliss
  2. Lovewillcomelater (AUS) (b G 6 So You Think (NZ) - Thirty Rock (AUS))
  3. Surcote (AUS) (b G 7 Exosphere (AUS) - Save a Penny (AUS))

Margins: 0.8 lens, 0.7 lens. Time: 1:04.01 (last 600m 34.00)

R6: The Kosciuszko 18 October (Bm58), $27,000, 2220m

  1. Justice Served (AUS) (b G 5 Justify (USA) - Savvy Coup (NZ)
    T: R H Dart J: Bella Youngberry
  2. Sun Topaze (AUS) (br G 6 Adelaide (IRE) - Dark Topaze (AUS))
  3. Quick Buck (AUS) (b G 4 Merchant Navy (AUS) - Not To Be Caught (NZ))

R7: Tabulam Cup 4 October Country Boosted Hcp (C1), $30,000, 1410m

  1. Vendemmia (NZ) (br G 5 Per Incanto (USA) - Elusive Red (NZ)
    T: Ethan Ensby J: B Looker
  2. Our Sparky (AUS) (gr M 5 Encryption (AUS) - Keep The Change (AUS))
  3. Miss Madigan (AUS) (b M 4 Bull Point (AUS) - Diaochan (AUS))

Margins: 2.1 lens, 0.3 lens. Time: 1:24 (last 600m 35.25)

Narromine NSW Heavy(8)
Show

Narromine NSW Heavy(8)

R1: Three Rivers Machinery Country Boosted Mdn Hcp, $30,000, 1300m

  1. Prince of Prophets (AUS) (b G 5 Divine Prophet (AUS) - All Yours (AUS)
    T: Connie Greig J: C Lever
  2. My Crown (AUS) (br G 4 Omaha Beach (USA) - California (AUS))
  3. Hammoon Sensation (AUS) (b G 3 Stratum Star (AUS) - Difficult To Get (AUS))

Margins: 0.7 lens, 0.2 lens. Time: 1:23.09 (last 600m)

R2: Benabilla Auctions Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1100m

  1. Sabatina (AUS) (b M 4 Churchill (IRE) - Pretty Peggy (AUS)
    T: M C Lynch J: K Dunbar
  2. Penciller (AUS) (b/br G 3 Written By (AUS) - Clipper (AUS))
  3. Elderberry Wine (AUS) (b M 4 Holler (AUS) - Equiseta (AUS))

Margins: 0.5 lens, 2.3 lens. Time: 1:08.79 (last 600m)

R3: Nutrien Ag Solutions Plate (C1), $27,000, 1600m

  1. Satashi (AUS) (br M 6 So You Think (NZ) - Abrasions (AUS)
    T: Ms C Monaghan J: J Pracey-Holmes
  2. Saintly Sands (AUS) (b M 4 Santos (AUS) - Rotana Beach (AUS))
  3. The Drafter (AUS) (b G 7 Magic Albert (AUS) - Obvious Twist (AUS))

Margins: 0.5 lens, 0.6 lens. Time: 1:45.2 (last 600m)

R4: Qube Agri Hcp (C1), $27,000, 1100m

  1. Trumpty Dumpty (AUS) (b G 5 American Pharoah (USA) - Mumtaazah (AUS)
    T: Dar Lunn J: Braith Nock
  2. Comongin (AUS) (b G 3 Showtime (AUS) - Burbie (AUS))
  3. Miss Karis (AUS) (ch M 4 Star Witness (AUS) - Bellalicious (AUS))

Margins: 2.4 lens, 0.3 lens. Time: 1:08.18 (last 600m)

R5: Narromine Hardware Country Boosted (Bm58), $30,000, 1100m

  1. Simply Better (AUS) (b M 6 Better Than Ready (AUS) - Sweet As (AUS)
    T: David J Smith J: Shayleigh Ingelse
  2. Wonder Step (AUS) (br G 4 Shalaa (IRE) - Bernarsini (AUS))
  3. Keadool (AUS) (b/br G 4 Harry Angel (IRE) - Turramurra (AUS))

Margins: 0.3 lens, 0.1 lens. Time: 1:08.68 (last 600m)

R6: The Benjamin Smith Memorial Hcp (C2), $27,000, 1300m

  1. Shadow Dane (AUS) (b/br G 6 Rebel Dane (AUS) - Red Silhouette (NZ)
    T: M R Mulholland J: C Lever
  2. Silent Ace (NZ) (b/br G 4 Ace High (AUS) - Soleil Dore (NZ))
  3. Powderfinger (AUS) (gr/b M 6 Caravaggio (USA) - Count Your Fingers (AUS))

Margins: 0.8 lens, 1.2 lens. Time: 1:23.18 (last 600m)

R7: Narromine USMC (Bm66), $27,000, 1600m

  1. Dawn County (NZ) ( G 0 Alamosa (NZ) - Dawn Ghost (NZ)
    T: M D Griffith J: Jacob Stiff
  2. Hibiki Harmony (AUS) (ch M 4 Showtime (AUS) - Karakuchi (AUS))
  3. Blue Guitar (AUS) (br G 7 Shamus Award (AUS) - Blue Booty (AUS))

Margins: 2.4 lens, 1.7 lens. Time: 1:42.23 (last 600m)

Pioneer Park NT Good
Show

Pioneer Park NT Good

R1: Vale Leanne Hartley Hcp (58), $21,000, 1200m

  1. Sheer Reward (AUS) (b G 6 Reward for Effort (AUS) - Vachere (AUS)
    T: Barry Cooke J: Jade Doyle
  2. No Cash Here (AUS) (br G 5 Heroic Valour (AUS) - Arundel (AUS))
  3. Blown Away (AUS) (b G 5 All Too Hard (AUS) - Cyclone Choux (NZ))

Margins: 0.5 lens, 0.8 lens. Time: 1:9.5 (last 600m 35.26)

R2: Red Centre Racing Awards 11th Oct Hcp (58), $21,000, 1200m

  1. Incivility (AUS) (b G 6 Charge Forward (AUS) - Asset Class (AUS)
    T: Lisa Whittle J: Ms S Logan
  2. Game Cove (AUS) (b G 7 Outreach (AUS) - Olive Com (AUS))
  3. Murrajong Road (NZ) (br G 7 Sweynesse (AUS) - Eleesha (AUS))

Margins: 0.5 lens, 0.5 lens. Time: 1:10.40 (last 600m 35.40)

R3: Ladbrokes Follow The Experts Hcp (C2), $21,000, 1000m

  1. Mougenot (AUS) (br G 4 I Am Invincible (AUS) - Petrelle (AUS)
    T: Ray Viney J: Ianish Luximon
  2. King Bling (AUS) (b G 4 Super Seth (AUS) - Miss Bling (NZ))
  3. Only the Best (AUS) (b G 5 Exceed and Excel (AUS) - Faith's Encore (AUS))

Margins: 1.5 lens, 1.8 lens. Time: 0:57.47 (last 600m 33.62)

R4: Young Guns Nov 1st Hcp (70), $22,300, 1000m

  1. Boy Big (AUS) (b G 8 Vancouver (AUS) - Anatole (USA)
    T: Greg Connor J: Lek Maloney
  2. Quanapirri Bay (AUS) (b G 6 Rubick (AUS) - Dubai Fortress (AUS))
  3. Bold Tropic (AUS) (ch G 8 Zoustar (AUS) - Queen Of The Falls (AUS))

Margins: 2 lens, 0.1 lens. Time: 0:57.73 (last 600m 33.44)

R5: Derby Day Nov 1st (Bm54), $21,000, 1400m

  1. The Big Freeze (AUS) (b/br G 6 Pride of Dubai (AUS) - Just Add Water (AUS)
    T: C Hunter J: Jade Doyle
  2. Valley Prince (AUS) (b G 8 Dissident (AUS) - Vintage Valley (AUS))
  3. Becquerel (AUS) (b G 5 The Autumn Sun (AUS) - Solar Girl (AUS))

Margins: 3.8 lens, 5.8 lens. Time: 1:25.23 (last 600m 36.30)

R6: The Women In Racing Luncheon 24th Oct Hcp, $25,500, 1400m

  1. Altar Boy (AUS) (b G 6 The Mission (AUS) - Julia's Music (USA)
    T: P A Gardner J: P Denton
  2. Kieffer (AUS) (b G 6 Mawingo (GER) - New Vision (AUS))
  3. Flying Start (AUS) (b G 7 Flying Artie (AUS) - Members Joy (AUS))

Margins: 2.5 lens, 0.9 lens. Time: 1:23.34 (last 600m 36.36)

Warrnambool VIC Soft(5)
Show

Warrnambool VIC Soft(5)

R1: Southwest Equine Veterinary Group Mdn Plate, $32,000, 2350m

  1. Tee Eight (NZ) (b/br G 4 Embellish (NZ) - Ocean Storm (NZ)
    T: A & J Williams J: W Gordon
  2. Wet 'n' Dry (AUS) (ch G 6 Fiorente (IRE) - Thinking Belle (AUS))
  3. Irlandais (AUS) (b/br G 6 Shamus Award (AUS) - Princess Paris (AUS))

R2: Matthews Petroleum Mdn Plate, $32,000, 1000m

  1. Nightime Star (AUS) (b/br F 3 Star Turn (AUS) - Buona Sera (AUS)
    T: Tom Dabernig J: Ms L J Meech
  2. Smashing Lad (AUS) (gr C 3 Brave Smash (JPN) - Lady Enid (AUS))
  3. Bella Angelica (AUS) (b/br F 3 Harry Angel (IRE) - All Over Casanova (AUS))

Margins: 0.5 lens, 0.5 lens. Time: 0:58.84 (last 600m)

R3: Cassign Mdn Plate, $32,000, 1200m

  1. Savitri (AUS) (b F 3 So You Think (NZ) - Revolutionary Girl (AUS)
    T: Mitchell Freedman J: D Yendall
  2. Magnetic Chess (AUS) (br G 3 Magnus (AUS) - Saving Grace (AUS))
  3. Racey Casey (AUS) (b M 4 Toronado (IRE) - Maie Casey (GB))

Margins: 2.5 lens, 0.2 lens. Time: 1:12.14 (last 600m)

R4: Luke Williams Real Estate Mdn Plate, $32,000, 2000m

  1. Crack A Deel (AUS) (b C 3 Dundeel (NZ) - Mother's Mercy (AUS)
    T: Henry Dwyer J: John Allen
  2. Nicoffhome (AUS) (br G 5 Niconoise (AUS) - Noplacelikehome (AUS))
  3. The Smash Factor (AUS) (b G 4 Grunt (NZ) - Ininthree (NZ))

Margins: 4.3 lens, 0.7 lens. Time: 2:05.71 (last 600m)

R5: Fabriweld Constructions (Bm62), $27,000, 1700m

  1. Male Model (AUS) (b G 6 Inference (AUS) - Carcassonne (AUS)
    T: John Thom J: C Atkinson
  2. Rasp (AUS) (b G 4 Street Boss (USA) - Manicure (AUS))
  3. Chairman (NZ) (b G 6 Charm Spirit (IRE) - Diplomacy (NZ))

Margins: 0.5 lens, 0.1 lens. Time: 1:44.29 (last 600m)

R6: McCarthy Trailer Screens (Bm56), $22,000, 1400m

  1. Hide Your Assets (AUS) (br M 4 Supido (AUS) - In Hiding (AUS)
    T: Shane Nichols & Hayden Black J: Lachlan Neindorf
  2. Inherently (AUS) (b G 5 Sheer Talent (AUS) - Legacy (AUS))
  3. Divine Turf (AUS) (br M 5 Turffontein (AUS) - Divine Rubi (AUS))

Margins: 0.8 lens, 0.1 lens. Time: 1:24.86 (last 600m)

R7: Cri-Tech Plumbing (Bm56), $22,000, 1000m

  1. Flip the Switch (AUS) (ch M 6 Thronum (AUS) - Role Reversal (GB)
    T: Brooke Verwey-Mitchell J: Liam Riordan
  2. Missed the Mark (AUS) (b G 8 Dedline (AUS) - Miss Remarkable (AUS))
  3. Exciting Times (AUS) (br M 6 King's Troop (AUS) - Belle Times (AUS))

R8: TAB We’re On (Bm56), $22,000, 1200m

  1. Billie Bronx (AUS) (b/br M 6 Manhattan Rain (AUS) - Gauss (AUS)
    T: Tom Dabernig J: Jade Smith
  2. Artpark (AUS) (br M 5 Artie Schiller (USA) - Oak Park Victoria (AUS))
  3. Alpinova (AUS) (bl M 6 Alpine Eagle (AUS) - Novasaurus (AUS))

Margins: 3.3 lens, 1 lens. Time: 1:10.84 (last 600m)

Leading Sires

Data supplied by Arion pedigrees

Australia

Leading Broodmare Sires by

1 Fastnet Rock (AUS) 2001 - 2005 Danehill - Piccadilly Circus 302 51 56 2(2) $3,785,415 Joliestar - 582,000
2 Redoute's Choice (AUS) 1996 - 2000 Danehill - Shantha's Choice 261 46 53 4(4) $2,690,193 Sixties - 206,350
3 Encosta de Lago (AUS) 1993 - 1997 Fairy King - Shoal Creek 247 54 59 0(0) $2,646,849 Fangirl - 618,750
4 Street Cry (IRE) 1998 - 2003 Machiavellian - Helen Street 127 35 42 2(2) $2,631,853 Treasurethe Moment - 454,400
5 Snitzel (AUS) 2002 - 2006 Redoute's Choice - Snippets' Lass 247 44 50 1(1) $2,387,823 Fully Lit - 139,300
6 Exceed and Excel (AUS) 2000 - 2004 Danehill - Patrona 212 50 54 3(3) $2,326,607 Arkansaw Kid - 252,445
7 More Than Ready (USA) 1997 - 2001 Southern Halo - Woodman's Girl 237 43 51 2(2) $2,196,052 Rabtat - 135,250
8 Not a Single Doubt (AUS) 2001 - 2005 Redoute's Choice - Singles Bar 150 33 34 3(3) $2,012,594 Headwall - 581,000
9 High Chaparral (IRE) 1999 - 2004 Sadler's Wells - Kasora 147 27 33 2(3) $1,975,353 Desert Lightning - 186,500
10 O'Reilly (NZ) 1993 - 1997 Last Tycoon - Courtza 151 28 34 0(0) $1,617,731 The Right Way - 107,000
11 Galileo (IRE) 1998 - 2002 Sadler's Wells - Urban Sea 69 11 11 1(1) $1,547,290 Via Sistina - 652,500
12 Commands (AUS) 1996 - 2000 Danehill - Cotehele House 158 26 30 0(0) $1,469,228 Alabama Lass - 135,000
13 Casino Prince (AUS) 2003 - 2008 Flying Spur - Lady Capel 55 14 18 1(1) $1,423,470 Sepals - 687,400
14 Shamardal (USA) 2002 - 2005 Giant's Causeway - Helsinki 73 18 22 2(2) $1,355,925 Private Eye - 280,500
15 Lonhro (AUS) 1998 - 2004 Octagonal - Shadea 200 30 32 0(0) $1,318,360 Chateau Eze - 49,100
16 Sebring (AUS) 2005 - 2009 More Than Ready - Purespeed 154 27 33 0(0) $1,289,688 Wannabe Brutal - 96,700
17 I Am Invincible (AUS) 2004 - 2010 Invincible Spirit - Cannarelle 125 30 34 1(1) $1,272,401 Grand Prairie - 212,675
18 Zabeel (NZ) 1986 - 1991 Sir Tristram - Lady Giselle 115 22 25 1(1) $1,182,485 Revelare - 270,110
19 Medaglia d'Oro (USA) 1999 - 2005 El Prado - Cappucino Bay 70 18 23 1(2) $1,144,544 Apocalyptic - 344,000
20 Savabeel (AUS) 2001 - 2005 Zabeel - Savannah Success 101 17 23 1(1) $1,129,453 Saltcoats - 237,500

New Zealand

Leading Broodmare Sires by

1 O'Reilly (NZ) 1993 - 1997 Last Tycoon - Courtza 82 15 19 0(0) $634,435 The Bambino - 79,500
2 High Chaparral (IRE) 1999 - 2004 Sadler's Wells - Kasora 46 10 10 1(1) $599,815 Quintessa - 230,000
3 Pentire (GB) 1992 - 1997 Be My Guest - Gull Nook 26 7 9 0(0) $348,530 Captains Run - 138,125
4 Zabeel (NZ) 1986 - 1991 Sir Tristram - Lady Giselle 49 12 12 0(0) $316,655 Tobias - 33,750
5 Keeper (AUS) 1997 - 2002 Danehill - Nuwirah 41 9 9 1(1) $315,090 Sterling Express - 106,250
6 Redoute's Choice (AUS) 1996 - 2000 Danehill - Shantha's Choice 27 9 10 0(0) $240,745 Lhasa - 46,250
7 Showcasing (GB) 2007 - 2011 Oasis Dream - Arabesque 10 5 5 1(1) $239,640 Lollapalooza - 121,400
8 Per Incanto (USA) 2004 - 2011 Street Cry - Pappa Reale 20 7 8 0(0) $221,805 Cosentino - 58,750
9 More Than Ready (USA) 1997 - 2001 Southern Halo - Woodman's Girl 24 4 5 0(0) $221,090 Chantilly Lace - 61,250
10 Van Nistelrooy (USA) 2000 - 2003 Storm Cat - Halory 6 2 3 0(0) $207,230 Jesko - 181,350
11 Al Akbar (AUS) 1990 - 1995 Success Express - Gala Night 11 2 3 0(0) $204,990 Taika - 89,990
12 Darci Brahma (NZ) 2002 - 2007 Danehill - Grand Echezeaux 34 8 8 0(0) $202,810 Spencer - 34,600
13 Thorn Park (AUS) 1999 - 2004 Spinning World - Joy 22 6 6 1(1) $190,905 Platinum Diamond - 46,000
14 Stravinsky (USA) 1996 - 2000 Nureyev - Fire the Groom 24 4 5 0(0) $184,460 Above the Clouds - 57,500
15 Savabeel (AUS) 2001 - 2005 Zabeel - Savannah Success 53 8 8 0(0) $180,390 Sacred Rose - 20,125
16 Don Eduardo (NZ) 1998 - 2003 Zabeel - Diamond Lover 17 4 5 0(0) $177,895 Nedwin - 66,625
17 Pins (AUS) 1996 - 2000 Snippets - No Finer 52 3 3 0(0) $163,360 Cannon Hill - 13,900
18 Fastnet Rock (AUS) 2001 - 2005 Danehill - Piccadilly Circus 25 7 7 0(0) $162,990 Belle du Monde - 24,200
19 Rip Van Winkle (IRE) 2006 - 2011 Galileo - Looking Back 22 6 7 0(0) $160,160 Im Bartholomew - 32,520
20 Sakhee's Secret (GB) 2004 - 2009 Sakhee - Palace Street 4 1 2 1(2) $152,145 Tajana - 143,750
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