Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
The Next Episode is a name to remember
It was an impressive trial by the beautifully bred The Next Episode (Snitzel), who defeated his 2-year-old rivals over 900 metres by just over two lengths under Jason Collett at Rosehill.
He settled in a stalking position in second and, when asked to chase the leader Coolazcanbe (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) before the turn, responded stylishly to take over and win with ease. Seeiaye (Russian Revolution) and Forest King (Tiger Of Malay) both made nice ground to finish second and third.
Video: Watch the replay of The Next Episode, video courtesy of Racing NSW
After running a nice second in a Cranbourne jump-out, trainer Ciaron Maher brought him north, and the colt showed he’d taken good improvement — a promising sign for his campaign ahead.
The Next Episode is the equal-highest-priced yearling by Snitzel sold, and is the second foal out of Humma Humma (Denman), a multiple stakes-winning mare of the G3 Proud Miss Stakes, Listed Alinghi Stakes and Listed Redelva Stakes, and a half-sister to Listed winner Tycoon Humma (Capitalist).
Her first foal, Price Tag (Zoustar), has already made a bright start to her career, placing in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (f), the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes, and running fourth in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate.
The Next Episode as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Humma Humma has recently produced an I Am Invincible yearling colt and was due to foal to Zoustar this month.
The Next Episode was purchased for $2.8 million from the Widden Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock.
Star 3-year-olds stretch their legs down the straight
Friday morning also saw a number of promising 3-year-olds have a look down the famous Flemington straight in a pair of 800-metre jump-outs — valuable experience ahead of next week’s G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes or other Cup Week targets.
In Heat 1, the Danny O’Brien-trained 4-year-old Balastier (Brazen Beau) sped out to a big lead and won comfortably. Among the Coolmore hopefuls, Beadman (Snitzel) was asked for an effort and responded strongly to finish second, while Beiwacht (Bivouac), the G1 Golden Rose winner, was given a quiet time for third, alongside Skyhook (Written Tycoon) and Gallo Nero (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
Beiwacht’s trainer Chris Waller told Racing and Sports he was pleased with the hit-out.
“I’m pretty happy. I didn’t want him to do too much, just have a good look — and he got that. There was a horse out in front and he wasn’t worried about chasing or running it down. He just did his own piece of work and got a good look down the straight.”
“I’m pretty happy. He (Balastier) just did his own piece of work and got a good look down the straight.” - Chris Waller
In Heat 2, the Nathan Doyle-trained Hidden Motive (Capitalist) looked sharp in his first appearance since the G2 Roman Consul Stakes. Notably, the last two Coolmore Stud Stakes winners — Switzerland and Ozzmosis — both came through the Roman Consul as their lead-up.
Hidden Motive | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Vein Girl (Blue Point {Ire}) jumped out sharply, while classy 3-year-olds Devil Night (Extreme Choice), Cantiamo (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Point Barrow (Blue Point {Ire}), and Surf’s Up (Flying Artie) all took the opportunity to stretch out down the straight.
Grand Prairie ready for his next target
The classy Peter Snowden-trained Grand Prairie (Written Tycoon) showed he’s primed for his next assignment, impressing with a stylish win in an open 1030-metre heat by just over half a length under Tommy Berry.
The striking colt sat fifth off a reasonable tempo set by Cloudland (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Darnation (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). At the 500-metre mark, Berry peeled Grand Prairie out wide, and the colt cruised up to the leaders before stretching out nicely to score under a tight hold. Cloudland stuck on well, while Just Party (Justify {USA}) was an eye-catcher late, running third a length from the winner.
Video: Watch the replay of Grand Prairie, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Grand Prairie was in fine form earlier this spring, placing in the Listed Rosebud behind Skyhook (Written Tycoon), winning the G3 Up And Coming Stakes, and finishing a slightly unlucky fifth in the G3 Ming Dynasty after getting back early.
He is the second live foal out of Viddora (I Am Invincible), a top-class sprinting mare who won nine races including the G1 AJ Moir Stakes and G1 Winterbottom Stakes. Yulong purchased Viddora for $2.55 million at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, and she has made a strong start to her breeding career.
Grand Prairie as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Her first foal, O’Invincible (Snitzel), has already won twice, and Grand Prairie adds further depth to the page. Viddora has since produced a yearling filly by Diatonic (Jpn) and is due to foal to Pierata this spring.
Grand Prairie was offered through the Yulong draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale but was passed in at $500,000 and is now raced by Yu Long Investments.
Spicy Miss shows speed and professionalism
The Ciaron Maher–Jason Collett combination also took out the other 2-year-old heat over 900 metres at Rosehill on Friday, with Spicy Miss (Trapeze Artist) scoring narrowly in the Darby Racing colours.
She settled just off the pace in third in the small field and ducked along the inside late to beat Persian Wonder (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) narrowly, with Keystrike (Profiteer), also carrying the Darby silks, running third.
Video: Watch the replay of Spicy Miss, video courtesy of Racing NSW
The time was only marginally slower than The Next Episode’s heat, and it was a professional debut trial for the daughter of Trapeze Artist.
Spicy Miss is the third foal out of Sweet Gisel (USA) (Street Boss {USA}), who was placed in the United States as a 3-year-old and hails from a quick American family with plenty of black type.
Spicy Miss as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
In recent years she has produced a Trapeze Artist yearling colt and missed to both Trapeze Artist and Sweet Ride last spring.
Spicy Miss was purchased for $150,000 by Darby Racing from the Widden Stud draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
