Second for Grunt

Yulong Stud’s Grunt (O’Reilly) sired his second Group 1 winner when Strictly Business (3 f ex Tivoli Lass by Uncle Mo) took out Thursday’s Victoria Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) at Flemington for Thomas Carberry and John Allen. Bred in Victoria by Martin Falvey, the filly is out of the winning mare Tivoli Lass (Uncle Mo), who has also produced the stakes-placed winner Kicking King (Highland Reel) and was purchased via Inglis Digital for just $600. Grunt stands at Yulong in Victoria for $19,800 (inc GST).

26 for Blue Point

Ex-Darley shuttler Blue Point (Shamardal) sired his 26th individual and third southern hemisphere-bred stakes winner when Point Barrow (3 f ex Take Pride by Reward for Effort) scored a scintillating victory in Thursday’s Red Roses Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Flemington. Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse for Anthony and Sam Freedman, the filly settled toward the rear of the 16-runner field, before coming wide on the straight track and unleashing an impressive turn of foot to score by 1.25 lengths over stablemate Inkaruna (I Am Invincible). Peter Snowden’s Miss Freelove (Tassort) finished a further 1.25 lengths behind in third. Bred by Morning Rise Stud’s Robert and Barbara McClure with Yarraman Park, the filly was a $400,000 buy for Anthony Freedman Racing from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Million Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Point Barrow is the second foal and first stakes winner out of MVRC Champagne Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) winner Take Pride (Reward For Effort), and hails from the family of five-time Group 1-winner Mummify (Jeune). Blue Point, who did not shuttle to Darley Australia for the 2025 breeding season, will stand the upcoming northern hemisphere breeding season at Kildangan Stud in Ireland for an unchanged fee of €100,000 (approx. AU$176,860).

Point Barrow delights connections with thrilling Red Roses win

Anthony and Sam Freedman were delighted with Point Barrow after she delivered a thrilling victory in the Red Roses Stakes at Flemington on Thursday.

"She's shown herself to have a nice change-up speed anyway, but she's still doing a bit wrong," Sam Freedman said.

"She got a bit keen in the early stages, that's part of the reason we came today rather than throwing her in the deep end in a race like the Coolmore. She was dominant in the end, and once she works out her craft, she's going to be a pretty special filly hopefully."

Freedman said it was pleasing to win a nice race in the McKenna family colours and for Janice McKenna, who was on course. Only 12 months earlier, McKenna had lost her husband Colin to brain cancer, which resulted in a number of the stock they raced together being put up for sale.

One of the horses the couple bred was Half Yours, who stormed to victory in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

"It's really special, Janice is here today," Freedman said. "She hasn't been to the races so far this preparation. We had a chat this morning, and she was keen to come out here, and that's quite emotional. I'm sure he was looking over really proud of what the filly's done."

Colin McKenna was a mentor for champion trainer Ciaron Maher who was on hand to congratulate Janice McKenna after the victory.

"What a horse trainer Sam Freedman is," McKenna said. "Colin was there when we bought her and Ciaron Maher came up to congratulate us as did Calvin McEvoy and you have to remember there was no more popular person than Colin was. It's all special to us and he will be smiling down on us."

Freedman said Point Barrow was likely to be turned out for a spell, but would hold off on that decision until he sees how the filly recovers.

"She's been in for a little while, and she's taken every step forward. She came back from an injury to do this, this preparation, so I'd be inclined to go to the paddock and look towards a race like the [Robert] Sangster in the autumn,” he said.

Ten for Rich Enuff

Woodside Park Stud sire Rich Enuff (Written Tycoon) sired his tenth individual stakes winner when the Patrick Ryan-trained Stokke (5 m ex Springalon by Lonhro) took out the Century Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at Flemington on Thursday. Bred and raced by Salter Pastoral, Stokke is the third foal and first stakes winner out of Springalon (Lonhro), a winner of one of her 12 starts, who was also trained by Ryan and owned by the Salters. Rich Enuff stands at Woodside Park Stud in Tylden for an unchanged fee of $13,200 (inc GST) this season.

Stokke delivers for confident Ryan

Trainer Patrick Ryan had always had faith in his mare Stokke heading into Thursday’s Century Stakes, believing the straight track at Flemington would be perfect for the five-year-old. Ridden by Damian Lane, the mare held on to win by 0.3 lengths over Major Share (Overshare), with Rey Magnerio (Magnus) a further 0.7 lengths behind in third. "She's always struggled going around corners, so we couldn't wait to get her up the straight. She's got a beautiful galloping action, but often rushes it around the bend and gets on the wrong leg," Ryan said. "So we were quietly confident that she'd excel up the straight, but you never know when you've got horses like Rey Magnerio and those sort of proper Group quality horses she's got to take a proper step to beat them.”

Apulia strikes in Chester Manifold Stakes

After 11 months off the track, Lindsay Park’s Apulia (5 h Fiorente – Giannarelli by High Chaparral) made it two wins from as many starts this preparation when the entire gamely landed the Chester Manifold Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at Flemington on Thursday. Trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, Apulia won the Moonee Valley Vase (Gr 2, 2040m) and placed in the Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) at three but was sidelined after two placings last spring. Second up on Thursday after taking out the VOBIS Gold Star (1496m) at The Valley on October 24, the now five-year-old produced a strong finishing kick under Michael Dee to claim the Listed contest by 0.3 lengths over Detonator Jack (Jakkalberry), with Poison Chalice (Savabeel) another 0.7 lengths back in third. “He’s been a fantastic horse for our family and [co-owners] the Garrett’s, they’ve been great supporters so it’s a great result for everyone,” Ben Hayes said. Apulia looks set to head west this summer, holding a nomination for next month’s Northerly Stakes (Gr 1, 1800m) with connections also considering the $1 million Perth Cup (Gr 2, 2400m) in January. “It's always been an idea to send him up that way,” Hayes said. “Winning today definitely helps. Maybe we can head up to Perth, but it all depends on flights and how we can get in there. But he's an exciting horse. He only got beaten a small margin in a Derby a couple of years ago, and we've had to be very patient. So, it's just so exciting to get him back and race him well.”

Verona Rose shines in Inglis Bracelet

Quality mare Verona Rose (Castelvecchio) added another feature win to her record with a determined performance in the $350,000 VRC Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at Flemington on Thursday. Trained by Gary Portelli and ridden by Craig Williams, the Group 3-winning four-year-old enjoyed a perfect run in transit before forging clear at the 200-metre mark. She proved too strong to the line, fending off Sweltering (Too Darn Hot) by 0.75 lengths. Keep You Cool (Deep Field) finished a further 0.4 lengths away in third. A $40,000 Inglis Classic purchase from breeders Arrowfield Stud, Verona Rose has now won four of her 11 starts and more than $500,000 in prize-money for her large ownership group. “She showed that she's got the potential to be a good mare, and today, whilst this wasn't a Group race, there were some pretty handy mares in the race,” Portelli said. "She cost the owners $40,000 and we bought her the Classic Sale. I said to them, I think we've got an Oaks filly here, so let's not touch her at two and give her every opportunity to furnish. We did have a crack at the ATC Oaks, and she probably wasn't ready, but she might make a nice stayer for us next season."

Spicer savours Flemington success with First Chorus

Syndicator Brad Spicer knows the value of a winner during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and was quick to savour First Chorus’s (Ghibellines) strong victory in the opening Benchmark 70
(1700m) at Flemington on Thursday. The four-year-old filly powered away from her opposition to score by 1.5 lengths, recording her third victory from seven starts. Spicer said he and trainer Lindsey Smith had pinpointed the race a month ago. “It’s good to execute it,” he said. “Jamie Mott deserves all the accolades – he got across from an outside gate, one out and two back, and had no worries in the run.” Smith added: “The speed was on and Jamie did slot in, it was a great ride. I told him before the race if he won it, it would be a great ride and take all the accolades, but it wasn’t a bad training effort either! No doubt she’ll get to 2000 metres at some stage. Maybe this time next year, she might be in a Matriarch or something like that.” There was added meaning behind the success, with Spicer revealing a share in First Chorus had been donated to the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation and auctioned to benefit the Les Twentyman Foundation. “It’s a nice story with the connection to the late youth worker Les Twentyman, who was a great man and we all got to know him through his charity work,” Spicer said. “We were all close to Les and God bless him.”

AFL stars cheer home Getafix in greys contest

The red and white colours were flying at Flemington on Thursday after Sydney Swans forward Tom Papley and former teammate Patrick McCartin celebrated Getafix’s (Caylx) victory in the Subzero Handicap (1400m). Papley, a noted racing enthusiast, and McCartin, who retired from football in 2023 due to concussion issues, share in the ownership of the grey gelding, trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton. Third-up for the campaign, Getafix benefitted from a perfectly judged, ground-saving ride by James McDonald to defeat Statuario (D’Argento) by 0.8 lengths. Fellow part-owner and Racing.com producer Nick Lovett was on course to soak up the moment. "It's a massive buzz, just such a buzz having a winner in Cup Week," Lovett said. "It's so competitive, we had a runner earlier on in the Coolmore and had no luck and it can just happen that way. Somedays, you get luck and that happens. He's been such a lovely horse and probably those first two runs up there [in Sydney] didn't do him justice. It's fantastic to see him do justice today."

Weatherley proud as Pier takes on Australia’s best

Co-trainer Darryn Weatherley will experience one of his proudest moments when Pier (Proisir) lines up in Saturday’s Champions Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Flemington. The gelding, who Weatherley co-bred, co-owns and trains with daughter Briar, has enjoyed a rewarding Australian campaign since resuming earlier this year. A Group 1 winner at three, Pier followed a New Zealand Listed placing in April with strong Queensland and Sydney form, including victory in the Wayne Wilson (Listed, 1600m) and a third in the King Charles III Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) on Everest Day. “It was a huge run last start,” Weatherley said. “There were some pretty good horses behind him and he fought like a tiger. His trip to Melbourne has been good and I think he has improved further from Sydney.” Regarding Saturday’s race, Weatherley said: “You’ve got a dual Cox Plate winner in Via Sistina, but I really believe he deserves his spot, and she will know he is there. He is racing against the best of the best. I am proud of the horse who has put me in this position and it’s good to be here.” Pier is set to be ridden by Ethan Brown from barrier six, and is rated a $12 chance, with Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) heading the market at $1.70.

Price to test Zambardo against elite company

Mick Price is set to challenge his in-form four-year-old Zambardo (Belardo) against top-class opposition in the final run of the horse’s campaign in Saturday’s $3 million Champions Stakes. Price bypassed a Benchmark 90 race on Oaks Day, where Zambardo was favourite, in favour of the 2000-metre clash with the 11-time Group 1 winner Via Sistina. "I think we can go back to a Benchmark 90 race any time," Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, said. "It's run number six for him this prep – he's had a very good prep – and I just wanted to try him in that race as I want better horses in front of him. We'll ride him cold and let him finish off. I would think, on all facts and figures, he's entitled to his long odds, but if he did run a place and get his rating up it sort of sets him up for the autumn to run in some better races. I think he is a nice horse, so I thought I'd make his last run 'chips in'." Zambardo heads into the Champions Stakes off a Benchmark 78 win over 2000 metres at Caulfield. Under the weight-for-age conditions, he gives 1.5 kilograms to Via Sistina, who will line up off a second consecutive Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) triumph. Zambardo will start inside the champion mare in gate nine, with Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jamie Melham set to ride. Price said the draw gives his other runner, Golden Path (Belardo), a chance to run to his best after a second in the Crystal Mile (Gr 2, 1600m). "He's proven he's not good enough [at this level] most times, but he's fit, well and drawn a good gate [4], so he'll do his best and it'll be what it'll be," the trainer added.

Rain concern for Tentyris camp ahead of Champions Sprint

Co-trainer Sam Freedman said the stable would assess conditions at Flemington before confirming whether Tentyris (Street Boss) will bid to become the first three-year-old to complete the Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m)–VRC Champions Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m). “He should have a good race in him on Saturday,” Freedman told Racing.com. “If it got too heavy, we would have a good chat about it. If it’s a Good 4 we will be fronting up. Rain would be the only deterrent.” Tentyris, who produced an explosive performance to win last weekend’s Coolmore Stud Stakes, has enjoyed a quiet week at home. “He’s fit; he’s not going to get any fitter. He’s in good order,” Freedman said. “We’ve just trotted and cantered and kept his routine simple. Three-year-old colts who are very fit and firing bounce out of their runs very well.” The colt faces a different race shape in open company, with limited early speed expected. “It’s a different style of race – he’d like something in front of him, and our other horse Tropicus looks the only leader,” Freedman said. Tropicus (Too Darn Hot) lines up after a runner-up finish to Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in the Schillaci Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) at Caulfield last start. “He’s going super,” Freedman said. “He wouldn’t mind a bit of rain – if that came, he’d give a good sight.”

Widdup takes Group 1 gamble with Jedibeel

Brad Widdup will roll the dice at Flemington on Saturday when consistent sprinter Jedibeel (Savabeel) lines up in the VRC Champions Sprint on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The six-year-old will make his first Victorian appearance in a 25-start career that has already produced two stakes victories, the Razor Sharp Stakes (Listed, 1200m) last December and the Challenge Stakes (Gr 2, 1000m) in March, both at Randwick. Jedibeel has since contested three Group 1 sprints without featuring, his most recent effort coming in The Everest (Gr 1, 1200m) at Randwick on October 18, where he beat only one rival home. While results haven’t gone his way this campaign, Widdup remains upbeat about the gelding’s condition and prospects. "He has been really good all preparation," the trainer said. "I had to scratch him from his first [scheduled] run but since then he's been good. He ran great in The Everest, but last Saturday, he just drew awkwardly in the big field, and I didn't want to give him a waste of a run. He gets a trip away to Melbourne now and we'll see what happens." Widdup said Jedibeel had done plenty of work in the clockwise direction at home in preparation for his Flemington assignment, though acknowledged that racing down the famous straight would present a fresh challenge. "It should suit him," the trainer said. "He has worked the Victorian way quite a bit, but up the straight it is a bit different again. However he should be able to stalk them and if he can get out late, I'm sure he'll run on strongly."

Charlton confident Snow In May can bounce back

Tom Charlton is confident he will see a truer version of Snow In May (The Autumn Sun) when she lines up in Saturday’s Hot Danish Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Rosehill. The Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) placegetter was luckless in the Silver Eagle (1300m) last start but had shown her quality earlier this preparation with strong efforts in the Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) and the Golden Pendant (Gr 2, 1400m). “Her run in the Silver Eagle, you can probably put a line through it when she got caught four-deep,” Charlton, who trains the mare in partnership with John O’Shea, said. “Her run before that had a bit more merit and she is back to mares' company now. It's still a hard ask but on her best form she is capable of being very competitive.”

The Next Episode to debut in Golden Gift

Regally bred colt The Next Episode (Snitzel) will get the chance to justify his lofty valuation when he debuts in the $1 million Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

By champion sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) out of multiple stakes-winning mare Humma Humma (Denman), The Next Episode was purchased for $2.8 million by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, briefly holding the record sale price for a Magic Millions yearling before a Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) filly out of Sunlight (Zoustar) surpassed it a day later at $3.2 million.

The Next Episode has shown encouraging signs ahead of his first start, producing a sharp turn of foot to win his most recent 900-metre barrier trial at Rosehill.

Maher’s assistant trainer Jo Gerard-Dubord said the effort reflected what the youngster had been demonstrating behind the scenes.

"He started his preparation in Victoria, had a jump-out down there and they thought he was good enough to be sent up here," Gerard-Dubord said. "He trialled at Rosehill and quickened very well. He was still a bit new when he got to the front but he's a lovely horse.
He's got a great attitude and he is very competitive. In his work, he likes to win. A lot of the Snitzels are like that."

Maher will also saddle Artemex (Exceed And Excel) and Spicy Miss (Trapeze Artist) in the Golden Gift, both graduates of the same Gold Coast sale as The Next Episode but far cheaper at $120,000 and $150,000 respectively.

Gerard-Dubord said each youngster had earned their place in the line-up and that there was little between them.

"I'd like to say The Next Episode is [the number one hope] because he's the expensive one, but you can make a case for all three," she said.

"They're very different kinds of horses. Artemex is very laidback and Spicy Miss, there is still more to come. She's a filly who will keep getting better as she matures but she has got a lot of talent, a beautiful attitude and a big action. [The Next Episode] is a horse who will put himself on speed. He's very competitive, he relaxes very well and he's got a very good temperament."

Cousins chases career highlight with The Inflictor

Queensland hobby trainer Craig Cousins is feeling the nerves ahead of The Inflictor’s (Under The Louvre) shot at the $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill on Saturday, and he’s taking that as a good sign. "I'm excited, and normally if I'm excited and get a bit nervous, he always races well," Cousins said. A truck driver by day, Cousins trains three horses from the backyard of his 90-year-old mother’s Brisbane home. While delivering firewood and particle board to cabinet makers and shopfitters pays the bills, The Inflictor has helped, having earned over $700,000 in prize-money from 29 starts, including victory in the Tattersall’s Mile (Listed, 1600m) at Eagle Farm in June, before finishing third in the Prelude (1500m) at Randwick last start. "I've got to be honest, the main target was the race the other day, but when he raced so well, we had the option of going to this race," Cousins said. "That was the greatest racing day of my life the other day. You would have thought I'd won. To have a horse race at Randwick and run well was unbelievable." The Inflictor will step beyond 1600 metres for the first time, but Cousins has taken confidence from Alysha Collett, who again takes the ride. "I said to Alysha, 'I'm a bit worried about the 1800'. She said, 'Craig, I know the horse now and I'll ride him to run the 1800' so that was good," he said. "He's coming here in good form and he has done very well since his last run. If he runs top three Saturday, I'll be a very happy man.”

Doudle hopeful for Snow Patrol debut

Travis Doudle is confident he can revive the career of former Group 1 contender Snow Patrol (Contributer), who makes his debut for the stable in the opening race at Morphettville Parks on Saturday. Doudle secured the five-year-old for $9,000 via Inglis Digital last month, aware the Autumn Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) winner carries some soundness issues. The son of Contributer (High Chaparral) returned from more than 12 months off when unplaced for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr in last month’s Weekend Hussler Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Caulfield, after which he was offered for sale online. "There's no such thing as a cheap horse but if it turns out that we can get him fit and healthy and he brings anywhere near his best form back to South Australia, it's going to be an absolute steal," Doudle said. "He's got a few little issues and we've got to work through those but this looks a nice little starter for him on Saturday and we can just give him a cruise around there. On his work and everything that he's done since arriving, there's nothing to suggest that he won't run a big race. He'd love a little bit of cushion in the track and we've had a little bit of rain in recent days so hopefully that sticks around and the track doesn't dry out too much. But we'll learn a lot more about him on Saturday." Snow Patrol will be ridden by three-kilogram claiming apprentice Caitlin Tootell in the Benchmark 86 handicap.

Half Yours set for a spell

After a year that began in Benchmark 64 grade and ended with Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) and Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) glory, star stayer Half Yours (St Jean) is set for a well-earned break. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding has come through his Melbourne Cup triumph in great order, but connections will resist the temptation to bring him back early in the new year. “The autumn’s going to be very quiet for him,” Tony McEvoy told Racing.com. “We’ve had him in all year; to think we can get him back in the autumn’s probably unfair. We haven’t made a decision, but we’ll probably go back to Queensland – there’s a race up there called the Q22 or the Doomben Cup – and then probably target a Cox Plate, which can still open up the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. First thing we want to do is get the horse to a paddock, just reward him for what he’s done for us.” Half Yours has enjoyed a breakout year, winning six of his ten starts and emerging as one of Australia’s premier stayers. He is rated a $15 chance in Sportsbet’s 2026 Cox Plate market and sits as the $11 favourite to defend his Melbourne Cup crown.

Zardozi retired

Star mare Zardozi’s (Kingman) stellar racing career has come to an end with Godolphin announcing the retirement of the 2023 VRC Oaks winner. The Kingman (Invincible Spirit) mare enjoyed a strong record at the top level, including placings in the Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) and Vinery Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m), as well as finishing third in the Metropolitan (Gr 1, 2400m) and Australian Cup (Gr 1, 2000m), and fourth in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup. Zardozi’s final campaign proved more challenging, with her last start in the Caulfield Cup yielding a tenth placing, beaten five lengths. She retires as the winner of six of her 29 starts, earning over $2.6 million in prize-money in the process.

Te Akau quartet chase back-to-back Guineas crowns

Te Akau Racing will launch a four-strong assault on Saturday’s New Zealand 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) as they look to defend the title won last year by Captured By Love (Written Tycoon). Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will be represented in the Guineas by Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel), Belle Du Monde (Zoustar), Origin Of Love (Snitzel), and Belle Cheval (Savabeel). Meanwhile, Captured By Love will bid to recapture her form when she lines up in the Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) on the Riccarton undercard, but will have to overcome the outside gate in a field of 14 under Opie Bosson. “The barrier draw is a shocker, but hopefully Opie can sort that out and he knows her really well,” Bergerson said. “At set weights and penalties it suits her as a Group 1 winner, and this is a good option going left-handed.” The stable’s southern trio have completed their preparations from Te Akau’s Riccarton base, while Bosson’s mount Belle Cheval lines up off a smart Ellerslie maiden win. “The fillies down there have a massive advantage, but the northern form is still the benchmark,” Bergerson said. “Belle Cheval is lightly raced and has to take the next step, but we do think she’s very talented and the mile will suit. Her sectionals the other day were off the chart, and I think she’s the top seed, but in saying that the other fillies are settled down there and it’s been straight forward getting them through to Saturday.” Origin Of Love won the War Decree Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) last start, while Cool Aza Rene claimed the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m), in which Belle Du Monde was fourth. “They are an interesting quartet, but it is going to be hard to beat Stephen Marsh’s filly [Well Written],” Bergerson said.

Wynyard targets stakes success after Sweet Talkin Gal breakthrough

Hollie Wynyard enjoyed the ideal start to New Zealand Cup Week preparations when promising filly Sweet Talkin Gal (Anders) broke through at New Plymouth on Wednesday, setting the tone ahead of Archaic Smile’s (Saxon Warrior) run in the Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes. The daughter of Anders (Not A Single Doubt), who had placed in all three of her previous starts, including behind 1,000 Guineas contender Belle Cheval, justified $1.60 favouritism under Jasmine Fawcett to score by 0.4 lengths over Arthur (Camelot) in the 1400-metre maiden. “It was a really good run, those small fields can be a bit niggly and almost harder to win but she’s done it well,” Wynyard said. “She took almost the length of the straight to do it and had me half-terrified, but she got there in the end. It’s massive to tick that maiden off as a three-year-old. She’s a real mile to 2000-metre horse, an Oaks filly in the making I hope.” Regarding the chances of Archaic Smile on the weekend, Wynyard said:
“The season hasn’t mapped out great for her so far…but I think she’s finally in the right race with the right conditions. She’s drawn 11 so she’ll probably have to go back from the gate and weave a path through them like she does. She’s a really genuine mare with a blistering turn of foot.”

HK: Rubylot aims to pinch Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse

David Hayes is hoping Rubylot (Rubick) can match strides with rising star My Wish (Flying Artie) when the pair clash in Sunday’s Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (Gr 3, 1800m) at Sha Tin. Both five-year-olds were Classic Series winners last season, and while My Wish has stamped his class this campaign with victories in the Celebration Cup (Gr 3, 1400m) and Sha Tin Trophy (Gr 2, 1600m), Rubylot will look to bridge the gap having finished unplaced on both starts this season. “They’ve been good gradual build-up runs,” Hayes said. “He’s got blinkers on for the first time, which I think is a big plus. And he gets a tongue tie – he got his tongue over the bit the other day, so I think you can see massive improvement. Probably his best performance has come over 1800 metres.” Rubylot was a fast-closing second in May’s Champions & Chater Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) behind Triple Crown winner Voyage Bubble (Deep Field). Drawn wide in gate 14, he’s expected to progress to the Jockey Club Cup (Gr 2, 2000m) before targeting either the Hong Kong Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) or Hong Kong Vase (Gr 1, 2400m) next month. “I’m expecting a competitive run. He beat My Wish in the Classic Cup over this distance, so it’s good form,” Hayes added.

US: Raging Torrent Syndicate signs for US$1.3 million Anywho at Keeneland

Multiple Graded-placed performer Anywho (Bolt D’Oro) topped the second session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale on Wednesday when selling to the Raging Torrent Syndicate for US$1.3 million (approx. AU$2 million). The three-time winner was the only seven-figure price of the day, and the first seven-figure horse sold during the session since 2022. Consigned by Grovendale Sales, the five-year-old Anywho was offered in foal to Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway). She was bred by Brookfield Stud out of the stakes-placed Fancy And Flashy (Zensational). Paul Curran, bloodstock and racing manager for Ace Stud, told Bloodhorse: "She's obviously a well-raced filly, the cover and stallion was very popular with us, and we bought a couple this week by Not This Time. He's a phenomenal, phenomenal stallion. He seems to be the real deal, in the sense he's come up from a very small fee to where he's at now at US$250,000, stands a testament to him really." Anywho looks set to visit Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief), who sported Yulong's silks to victory in this year's Metropolitan Handicap (Gr 1, 8f) at Saratoga and will stand his first season at Lane's End next year.

UK: Group 2 winner Aesterius to stand at Bearstone Stud for 2026

Flying Childers Stakes (Gr 2, 5f) winner Aesterius (Mehmas) has been retired from racing and will stand at Bearstone Stud for a fee of £6,500 (approx. AU$13,000) in 2026. Aesterius was the highest-priced colt at the 2024 Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale when selling to Blandford Bloodstock, on behalf of Wathnan Racing, for £380,000. Terry Holdcroft of Bearstone Stud said: “We’re delighted to welcome Aesterius to Bearstone Stud. He’s exactly the type of horse breeders are looking for – early, fast, tough, and by one of the most reliable sources of two-year-old speed in Europe. His race record speaks for itself, and he’s an exciting addition to our roster."

UK: Tattersalls announce managing director and appoint new board members

Tattersalls has announced the appointment of Matt Prior to the role of managing director, with fellow associate directors Harvey Bell and Jason Singh being promoted to the Tattersalls board as sales director and marketing director respectively. Tattersalls Ireland board member Tammy O’Brien will also be joining the main Tattersalls board, while Edmond Mahony will continue in his role as chairman of both Tattersalls and Tattersalls Ireland. The new appointments will take effect from January 1.