Cover image courtesy of Malua Racing
Larkin updated The Thoroughbred Report on the plans for some of the stable’s established stars and gave insight into the next generation, including three just-turned 2-year-olds who are showing promising signs at this early stage.
Will Larkin | Image courtesy of Malua Racing
Older Horses
Baraqiel, 7-year-old gelding (Snitzel x Angel Of Mercy {Hussonet {USA}})
“Baraqiel is going great, we are really pleased with him. His trials have been very good and he looks to have come back very well.”
“He runs in the Listed Carlyon Stakes this weekend and from there we will firm up plans, we have to see how he handles the 1000 metres, and go from there. If he does handle it, the Moir becomes an option, or he could go to the Chautauqua Stakes with the Manikato as his main aim.
“We will firm those decisions up after this weekend.”
Baraqiel | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Zou Sensation, 6-year-old gelding (Zoustar x Dame Claire (NZ) {Danehill Dancer {Ire}})
“Zou Sensation has been going super, really well.
“We have backed off him a touch after his last win and we are aiming him towards the Rupert Clarke Stakes. He will have a trial, and then have one run before the Rupert Clarke, probably in the Chautauqua Stakes.
Zou Sensation | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He has always had the talent, has just had lots of issues. He had a throat operation at the end of his 3-year-old season, and lots of other little soundness issues. But he is going very well at the moment, and has won his last three starts.”
Marble Nine 5-year-old gelding (Kobayashi x Aura Lee (NZ) {O"Reilly {NZ}})
“Marble Nine went for a spell after his top run for third in the Aurie's Star Handicap, he will come back in for the end of spring and into the summer."
“He will probably kick off in the Doveton, and head towards the Standish, or any of the other sprinting races around Christmas.”
Marble Nine | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
3-Year-Olds
Facilitate, 3-year-old gelding (Capitalist x Medic {Snitzel})
“He was a very good winner at Seymour by a big margin, he is a speedy sprinter type and he will likely go to either the McNeil or McKenzie Stakes next.
“He is a really nice horse, plenty of upside, and has improved since being gelded. There is plenty to look forward to with him in those sprinting races.”
Facilitate as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Morning Ralph, 3-year-old gelding (Capitalist x Raise Up {Shovhog})
Purchased by Baystone Farm for $110,000 from the draft of Glenlogan Park at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
“A Capitalist gelding that I like and feel that could be a spring candidate even though he is pretty unexposed is Morning Ralph.”
“He has had a couple of trials and is very quick, he is a half brother to Dosh who was also very sharp. He is exciting.”
Morning Ralph as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Mercer Island, 3-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x Seatlle Dancer {Redoute's Choice})
This colt was passed in short of his reserve at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft.
“Mercer Island is a Written Tycoon colt with a lot of talent. I'm not sure he will be at his best in the spring as he still has a bit of maturing to come, but I think he could be a really nice horse in the Autumn.”
“We like him, and a bit of maturing will help him.”
Mercer Island as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
2-Year-Olds
Unnamed colt, Sword Of State x Empress Cixi (GB) {Shamardal {USA}})
Purchased by Malua Racing for $50,000 from the draft of Cambridge Stud at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“I'm a big fan of a colt by Sword Of State out of Empress Cixi, we bought him quite cheaply from the Magic Millions and he is a real natural.
“A natural type that looks like he may go early, he may be a back end 2-year-old, he has a very good brain.”
Sword Of State x Empress Cixi (GB) colt | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Unnamed colt, Tagaloa x Acing Shamrock {Fastnet Rock})
This colt was initially passed in short of his reserve at the 2024 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale from the Yulong draft. He was then purchased for $990 (inc. GST) via the Bloodstock Auction Online Late August 2024 Auction.
“We have got a nice Tagaloa colt that is a half to Hedged, who is a pretty handy horse.
Tagaloa x Acing Shamrock colt | Image courtesy of Australian Bloodstock Auction
“He is very natural, is a big boy with plenty of size, but he is sharp and quite quick.
“We actually picked him up for about $900 online. He could potentially become a very good piece of buying.”
Unnamed filly, All Too Hard x Sunflare {Written Tycoon})
Purchased by Malua Racing and Matt Houldsworth for $70,000 from the draft of Riversdale Farm at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“I really like an All Too Hard filly out of Sunflare, she is very impressive.
“We bought her from Magic Millions as she reminded us of Stefi Magnetica, who we were unfortunately the underbidders on. Overall she has a great attitude, nice action and really forward.
All Too Hard x Sunflare filly | Image courtesy of Inglis
