Cover image courtesy of Sportpix
Race-day recap
Hellbent colt Revengeance announced himself as a major Golden Slipper contender with a commanding Golden Gift victory at Rosehill, solidifying his place among the early favourites.
Calamari Ring (Street Boss {USA}) handled the wet Flemington conditions with poise to claim the Inglis Banner on debut, marking herself as a filly with serious talent and Blue Diamond aspirations.
Brilliant filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) confirmed her star quality with a dominant New Zealand 1000 Guineas triumph, giving trainer Stephen Marsh his first victory in the race.
King Of Light (Earthlight {Ire}) maintained his unbeaten record with a thrilling neck victory over Heeza Phonenix in the Listed Fairetha Stakes, setting up an exciting clash in the WA Guineas.
Beatty (Gingerbread Man) delivered a powerful win in the Magic Millions Plate at Ascot, leading home a stable quinella for Sean and Jake Casey and stamping himself a most promising juvenile.
Hellbent colt emerges as serious Golden Slipper contender with stylish Golden Gift win
Talented Hellbent colt Revengeance has strengthened his position as a leading contender for next year’s $5 million G1 Golden Slipper, now equal $11 favourite alongside I’m Ya Huckleberry (Home Affairs) and Incognito (Stay Inside), following a stylish victory in Saturday’s $1 million ATC Golden Gift at Rosehill.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt was a late closing third on debut in the G3 Breeders Plate behind I’m Ya Huckleberry and Incognito and had been kept in work with this race in mind.
Ridden by Josh Parr, Revengeance settled behind the leaders before being angled into clear running and producing a decisive turn of foot. He took over at the furlong mark and held off the promising Trapeze Arist filly Spicy Miss to win by a length, with stablemate Plagiarism (Written By) finishing third. The winning time was 1:03.64, with the last 600 metres covered in 34.22 seconds.
“He got a nice spot behind the speed and produced at the right time. He was excellent late and good through the line so a lot to like about the win,” co-trainer Adrian Bott said.
Revengeance winning the G3 Golden Gift | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“We will work back from the Slipper. We’ve got a few different lead-up options. Whether we go the traditional path, we’ll see what pans out and what we think is going to be the best way to get him to the Slipper. Obviously, he’s got the money now to get into the field.”
Josh Parr was ecstatic to be partnered with the horse who did everything right in the run.
“What a beautiful animal,” Parr said. “What a beautiful colt. Prepared to perfection for me today. He was a sit and steer job.”
“What a beautiful colt. Prepared to perfection for me today. He (Revengeance) was a sit and steer job.” - Josh Parr
Sales: Revengeance was purchased from the draft of Davali Thoroughbreds for $100,000 by Darby Racing at the 2025 Inglis Classic Sale .
Connections of Revengeance winning the G3 Golden Gift | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Pedigree: Revengeance by Hellbent out of Havasu (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}). Bred by Davali Thoroughbreds, he is the first foal of Havasu, an unraced half-sister to Group 3 winner Miss Federer (Swiss Ace) from stakes-winner Halobelle (My Halo {Arg}). Havasu has a yearling filly by Exceedance and produced a colt by Exceedance this spring.
It was a massive day for Yarraman Park’s Hellbent who not only sired the winner of The Golden Gift but also Vivy Air, winner of the Listed Five Diamonds while Magic Time finished a narrow runner-up to Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Flemington.
Calamari Ring shows her class on debut in wet Inglis Banner
On a rain-swept Flemington afternoon, it was Calamari Ring (Street Boss {USA}) who handled both the occasion and the conditions best, justifying her support to take out the $400,000 R. Listed Inglis Banner in determined fashion.
Sent out favourite on debut, the Ciaron Maher-trained filly showed professionalism beyond her experience, adapting seamlessly to the testing weather and the unfamiliar Flemington straight. Travelling strongly down the centre of the track on a surface rated a Soft 7, she ranged up under Ethan Brown before overhauling the race-experienced Streisand (Magnus) in the final 100 metres to score by a head, with a further two lengths back to Bohemian Rhapsody (Prague) in third.
“The jump-out on soft ground at Cranbourne certainly helped her cause today,” said Maher.
“We mentioned before the race that she has had a fair bit of experience but god I thought she did a great job. She came up the middle of the track and had never seen the straight track. Browny is seeing them pretty well and I can't thank the team enough - they have done a super job. It is our first runner for the owner so, what a way to start. I hope they have some Hot Toddy's in the winners' room today because the champagne might be a bit chilly today!
“She has always shown ability but I didn't think she would get to the races this early. As good horses do though, they can do well in training and every time we asked a little bit of her it brought her on. She has a bright future.”
“She (Calamari Ring) has always shown ability but I didn't think she would get to the races this early. She has a bright future.” - Ciaron Maher
Looking ahead, Maher hinted that a tilt at the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes could be on the agenda.
“The Diamond could be on the cards with natural improvement. To do that at her first look down the straight, she’s got a lot of upside. The Blue Diamond series has got a nice ring to it. We haven’t won that yet, so we would like to tick that off.”
Connections of Calamari Ring after winning the R. Listed Inglis Banner | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Jockey Ethan Brown was equally full of praise for the filly’s professionalism and attitude under pressure.
“She handled the day really well - obviously it is testing conditions out there,” Brown said. “She has trialled well for this - Ciaron thought enough of her to trial her against the 3-year-olds and she held her own there in what was wet enough ground so I was always confident she was going to handle it. She was just prepared so well which made my job easy. You can't kick your career off in much better fashion than that.”
Calamari Ring winning the R. Listed Inglis Banner | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Sales: Calamari Ring was a $140,000 weanling purchase for Hall Of Fame and Shane McGrath Bloodstock from the draft of Two Bays Farm at the 2024 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.
Pedigree: By Darley’s proven sire Street Boss (USA), Calamari Ring is the second winner from Excelsior Island (Exceed And Excel), a mare boasting a strong New Zealand pedigree as a half-sister to Champion 2-year-old Warhorse (General Nediym), winner of the G1 Diamond Stakes.
Well Written announces herself in dominant NZ 1000 Guineas triumph
In the space of just three starts, Well Written (Written Tycoon) has gone from promising prospect to New Zealand’s newest racing sensation, producing a breathtaking performance to capture the NZ$600,000 G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on Saturday.
Sent out a long odds-on favourite, the Stephen Marsh-trained filly justified every expectation, delivering a display of sheer class that had the Riccarton crowd in full voice. Given the perfect trail one-out and one-back by Matt Cartwright, she travelled sweetly throughout before exploding away shortly after turning for home, putting the race beyond doubt in a matter of strides.
Cartwright stood high in the irons as Well Written crossed the line, celebrating the win in style as the filly bolted in by two and a half lengths in front of Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca), with another one and a half lengths back to Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) in third. It was just her third raceday start, and it may have unveiled the next star of New Zealand racing.
“There is a lot of relief after that, I was nervous - the expectations were there,” Marsh said.
Well Written winning the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas | Image courtesy of Race Images
“I said to Matt, ride her like she is the best horse. Don’t panic, just think of it as another race. Just put her there, put her to sleep and don’t go too early. I was glad he didn’t peel off at the top of the straight - he just sat in that slipstream and came off late. It was something else to watch, to be honest. It was pretty special.
“It’s great for the Yulong team and our owners. That is very satisfying, and that’s the first 1000 Guineas we have won - she is a special filly. She has that little bit of freakish about her. It is exciting to have them - they make the job a lot easier. She paraded great and it is a real thrill to win a race like that.”
Cartwright was equally taken with the filly’s brilliance.
“She is a very, very good horse and everything worked out perfect,” he said.
“She (Well Written) is a very, very good horse and everything worked out perfect.” - Matt Cartwright
“The only thing I didn’t like was when she was a bit hot behind the gates, rearing up and a bit fractious. Once those gates opened, the job was on, she landed and she travelled lovely. I had to count to 10 - I probably only got to six but gee, she is a good filly.
“She is very exciting, probably one of the better ones I’ve sat on. Once she matures, she is going to be top class. I don’t know where her ceiling is, to be honest - she’s improving to be one of the best horses I’ve ever ridden.”
The win marked a first 1000 Guineas triumph for Marsh, who has long been regarded as one of New Zealand’s most astute conditioners, and it confirmed Well Written as a filly of rare ability.
Sales: Well Written was originally purchased by Foxhill Thoroughbreds as a weanling for $32,500 from the Lemrac Lodge draft at the 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale, she was then the NZ$80,000 sale-topper for Brighthill Farm at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Online Yearling Sale, purchased by Stephen Marsh Racing in partnership with Dylan Johnson Bloodstock.
Following her first two dominant performances - including her emphatic Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes triumph - Yulong moved to acquire a 50 percent share in the talented filly.
Pedigree: By champion sire Written Tycoon, Well Written is out of stakes placed mare Mozzie Monster (Sebring) and the only named foal from the mare. She is the best performed of four foals to race for Group 3 winning mare Valentine Miss (Danetime {Ire}). Mozzie Monster had a colt by Nicconi this Spring.
King Of Light launches late to win Fairetha Stakes thriller
Unbeaten colt King Of Light (Earthlight {Ire}) showcased his class and determination once again, storming home late to claim the Listed Fairetha Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, overcoming a strong on-pace bias to make it four wins from as many starts and set up a mouthwatering re-match with Heeza Phoenix (Grunt {NZ}) in the upcoming G2 WA Guineas.
With the track heavily favouring leaders and runners close to the rail, William Pike had the Daniel Morton-trained colt perfectly placed trailing the leader along the fence. When the previously unbeaten Heeza Phoenix kicked four or five lengths clear at the top of the straight, it looked as though the pattern would again prove decisive.
But King Of Light wasn’t done. Once Pike worked into the clear, the talented 3-year-old launched powerfully, reeling in Heeza Phoenix in the shadows of the post to win by a neck, confirming his status as one of Western Australia’s brightest young talents.
Daniel Morton was delighted with the performance.
“It was a great performance. He had a real task ahead of him at the top of the straight and Mitch's horse is obviously very good,” Morton said.
“It was a great performance. He (King Of Light) had a real task ahead of him at the top of the straight. ” - Daniel Morton
“He’s as an exciting a horse as I’ve had this early. Hopefully he will continue to improve as he steps out in distance. He has all the attributes to go that way, towards a Northerly Stakes, I think before today he was favourite so I will just take their advice!”
Jockey William Pike admitted the race had its challenges given how the track was playing.
King Of Light winning the Listed Fairetha Stakes | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“Obviously I was very nervous the way the track had been playing so far but generally when the better horses step out, the track pattern takes a back seat and I'm glad it did there,” Pike said.
“Credit to a couple of the horses we defeated, they were really hard to get past - I had a lovely run in transit. I'm looking forward to the Guineas but we've still got to earn it.”
With four wins from as many starts, King Of Light remains unbeaten and heads to the WA Guineas as the horse they will all have to beat.
Sales: King Of Light was a $120,000 Magic Millions Perth Yearling purchase from the Amelia Park Racing and Breeding draft for trainer Daniel Morton. Unbeaten in four starts, he has now earned over $220,000 and is one of two Australian stakes winner for Darley shuttle sire Earthlight (Ire).
Connections of King Of Light winning the Listed Fairetha Stakes | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Pedigree: King Of Light is the fourth foal of winning mare Queen’s Parade (Dalghar {Fr}), who has produced three winners from four to race. From a deep international family, his second dam Press Leak (Rock Of Gibraltar{Ire}) is the dam of G3 Tibbie Stakes winner Spirit Bird (Savabeel).
Beatty secures Magic Millions Plate in stable quinella
Beatty (Gingerbread Man) confirmed himself as a promising 2-year-old in Western Australia with an authoritative victory in the Magic Millions Plate on debut at Ascot. He was heavily backed from his opening odds of $3.90 into $1.80 and lived up to the billing, stalking the pace under William Pike before pouncing in the straight and proving too strong late for stablemate One Last Resort (Tassort), who finished a solid length and a half back in second, giving the Casey stable the quinella. The previously undefeated All On Red (Doubtland) battled gamely but could only manage third.
Video: Watch race replay of Beatty, video courtesy of Racing WA
Beatty had already shown his potential with an impressive trial win at Belmont in late October prior to his debut.
“We knew we had three sound horses that would perform well,” Co-trainer Sean Casey said.
“With it being a 14 horse field, you don't know what is in other people's Christmas wrappers either. They have all been working well and are competitive amongst each other.”
“This bloke has a lot of scope about him, especially being by Gingerbread Man; he is not a nuggety type. He is a half to Camera Action which is pretty talented as well. He has good blood right the way through. Going on the way he was climbing a bit in the run and getting his head up a bit Willy Pike probably had to do a bit of braking in the run so it was a tough effort. He is very playful, he is a colt still and we thought we'd have a go with him and he showed he has the stamina to find the line.”
Beatty winning the Magic Millions Plate | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Casey also admitted he rated the runner-up on top prior ro the race.
“I thought being seasoned, One Last Resort would be the reasonable tip but I'm happy to be wrong on this occassion!”
Jockey William Pike hinted that the best is yet to come for the winner, who raced greenly at stages, with some time to mature.
“He was good. He is just so raw - when he figures it all out he is going to be a lot of fun.”
“He (Beatty) was good. He is just so raw - when he figures it all out he is going to be a lot of fun.” - William Pike
Sales: Beatty was not offered for sale and was bred and now raced by her owner Wally Daly.
Pedigree: Beatty is the third winner produced by Murtajill mare Femmett, a grandson of Listed WATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Refemme (Surtee) and a half-sister to stakes-placed 2-year-old winners Detection (Shamardal), Charleton Eddie (Shooting to Win) and Veuve de Vega (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
