Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
First held in 1978, the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes has long been a testing ground for Victoria’s sharpest juveniles. It has unearthed future stallions such as Canny Lad, Danzero and Zizou, and more recent names like Unite And Conquer, Ingratiating and Bodyguard.
The race has seen its share of change over the years. At times run exclusively for colts and geldings, it was Lemongrass (Horbury {Ire}) who became the first filly to win in 1980. In 2007, the distance was extended from 900 metres to 1000 metres, with Exceedingly Good successful, one of five winners by champion sire Exceed And Excel.
Tony and Calvin McEvoy will be the busiest stable on Saturday, saddling three runners - Knurl (Brazen Beau), One Day At A Time (Bivouac) and Sabrina (Blue Point {Ire}). Tony McEvoy previously won the race with Risen From Doubt (Not A Single Doubt) in 2013.
Tony and Calvin McEvoy | Image courtesy of Inglis
The Hayes family also boast a strong record, with Ben Hayes - now training alongside brothers Will and JD, part of the Lindsay Park team that won consecutive editions with Madeenaty (Exceed And Excel) and Nomothaj (Snitzel). This year, the Hayes brothers will line up Eurocanto (Per Incanto {USA}) and Rich On Bubbles (Capitalist).
Mark Walker has two contenders in Harry Met Sally (Yes Yes Yes) and Flash Of Class (Capitalist), the latter carrying Te Akau Racing’s famous Tangerine colours.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, while concentrating more heavily on the Group 3 juvenile features at Randwick, will still be represented by a strong chance in Knightsbridge (Farnan), who has impressed at the Sydney trials and looks a winning hope for Champion jockey James McDonald.
Hayes Brothers | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
On the breeding front, Capitalist - who himself began his career with victory in the G3 Breeders’ Plate - is the only sire with multiple runners, through Rich On Bubbles and Flash Of Class. Two first-season stallions are also represented for the first time, with Guest House (Home Affairs) and Given The Extreme (Extreme Warrior) making their debuts.
No.1 - Eurocanto
2-year-old colt, Per Incanto (USA) x Shespending (NZ) (Savabeel)
Trainers: Ben, Will and JD Hayes
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Barrier: 3
Breeder: Evergreen Stud Farm
Owners: Lindsay Park Bloodstock (Mgr: Mrs S Steel), C E Holt, M Bogoievski, Ad Infinitum (Mgr: D I Hollyman), A Abdullah, F W Cook, Ms J P Cook, G Devonport, D Grasso, Mrs L I V Holt, S D O'Flaherty, D S Whitmore, R Green, B S Wilson, Ms S Ryner & J Fry
Eurocanto as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sale information: This promising colt was purchased for $250,000 by Lindsay Park Racing from the Evergreen Stud Farm draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Eurocanto (Per Incanto {USA}) comes from a very strong Waikato Stud family with his damsires being Savabeel, Pins and O’Reilly (NZ). Some strong Group winners that feature within the page are Splurge (NZ) (Savabeel), Splashing Out (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and Waikato Stud’s own Sacred Falls (NZ).
Eurocanto has prepared for his debut with two jump-out seconds at Flemington, where he was handled by Mark Zahra, who again takes the reins on raceday.
No.2 - Guest House
2-year-old colt, Home Affairs x Flamboyant Lass (Stratum)
Trainers: Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr)
Jockey: Jamie Melham
Barrier: 8
Breeder: Love Racing Pty Ltd
Owners: R T D Racing, A P Grant, J Molinaro, Refugee, D + A Racing, G & C Bayview, R Bradridge, Three Amigos, Hallowsand, L M R Racing, Henderson Racing & Breeding, C Watts, A O N Racing, T Clark, Mrs A Gniel, Dr B A Boan, P W Henley, Mrs L J Perry & Z Gocturk
Guest House as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sale information: This son of Home Affairs was purchased for $270,000 by Mick Price Racing and Breeding Pty Ltd, Roll The Dice Racing, and Rogers Bloodstock from the Newgate Farm draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Guest House is out of the dual winner and Group 2 and Listed placed Flamboyant Lass (Stratum), who has already left four winners. She is also well-related, being a full sister to Attention (Stratum), who was successful in the G2 Sires’ Produce Stakes and the G3 Schweppervescence Handicap.
Guest House has placed in his two jump-outs at Flemington and Cranbourne, where he was handled by Jamie Melham, who again takes the reins on raceday.
No.3 - Harry Met Sally
2-year-old colt, Yes Yes Yes x Agueda (General Nediym)
Trainer: Mark Walker
Jockey: Michael Dee
Barrier: 11
Breeder: Mr B Sokolski
Owners: YES Bloodstock (Mgr: B F Sokolski), Jomara Bloodstock Ltd (Mgr: M P Carter), M C Scown, D Swiatlo, N Gold, Dr D Goldbloom & D Harris
Yes Yes Yes | Standing at Gooree Park
The Brae Sokolski-bred and raced (with partners) colt is by Yes Yes Yes, who wore Sokolski’s colours to victory in the Everest Stakes in 2019. He is out of Agueda (General Nediym), a dual winner, who was also six times Group and Listed placed on the track.
She has left six winners from six to race, with the best of them being the 10-time winner Heat (Smart Missile).
Harry Met Sally has had three jump-outs and has finished second in two of them, including at Flemington last time out in the hands of race day jockey Michael Dee.
No.4 - Knightsbridge
2-year-old colt, Farnan x Festivity (Nicconi)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: James McDonald
Barrier: 2
Breeder: Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Owners: James Harron Bloodstock Colts, TFI, Mrs B C Bateman, Bundarra Breeding and Racing, M A De Stoop, G1G Colts & Breeding, The Northerly 25, Love Racing, F P Doyle, D Saab, Balius Farm, Ravenswood Bloodstock & Gemstash
Knightsbridge as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sale information: Knightsbridge (Farnan) was purchased for $750,000 by James Harron Bloodstock and Tony Fung Colts from the Lime Country draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The son of Farnan is the fifth foal of Festivity (Nicconi), who was a three-time winner on the track, and has since thrived as a broodmare. She has left three winners, including Semana (Winning Rupert), who has won at Group 3 and R. Listed level, and placed at Group 1 level three times, and Gala Queen (Deep Field), who has been a Listed winner in South Australia.
Knightsbridge won very nicely at the Kensington trials in Sydney over 850 metres in the hands of Tim Clark, and looks well-placed to run well in Melbourne.
No.5 - Knurl
2-year-old colt, Brazen Beau x Mollycoddle (Lonhro)
Trainers: Tony and Calvin McEvoy
Jockey: Damian Lane
Barrier: 12
Breeder: Godolphin Australia
Owners: Godolphin
Brazen Beau | Standing at Darley
The Godolphin-bred and raced son of Brazen Beau is the first foal out of Mollycoddle (Lonhro), a four-time winner up to 1350 metres. His grandam is Mascareri (Commands), an eight-time winner, and was successful in the Listed Silk Stocking Handicap. She is also a full sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Appearance (Commands).
Knurl has won both of her jump-outs at Flemington in preparation for this Listed race and looks one of the hardest to beat.
No.6 - Rich On Bubbles
2-year-old colt, Capitalist x Champagne Boom (Spirit Of Boom)
Trainers: Ben, Will and JD Hayes
Jockey: Blake Shinn
Barrier: 6
Breeder: Kingstar Farm
Owners: Lindsay Park Bloodstock (Mgr: Mrs S Steel), T Poli, Horse Ventures (Mgr: M B Sandblom), Four-Point Racing (Mgr: C Mobilio), B E Buchanan, Dr C C McGillivray, R M North & B S Wilson
Rich On Bubbles as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sale information: This sharply-bred son of Capitalist was purchased by Lindsay Park Racing for $200,000 from the Kingstar Farm draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Rich On Bubbles is out of Champagne Boom (Spirit Of Boom), who won the Listed Debutant Stakes as a juvenile, so he is definitely bred for speed. Her only foal to race is the promising Stoli Bolli (Deep Field), who has already placed in Listed company as a 3-year-old.
Rich On Bubbles won his first jump-out at Pakenham, then was given a quiet time at Flemington next time out, finishing seventh.
No.7 - Flash Of Class
2-year-old filly, Capitalist x Flashing Speed (War Pass {USA})
Trainer: Mark Walker
Jockey: Craig Williams
Barrier: 7
Breeder: G 1 G Racing and Breeding
Owners: Te Akau News Flash Syndicate 1 (Mgr: Mrs K W Fenton-Ellis MNZM), DL Horse Venture Pty Ltd (Mgr: P K Leung), Fortune 1 Racing and Breeding (Mgr: G J Diamond), G1G Racing & Breeding (Mgr: Mrs T L Vogel) & G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd (Mgr: G J Diamond)
Flash Of Class as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sale information: Flash Of Class (Capitalist) was originally purchased by James Harron Bloodstock Ltd for $55,000 from the Widden Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. She was then purchased by D Ellis (BAFNZ) and Te Akau Racing for $70,000 from the Widden Stud draft at this year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Out of the Group 3 placed mare Flashing Speed (War Pass {USA}), Flash Of Class has a lovely international pedigree that features War Pass (USA) and Galileo (Ire) as damsires.
Flashing Speed is a half sister to Thunder Fantasy, a Group 2 and Listed winner, who also placed in the G1 Rosehill Guineas, G1 Victoria Derby and the G1 Australian Guineas.
Flash of Class has had three jump-outs, winning his first one at Cranbourne in the hands of his race day rider Craig Williams.
No.8 - Given The Extreme
2-year-old filly, Extreme Warrior x On A Given Day (Fastnet Rock)
Trainer: Simon Zahra
Jockey: Thomas Stockdale
Barrier: 1
Breeder: Mr R W Tierney
Owners: Monarch Bloodstock, Monarch Racing EW, R W Tierney, First Sight Racing, J Smith, R C Mclean, R S Hannaford, J W K Thomas, Mrs L Eastaughffe, A J Kingdon, Ms A L Thomson, D A Kingdon, D Neylon, Ms S Frost, Pirie Misfits, Cooper Hugh, L S K B & J Shaw
Given The Extreme as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sale information: This son of Extreme Warrior was purchased by Monarch Racing, Catherine Bruggeman and Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $100,000 from the Riversdale Farm draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Book 2.
Given The Extreme is out of On A Given Day (Fastnet Rock), who has left three winners including the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes-placed Extreme Diva (Extreme Choice). His grandam Full Bloom (Snippets), was also stakes placed at two, so there is plenty of early speed in the family.
Given The Extreme may be the outsider in the field, but he has placed in two jump-outs at Flemington and has looked handy in both of them.
No.9 - One Day At A Time
2-year-old filly, Bivouac x Everyday Lady (Charge Forward)
Trainers: Tony & Calvin McEvoy
Jockey: Harry Coffey
Barrier: 4
Breeder: Rosemont Stud
Owners: Pipeliner Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: W G Mitchell)
One Day At A Time as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sale information: This promising Bivouac filly was purchased by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $270,000 from the Rosemont Stud draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
One Day At A Time is out of Everyday Lady (Charge Forward), who was a four-time winning sprinter, who won the Listed Manihi Classic, and ran fourth in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes.
She is from the extended family of the outstanding Weekend Hussler (Hussonet {USA}) a seven-time Group 1 winner from 1200 metres up to 1800 metres.
One Day At A Time has had two jump-outs, she only found stablemate Sabrina (Blue Point {Ire}) narrowly too good for her in her first one at Flemington, before she was too good for her race rival Eurocanto at her second one over 800 metres.
No.10 - Rubare
2-year-old filly, Rubick x Miss Belisa (Lope De Vega {Ire})
Trainer: Nick Ryan
Jockey: Jordan Childs
Barrier: 9
Breeder: Campolina Pty Ltd
Owners: N R Ryan, Campolina Pty Ltd (Mgr: I C Bell), G R Dawson, Behind The Glass Racing, Ms A Creighton, Ms N S Dennis, Off To The Track, G J Reid, J Sheridan, R Sheridan, Victoria Club Ltd, Whiskywill, S Hubbard, P Humphries, J Marinos, S D Levidis, S C Nankervis, G R O'Sullivan, G Rose & E B Tenberge
Rubare as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sale information: Rubare (Rubick) was purchased for $35,000 by Nick Ryan Racing Pty Ltd from the Twin Hills Stud draft at this year’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Rubare comes from the extended family of the Singapore Champion 3-year-old Gingerbread Man (Shamardal {USA}), and the Listed winner Snitch (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
Rubare has had a couple of jump-outs and placed in her last one at Flemington behind race rival Knurl.
No.11 - Sabrina
2-year-old filly, Blue Point (Ire) x Witchfulthinking (War Chant {USA})
Trainers: Tony & Calvin McEvoy
Jockey: Luke Currie
Barrier: 10
Breeder: Amelia Park Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd
Owners: Kildalton Park Racing (Mgr: D Gordon), P V Walsh, P T O'Brien, C J Atkins, Mrs J M Evans, B J Barnett, Milton Mangoes (Mgr: D L Beale), The Double Fault (Mgr: B C Faithfull), C J Finnegan, Ms A Walsh, Miss S Walsh, M M Clingly, D P Oman, Miss J Sprlyan & Miss S L Jackson
Sabrina as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sale information: This promising daughter of Darley Stud’s former shuttler Blue Point (Ire) was purchased by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $90,000 from the Amelia Park draft at this year’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Sabrina is out of the four-time winner Witchfulthinking (War Chant {USA}). She comes from the family of the outstanding West Australian galloper Delicacy (Al Maher), a dual winner of The G1 Oaks and Derby in Perth.
Sabrina has looked sharp at the jump-outs, winning both of them at Flemington, and she deserves to be one of the favourites.
No.12 - Streisand
2-year-old filly, Magnus x Zouper Star (Zoustar)
Trainer: Clinton McDonald
Jockey: Ben Melham
Barrier: 5
Breeder: Eldon Park Stud
Owners: GFY Racing Success (D Painter), Primal (M Gardiner), This Is My Lane (Mrs T Notman), Riddell Racing (B Besanko), D&D Racing (D Painter), Miss A McGrath, D McGrath, A Blackshaw, R Bowen, C Gilder, T Hartley, A Spargo, P Brenton, R Darrah, D Gilby, A Haines, E Hughes, Mrs G Oscar, R Smith & D Thomson
Streisand as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sale information: Streisand (Magnus) was originally purchased by Northmore and Waterford for $22,000 through the Yarran Thoroughbreds draft at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale. She was then successfully sold at this year’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $100,000 by Northmore Thoroughbreds to the purchasers Shane McGrath Bloodstock and Clinton McDonald Racing.
Streisand is out of the dual winner Zouper Star (Zoustar), who is well related, being a half sister to the Listed winner Best Yet To Come (Econsul {NZ}) and the Group 3 placed Simply Put (Charge Forward)
Streisand has looked talented at the jump-outs, winning one at Flemington over 650 metres, and placing third behind Race rival Sabrina again at Flemington, but over 800 metres.
