Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race-day recap
Hard Kick (All Too Hard) destroyed his rivals on debut in the Listed Talindert Stakes at Flemington. He could now back-up into a very open G1 Blue DIamond Stakes next Saturday.
Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) kept her unbeaten record intact as she won the G2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes with ease on her home track.
The exciting Tony Gollan-trained Pembrey (Prague) was dominant on debut winning at Eagle Farm by a big margin. She could make her way to Sydney on the back of that outstanding effort.
The well-bred Ciaron's Star (I Am Invincible) won nicely at her second start at Randwick, she could be one to watch in the good races ahead.
Hard Kick blasts rivals in Talindert statement
It was a one-act affair in the Listed Talindert Stakes as the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Hard Kick (All Too Hard) announced himself in style, bolting in by two-and-three-quarter lengths under Damian Lane.
The performance carried little surprise. The promising son of All Too Hard had been unbeaten in three jump-outs leading into his debut and brought that sharp form straight to race day. Once he jumped cleanly and rolled to the front, the race was effectively over. Lane allowed him to stride comfortably, and the gelding travelled like the winner throughout before putting them away basically untouched.
The Godolphin pair chased bravely in behind, with Zambales (Pinatubo {Ire}) holding his ground well from a forward position, while Diameter (Brazen Beau) made pleasing late ground out wide to grab third, a couple of lengths adrift of his stablemate.
“He was bought in Sydney at Inglis Ready 2 Race and Dad was actually representing the company there, and he purchased him for connections. What a thrill!,” said Co-trainer JD Hayes.
“He's been very well educated at home and we thought he was pretty good and he won with authority there. I'm not sure if he's as good as Miss Finland, but he looked pretty good there.
Hard Kick winning the Listed Talindert Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Eveything
“We'll keep the option open in a week's time (Blue Diamond), see how he pulls up, because he did win with his head on his chest there. There are plenty of options going ahead with this horse. It's very exciting.”
Lane was equally taken with the colt’s competitive edge.
“Once the other horses got near him again, he wanted to race them. He’s just a natural competitor and he took a little bit of slowing down after the line,” said Lane.
“He's a good horse. Been impressive at the jump out, but you're never, obviously, 100% sure going up to 1100m off the back of 800m jump-outs.
Hard Kick and Damian Lane after winning the Listed Talindert Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He did give you every feel he was going to be better past 800 metres and that’s what he's done today. He just went to another level.”
“He (Hard Kick) did give you every feel he was going to be better past 800 meters and that’s what he's done today. He just went to another level.” - Damian Lane
Sales info: Hard Kick was purchased by Avesta Bloodstock for $30,000 at the 2025 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, before being re-offered through the 2025 Inglis Sydney Ready to Race sale where Lindsay Park picked him up for $140,000 from the Hannover Lodge draft.
Pedigree info: Hard Kick is by All Too Hard, and is out of the unplaced Exceed And Excel mare Friendly Donna. Hard Kick’s grandam Donna Intelligente (Dehere {USA}) was a three-time winner and is a half-sister to the G3 Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Burning Sands (Marju {Ire}) and the Malaysian Listed winner Jeram New Village (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}).
Lara Antipova dominates in the Matamata Breeders’
The excitement machine Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) made it three from three, adding the G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes to her G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes success in emphatic fashion.
On a testing Heavy track at Matamata, Opie Bosson allowed the filly to stride forward after working a little bit early to find the front, and from there the result was never in doubt. She travelled strongly throughout and powered clear to score by just under three-and-a-half lengths.
Te Encuentro (Frankel {GB}) stuck on gamely for second, with Hawea (Hellbent) another honest performer in third, but the race belonged to the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained filly as her class told in the conditions.
“She is a very special filly,” Bosson said.
“She (Lara Antipova) is a very special filly.” - Opie Bosson
“She wasn’t 100% in the ground and she had a bit of a stumble turning in but that actually made her pick the bit up a bit more and she got up underneath me, she is pure class.
“She was a little bit fresh and a little bit keen early in the running, but with that run under her belt she is only going to improve.”
The G1 Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie on Champions Day now looms as her likely next target - a race Te Akau captured last season with Return To Conquer, who has just been announced as standing at Waikato Stud this season
Lara Antipova winning the G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“She is a very good filly,” Walker said.
“The next port of call will be the Sistema and then all going well and she was still 100%, you would consider going over to Australia. We do think a lot of her.
“It is great for John and Jessica (Galvin) and the Fortuna team to have another nice one.”
Sale info: David Ellis (BAFNZ) and Fortuna Racing paid $100,000 at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to secure Lara Antipova from the draft of Vinery Stud.
Lara Antipova as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Pedigree info: Lara Antipova is one of four winners produced by the multiple metropolitan winner Artistic Lass (Myboycharlie {Ire}), who is a half-sister to G2 Edward Manifold Stakes winner Sistine Angel (Testa Rossa) and G3 Victoria Handicap winner Sistine Demon (Excites).
Vinery Stud sold a half-brother to Lara Antipova by In The Congo for $150,000 to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds at last week’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, she produced a Stay Inside colt last spring, and was served by Stay Inside again subsequently.
Pembrey makes a statement on debut at Eagle Farm
The Tony Gollan-trained 2-year-old Pembrey (Prague) delivered one of the more dominant juvenile performances of the weekend, crushing her rivals by just under five-and-a-half lengths on debut at Eagle Farm.
Given a soft steer in front by Ben Thompson, the filly jumped sharply, controlled the tempo and never looked in danger. Swift Dragon (Dracarys), the second favourite, attempted to apply pressure soon after straightening after sitting handy, but that challenge was short-lived as Pembrey quickly asserted her superiority.
Oregon Coast (Portland Sky) improved off her debut sixth to run on well for second, while Apostle (NZ) (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) caught the eye when finishing third on debut.
Gollan was understandably taken with the performance and suggested bigger stages may await.
“You can only beat what you are up against and gee she did it well," Gollan said from Sydney where he was to watch his stable star Antino run later in the day.
“You can only beat what you are up against and gee she (Pembrey) did it well.” - Tony Gollan
“We will get Pembrey home and have a look at her. But I would definitely say she could end up racing down in Sydney soon enough.”
Sales info: Pembrey was offered by Vinery Stud at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Book 2 where she failed to meet her $20,000 reserve, she is now raced by her breeders Kia Ora Stud, who also stand her sire Prague.
Pedigree info: Pembrey is out of the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes winner Se Sauver (Bel Esprit), who has produced nine runners to race for eight winners, with the best of them being the three-time winner Amplify (Microphone) who has also placed in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet.
Pembrey winning at Eagle Farm | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Se Sauver is well-related being a half-sister to the Matt Laurie-trained G1 South Australian Derby winner Escado (Casino Prince), who was also successful in another two Group 3 staying races, so there is plenty of reason to think Pembrey may even get better over further.
Ciaron’s Star lives up to his name for his trainer
The aptly named Ciaron’s Star (I Am Invincible) delivered on her promise, producing a professional and composed victory for Ciaron Maher and Tommy Berry.
Having finished third on debut behind the smart Satin Summer (Written Tycoon) at Randwick last month, she showed clear improvement second-up. Berry positioned her outside the keen-going leader Better By Far (Farnan), while the favourite Miss Chanel (Tagaloa) was posted three-wide in third.
When the pressure came in the straight, Miss Chanel gave a strong kick, but Berry always appeared in control. Ciaron’s Star lengthened smoothly to score by just under a length. Better By Far boxed on well for second, Persian Wonder (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) made late ground into third, while Miss Chanel was brave in fourth after a tough run and lost no admirers.
"She was very good first-up, naturally she improved from that and it worked out well today," Maher's assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said.
"It was good ride from Tommy (Berry) and she will keep improving."
Jockey Tommy Berry was impressed with the win, and said the key was getting in a good spot early..
Ciaron's Star winning at Randwick | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
"Usually it's won at the start (in 2-year-old races) and she executed herself well and got outside the leader.
"She was a little bit keen for 100 metres there and I just needed her to come back to me which she ended up doing and showed a good turn of foot.
"I look in future, riding her with cover will be the way to go but today was all about getting a win and closer to a Slipper."
Connections of Ciaron's Star after winning at Randwick | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sales info: Ciaron’s Star was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and C Sneesby for $650,000 from the Widden Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Ciaron’s Star is the fifth and last foal out of the classy Listed winner Bonny O’Reilly (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). All five of her foals have been winners, with the best of them being Basquiat - Pacific Warrior (Sing.) (Snitzel) who was an eight-time winner and Group-placed in Australia and Listed placed in Singapore.
Ciaron’s Star comes from a deep family with the classy Group 1 winners such as Espiona (Extreme Choice), Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}) all featuring.
