Cover image courtesy of Trackside Photography

The final Group 1 of the season won by Tashi

It is perhaps fitting that the final Group 1 race of the 2024/25 racing season went to a member of the final crop of G1 Golden Slipper winner Sebring. Trained by Peter Snowden, 5-year-old mare Tashi was bred by Corumbene Stud, who race her with partners, and it was, surprisingly, her first stakes win. Corumbene Stud also bred Sebring. It was also the first Group 1 win for jockey Tom Sherry.

Second in her last three starts, including the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes to Floozie (Zoustar), the pair again clashed with Floozie looking the winner half-way down the straight but she was caught by the fast-finishing Tashi who strode to a 1.9l victory for Sherry. Floozie was swamped at the end, finishing in fifth, with Rob Heathcote-trained Abounding (Rich Enuff) in second and Chris Waller-trained Olentia (Zoustar) in third.

“She's been tremendous all prep, so nobody could begrudge her the win. She kept putting her hand up every start, so I'm really proud of her. Tom rode her an absolute peach today, I think it's his first Group 1 so I'm so pleased for him and the mare. I'm thrilled for Tom, he came up here yesterday to get ready for this race so I knew he wouldn't be late today. I asked him when he was going home, and he said he wasn't sure!” said Peter Snowden.

“There were no half measures today, she won dominantly. She kept getting beaten short half heads, it was a tremendous run last week in the Dane Ripper, I think this is her 11th run this campaign so huge credit to her.”

With five wins and 14 placings from 26 starts, Tashi took her earnings over $1 million. She becomes the ninth Group 1 winner for Sebring, and his 83rd stakes winner, and is a member of his final crop.

Tashi is the second foal for Ghenwaa (Street Cry {Ire}) who has unraced 3-year-old filly Brilliant (The Autumn Sun), a yearling colt by Capitalist who was purchased by Ricky Yiu for $80,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and a weanling colt by Russian Revolution.

Ghenwaa won twice and is a half-sister to stakes winners Taraayef (Lonhro) and Haybah (More Than Ready {USA}) and to Group 3-placed Maraahib (Reset). This is the family of Group 1 winner Rebel Raider (Reset).

So You Think’s Opportunistic wins Belmont Guineas

Last start Listed winner Opportunistic (So You Think {NZ}) was slow out of the gates for the Listed Belmont Guineas over a mile, but jockey Clint Johnston-Porter gathered him together and threaded through the pack to fly home and win by a length for trainer Michael Grantham and owners Peters Investments. In second was Grant and Alana Williams-trained filly Storyville (Overshare) with Steven Miller-trained Elite Missile (Smart Missile) 1.5l away in third.

Jockey Clint Johnston-Porter won five of the eight races at Pinjarra on Saturday.

“I was a bit worried when he was stuck on the inside and I thought he might not get a run through, but he came through and he was very good today,” said Bob Peters.

“He really looked the part today. I said to Michael that it won’t be fitness that stops us today. We’ll wait a few days to make up our mind on (the next step). He looks like a 2000-metre horse to me.”

Unbeaten in three starts, with two Listed wins, Opportunistic is certainly one to watch for the future. One of 63 stakes winners for So You Think (NZ), Opportunistic was sold by Lynward Park Stud at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale for $200,000 to John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA).

The second live foal and second winner for G3 La Trice Classic winner I’m Feeling Lucky (Bletchley Park {Ire}), whose 2-year-old gelding Wynn Las Vegas (Yes Yes Yes) is unraced, and she also has a yearling filly by Wootton Bassett (GB) and a weanling colt by Pierro. I’m Feeling Lucky won 11 races and is a half-sister to three stakes winners being Utgard Loki (Frost Giant {USA}), Baronova (Fiorente {Ire}), and Petrouchka (More Than Ready {USA}).

Stakes double for Schweida at Eagle Farm

Trainer Kelly Schweida enjoyed a double at Eagle Farm with Miss Joelene (Russian Revolution) winning the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown and 4-year-old gelding Metalart (Better Than Ready) winning the G3 WJ Healy Stakes. Metalart was ridden by Jason Collett who snuck along the rail to take the shortest way home to win by 0.79l from Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 4-year-old mare Austmarr (Exosphere) with Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained 4-year-old gelding General Salute (Russian Revolution) in third. Metalart becomes stakes winner number 15 for Better Than Ready.

“I don't know where his ceiling is, he just keeps winning. It's quite incredible really. He's a very unassuming horse, but he got a gun ride today. He goes to sleep in the tie-ups, he's so quiet and lovely and he doesn't look like a racehorse, but he's a pretty good one,” Schweida said.

“He probably should have won a stakes race by now, he went close on a Heavy 11 track when he was only beaten a neck, and he almost came from behind the other day. We got the saloon passage from the good gate today.”

Winner of his first four starts in succession at three, Metalart was third at Listed level last start and this was his first black type victory. He has eight wins from 14 starts and earnings over $420,000.

Withdrawn from sale as a yearling by Raheen Stud, Metalart is one of six winners, and the first stakes winner for Exquisite Art (Redoute’s Choice) who won twice and is a daughter of Champion 2YO Filly in Australia and G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes and G1 Champagne Stakes winner Victory Vein (Mr Henrysee {USA}) who is also the granddam of Group 3 winner Sookie (Casino Prince), dam of dual Group 1 winner Shadow Hero (Pierro).

Jones’ treble topped by Miss Joelene

Kelly Schweida’s other stakes winner for the day, 4-year-old mare Miss Joelene, who won the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown over 2100 metres was a key part of a treble for jockey Angela Jones. Jones also won the first on the card on Rob Heathcote-trained 3-year-old filly Amuseantes (Rothesay), a half-sister to Group 1 winner Startantes (Star Turn), and the Battle Of The Bush Final on Lindsay Hatch-trained Peshwa (Tapit {USA}).

Miss Joelene scooted along the rail to win by a length from John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Quietness (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) with another 0.7l to third-placed Kris Lees-trained Kind Words (Written Tycoon).

The treble took Jones to 103 wins for the season, but unfortunately she was given a 10 day suspension for her ride on Floozie in the G1 Tatt's Tiara.

“I feel for Cejay (Graham) who is out suspended at the minute. She's on holiday in New Zealand but well done to Ange, I think that puts her one ahead in the jockeys' premiership. It's great for the horse and her owners, who are off on holiday themselves. We did think about the Caloundra Cup with this horse, but without knowing what weather was around, we didn't want to have to run 2400 metres on heavy ground with 60 kilos on our back. So we came here today and it's paid off,” said Schweida.

“She ran well in the Ipswich Cup last week. From a tricky gate, Cejay had to go forward and there wasn't a lot of speed in the race. From the inside alley today, Ange was able to put her to sleep and she got the gun ride. We saw the last winner came down the fence so we decided to do the same thing, and it worked out perfectly. She's starting to get her rating up so we might consider a trip to Melbourne or Sydney in the spring.”

This was Miss Joelene’s first black type win and she becomes stakes winner number 13 for Russian Revolution. She was placed in the G1 Queensland Oaks this time last year. Purchased by her trainer for $20,000 from Kenmore Lodge’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale draft, she took her earnings over $990,000 with six wins from 29 starts.

The first foal of Listed Bill Carter Stakes winner Cellargirl (More Than Ready {USA}), who placed in the G1 Flight Stakes, whose second foal is winning 3-year-old filly Autumngirl (The Autumn Sun) and who has a yearling colt by Snitzel. She sadly died after foaling this colt.

Cellargirl is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Cellarman (Mossman) and a half-sister to Group 2-placed Cellarmaid (Husson {Arg}). Further back this is the family of Group 1 winners Triscay (Marscay), La Baraka (Euclase), Alizee (Sepoy), Astern, and Demerger (Saithor {USA}).

He’s back. Manzoice returns to the winner’s circle with smashing victory

It’s been a long time between drinks for the connections of 5-year-old gelding Manzoice (Almanzor {Fr}) who hasn’t won since the G1 Victoria Derby as a spring 3-year-old. Ridden by Andrew Mallyon, Manzoice enjoyed the 2400-metre trip of the G3 Tattersalls Cup, winning by 4.45l from Lindsay Park-trained 7-year-old gelding Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) with Darryn and Briar Weatherley-trained 6-year-old gelding Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir).

“He was very good today. We thought he might be able to roll into the race and make it a staying test, but Andrew cut the corner and saved all the ground, and the horse was good late. It's been a long time between drinks, but I'm sure his owners will be delighted,” said stable representative Charlie Duckworth.

“The last time he won, Chris stayed in Sydney and I went to Melbourne. It looks like he pulled the wrong rein again today! He's a legend to have a stable, he's such a lovely horse and it was great to see him have plenty of zip at the end of the race.

“He deserves a spell now, then we'll have a think about what we do with him in the spring. He's proven over two miles and there's a pretty big two mile race in Melbourne in early November, so we might have to have a crack at that.”

Manzoice ran second on debut as a July 2-year-old, winning his second start as an early 3-year-old. He won the G1 Victoria Derby at his sixth start, and since then has fashioned six more placings from 31 starts prior to Saturday’s victory. He has earnings over $1.8 million and was purchased by Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock for $340,000 from Bhima Thoroughbreds 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.

One of three Group 1 winners for Almanzor (Fr), Manzoice is out of G3 Eulogy Stakes winner Choice (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who has five winners from as many to race including 3-year-old filly Hot Mama (NZ) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). She also has an unraced 2-year-old full sister to Manzoice named Laura (NZ), and a weanling filly by Satono Aladdin (Jpn).

Parr’s treble at Rosehill led by Listed victory

Jockey Josh Parr had a day to remember at Rosehill on Saturday, with a treble on Richard and Will Freedman-trained Rolling Magic (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), Bjorn Baker-trainer Thunderlips (Zoustar), and then in race nine, the Listed WJ McKell Cup over 2000 metres, Parr took Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Elamaz (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) to the front and stayed there. The 5-year-old gelding clung on from the fast finishing Matthew Dunn-trained Belvedere Boys (Maurice {Jpn}) to win by 0.1l. Ciaron Maher-trained Glory Daze (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) was 1.5l back in third.

“Our plan wasn't to lead the race. We were looking for cover to make it as soft as possible but that cover just wasn't going to eventuate. I had to make a decision so I pressed to the front and trusted the stable and how well they had him and he did the rest,” Parr said.

“There was a period down the side where he had no clue where he was, leading the race here at Rosehill, and he's done well to fight off every challenger and the one very late (Belvedere Boys), he held it to the line.”

Winner of four of his seven starts in Europe including the Listed Jacques De Bremond Stakes, Elamaz was purchased by Astute Bloodstock and EQUOS Racing at the 2024 Arqana Saint-Cloud Vente de l’Arc Sale for €480,000 (AU$861,000). This was his first start in Australia, and he picked up a cheque for $110,000 for the win.

“What do you say? Gai and Adrian do it all the time, especially with these horses from overseas. We seem to have luck with them first-up. We love them,” stable representative Neil Paine said. Elamaz will now be set for the spring.

A half-brother to stakes placed pair of Embiran (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) and Emaniya (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Emanaz is a son of G3 Athasi Stakes winner Emiyna (USA) (Maria’s Mon {USA}).

Cover image courtesy of Arrowfield

The Autumn Sun shines in Queensland with stakes winner number nine

Saturday’s Listed Tattersall’s Stakes for 2-year-olds was won by Chris Waller-trained Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) who was coming off a debutant victory in Sydney last start beating short favourite Central Coast (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who has since been a winner.

The unbeaten 2-year-old colt sat quietly for jockey James McDonald, then romped away in the final stages to win easily by 1.9l from Kris Hansen-trained filly Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) with Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained filly Kujenga (King’s Legacy) in third.

“I think his price on debut was inflated because Central Coast was so short in the market that day. Being by The Autumn Sun out of a Savabeel mare, we did think 1250 metres might have been a bit too short and sharp for him that day. But he was excellent that day and he's just taken such a big step forward since then,” said stable representative Charlie Duckworth.

“We don't know where the limit is with him, which is exciting especially as he's a colt. So he's completely untapped.” With The Autumn Sun’s stock generally being better at three, as evidenced by his three Classic winners Autumn Angel, Coco Sun, and Vibrant Sun, the future looks bright for Autumn Boy.

Sold by Amarina Farm for $200,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchased by Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster, Autumn Boy becomes the first stakes winner from The Autumn Sun’s third crop, and his ninth overall.

Autumn Boy is the third foal of unraced Rosegarden (NZ) (Savabeel) whose first foal is a winner and second foal, 3-year-old filly Souad (Merchant Navy) ran fourth in the Listed Calway Gal Stakes last season. She has a yearling colt by Hellbent and is back in foal to him.

Rosegarden is a daughter of Group 3 winner O’Reilly Rose (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), a three-quarter sister to Group 1 sire Shamexpress (NZ).

Listed Oaklands Plate goes to Stokes again

The last two winners of the Listed Oaklands Plate have gone on to win a Group 1 race at three, including last year’s winner Femminile (Dundeel {NZ}) who won this season’s G1 South Australian Derby for trainer Phillip Stokes. The 2025 edition went to Femminile’s stablemate 2-year-old colt Matahga (NZ) (Tivaci) who came from behind under jockey Jacob Opperman to dive at the line and beat the front running Hayes brothers-trained filly Ethereum Girl (Maurice {Jpn}) by 0.28l. In third was the winner’s stablemate filly Kazaru (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}).

“He’s a nice colt, this horse. He dug deep today and went for runs. We were cursing Jacob for a while, thinking he might have been better to go around them, but he rode him very well. He’ll take a lot out of it, this colt. He’s nice horse going forward. I’m just rapt for the Brooks, who own him,” said Stokes.

“He’s come a long way in this prep. The team have done a fantastic job with him. He’ll go for a break now and I think he deserves to be aimed at some of the nice 3-year-old races in the spring. We bought him in New Zealand. David (Brook) picked out a few yearlings when we were over at Karaka, and he liked this horse, and we were able to bid on him and get him. He wasn’t an expensive horse either, so it’s going great.”

Matahga becomes stakes winner number seven for Waikato Stud’s Tivaci, a son of High Chaparral (Ire), and he’s now the winner of two of his three starts, as well as being second on debut. Matahga took his earnings over $144,000 and he was purchased by his trainer for NZ$80,000 from Waikato Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft.

He is the first foal of Mohegan Star (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) who is a half-sister to G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Little Brose who has retired to stand alongside his sire Per Incanto (USA) at Little Avondale Stud for the upcoming spring. Little Brose and Mohegan Star are out of American Listed winner Mohegan Sky (USA) (Straight Man {USA}) who is a half-sister to juvenile stakes winner Vous (USA) (Wild Rush {USA}).

Ole Kirk’s great start continues

With four stakes winners from his first crop of juveniles, Vinery Stud’s Ole Kirk continued his excellent start when 2-year-old colt Sonofkirk became his 14th winner at Caulfield on Saturday over 1000 metres. Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Sonofkirk missed the start trailing the field by two lengths before flying home late under jockey Jye McNeil to win by 0.25l from Ciaron Maher-trained stablemates colt Oyster Lane (Blue Point {Ire}) and filly Life After Love (I Am Invincible).

“The fact he’s still doing so much wrong and winning gives us confidence going forward. We might take him home and do some barrier work,” said stable representative Billie Rodda. Sonofkirk also missed the start on debut when he ran third.

“Even though it’s winter, it was a good race. He’s a good quality colt,” McNeil said. “He was coming back from 1100 metres to 1000 metres, so I was kind of glad with (the early speed battle that) was going on.”

The win took his earnings over $96,000, and he was sold by Rheinwood Pastoral for $65,000 as a weanling at the Inglis Great Southern Sale. Fernrigg Farm purchased him and pinhooked as a 2-year-old at the Inglis Ready To Race Sale where his trainers purchased him for $85,000.

A half-brother to Let Me Sleep On It (Manhattan Rain), who won the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes at two, Sonofkirk becomes the fourth winner for Cheyenne Sue (Zizou) who has a Hitosu weanling filly and is in foal to In The Congo.

Cheyenne Sue is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) who has earnings over $9 million, and Group 1 winner Headway (Charge Forward). This is also the family of this season’s Listed Hong Kong Classic Mile winner My Wish (Flying Artie) who ran second in the Hong Kong Derby.

Loving does it again for Godolphin at Newcastle

Last start winning 2-year-old gelding Loving (Bivouac) made a procession of the juvenile race at Newcastle, winning by a length for trainer James Cummings and jockey Mitchell Bell over the 1300 metres. In second was Brad Widdup-trained colt Escargoes (Capitalist) for owner Mulberry, who TTR AusNZ spoke to yesterday about their newly acquired The Everest slot, and in third was Kristen Buchanan-trained colt Tambeloa (Tagaloa) who was on debut.

One of five first crop winners for first season sire Bivouac, who has three stakes winners, the Godolphin homebred is out of Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic winner Maternal (Street Cry {Ire}) whose four foals to race are all winners. Maternal is a daughter of four-time Group 1 winner Divine Madonna (Hurricane Sky) who has also produced three-race winner Deity (Exceed And Excel), dam of this season’s G2 Todman Stakes-winning 2-year-old Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}). Group 1 winner Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) is also in this family.

Mardusa wins again for Maurice

Trainer Simon Miller’s 2-year-old gelding Mardusa (Maurice {Jpn}) made it two from two for this campaign with a strong 2l victory at Pinjarra on Saturday. He had been third on debut back in January at his only other start. “It was fantastic to see him get the job done today,” said stable representative Kelly Kinninmont.

“You have to be pretty sharp with him to keep him interested in what’s going on, he still does a lot wrong, still raw, and hopefully he’ll get out a bit further too. Simon’s got a few races planned for him over the carnival. He can go out and grow and fill out now.”

Purchased by his trainer for $140,000 from Greenfields Lodge’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale draft, Mardusa has earnings over $71,000 from his two wins to date. One of two winners from Maurice’s current crop of juveniles, Mardusa is the second winner for stakes-placed Medusa’s Miss (Henny Hughes {USA}) who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Mummify (Jeune {GB}) and to the dams of stakes winners Ottoman (Exceed And Excel), Take Pride (Reward For Effort), and Isaurian (Exceed And Excel).

Boombox makes it two in a row with strong Final victory

The 2YO Championship Final at Ruakaka on Saturday was a repeat of the last time stablemates 2-year-old colt Boombox (NZ) (Spirit Of Boom) and Ashoka (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) met, with Boombox again winning and Ashoka second. “They don’t seem to be making much ground from the back today, so we told both riders to try to jump and run in the first 100 metres,” stable representative Chris McNab said.

“Boombox kicked away impressively in the straight. He definitely has the makings of a very nice 3-year-old next season. The other horse was pretty green too and has plenty of improvement to come. He was just inclined to get on one rein. We’re looking forward to what’s in store for both of them.”

Boombox, who ran fifth on debut in February, has now strung two together in succession from his three starts and has earnings over NZ$58,000. Bred by Alan Jones and Edwina Morris, he was a NZ$50,000 purchase by Brewers Bloodstock from Berkley Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He becomes the 10th juvenile winner for Spirit Of Boom this season, led by stakes winners Listed TAB 2YO Plate winner Shining Smile and Listed Cinderella Stakes winner Gin Spirit.

Boombox is the third winner for Viaductress (Sharkbite) who won five races including one in Sydney, and she has a weanling filly by Highly Recommended. Her 3-year-old gelding Aqueduct (Dubious) broke his maiden status at Ballarat on Friday. Viaductress is a daughter of Listed St Albans Stakes-placed Flawless Gem (Encosta De Lago).