Outside draw for unbeaten Autumn Glow in Epsom
Unbeaten 4-year-old mare Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) has drawn gate 14 for Saturday’s G1 Epsom Handicap. She has won all her six starts. “I just want to tick that Group 1 win with her, it won’t be easy but gee she’s a good horse,” trainer Chris Waller told racingnsw.com.au.
Autumn Glow | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“She’s got X-factor and that’s a big help in a handicap. You still need luck in running but when you have the X-factor you can have a bit of bad luck and still be able to win. The second-up run was brilliant and she’s trained on well. I think she will be fine (at the mile), dad was no problem, she’s got that laid back attitude and beautiful action and that will help her.”
Sir Delius could deliver a first for Waterhouse
Gai Waterhouse, surprisingly, has never won the G1 Cox Plate and thinks expensive import Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) could be the one to achieve it for her. “I've never won a Cox Plate so it would be a dream come true and he's a horse that could do it,” Waterhouse told racing.com.
“He's got a great turn of foot, as you saw the other day at Caulfield.” He won the G1 Underwood Stakes last start and runs in Saturday’s G1 Turnbull Stakes. “It will be a very strong race but it's good. If you're ever going to have a Group 1 horse, they should be racing at the top class against the top-class horses. He's a top-class horse, Sir Delius, he'll give them a good shake.”
Price prefers Space Rider of Guineas pair
Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr prefers Space Rider (Zoustar) over stablemate Planet Red (Admire Mars {Jpn}) for Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Guineas. "Looks a wide-open edition (of the Caulfield Guineas) and I don't think we learned a lot in the Golden Rose (run last Saturday at Rosehill),” Kent told racing.com.
Space Rider | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“Our two, they are fantastic, it was a farcical-run race in the Prelude, but the only silver lining is they didn't have a gut-busting run - it was a beautiful prep run, so to speak. They got back and they flashed home and they pulled accordingly - like they didn't go around. Space Rider is a very nice horse. He's a lovely colt that horse and he's probably a bit more here-and-now than Planet Red.”
Last year’s winner out of Melbourne Cup
With strangles shutting down Macedon Lodge, trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon have not continued the acceptance process for this year’s G1 Melbourne Cup with 2024 winner Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice). “He is sick anyway, he has got something, whether it be strangles or another virus,” Symons told racenet.com.au.
Knight's Choice | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We won't push on with him, regardless of what the tests say. We just haven't got the time to get him ready for the Melbourne Cup, regardless of whether we could put him back into work tomorrow or not.”
The first declaration stage on Tuesday cut the field from 119 to 66 with Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) another high profile horse to not continue.
Rourke appointed Racing Victoria deputy chair
Tim Rourke has been unanimously appointed as deputy chair of the Racing Victoria board. He has been on the board since June 2024 and will replace Sharon McCrohan at the conclusion of her term on the board in the role. “I'm pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Rourke to deputy chair of Racing Victoria with the unanimous support of the board. Since joining the board, Tim has demonstrated a tremendous business acumen and a wonderful passion for the sport,” RV chair Tim Eddy said.
“He wants to see racing thrive in Victoria. In welcoming Tim's appointment, we must also farewell Sharon McCrohan, who has been an incredible servant for the RV board over the past eight years.
Tim Rourke | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
“Sharon's guidance on government relations and communications has been invaluable, as has her insights on our Integrity and Equine Welfare sub-committee. Sharon played an instrumental role in helping ensure the continuation of Victorian racing throughout the COVID pandemic, for which the industry is forever grateful.”
Mating Call to back up into Group 2
Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray-trained 3-year-old filly Mating Call (Brazen Beau) will back up into Saturday’s G2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington, after running sixth in Saturday’s G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude. “She was terrific. It was unfortunate for her that those horses came out at the last minute as that probably took some of the early speed out of the race, which made it hard for Ben (Melham) to get cover. She made a long, sustained run, and she was good on the line,” MacGillivray told racing.com.
“She’s come through her run in good order, she licked the (feed) dish. I rode her this morning and she’s none the worse for wear. We’ve always felt like she’s got the class to be there, and I think she’s shown that; whether it’s come a bit early for her… at the very worst she’s going to get some experience.
“She’s obviously green, she needs race experience. She’s a horse that cops a bit of pressure. She’s eating well and hasn’t turned a hair.”
Spring Champion target for Columbus
Les Bridge-trained 3-year-old gelding Columbus (Dundeel {NZ}) is dual nominated for Wednesday and Thursday with a long term goal of the G1 Spring Champion Stakes, where punters have him at $15. “He’s definitely got the talent to be putting a race away, especially a maiden,” jockey Tyler Schiller told racingnsw.com.au.
“If he does it in really good fashion it would be a good stepping stone for him. He’s only going to improve with experience and time. I haven’t had anything to do with him other than that one race, it’d be interesting to see what he’s like at home. He’s a laid back casual character and it’s probably going to take him a long way when he gets over the 2000 metre mark.”
Les Bridge | Image courtesy of Sportpix
A $1.5 million purchase by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock and Alpha Syndicate from Arrowfield Stud’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft, Columbus is the third foal of city winner Tides (Fastnet Rock), a full sister to Group 1 winner Shoals and Listed winner Groundswell.
New winner for King’s Legacy
Second season sire King’s Legacy enjoyed winner number 14 when 3-year-old filly Midwest Princess won the first at Grafton on Tuesday for trainer Jason Reilly. She was sold by Willow Park Stud to TFI for $105,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. After running last on debut at two, she was on-sold twice via Inglis Digital for $8000 and $3250.
Midwest Princess is a half-sister to Group 2-placed Boyfriend (Snitzel) and their dam, Listed winner Exclusive Lass (Nicconi), foaled a Royal Meeting (Ire) colt this spring.
Dirty Work adds new winner
Second season sire Dirty Work added his sixth winner when Talk Dirty won at Cairns on Tuesday. Trained by Bodine Bailey, the 3-year-old gelding won by 2.4 lengths. A graduate of Cornwall Park Stud’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale draft, he was purchased by Tallan Pty Ltd for $15,000.
Talk Dirty was having his third start and he is the third foal of Linkville (Bernardini {USA}) who is an unraced half-sister to Group 3 winner Yulalona (Dubai Destination {USA}) and Listed winner Applegate (Exceed And Excel).
Tuesday’s debutant winning 3-year-olds
At Shepparton, Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained 3-year-old filly Go Left (So You Think {NZ}) won on debut. Purchased by Cunningham Thoroughbreds and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) for $220,000, she was sold by Kenmore Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
Ben Blay-trained 3-year-old gelding Ellofadude (Written By) won on debut at Tamworth on Tuesday. Not offered at auction, he is the second foal of Ellofarock (Fastnet Rock).
Also at Tamworth, 3-year-old gelding Money Games (Casino Prince) won on debut for trainer Scott Singleton. He is the second foal and second winner for Sequenzalot (Camelot {GB}) who is a half-sister to Listed winner Planet Ruler (Danehill {USA}).
Magic Millions breeze-ups two-thirds complete
One breeze up session remains for the Magic Millions Horses In Training session, to be held at the Gold Coast on October 7, two days before the sale on October 9. Two of the three sessions are complete with the fastest time of 10.05s going to Lot 157, a Spirit Of Boom colt.
Spirit Of Boom | Standing at Eureka Stud
“This sale has a proud record of producing high class racehorses right around the world,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said in a press release.
“The 2025 catalogue is fantastic and the line up of horses is world class. We look forward to the final breeze session next week and then offering the outstanding prospects at auction.”
Racing returns to Launceston nights for summer
Launceston held trials on Tuesday ahead of their first night meeting this Friday. “I think (the surface) just gets better each year coming out of winter,” Tasracing’s State Track & Facilities Manager, Bryan Dunn, told tasracing.com.au.
“The feedback from the jockeys at the trials was great, and we’re looking forward to getting back to racing.” Last year’s opening meeting was the second highest turnover of all the night meetings in Tasmania, beaten only by the Conquering Stakes meeting.
Voyage Bubble trials ahead of raceday return
Multiple Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) trialled on Tuesday in preparation for his return in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy on October 19. “He felt good, sharp and fresh,” jockey Matthew Poon told scmp.com.
“He jumped well and he trialled good and, at this stage, we are happy with how he goes and we still have a little bit of time. I’m really, really looking forward to (the Sha Tin Trophy). I trust him and I hope he can run really well.”
Seventeen remain in Arc contention
Aidan O'Brien looks set to saddle Los Angeles (Camelot) and Minnie Hauk (Frankel) in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, with the latter expected to be supplemented later this week to join the current cast of 17 contenders for Europe's richest race.
Speaking at the weekend, O'Brien said, “Everything has gone well with them since their last runs. Christophe (Soumillon) rode Minnie Hauk during the week and he was very happy.”
“Los Angeles has made great improvement since his last run and, if the ground gets soft, it would bring him right into it – he's a big powerhouse,” O'Brien told Racing TV.
“The Arc was his plan all year. It went a little bit wrong at Ascot and he had a hard race. We had to back away and because of that he was a little bit behind for his first run back at the Curragh. But we felt he came forward well from there to France the last day (when finishing fourth in Prix Foy). We felt he was going to move on again, so hopefully this run will be better than his last run. His work has been very nice.”
Guyon to stay on Aventure
Maxime Guyon was confirmed on Monday as the intended rider of Aventure, in preference to multiple Group 1 winner Sosie. As number one jockey to Wertheimer et Frere, Guyon again had the choice between the operation's two homebreds on Sunday, with Aventure earning the vote of confidence on this occasion following an impressive victory in the Prix Vermeille last time.
“She was running against older horses and last year she came up against Bluestocking, who beat her in the Qatar Prix Vermeille and then also in the Arc. This year we came up against Calandagan, so it was great to get the Group 1 at a time in the season when we still have other targets,” said trainer Christophe Ferland.
“The Arc is a very important race and is very much in the minds of everyone. I could have run in the Prix de l'Opera. I'm not saying that it would have been easier, but it wouldn't get as much attention as the Arc and this year I'm quite calm.”
