Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Briasa has ears pricked en route to trial win
Last year’s G1 TJ Smith Stakes victor Briasa (Smart Missile) appeared in his first autumn trial on Monday at Warwick Farm, where he breezed home for an easy victory. The Hawkes Racing-trained gelding led the pack with his ears pricked and needed little encouragement from Tyler Schiller to pull away from the group and post a near two-length win over Fiorenza (Kingman {GB}).
Video: Watch Briasa in Heat 4 at Warwick Farm trials on Monday, vision courtesy of racing NSW
A homebred for his ownership, Briasa has been nominated to defend his TJ Smith title this autumn in a month’s time, and the Hawkes team have indicated that he will replicate his path from 2025, which will see him resume in the G1 Galaxy Handicap on March 21. He is one of four winners from Listed Mona Lisa Stakes winner Mary’s Grace (Twining {USA}).
Vauban and River Of Stars tune up behind Long Legs
Yulong-owned River Of Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Tulloch Lodge-trained Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) were amongst the first four home in a trial won by G3 Spring Stakes runner-up Long Legs (Russian Revolution) on Monday morning at Warwick Farm. Long Legs emerged the winner by a length and a quarter over Vauban, with River Of Stars three and a half lengths further back in fourth. Between them was five-time winner Rolling Magic (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
Video: Watch Heat 2 at Warwick Farm trials on Monday, vision courtesy of racing NSW
Sixth in the G1 Melbourne Cup in the spring, Vauban has been nominated for the G1 Doncaster Mile, G1 Sydney Cup, and the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, while Cup third placegetter River Of Stars has been entered for the Sydney Cup. Vauban was putting the polish on his preparation with a second trial, while River Of Stars had already run in the G2 Apollo Stakes this autumn.
Stardom looking sharp
Three-year-old Tulloch Lodge trainee Stardom (Zoustar), who won two Listed races in 2025, stepped out for the first time this autumn at Warwick Farm on Monday morning, and put in a smart performance to win her heat. The filly was given a steady ride by Adam Hyeronimus until straightening, where she was allowed to stretch out and win by just shy of a length over Mailata (Written Tycoon), with Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) a length further back in third.
Video: Watch Stardom in Heat 6 at Warwick Farm trials on Monday, vision courtesy of racing NSW
A daughter of G3 PJ Bell Handicap winner Diddums (Snitzel), Stardom was retained to race by Torryburn Stud, who sold her Toronado (Ire) half-sister at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale this year for $150,000 to RJ Maz Investments Pty Ltd. Diddums has a full brother to Stardom at foot, and she patronised the same stallion in 2025.
Stardom has been nominated for the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.
Hellenic Belle impresses at Warwick Farm
Annabel and Rob Archibald unleashed an impressive trial winner upon Warwick Farm on Monday morning in the form of juvenile filly Hellenic Belle (Hellbent). The filly was lining up for her second career trial and she streaked away with the lead to win by two and three quarter lengths over Chataigne (Brazen Beau).
Video: Watch Hellenic Belle in Heat 9 at Warwick Farm trials on Monday, vision courtesy of racing NSW
Attunga Stud offered Hellenic Belle at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, where she was bought by Triple Crown Syndications for $145,000. She is the most recent foal out of winning Ready’s Image (USA) mare Beside You, who has also produced Group-performed Marokopa Falls (Hellbent). Beside You visited Hellbent again in 2025.
Hellenic Belle is nominated for the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes and the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes, as well as the G2 Percy Sykes Stakes.
Smart Peyton untouchable in third trial win
While John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have been busy at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, their untapped 2-year-old Peyton (Zoustar) produced another stylish trial performance at Warwick Farm on Monday morning. The colt led the pack into the home straight then pulled away under pressure from Zac Lloyd to win by just over a length in front of Vatican (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
Video: Watch Peyton in Heat 10 at Warwick Farm trials on Monday, vision courtesy of racing NSW
Nominated for the Slipper and the Sires’ Produce, Peyton is the first foal out of G3 Chairman’s Stakes winner Mildred (Hinchinbrook), who delivered a full sister in the spring before patronising Schwarz. He was retained to race in the Rosemont colours after not making his Gold Coast reserve last year.
The Next Episode nears autumn return
$2.8 million yearling The Next Episode (Snitzel) put in a strong second trial ahead of his return to the races this autumn, winning his Warwick Farm heat on Monday morning by a length and a quarter. The 2-year-old Ciaron Maher trainee let down impressively after turning for home to fly past Extremely Tempted (Extreme Choice) to win.
Video: Watch The Next Episode in Heat 11 at Warwick Farm trials on Monday, vision courtesy of racing NSW
The Next Episode was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from Widden Stud at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is the second foal from G3 Proud Miss Stakes winner Humma Humma (Denman), whose first foal Price Tag (Zoustar) ran second to My Gladiola (I Am Invincible) in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (fillies) last year.
Humma Humma has an I Am Invincible colt offered as Lot 341 at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, and she delivered a full sister to Price Tag in 2025, before revisiting Zoustar. The Next Episode has been nominated for the Slipper and the Sires’ Produce, as well as the G2 Todman Stakes this coming weekend.
