Black Opal winner may run in Golden Slipper
Despite trainer Gratz Vella saying that Music Time (All Too Hard) would spell after his G3 Black Opal victory on Sunday, the juvenile is doing so well that connections are now considering paying the $150,000 late entry fee for the G1 Golden Slipper. “Pierre (Boudvillain) was very happy with the way he pulled up and felt like he could go around tomorrow so I spoke to the owners and gave them the option,” Vella told racenet.com.au.
“They said they will leave it up to me so I said by Thursday I should know 100 per cent what he is like and then we will make a decision. It's a big chance with the way he has pulled up at the moment that we might be going ahead with that next step.”
Inglis Digital closes on Wednesday
The Inglis Digital March (Early) Sale closes on Wednesday and includes a share in exciting first season sire Wild Ruler, sire of Stretan Ruler. The racing and breeding prospect Supercilious (Written Tycoon) is a group placed three-quarter-sister to stakes winning full brothers Marine One and Cannonball (Capitalist). Marine One stands at stud in WA.
In addition, Arrowfield Stud have a draft of six mares, including several with foals at foot. The catalogue consists of 288 entries – 145 racehorses (62 race fillies), 73 broodmares, 42 racehorse shares, 22 yearlings, three 2-year-olds, two unraced stock and one stallion share.
Screen Icon won’t be seen again until Slipper
Trainer John Thompson will wait and see if his 2-year-old filly Screen Icon (Nicconi) makes the G1 Golden Slipper field. She ran second to Spicy Miss (Trapeze Artist) in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes last start and is currently 27th in the order of entry. “If I run her again she wouldn’t go any good in the Slipper on a back up, I’m just going to have to see if we get a run,” Thompson told racingnsw.com.au.
Screen Icon | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“If we do (get a run) she’ll be in tip top order.” If she doesn’t make the field, she’ll run in the G2 Percy Sykes Stakes instead.
Williams booked for Chayan in Slipper
Co-trainer Annabel Archibald announced on Tuesday that Craig Williams would ride last start winner Chayan (I Am Invincible) in the G1 Golden Slipper after regular rider James McDonald declined the opportunity. “We don't feel we lose anything with Craig as he's been flying during the carnival,” Archibald told racenet.com.au.
“He's proven himself time and time again in the biggest races across Australia and other parts of the world.”
Jamie Spencer might ride Light Infantry Man
Ciaron Maher has asked UK jockey Jamie Spencer if he wants to ride Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) in Saturday’s G2 Peter Young Stakes. “Ethan Brown suspended, Mark Zahra suspended so I was talking to Jamie Spencer – I’ve still got to confirm that – but he knows the horse quite well,” Maher told racing.com.
Light Infantry Man (Fr) | Image courtesy of the Image Is Everything
“He rode him out here in the Golden Eagle and a lot of G1 races in Europe, so it would be good if he came out, but we’ll firm that up. He is a quirky horse as well, Ethan obviously gets on with him very well but it looks a nice race for him at weight-for-age over 1800 (metres).”
Enxuto using Ajax to bounce into Doncaster
Trainer Robbie Griffiths hopes Enxuto (Lean Mean Machine) can use the G2 Ajax Stakes to get a run in the G1 Doncaster Handicap. “I'd prefer to take Enxuto to the Ajax Stakes in Sydney, and that gives him two weeks into the Doncaster,” Griffiths told racingandsports.com.au.
“He's in the mix. He's one of many in the mix, but he ran fourth in the Ingham up there and his form around Sabaj, I hope runs really well because that'll really help frank the form lines.”
Vale Michael Fitzgerald
On Tuesday, Racing Victoria sadly announced the death of former jockey Michael Fitzgerald, aged 33. “Michael was apprenticed to his father, late Wangaratta trainer Allan Fitzgerald, from 2008-2011 and more recently worked for his brother John as a stablehand and trackwork rider,” said the press release.
“Fitzgerald competed in over 500 races throughout his career as a jockey and rode winners in Victoria, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. RV and VJA extend their condolences to the Fitzgerald family on behalf of the Victorian racing industry on the news of Michael’s passing.”
O’Shea denies allegations over scratching
Trainer John O’Shea faced the stewards on Monday to discuss his behaviour towards Racing NSW staff after his horse Bev’s Nine (Shalaa {Ire}) was scratched on February 21 when Racing NSW veterinarian Dr Greg Nash deemed the horse to be 2/5 lame behind the gates. Following this, there was a discussion with Racing NSW veterinarian Dr Claire Moore before chief veterinarian Dr Carly Garling also arrived. “I emphatically reject the allegation (that he said where are the f-ing vets),” O'Shea told the inquiry.
“I take massive umbrage to the suggestion that I was trying to intimidate Dr Moore or Dr Garling and at no stage did the conversation become personal. It was simply about the repercussions of the decision that had been made (to scratch the horse). Dr Moore came over and said she believed the horse was Grade 1 lame – I disagreed.
John O'Shea | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“At no stage did I swear, threaten or say anything personal, all we discussed was the lameness of the animal. We were having a robust debate about a decision of significant importance.” Bev’s Nine won at Canterbury six days later.
Racing NSW issued the following statement on Monday. “Racing NSW Stewards today issued three (3) charges against licensed co-trainer Mr John O’Shea following an inquiry opened on Monday, 9 March 2026 into his alleged conduct following the scratching of Bev’s Nine at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 21 February 2026."
Stanley loving life after dual Cup wins
Jockey Jett Stanley won the G3 Launceston Cup on Asva (NZ) (Capitalist) on February 25 and the G2 Adelaide Cup on Monday in a tight finish on American Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci). “I walk into the airport and the security know me pretty well, now,” Stanley told The Verdict podcast.
Jett Stanley | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“To be honest, it’s just been a whirlwind, the past fortnight. It’s been a struggle at times, but having everyone there for me has been great. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, nearly every jockey is kind of the same… it’s not really a job, it’s a way of life. Not many people get to wake up and say, ‘I’m going to go and ride horses today, as a job’, so I never think of it as work, I think of it as my lifestyle and my passion and I love every moment of it.”
Treble for Zousain at Goulburn
Widden Stud’s Zousain celebrated a treble at Goulburn on Tuesday. The son of Zoustar has three stakes winners with his oldest foals now 4-year-olds.
Richard Litt-trained 3-year-old gelding Master Yoda won on debut. He is the second winner for Dane Shadow mare Lady Dane who is a city winning half-sister to Listed winner Ladys Angel (Arena).
Scoring by over 5 lengths, John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained 3-year-old gelding Buckeye broke his maiden status. Sold by Cressfield at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $200,000, he was bought by O’Shea Racing and James Bester Bloodstock. He is a full brother to Group 3 winner Amelita out of Miss Amelia (More Than Ready {USA}), a daughter of the speedy Amelia’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice).
Norm Gardner-trained 3-year-old gelding Inna Zou won his maiden. His trainer purchased him for $23,000 from Fairview Park Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft. A half-brother to Listed winner Chabrol (Denman), he is one of five winners for city winner Can She Move (Canny Lad).
Well named juvenile winner for Yes Yes Yes
In the opening event at Ballarat on Tuesday the well named 2-year-old gelding Harry Met Sally (Yes Yes Yes) won for trainer Mark Walker. He was having his fourth start and was coming off a last start fourth in the Listed TAB 2YO Plate.
One of seven winners for Group 3-placed Agueda (General Nediym) whose Hellbent yearling colt was purchased by George Moore at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $200,000 from Yarraman Park Stud.
Tassie jockey plans a great adventure
Tasmanian jockey Codi Jordan is taking a year off to traverse Australia. “Come July, a small group of us in four-wheel drives will head onto the mainland straight to Cairns, spend a couple of days there, and then do the Cape York trip, right up to the tip of Australia,” Jordan told tasracing.com.au.
“We’re allowing four to six weeks for that, and then my partner and I will leave everyone behind, heading across to the Northern Territory and then down the west coast.
“It’s probably now or never with life and family and plans for children one day, so really looking forward to it. There are no firm plans, it’s really day by day. We could turn around and come home at any moment, but we’re eager to do some work over there. I wouldn’t mind working with my partner at a station or in a pre-training stable, somewhere where I can gain a bit more experience before coming back here and possibly setting up something for myself.”
Legarto officially retired
On Tuesday it was announced that last start Group 1 winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) has been retired. She will be sold at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in May. “Bev and I would have loved the opportunity to give her one last race on the same track that she won the Australian Guineas, but we accept the majority decision to retire her now,” co-trainer Ken Kelso told Loveracing.nz on Tuesday.
Legarto (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“She’s been a wonderful mare – a horse of lifetime as I stated again on Saturday – and we’re comfortable with her being retired at the top of her game. Winning the Herbie Dyke and Bonecrusher Stakes at her last two starts, especially when a lot of people had written her off, that has been immensely satisfying for all of us.” The winner of 12 races earned over $1.9 million.
Last chance Derby effort for China Win
Trainer David Hayes will run China Win (NZ) (Super Seth) on Wednesday night in an effort to make the Listed Hong Kong Derby field. “It was a bit of a head scratcher that he had a heart fibrillation in the morning and then by the afternoon he was fine, but it was too late and he had to be scratched, which killed our Derby plan. We really would love him to win for the owners on Wednesday,” Hayes told scmp.com.
“He needs to win – he’ll probably be the favourite. His track work this morning was really good, so good barrier, he’ll be hard to beat. Zac’s riding him, so after that we’ll just see if he’s in the Derby or not in the Derby.”
Fasig-Tipton announces Eastern Fall Yearling Sale
Fasig-Tipton will introduce a new format, date, and restored name for the annual fall yearling sale in Timonium, Maryland for 2026, the auction house announced Monday.
Previously known as the Timonium Yearling Sale, the auction will once again be known as the Eastern Fall Yearling Sale, reflecting the deep roots and enduring importance to breeders, owners, and trainers in the region. Major regional developments–the new racetrack construction at Pimlico and Belmont Park–marked a beginning to a new era for the Midlantic and Northeast racing circuits, and spurred changes which include a reorganization of the catalogue to focus on state-bred programs with entries in the sale.
Said programs include the new Maryland Million starter bonus series throughout the year; a record 48 days of racing at Colonial Downs this year; and purse parity for New York-breds, now matching open company levels on the NYRA circuit.
“Fasig-Tipton has a long, storied history of selling horses in Timonium, and this sale has been an important fixture in this racing-rich area for decades,” said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning. “There is a bright future ahead for the region, and we feel that now is an opportune time to reorganize our yearling sale to promote this regional momentum and bring renewed focus to the strength of Eastern racing and what it offers.”
Welsh trainer faces prison over attack
Welsh trainer Evan Williams was found guilty on Monday of assault after hitting a pensioner with a hockey stick in December 2024. Martin Dandridge, who is 72 years old, was walking his dog on Williams' property. Williams will be sentenced in April. “He has his business and he will need to consider how that will be looked after, bearing in mind the risk of him losing his liberty,” his barrister, David Elias KC, told the BBC.
“Indeed, he has very pressing commitments in the racing world this week, which he would like to fulfil if that is possible.” For the last 11 years, Williams has been the leading Welsh trainer on the British jumps premiership.
