Overpass signed up for Newgate and GPI Everest slot
Newgate and GPI announced on Wednesday that Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass (Vancouver) will be representing their slot in the 2025 TAB Everest. “We are thrilled to have Overpass in the Newgate/GPI TAB Everest slot. The plan will be to run him first-up this preparation in the TAB Everest,” Darby Racing’s Scott Darby said.
“He is a horse that is exceptionally effective first-up having won the Sydney Stakes on Everest day last year in faster time than the Everest was won. He was also dynamite first-up in the autumn when narrowly beaten in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes.”
| Chris Waller Racing | Joliestar (Zoustar) | Chris Waller |
| Coolmore | ||
| Fairway Thoroughbreds | Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) | Chris Waller |
| Godolphin | ||
| Hong Kong Jockey Club | Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) | David Hayes |
| James Harron Bloodstock | ||
| Mulberry | ||
| Newgate & GPI Racing | Overpass (Vancouver) | Bjorn Baker |
| Inglis | ||
| TAB | Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) | Ciaron Maher |
| Whitby, McCann, Madden, Werrett | Briasa (Smart Missile) | Team Hawkes |
| Yulong | Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}) | Nathan Doyle |
Table: 2025 The Everest slots
ATC to form a committee for Thoroughbred Act Review submission
The Australian Turf Club (ATC) will form a committee, chaired by Director Annette English, to coordinate the ATC and members’ response to the NSW Government’s Review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act.
“More detail will be shared with members soon as we embark on a refreshed strategy for the ATC,” ATC Board Chair Tim Hale told racingnsw.com.au.
Tim Hale | Image courtesy of Australian Turf Club
“Our members and the great sport of Thoroughbred racing are at the heart of the Australian Turf Club. We are committed to building stronger connections, being more transparent, and creating new ways for our members to help shape the future of their Club. … For now, our immediate focus is on delivering a fantastic Spring Carnival that celebrates our horses, our participants and our members.”
Underwood run a test for Desert Lightning
Co-trainer Peter Moody will use Saturday’s G1 Underwood Stakes as a test for last start winner Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) who is nominated for the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate. “That’s pie in the sky stuff. We will get Saturday behind us and take it from there,” Moody told racing.com.
“This will be decisive for the rest of his campaign as we can see whether he runs out a strong 1800 metres. He’s in good form and good order. We will learn something from it, one way or the other.”
Ceolwulf seeking redemption in 7 Stakes
Trainer Joe Pride believes Group 1 winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) can redeem himself in Saturday’s 7 Stakes at Randwick. “I thought he was disappointing the other day,” Pride told racingnsw.com.au.
Ceolwulf (NZ) | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“He deserves to have that expectation around him because he’s a dual Group 1 winner. I probably got him back to the races too soon after a tough first-up run but he pulled up well and he’ll bounce back on Saturday. It will tell us a lot about the preparation, if he’s going to be winning a King Charles he’s got to be in the finish.”
Fermoy’s Melbourne test ahead of Guineas
Trainer Chris Waller has sent last start G3 Up & Coming Stakes-second Fermoy (Zoustar) to Melbourne for Saturday’s G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude ahead of a potential G1 Caulfield Guineas run. “First time left-handed on Saturday but his form in Sydney was very good,” Waller told racing.com.
“He was group-placed last start although he’s still a maiden, he’s the right horse to bring down for the Guineas Prelude and hopefully onto the Guineas from there. With Fermoy, he hasn’t won a race yet but his first up run was good and then he went down the Golden Slipper path to qualify but he just wasn’t ready for it.
“Like Zoustar himself, he’s matured a lot as a 3-year-old. His two runs back this prep have both been very good. First was a wet track and then last start he was excellent coming from a long way back. He’s improved as a 3-year-old and he’s just starting to find himself and he’s got the right profile from my perspective.”
Basilinna to miss Melbourne Cup
Having qualified for the G1 Melbourne Cup in winning the Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington in May, David and Emmalee Browne-trained Basilinna (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}) will miss the spring. She will require surgery to remove bone chips from her near fore fetlock.
Basilinna (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Symons shocked by Knight’s Choice Caulfield Cup weight
Co-trainer John Symons feels the 57kg awarded to G1 Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) for this year’s G1 Caulfield Cup is too much. “I was a little more shocked at the 57kg in the other race (Caulfield Cup) but I suppose that's because of the quality, I don't know,” Symons, who trains in partnership with his wife Sheila Laxon, told racenet.com.au.
Knight’s Choice | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I can't really see the differential in the two cups but anyway, that's the way it is.” Knight’s Choice has been given 55kg for his Melbourne Cup defence, and carried 51.5kg last year during his victory.
Exciting Wootton Bassett filly wins at Doomben
Sheralee Racing’s homebred 3-year-old filly Shadwell Lane (Wootton Bassett {GB}) won at Doomben on Wednesday at her third start, having run second at both her first two starts. “She’s a filly that has shown us quite a bit and has plenty of upside,” trainer Jim Mason said.
Shadwell Lane is the first foal of stakes placed Word For Word (So You Think {NZ}) who slipped to Anamoe in 2024. A full sister to stakes placed Cryptogram, Word For Word is out of Group 3-placed Wordplay (Fastnet Rock), herself a half-sister to Group 1 winner Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand).
At the same meeting, Greg Wright-trained 3-year-old filly Lonesome Soul (Soul Patch) took her record to two wins from nine starts, having also won on debut at two.
Successive wins for Dundeel colt
In WA at Belmont, Grant and Alana Williams-trained 3-year-old colt Hasani (Dundeel {NZ}) made it two wins in a row. “A beautiful horse. He’s nice and strong and does his work pretty easily,” said stable representative Ella McDonald.
Hasani is one of two winners for Listed winner Premardal (Shamardal {USA}) and he was passed in by Wyadup Valley Farm at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Two in a row for Single Choice
At Bendigo on Wednesday, Matt Cumani-trained 3-year-old gelding Single Choice (Anders) made it two in succession from four starts. He also placed on debut at two. “I thought it was a tough effort and for him to just keep improving and to do that off the back of probably a weak race at Ballarat, I really like the way this horse is going,” Cumani said.
“We can probably be a little bit more aggressive in where we go. We've been quite careful to not jump up too much in grade, and he is a gelding after all, so there's probably no need to, but we'll see if we can't find a nice 3-year-old race in town for him next.”
He is one of nine winners for second season sire Anders, and was sold by Kingstar Farm for $80,000 at Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to Riversley Park, who on-sold him at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale for NZ$80,000 to Cumani Racing. He is the second winner for Listed winner Sebring Sally (Sebring).
Debut winner for Grunt in WA
Mitchell Pateman-trained 3-year-old colt Heeza Phoenix (Grunt {NZ}) won on debut at Belmont on Wednesday by 0.4 lengths for jockey Lucy Fiore who won three of the first four on the card.
Sold by Namerik Thoroughbreds for $100,000 to Warwick Racing at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Heeza Phoenix is the second winner for winning mare Joadja (Charge Forward) who is a half-sister to stakes placed Zoulah (Zoustar).
Obvious wins at Bendigo
Greg Eurell-trained 3-year-old gelding Obvious (Toronado {Ire}) won at Bendigo on Wednesday, having his third start, and he’d placed last start. Purchased by his trainer for $190,000 from Stonehouse Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Obvious is the third foal of No Place To Hide (New Approach {Ire}) who has one other winner, and who is a winning half-sister to Group 3 winner Naughty By Nature (Trade Fair {GB}).
Too Darn Hot filly impresses in New Zealand
Jomara Bloodstock’s 3-year-old filly Oratia Beauty (Too Darn Hot {GB}) won at Taupo on Wednesday for trainer Kylie Hoskin by 0.4 lengths. She was having her third start. “She has always shown us a lot. We ended up on wet tracks, and she ran well, but I was hoping today, back to a better track, that she would really show us what she was capable of, so I am rapt with that,” Hoskin said.
“I wanted to get a win on the board today and look at where we can go from here. I think she has got some nice races in her this season.” She is the second foal of Oratia (Redoute’s Choice).
At the same meeting Kelly Van Dyk-trained 3-year-old filly Places To Be (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) won by four lengths on debut.
Double for Star Turn at Murray Bridge
On Wednesday, Vinery Stud’s Star Turn sired a double at Murray Bridge. Grant Young-trained 6-year-old mare Refreshing took her record to four wins from 27 starts with earnings over $114,000, while in the last on the card, Karen Byrnes-trained 6-year-old mare Startide took her record to six wins from 28 starts and earnings over $132,000.
New China representative announced by Inglis
On Wednesday, Inglis announced China Horse Owners Alliance (CHOA) as the company’s new China Representative. “Inglis is a highly trusted and revered Company that has been around for more than 150 years, so to be formally associated with them is a big compliment to the CHOA,” The Alliance’s General Secretary Mr Huang Qingcai said.
“Our team is gathering most horse owners in China so I think we can help Inglis considerably to increase Chinese buyer participation at their sales moving forward. We look forward to working with the Inglis team as we continue to build a strong relationship together.”
US$560k Yaupon colt tops trade at Keeneland
Trade remained buoyant at the Keeneland September Sale in Lexington, with statistics continuing to increase over one year ago. With this year's gross having already exceeded figures for the entire sale in 2024, the sale generated US$472,224,000 (AU$706 million) for 1,771 yearlings (through the ring) sold, which is 23.47% higher than the corresponding period last year when 1,740 horses brought US$382,469,500 (AU$572 million).
During Tuesday's session, Keeneland sold 276 yearlings (through the ring) for US$24,495,000 (AU$36.6 million), for an average of US$88,750 (AU$133,000) and a median of US$70,000 (AU$104,800). The gross was 17.61% higher than the eighth session in 2024, when 286 horses sold for US$20,827,500 (AU$31.1 million). The average was 21.87% above US$72,823 (AU$109,000) in 2024, while the median rose 27.27% from US$55,000 (AU$82,000) last year.
With four sessions still to go, a colt by Yaupon (USA) realized a US$560,000 (AU$839,000) final bid from Mike McCarty ON Tuesday. Offered as Hip 2469 by Hinkle Farms, the January 22 foal is out of Media Circus (Mineshaft), who hails from the family of GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner and sire Tapizar. Hinkle Farms secured the colt's unraced dam for US$70,000 (AU$104,800) at the Keeneland November sale in 2021.
Daryz to run in Arc after second placing last start
Daryz is said to be a likely runner in next month's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, having bounced back to form with a narrow defeat in Sunday's G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at the same course.
Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the son of Sea The Stars forfeited his unbeaten record with a no-show in the G1 Juddmonte International at York. With connections at a loss to explain that below-par display, Daryz was given another opportunity to show what he can do at the weekend and his short-head defeat to Japanese raider Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black) was certainly a big step back in the right direction.
“We wanted to see him run again as things didn't go right at York and we didn't know what to think of it afterwards,” said Nemone Routh, racing manager for Daryz's owner-breeder, the Aga Khan Studs.
