Carbery back for Jokers Grin as Winterbottom bid looms

Patrick Carbery says it was bittersweet watching Jokers Grin (Maschino) win without him last start, and the multiple Group 1-winning jockey is eager to reunite with the star sprinter for Saturday’s Winterbottom Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Ascot. Carbery was sidelined by concussion following a fall at Bunbury on November 13, ruling him out of the Colonel Reeves Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) days later. Sean O’Donnell filled in for the victory, the only time Carbery has not ridden Jokers Grin in his 11-start career, which includes a tilt at the $5 million The Quokka (1200m) earlier this year. "I was out for 12 days, and I've had to complete my Cogstate test, which I passed last Thursday," Carbery said. "It's probably no different from any of the other major sports nowadays; it's just the way things are. Sean was able to fill in. He didn't get the keys for long, I got them back pretty quick, but he did a great job and he bounced through the run really well. It was a mix of emotions that I wasn't on, but it was great to see the horse run well and he'd done what we expected. It's not the spot that I want to be in too many times, that's for sure." Carbery will look to deliver his close friend Bernie Miller a maiden Group 1 success from barrier six of 11. The trainer’s stable star has already provided two of his three Group wins. "I was expecting [barrier] 11," Carbery quipped. "It's just a number, you can't control it, so you've just got to work it out. He's drawn middle of the way, so we'll just work it out and show everyone what he can do."

Luana Miss set for landmark Winterbottom bid

Three-year-old filly Luana Miss (Bivouac) has added a fresh layer of intrigue to Saturday’s $1 million Winterbottom Stakes in Perth, and her performance may shape her path toward the elite Melbourne sprints in 2026. Rated a $9 chance on Tuesday, Luana Miss is bidding to become the first filly in 50 years to win the 1200-metre feature, but trainer Trevor Andrews believes her upside extends well beyond history. "I think she could measure up to the Group 1 sprints in Melbourne," Andrews told Racing.com. "She's not overly big but she's got a big motor…I've got horses twice as big, but no motor. She's just really got ability." The Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) filly, who was a $110,000 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale buy, stamped herself as a Winterbottom contender with her latest victory in the Placid Ark Stakes (Listed, 1200m). At weight-for-age on Saturday she carries just 51.5 kilograms, a notable advantage against the likes of dual winner Overpass (Vancouver), who has 59 kilograms. Andrews said her recent run confirmed long-held suspicions about her talent. "It's somewhat adventurous but she couldn't have done any more… She's exempt from the ballot. She's a three-year-old filly in a Group 1 race worth a lot of money, so we dare to dream. She’s got really good point-to-point speed… she hasn't done a lot wrong and may it continue on Saturday. A top-three finish would be really good for her CV and give us plenty to think about in the new year."

Skippers Canyon builds toward Pakenham Cup

Progressive stayer Skippers Canyon (Belardo) will continue his path toward a Pakenham Cup (Listed, 2500m) bid when he steps out over 1800 metres at Caulfield on Saturday, as the Phillip Stokes stable also rolls out a well-related debutant in the Merson Cooper Stakes (Listed, 1000m). Stokes has several runners nominated for the Zipping Classic Day program, with Skippers Canyon aiming to build on his impressive last-to-first Benchmark 74 win over 1700 metres at Caulfield earlier this month, his second victory from three starts since arriving from New Zealand. "It was huge," Stokes told Racing.com of the November 15 win. "He's just got a bit of a habit of stepping slow and Lachy [Lachlan Neindorf] went to Plan B and he couldn't have been any more impressive the way he let down." Stokes is wary of the second-up challenge but pleased with the gelding’s progress ahead of Saturday’s Benchmark 74 contest. "It was probably a bit better than expected first-up…his work this morning was nice and sharp so I feel he's in good order." Logan Bates booked to claim off the 61.5kg. Stablemate Chakado (Toronado) will join him in the race after a strong first-up third at Flemington. "They'll probably be at different ends… he's a bold front-running sort of horse," Stokes said. Meanwhile, two-year-old Stretan Ruler (Wild Ruler), a half-brother to multiple Group 1 placegetter Stretan Angel (Harry Angel), will make his debut in the Merson Cooper after winning jump-outs at Pakenham and Moe. "We like the horse…we’ve thrown him in the deep end a little bit but we feel he can be competitive," Stokes said.

Mertens eyes Zipping Classic after Cranbourne Cup win

Fresh from a Cranbourne Cup Day treble, jockey Beau Mertens is hoping to convert that momentum into another feature success when he heads to Caulfield on Saturday. Mertens captured the Cranbourne Cup (Listed, 1600m) aboard Sabaj (Manhattan Rain) for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and is now the likely rider of Kovalica (Ocean Park) in the Zipping Classic (Gr 2, 2400m). The Chris Waller-trained gelding was given his first look at Caulfield on Tuesday. "He worked nice this morning," Mertens said. "He worked over 1400 [metres], a nice last two [furlongs] on the bridle. I gave him a squeeze at the top of the straight and I thought he went nicely under hand through the line. He seemed to get around Caulfield alright, and he seems in good form. I'm looking forward to Saturday." Mertens said Waller had booked him for two potential runners in the Group 2 but believes Tuesday’s gallop indicates he will partner Kovalica. "I hope it's him because he seems to be going well," Mertens said. Although he doesn’t ride regularly for Waller, Mertens has made the most of recent opportunities, including guiding River Of Stars (Sea The Stars) to second in the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) and fourth in the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m). "I've had a bit of luck with him," Mertens said. "He’s supported me with rides in the Melbourne and Caulfield Cup this year and I've had some success for him. Having three winners on Saturday didn't do any harm and he's got a lot of horses here and in Sydney and any time that you do get on they're usually good, well-prepared and can head to a race and win."

Vestas to trial blinkers at Caulfield

Saturday's Doveton Stakes (Listed, 1100m) looms as an important turning point for talented but temperamental mare Vestas (Toronado), with trainer Clinton McDonald hoping to reignite the form she showed early in her career. The four-year-old burst onto the scene with a powerful debut win at Cranbourne in October 2024, but that remains her only victory from eight starts, all of them at single-figure odds. "She’s got to build our trust back," McDonald told Racing.com of the twice Group 3-placed mare. "She’s a temperamental mare, she’s a bit like Cinderella, she needs everything perfect but in races you don’t always get that." McDonald insists Vestas is presenting well heading into her next assignment. "We can’t fault her condition, her action is good and she’s eating well. She’s not a stable favourite at the moment but all we can do is try new things, we’ve got to try something different with her." That change arrives in the form of blinkers, which will be applied for Saturday’s $175,000 contest. Vestas trialled the gear at Caulfield on Tuesday morning, producing a sharp gallop under regular rider Ben Melham and running her final 400 metres in 23.7 seconds. McDonald knows her racing pattern will always carry risks. "She’s going to lose a lot more than she wins because of her [swooping] racing pattern, she doesn’t like being inside horses." Despite that, he remains confident in her raw ability. "She’s a very good mare on her day, she’s still got to learn how to race."

Bellatrix Star poised for miraculous racetrack return

Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) is set to complete one of the most remarkable comebacks of the season, with the high-class mare expected to resume at Caulfield on Saturday just months after connections feared she would never race again.

The now four-year-old, who fractured her neck in a training accident at Cranbourne in January, will line up in the Doveton Stakes with leading jockey Mark Zahra booked for his first ride on the mare.

It will be her first start in more than a year after last year’s Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) runner-up reared and fell while exiting a pool. Early assessments indicated her career was over and retirement looked inevitable.

Trainer Mark Walker’s assistant, Ben Gleeson, told Racing.com the stable had resigned themselves to losing her from the team before a precautionary x-ray revealed a stunning development.

"We weren't sure if she was ever going to be able to be ridden again, let alone get back to doing everything she is doing currently,” Gleeson said. “We thought we'd take a precautionary x-ray and it basically showed it had all healed, much to our surprise.

“We've been pretty level-headed the whole way through. We've still got no idea whether she’s going to come back the same, but she ran through the line last Thursday in her trial and that gave us enough inclination that she's got plenty of zest.

“It's going to be a tough ask on Saturday – she carries a big weight first-up for over 12 months – but we're hopeful of seeing her resume to a good enough standard to push onto the autumn. She's had a few riders but I'm sure Mark Zahra will suit. She's renowned for being a bit keen and a bit fierce in her races."

Bellatrix Star has won five of her 11 starts, including a stakes hat-trick last spring of the Cap d'Antibes Stakes (Listed, 1100m), Champagne Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) and Schillaci Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m).

Farag bids for historic Jericho Cup double

Farag (Sacred Falls) will attempt to create Jericho Cup (4600m) history at Warrnambool on Sunday as he strives to become the first horse to win the gruelling marathon in consecutive years. Trainer Aaron Purcell is under no illusions about the challenge but believes the defending champion is primed for a bold showing. "No horse has done it before so it would be great for him to achieve that," Purcell said. "It’s obviously very hard to win the race once, let alone twice, but he’s in the right shape to give it a real shot." Farag will again shoulder a topweight of 70 kilos, matching what previous champions Wil John (Reset) (2021) and Ablaze (Raise The Flag) (2019) carried. "The 70kgs is obviously a task over that trip…and he was second topweight last year with 69kgs," Purcell said. "But he knows the track and distance and he’s carried weight before so we’re confident he’ll go well." Purcell is also buoyed by the booking of Will Gordon. "He was obviously good at Geelong last week with the weight…everything suggests that he’s well and should be running well on Sunday." Farag may not be the stable’s only representative, with Purcell awaiting confirmation on whether new arrival The Claimant (Helmet) makes the main field or instead contests the $60,000 consolation over 3450 metres.

Week back-up to suit Rich Minx

Trainer Matt Hoysted is confident the formula that has worked before can work again as Rich Minx (Rich Enuff) backs up quickly into Wednesday’s Great Northern Class 5 Handicap (1100m) at Ipswich. The five-year-old mare has firmed from $2.60 into $2.30 since markets opened on Tuesday, following a strong second at Doomben last week. Rich Minx was beaten only by the promising Moulin Miss (Spirit Of Boom) in that Benchmark 68 after her Gold Coast polytrack win over 1100 metres in October. She again teams up with three-kilo claiming apprentice Jai Williams and has drawn favourably in barrier one. "She was really good last Wednesday but we bumped into a pretty smart one," Hoysted said. "She was used up a bit from the gate but she still gave a good kick and ran well. This is an attractive race and the week turnaround doesn't have any reservations as we did that with her a couple of runs ago when she won at the Gold Coast when she was on a quicker backup. She's thriving at the moment and she's handling her racing well." From the inside draw, Hoysted expects Rich Minx to take advantage of her typical pattern. "We know the gate is important for her so with the rails, hopefully we can get a jump and run as she normally and shouldn't be doing any work early." The Ipswich track was rated a Soft 5 on Tuesday, with hot weather and a potential overnight storm looming.

Home Affairs filly impresses at Warwick Farm

Just two juvenile heats were held at Warwick Farm on Tuesday but they delivered sharp performances, first from a filly by first-season sire Home Affairs (I Am Invincible). The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Home Invasion showed professionalism in her return trial, having earlier won at the official spring trials before finishing fifth in the Gimcrack Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) on debut. A $220,000 Magic Millions Yearling Sale purchase for Darby Racing, the filly jumped well under Rachel King, led throughout and came home 1.3 lengths clear of Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) filly Normans Cay, clocking 46.55s for 793 metres. Bred at Segenhoe Stud, Home Invasion hails from a good family, with close relation Incognito (Stay Inside) having won the Breeders’ Plate (Gr 3, 1000m) last month, and Segenhoe will offer her Anamoe (Street Boss) half-sister as Lot 155 at Magic Millions’ flagship yearling sale in 2026.

Zoustar colt lands trial

The second heat was run in slower time but offered plenty to note, with Zoustar (Northern Meteor) colt Peyton winning for the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable in the Rosemont Stud colours. Showing natural early speed, he took up the running and responded willingly when asked to score by 0.5 lengths over stablemate Over The Mountain (Savabeel). Third home was Lafite (Zoustar), a brother to Group 1 winner Schwarz. Peyton is the first foal out of Group 3-winning juvenile Mildred, a daughter of Hinchinbrook (Fastnet Rock), who was purchased by Rosemont for $850,000 at the 2021 Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Peyton was retained after being passed in at Magic Millions.

Woods stable looks to extend run of form

Chris Wood’s stable has been firing in recent weeks and the Cambridge trainer is hoping the momentum continues with a strong team set for Ellerslie on Saturday. His weekend squad features You Say D’Orsay (Under The Louvre) in the Great Northern Challenge Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m), progressive stayer Boxmoss (Vadamos) in the Cure Kids Handicap (2400m), and the well-related Lyin’ Eyes (Shocking) in the Mondiale VGL Maiden (1300m). "I quite like them, they should definitely be strong each way chances," Wood said. You Say D’Orsay heads the stable in ratings with four career wins and strong stakes performances, including a close fifth in the Easter Handicap (Gr 3, 1600m) and fourth in the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (Listed, 1600m). "He’s in the big mile and he’s racing well…he’s a very, very consistent horse and I’d expect him to go well again," Wood said. The gelding has returned with back-to-back thirds at Tauranga, while Boxmoss has won three of his last five, including a last-start victory over Saturday’s 2400 metres. "He’s a progressive staying horse and will be a really nice chance on Saturday," Wood said. Lyin’ Eyes resumes after a debut third behind recent stakes winner Passiflora (Farnan). Wood has long ties to her family. "She’s a great granddaughter of a mare I trained to win on Cox Plate Day and Melbourne Cup Day in 1989," he said, referencing the high-class Echo Lass (Prince Echo), a six-time winner and Group 1 placegetter.

Noble chasing summer black type with consistent Jaarffi

Cambridge Stud mare Jaarffi (Iffraaj) added another stakes placing to her resume at Pukekohe on Saturday, and trainer Lance Noble is hopeful the consistent six-year-old can finally secure a black-type win over the summer. The mare finished third behind Qali Al Farrasha (Almanzor) in the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m), with Noble lamenting the impact of her wide gate. “She went super, but the barrier draw [11] beat her,” Noble said. “From that draw we had to go back and it was pretty hard to make up a lot of ground. The track was perfect, but when it is a perfect track, the ones in front keep running and it makes it a little bit harder for the back markers. I think she ran the fastest last 400 and 200 metres, so you’ve got to be happy.” Already placed at Group 1, Group 2 and Listed level, Jaarffi will target the Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) at Te Rapa next month. “She is so honest, it would be nice to crack one, but she is running well,” Noble said. “We have been patient with her the whole way through, so hopefully being patient might pay off.” Noble is also particularly upbeat about Group 2 winner Habana’s (Zoustar) prospects in the Great Northern Challenge Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m). “It is set weights and penalties, so he drops quite a lot of weight with the conditions of the race,” he said. “I think he gets 55 kilos, which he hasn’t carried since he was probably a maiden. I am really happy with him. Things just haven’t gone quite to plan, but he hasn’t been too far away.”

Wexford stars tune up at Taupo ahead of summer Group 1 targets

Wexford Stables’ major players stepped out at the Taupo trials on Tuesday, taking important steps toward upcoming Group 1 assignments. Leading the charge in the open 1100-metre heats was Waitak (Proisir), the Howden Insurance Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) and Livamol Classic (Gr 1, 2040m) winner who is chasing a Group 1 hat-trick in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (Gr 1, 1600m) at Trentham on December 6. The gelding was kept under a strong hold by Craig Grylls and finished fourth with plenty in hand. “They were all there for a day out just to bring them on,” said co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan. “Waitak has pleased us since we stepped up his training again and he did all that we wanted today. Craig said he felt great and that will set him up nicely for the 1600 meters at Trentham.” Waitak shares Mufhasa Classic favouritism with La Crique (Vadamos) and Legarto (Proisir), while stablemate Tomodachi (Tarzino), equal favourite with Crocetti (Zacinto) for the Telegraph (Gr 1, 1200m) on January 4, also impressed with a strong trial performance. The mare, who finished third in the Proisir Plate (Gr 1, 1400m) at her only spring outing, rolled forward under Joe Doyle and was never challenged as she scored by a neck from Scolera (Swiss Ace). “That’s Tomodachi, she likes to run, and it probably didn’t help that they weren’t going that quick,” O’Sullivan said. “She’ll trial again next month and go into the Telegraph fresh. She’s right where we want her at this stage.” Defending Telegraph champion Grail Seeker (Iffraaj) also trialled well, finishing third and sitting as the $8 third favourite for the Trentham feature. “She’s on target for Trentham and one more trial should set her up nicely,” O’Sullivan said. “She’s going really well and it’s good to see that she’s starting to carry more condition, which is a positive sign.”

Tuxedo targets big summer after quiet Taupo trial

Group 2 winner Tuxedo (Tivaci) is building toward a busy summer campaign, returning to the trials at Taupo on Tuesday for a quiet 1100-metre hit-out as trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray prepare him for key upcoming assignments. The Tivaci (High Chaparral) four-year-old enjoyed a strong three-year-old season, winning three of six starts including the Waikato Guineas (Gr 2, 2000m) and Wellington Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m), while finishing second in the $1.5 million Karaka Million 3YO (RL, 1600m). He resumed this term with a first-up win at Ruakaka before finishing seventh and sixth in two Group 1 weight-for-age contests. Ritchie said Tuxedo was unlucky in both runs and far from outclassed. "He had three weeks off after his two unlucky weight-for-age runs…he certainly didn’t get the rub of the green in either," he said. "He perhaps could have run a place had he had clear running. I don’t believe he underperformed, but it was time to back off." The trainer believes the freshen-up will leave him stronger for the summer and autumn. He was pleased with Tuesday’s quiet trial, where Tuxedo was untested at the back alongside Waitak. "That was a lovely quiet trial…you find when they have trials like that, they usually come out full of beans and perform well first-up." Tuxedo is set to resume in the J Swap Sprint (Gr 3, 1400m) at Te Rapa on December 13 before aiming toward the Rich Hill Mile (Gr 2, 1600m) and, ultimately, the $1 million Aotearoa Classic at Ellerslie in January.

Two IJC spots up for grabs ahead of decisive Happy Valley meeting

The final two positions in the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) will be determined at Wednesday night’s nine-race card at Happy Valley, with tight battles unfolding among Hong Kong’s leading riders. Vincent Ho (11 wins) holds a narrow lead over Jerry Chau (ten) for the coveted berth awarded to the highest-ranked homegrown jockey. Both have four rides on the night. Meanwhile, Luke Ferraris (15) sits one win ahead of Hugh Bowman (14) in the contest for the remaining Hong Kong-based spot. Bowman, a past IJC winner in 2016, said he is eager for another chance. "It’s fantastic, it’s always a great night to be a part of," he said. "Hopefully, I can add another one to the list. It will depend on results tomorrow night."

Ferraris also has four mounts, while Bowman’s five include in-form Hakka Radiance (Massaat) (129lb) in the Class 4 St Andrew’s Challenge Quaich Handicap (1800m). "He feels fantastic…hopefully he can continue his winning ways," Bowman said. The IJC, to be staged on Wednesday, December 10, remains the world’s richest jockey challenge, with HK$600,000 to the winner, HK$250,000 for second and HK$150,000 for third. This year’s line-up includes Zac Purton, Mickael Barzalona, James McDonald, Christophe Lemaire, Joao Moreira, Umberto Rispoli, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King, William Buick and Ryan Moore (subject to fitness).

Frankel colt tops record renewal of Tattersalls December Yearling Sale

A blue-blooded son of Frankel (Galileo) became the most expensive colt ever sold at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale on Monday, fetching 425,000gns (approx. AU$911,480) during a buoyant day of trade. The colt, bred by Steve Parkin’s Branton Court Stud and offered by Adrian O’Brien’s Hazelwood Bloodstock, is a half-brother to three winners, including dual Group-winning sprinter Dramatised (Showcasing). Agent Alex Elliott secured the sale-topper after a competitive bidding duel. "He’s been bought for a partnership, but the exact percentages are still being worked out," Elliott said. "I was pleased to get the horse though. Obviously he should’ve been in Book 1 but he had a foot abscess…he looks like a fast Frankel. His movement and everything else suggests he won’t be one of those big, staying Frankels. I didn’t think I’d get him, hopefully he can add his name to the roll of honour." Elliott later confirmed the colt will join William Haggas. The colt’s dam Katie’s Diamond (Turtle Bowl) will herself go through the ring next Tuesday during the Sceptre Sessions carrying a sibling to the record-setter. Her daughter Dramatised has also begun her broodmare career, delivering a Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) filly earlier this year before visiting Frankel. The sale produced strong figures across the board, with turnover climbing to a record 7,272,500gns (approx. AU$15,597,090). The median surged 33 per cent to a high of 40,000gns (approx. AU$85,790), while the average rose to a record 52,700gns (approx. AU$113,020) Seventeen yearlings made six figures, contributing to an 84 per cent clearance rate from 138 sold.