Engine Of War on target for Derby
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr think last start G3 Chairman’s Stakes-fourth Engine Of War (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) is on song for the G1 South Australian Derby. “We're very pleased with his run. We had to ride him back from the widest gate,” Kent told racenet.com.au.
“They only went a sedate gallop, I thought he ran home as well as anything in the race and was probably the flashing light run. We've trained him specifically to peak this Saturday in the Derby – it's a race we know well.
“It was a perfect prep run, and we're pleased to report he's pulled up super. He jogged up nice and sound, licked the feed bin, and went to the beach this morning in Adelaide.”
Antino retired
Tony Gollan announced the retirement of Group 1 winner Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) on Monday. The 7-year-old gelding was found to have injured his right fore tendon in the Listed Brisbane Handicap on Saturday. “After consultation with the ownership group, the decision was made to retire Antino from racing,” Gollan said on his socials.
“It is with tremendous sadness that we have had to make this decision given the thrills and excitement he has provided the racing industry, from fans to our staff and owners. I wish to thank Jeetu Ramchandani and the ownership group for the opportunity to train Antino and my wider team who have contributed to his training and preparation since the gelding joined our stable in 2022.”
Antino won 13 of his 33 starts and over $3.4 million, including the 2025 G1 Doomben Cup and the 2024 G1 Toorak Handicap.
Racing Victoria funds drug study
Racing Victoria announced they have engaged Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) to study the detection of the prohibited breast cancer drug Formestane. This follows a case where five stables were fined a collective $24,000 after presenting a horse at the races with the drug in their system. “The end goal is to determine once and for all whether these substances are endogenous in racehorses and if so, at what levels,” Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison told racenet.com.au.
Aaron Morrison | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
“At the same, our stewards are continuing their own investigations. I've received loads of questions about these cases and have asked plenty myself of our teams and others. As it stands, we don't have all the answers everyone may like at this time, but we're turning over every stone to find them.
“We're engaging with experts here and abroad, liaising with other (racing regulators) and their respective integrity and racing labs, as well as with Racing Australia given these are national rules.”
Concord Connie set for spring
Saturday’s impressive winning 3-year-old filly Concord Connie (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) will have one more start this campaign before a spell. “We’ve got a perfect carnival coming up in spring time to aim her for those bigger, loftier races,” trainer Charlotte Littlefield told racing.com.
“We could get ahead of ourselves and head up to Brisbane for a Winx Guineas, but that would be doing the wrong thing by the horse... she’s quite sensitive and she’s still developing.
“The perfect option would be to take her back to Flemington in three weeks – there’s another 1400-metre race against the boys, and I think that will be right up her alley. We can build her confidence then give her a break and bring her back for the spring and let her rip.”
Big Dance options for Hawkesbury Gold Cup
Saturday’s G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup carries Big Dance eligibility. “This is the third year our Gold Cup has carried Big Dance eligibility, and it is definitely an even bigger enticement for trainers with an eye on the $3m Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November,” Hawkesbury Race Club CEO James Heddo told racingnsw.com.au.
James Heddo | Image courtesy of Hawkesbury Race Club
“I’m very happy indeed with the overall quality of entries (for the day). The Gold Cup includes a Group 1 winner in Royal Supremacy (last year’s The Metropolitan at Royal Randwick) and last year’s Melbourne Cup placegetter Middle Earth. Again it promises to be a terrific race, whilst the Guineas is a pre-cursor to Brisbane winter features for 3-year-olds, and the Crown for the ‘girls’ is always keenly contested.
“And the 2-year-old Clarendon Stakes has shown in the past that it can throw up a top horse or two of the future.”
Queensland OTT Grants open
Racing Queensland has announced that applications for the 2026 Queensland Off-The-Track Grants Program are now open with up to $350,000 available. “The QOTT Grants Program is designed to provide vital support to individuals and grassroots community organisations that make a significant contribution to the wellbeing of retired racehorses,” Racing Minister Tim Mander told racingqueensland.com.au.
“These grants not only provide financial assistance to these individuals and groups, but also recognise the valuable work they do in supporting retired racehorses.
“The Crisafulli Government recently delivered its plan for the future of Queensland racing, The Next Lap, which puts the care of racing animals ahead of profits and aims to enhance post-racing welfare outcomes across all three codes.”
Jenni Moreese puts record on the line
With four wins in succession, Jenni Moreese (Maurice {Jpn}) will try to make it five on Saturday for trainers Corey and Kylie Geran. “I don’t really have a path in mind specifically for Jenni Moreese as she has been in work quite a while,” co-trainer Corey Geran told racingqueensland.com.au.
“She continues to come along well. So, we'll just take her run by run. Jenni Moreese and Let'sfacethemusic are probably the main two from our stable for the carnival this year. We have a few exciting ones at the moment.” Her last three wins have been at Eagle Farm where she runs again on Saturday.
Wheeler’s wheel trouble has winning ending
On Sunday, apprentice jockey Bailey Wheeler almost missed a ride on Encrypted Feeling (Encryption) at Gatton for new bosses Will and Peter Hulbert. “He got a flat tyre and the map said he was 31 minutes away,” Will Hulbert told racenet.com.au.
“He FaceTimed me and said, ‘Have a look at this', and the tyre was proper flat. He doesn't know how to change a tyre but luckily his partner (Johanna McGrath) does so she changed it. He got there 23 minutes before the race. He got dressed into his silks in the car and got his saddle all ready. He weighed out straight away and went out there and got the job done.” It was Wheeler’s first win for his new trainers since he was sacked by Rob Heathcote.
Double for Playing God at Pinjarra
Monday’s public holiday meeting at Pinjarra gave leading sire Playing God a double to celebrate. Michael Lane-trained Playing Quest took his record to four wins and earnings over $125,000 with his victory. He was recently purchased by Peter Dellar through the Magic Millions Digital Sale in April 2025 for $20,000.
Trainer Diane Reed has been patient with Godless Storm, a 6-year-old gelding, who won his maiden at his eighth start, seven of them this season. He was purchased by Reed for $10,000 at a dispersal sale in 2020.
Daryz dazzles in G1 Prix Ganay
Any fears that Daryz (Sea The Stars) might need his reintroduction in Sunday's G1 Prix Ganay proved wide of the mark as the Arc hero served notice of what is to come in 2026 with a scintillating display.
Sent off the 7-10 favourite for the 10 1/2-furlong ParisLongchamp feature, the son of Daryakana (Selkirk) cruised through the contest with Mickael Barzalona happy to wait behind the leading pair. Set alight inside the two, the homebred surged to a 3.5 length success from the race-fit Bright Picture (Intello). There was another 1.75 lengths back to Aventure (Sea The Stars) in third.
Francis Graffard has the enviable quandary of keeping the winner and Calandagan apart. “Daryz has gained strength and maturity. Today we had the perfect race for his return–the pace wasn't very strong, but he has more power now and is more assertive in his behaviour,” he explained.
“Calandagan and Daryz are quite different. Calandagan builds his races, accelerates progressively and always finishes very strongly. Daryz, on the other hand, has a sharper, more explosive turn of foot. Both are high-quality horses, but with distinct profiles.”
“I'm lucky to work with very good horses, but he is truly exceptional–well-bred with a remarkable physique, especially a superb hindquarter. Looking ahead, the target is already set–the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Before that, he should run in the [May 21] Prix Aga Khan IV, if everything goes well after today.”
Drumbeats dies aged 20
TwoHearts Performance Horses have announced the death of Drumbeats. The G2 Shannon Stakes winner retired to stud in Queensland where he sired two stakes winners. Sold via Inglis Digital in 2019, to TwoHearts Performance Horses, the son of Redoute’s Choice finished his stud career as a sport horse stallion.
“On the farm, he was everything you could hope a stallion to be and more. Gentle, kind, and incredibly genuine, Drumbeats could be handled by anyone - a rare quality, and one that made him so very special to those around him,” said the farm on social media.
“A true reflection of the value of Thoroughbred blood in performance horses, his legacy lives on not only through his progeny, but through the continued success of horses carrying similar lines.”
Comer and Sons acquire Dermot Weld's land
Over 300 acres of land previously belonging to Dermot Weld have been transferred to the ownership of Luke Comer and his two sons, according to a report published by the Sunday Independent.
The Kildare portfolio, featuring nine parcels of land close to Weld's training operation on the Curragh, is believed to be worth at least €6 million (AU$9.8 million). Public land registry records reveal that Gun Runner Ltd, a company run by Comer's sons, Luke Jr and Barry, took ownership of the land in November last year.
Included in the portfolio was a 37-acre site in Rathbride named Blue Wind Stables, owned by Weld since 1996 and named after his Irish Oaks-winning filly.
Vale Liam Browne
Liam Browne, perhaps best known for masterminding the career of the Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Dara Monarch, has died at the age of 89. Dara Monarch developed into one of the leading 3-year-olds of the 1982 season, with his other wins including the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot when it was run as a Group 2.
The following year, Browne went in search of further Classic glory with Carlingford Castle, who ran a stormer when filling the runner-up spot behind Teenoso in the Derby at Epsom. Browne became renowned for his education of young riders making their way in the sport, with familiar names such as Mick Kinane, Jamie Spencer and Tommy Carmody featuring among those to have been taken under his wing. Kinane, for example, was still a few weeks shy of his 23rd birthday when guiding the aforementioned Dara Monarch to victory in the Irish Guineas.
