Golden Slipper runners all pass vet check
Racing NSW announced on Friday that all runners for the G1 Golden Slipper had passed fit to run. “All horses engaged in the TAB Golden Slipper to be run at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow, 21 March 2026, have again today been examined by Racing NSW Veterinarians. All horses have been deemed suitable to start,” said the press release.
Guest House looking his best for Slipper
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr believe they have 2-year-old colt Guest House (Home Affairs) peaking for Saturday’s G1 Golden Slipper. “In all three career starts he’s not had a smooth passage, he’s had things against him, and I’d just love to see him have every possible chance,” Kent told racingnsw.com.au.
“If he’s relaxed in run, in a winning position and gets every chance I think you’re going to see a very good colt. Despite all those challenges in the Blue Diamond he stayed on as good as any horse in the race, it was a mighty run in what’s proven to be the A1 form around the country.
“We’re reasonably optimistic but appreciate what a hard race this is to win. He’s going to have to execute properly and peak again. He’s the right horse in the sense he’s a robust 560kg horse who doesn’t miss an oat and is very sound.”
Birthday Card likely for Inkaruna
Inkaruna (I Am Invincible) will likely run in Saturday’s G3 Birthday Card Stakes as she needs three scratchings to make the G1 Galaxy Handicap field. “We’d love to see her line up in the Group 1, it looks a good challenge for her, but if she doesn’t get in we’ll line up in the Birthday Card and that looks a nice consolation race,” co-trainer Sam Freedman told racingnsw.com.au.
Inkaruna | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She was really unlucky the other day, she looks in great form. She generally improves as she gets into her prep and she looks well placed. It was a nice first-up run albeit you’d love to have got the run and won the race but she had a nice soft first-up performance so she should have plenty in the tank.”
Have your say in TBA’s workforce survey
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia is working with AgriFutures Australia and Brand Rebellion to develop a workforce strategy for the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry. A confidential survey has been launched to assist with the process.
“The survey is designed to capture insights on workforce experiences, attraction and retention challenges, career pathways, and how the industry is perceived both within the sector and more broadly,” said a Thoroughbred Breeders Association press release.
“The findings will help inform a workforce strategy aimed at supporting the long-term sustainability, capability and growth of the industry. They will also provide an important evidence base to support TBA’s advocacy to government and other decision-makers on the workforce issues affecting our sector.”
Listed Albury Cup won by Bianco Vilano
Ron Stubbs-trained 7-year-old gelding Bianco Vilano (Foxwedge) won Friday’s Listed Albury Gold Cup and earned a spot in The Big Dance. With his eighth career win taking his earnings over $600,000, Bianco Vilano becomes the 27th stakes winner for his sire.
One of only two foals for seven-time winner Cap Biano (Falvelon), whose first foal Baledon (Foxwedge) is a city winner, Bianco Vilano is the first stakes winner in six generations on his catalogue page.
Devil Night chases second Group 1
G1 Blue Diamond Stakes victor Devil Night (Extreme Choice) heads to Caulfield’s G1 William Reid Stakes on Saturday where he’ll have to contend with stablemate Airman (I Am Invincible). “Devil Night is going super and this is the race we've picked out for him,” co-trainer Wayne Hawkes told racingandsports.com.au.
“He was getting beaten in the spring behind Giga Kick, which isn't bad for a 3-year-old and Giga Kick is an Everest horse, and the bottom line is, there's your form. Beau Mertens had a sit on him in his trial and I'm happy with the horse and how he's going.
“Airman won the Premiere Stakes which is two weeks before The Everest and which is the best lead-up race to The Everest. You know he is up to that class of race, but he hasn't won for 18 months, but I wouldn't discard him.”
South Australian filly hunts Group 3 at Caulfield
Andrew Gluyas-trained unbeaten 3-year-old filly Bassett Babe (Wootton Bassett {GB}) heads to Caulfield for Saturday’s G3 Don Casboult Classic. “I'm excited for that, (she's) third-up, we've had a little bit of a gap between runs,” Gluyas told racenet.com.au.
“It was a couple of good efforts here – breaking her maiden – then a nice run in a (Benchmark) 72 3-year-old race. We're just testing the waters with her, we've raised the bar a fair bit, drawn well, which is good for her because she's got a little bit of gate speed, so there's a tactical advantage there.”
Bassett Babe as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Payne siblings to dissolve partnership
Siblings Patrick and Michelle Payne will dissolve their training partnership to focus on their own teams going forward. “This has been a thoughtful decision with the future in mind, and we are grateful for the support you have given us while training together,” said an email to clients.
“Michelle will be stepping back from the larger training operation to focus on a smaller team at home, working closer to her father and retaining a few horses in Ballarat. Patrick Payne Racing will continue as a full training operation.”
Queensland gets first Good Friday meeting
The Mount Isa Race Club will make history on Good Friday when they become the first Queensland race club to host a meeting on the public holiday. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our club and the industry,” Mount Isa Race Club President Jay Morris told racingqueensland.com.au.
“It shows what’s possible when we think outside the box. We are really glad through consultation with Racing Queensland that this meeting will be able to be broadcast on Sky 2. Locally here in Mount Isa, we are going to promote the day as a family day out, first and foremost. We will have a number of attractions for the kids so hopefully the meeting can be well-supported and become a regular fixture for the North West area.”
Four second season sires hit the mark at Ballarat
On Friday, four second season sires added new 3-year-old winners. Michael Freedman-trained filly Lufitaah (Tagaloa), Bill Papazaharoudakis-trained gelding Hot Sand (Sandbar), Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained filly Catwalk Icon (Ole Kirk) all won their maiden races.
Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained 3-year-old gelding Istriano (Fierce Impact {Jpn}) stayed unbeaten with his second victory. Raced by Seymour Bloodstock, Istriano is a half-brother to Listed winning full siblings He’s Xceptional (Xtravagant {NZ}) and Xtravagant Star.
Juvenile winner for Lean Mean Machine
At Ipswich on Friday, 2-year-old filly Lonesome Star (Lean Mean Machine) won at her fifth start, having run second in her two runs leading into this victory. She is trained by Greg Wright.
She is the second foal of New Echelon (Stratum) whose first foal is stablemate 3-year-old gelding Lonesome Soul (Soul Patch) who has won twice, including once in Brisbane. This is the family of triple Group 1 winner Bentley Biscuit (Peintre Celebre {USA}).
At the same meeting Rothesay sired a double with He’sgotthesay and Propose.
AgriFutures roundtable on fuel issues
AgriFutures held a roundtable during the week to discuss how the Middle East War and fuel supply pressures that are impacting our agricultural industries. “Fuel access is already tightening, with many experiencing effective rationing through capped volumes, reduced access via retailers, or outright regional shortages. Costs are also rising sharply, with increases of 25 to 66 per cent in fuel and transport expenses flowing through the supply chain. For many of our industries, there is little, if any, ability to pass these increased costs on,” said the AgriFutures press release.
“The impacts are being felt more acutely in highly time-sensitive production systems, where disruptions to fuel supply will directly impact animal welfare, harvest windows, processing continuity and food availability. We are also starting to see risks emerge around other essential inputs like urea and closely monitoring stock levels of other related inputs, ranging from pallets to packaging.
“Producers are having to make difficult decisions now, reducing activity, reconsidering inputs, and adjusting operational plans based on the expectation of further disruption. These decisions will have compounding effects in the months and years ahead.
“Following today’s National Cabinet Meeting, the Prime Minister announced the appointment of Anthea Harris as the National Fuel Coordinator, and the establishment of a national fuel supply taskforce to drive coordination between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments on matters of fuel supply.”
Chapados adds to Hellbent’s strong 2-year-old crop
Hellbent added another juvenile winner on Thursday night when 2-year-old filly Chapados won at Pakenham for trainer Dominic Sutton. She was having her second start. Sold by Millburn Creek at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Chapados was bought by Sutton Racing and McKeever Bloodstock for $120,000.
Chapados is the third winner for winning mare Sugar Mummy (NZ) (Charge Forward) from the Bali Sugar (NZ) family.
Little Paradise ready for Hong Kong Derby
Trainer Jimmy Ting isn’t worried about drawing 10 with Little Paradise (Toronado {Ire}) for the Listed Hong Kong Derby on Sunday. “It’s better than being in stall one or stall two, because the last few times he’s got stuck during the race, so I think an outside draw is better than the inside for him,” Ting told scmp.com.
“It all depends on the pace. If it’s a good pace, I hope that he can get a midfield trip and two-wide. Last time he jumped slow, so after that I repeated two stall works with him and he is jumping better. He comes into the race in better form than the last time. This time, he will jump well; I’m not worried about that.
“I think he will rate even higher in the future, the only worry is the 2000 metre trip, as we just don’t know. We think he can handle it, but you never know. I’m very calm and hope he can get a good result for me.”
Ace Stud pair looking sharp ahead of seasonal debuts
Andrew Balding will bid to chart a familiar path to Classic glory as connections of Gewan (Night Of Thunder) outlined plans for the G1 Dewhurst Stakes winner to take in the Greenham Stakes prior to a tilt at the 2,000 Guineas – meanwhile, 4.8 million gns (AU$9.5 million) purchase Barnavara (Calyx) is nearing her debut Down Under for the same Ace Stud-backed ownership group.
It was in the Greenham Stakes where Balding unleashed subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean in 2023. However, disaster struck in the early-season Group 3 when Frankie Dettori was unshipped from the 5-4 favourite leaving the stalls.
Gewan, who is no bigger than 10-1 for the 2,000 Guineas, will race in the white and green of Forz Europe Ltd, having been officially transferred from the ownership of Zhang Yuesheng earlier this month.
Speaking about plans, Ace Stud's Paul Curran said, “It's an exciting time of year. We have some hugely exciting contenders for the season ahead and Gewan is our biggest hope. We're looking forward to seeing what he can do.
“He is a big, strapping horse and has done well over the winter. The plan is to give him a run in the Greenham Stakes and then hopefully it will be all systems go to the Guineas. Andrew is very happy with the horse and he's very happy with how the horse is building back up towards race-fitness. He's doing everything right and is going in the right direction, which is the main thing for us.”
Curran added, “Like any Guineas, it's one of the toughest races of the season, and you can expect to be coming up against some of the best three-year-olds of their generation. We try to concentrate solely on our own horse but we know the standard of horses we are facing – the likes of Gstaad, who is a Breeders' Cup winner, dual Group 1 winner Puerto Rico, Bow Echo and many others. It takes a very good horse to win a Guineas and this year's race looks like an up to scratch renewal.
“Barnavara landed down to Chris Waller in Australia just over a week ago. Herself and Seo Linn, who we also bought at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, travelled down well and they both look great. They spent almost four months in James Ferguson's yard in Newmarket before travelling Down Under. James did a fantastic job with them and looked after them in great detail.”
OTI-owned Docklands to skip Dubai
Group 1 winner Docklands (Massaat) will not take up an engagement in the G1 Dubai Turf and instead point toward a 2026 debut at Doncaster, according to trainer Harry Eustace. The 2025 Queen Anne Stakes hero has taken his show on the road internationally for owners OTI Racing and the Doncaster Mile is under consideration.
“He's very well,” said Eustace of the bay, who will avoid the Middle East as the Iranian conflict continues and point for a long-term start in Hong Kong next month.
Harry Eustace | Image courtesy of Newmarket Racing Club
“We wouldn't want to find ourselves in a situation where he ends up staying Dubai longer than planned and that makes sending him back to Hong Kong [for the G1 FWD Champions Mile on April 26] trickier. He'll probably go to Doncaster for the Doncaster Mile as a prep run before Hong Kong.
“The programme for him then writes itself, really, he's six this year and he was very consistent last year. He deserves to have a shake at all of those Group 1s, Goodwood might be the only one we skip this year as he's run there twice now and it just doesn't play to his strengths.”
Arqana release breeze up catalogue
Over 200 2-year-olds, one of them a St Mark's Basilica half-brother to G1 Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Galileo), have been catalogued for the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale. Breezes will take place over the Deauville turf on Thursday May 7 from midday, before the sale begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 9.
Set to sell as Lot 174, the bay is also a half-brother to G1 Railway Stakes heroine Bounding (Lonhro), while multiple group winner and sire Kuroshio is under the second dam.
Other choice lots include lot 19, a New Bay colt who is a half-brother to G1 Grosser Preis von Baden hero Zagrey (Zarak); and a Siyouni colt (lot 55) out of a half-sister to former Hong Kong Horse of the Year and superstar Romantic Warrior (Acclamation).
Fasig-Tipton’s latest online sale catalogue released
Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 189 entries for its March Digital Sale, which may be viewed online here. Bidding is now open and will close Tuesday, March 24, beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
“With nearly 190 catalogued, our March Digital Sale has grown by more than 50% over last year–highlighting Fasig-Tipton Digital's rapidly increasing popularity among sellers.” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales.
“Offerings include more than 100 horses of racing age, as well as broodmare prospects, broodmares–including mares with foals at foot–2-year-olds in training, and 'short' yearlings. We're also excited to offer a fractional interest in graded stakes winner and recent G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Stakes runner-up Just Beat the Odds.”
