Reduction for Gold Trip’s third season
Dual Group 1 winner Gold Trip (Fr) gets a slight reduction heading into his third season at Lovatsville and will stand in 2026 at $5500 including GST.
The son of Exceed And Excel’s Outstrip (GB) covered 64 mares at $8800 including GST in his second season last year. The tough galloper raced every season from two till seven, winning the G2 Prix Greffulhe at three, a season where he was Group 1 placed and fourth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
As a 5-year-old, he arrived in Australia where he won the G1 Melbourne Cup but later proved that he was more of a middle-distance type when victorious in the G1 Turnbull Stakes over 2000 metres in the following season.
Gold Trip | Standing at Lovatsville
Not only did he win the pair of Group 1s, but he was only the second horse after Rising Fast (NZ) (Alonzo {GB}) in the 1950s to run in the G1 Cox Plate, G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup in two consecutive years, and as well as winning the G1 Melbourne Cup, Gold Trip placed in the Caulfield Cup both years. Rising Fast won all three races in 1954, and in 1955 he won the Caulfield Cup, was unplaced in the Cox Plate and was second in the G1 Melbourne Cup.
Gold Trip has 44 weanlings in his first crop from 65 mares covered. His dam is a half-sister to G1 Prix Jean Romanet-placed Group 3 winner Sarkiyla (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who produced G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange winner Saiydabad (USA) (Blame {USA}). This is a deep Aga Khan family.
New sire Espionage has previously been announced at $11,000 including GST and Move To Strike will remain at $16,500 including GST for his second season. The remainder of Lovatsville’s fees for 2026 will be announced next week.
Queensland Derby aims for Different Gravy
Henry Dwyer will aim Different Gravy (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) at the G1 Queensland Derby if he runs well at Flemington on Saturday. “Admittedly we knew he was underdone but I thought he would go better at Caulfield,” Dwyer told racingandsports.com.au.
“I didn't want to send him up to Sydney off the back of that as I needed him to do something, so Adelaide was an easier option. He improved somewhat but still wasn't as good as he can be, so we've left him down here to give ourselves another chance before we pull the trigger and send him to Queensland.
“He needs to improve again, which I think he can and I think he will, but I don't think we've seen the best of him this prep.”
Queensland Jockey school applications open
Applications are open for the 2026 Queensland Apprentice Jockey Program. “Racing Queensland is committed to giving every apprentice the best possible opportunity to succeed, both during their apprenticeship and throughout their broader careers in racing,” RQ Acting CEO Lachlan Murray told racingqueensland.com.au.
“The inaugural intake marks an exciting new chapter for the industry, as RQ recommits to leading with integrity, high performance, and dedication. This initiative strengthens the talent pipeline while re-establishing Queensland’s reputation as a leader in racing education and development.”
Waterhouse and Bott hunting for next Sir Delius
Last year, Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) won the G3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap before winning the G1 Underwood and G1 Turnbull Stakes in the spring and the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes last start. This year, his trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will return to the race hoping to launch a similar outcome with stablemates Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Alalcance (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
“They are just kicking off their campaigns or their winter campaigns here. I've got some more targets in store for them, but they both worked up nicely on Tuesday morning,” Bott told racingqueensland.com.au.
Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I love it. It's such a great carnival. We see, year in, year out, the results off the back of it. Horses continue to come through here and go on and perform, particularly very well through the early part of the spring for us. So, there is no doubt that plays on our mind in targeting the carnival. It is a great time of year to have the horses up here doing so well.”
Harlem Queen’s inconsistency an issue
Trainer Nathan Doyle thinks Harlem Queen (Brutal {NZ}) can overcome her past inconsistencies during this preparation. She runs in Saturday’s G3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone. “The 1400 is probably a perfect starting point,” Doyle told racingandsports.com.au of the mare who hasn’t run since November.
Nathan Doyle | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“I don't want any less of a trip than that, she'd probably get run off her feet. But she's on a big spacious track in Scone, she's had two decent trials, and she's as forward as we can get her first up.
“She's a horse that's had a few little niggles along the way, so that's why she didn't have too long a preparation (last spring), and we just elected to pull up stumps and give her a break. Touch wood, this time in everything's been quite smooth sailing with her, and she seems in a good spot. I can't fault her. If she's anywhere near her best, she'll be running well.”
Wear The Crown gets stakes chance
Trainer Danielle Seib will run 3-year-old filly Wear The Crown (I Am Invincible) in Saturday’s Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes and she has won her last two starts. “This has been in the back of our mind all preparation. She’s a lovely filly, she’s stepped up every time she’s gone to the races,” Seib told racingnsw.com.au.
Danielle Seib | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“She’s not a 1000m horse, she did a great job first and second-up this preparation to win over the 1000m. I think the rise to 1100m will suit her and she’s back to fillies. You can’t do more than win and she’s done that.”
Autumn Mystery set for Caulfield Cup
Trainer Rory Hunter has spelled last start G1 South Australian Derby-placed Autumn Mystery (The Autumn Sun) with spring targets in mind. “We’d love to have a crack at the Caulfield Cup if we can work our way in, but I think something like the Geelong Cup would also be right up his alley,” Hunter told racing.com.
Autumn Mystery | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He’s had two Derby preparations – we could have gone on to the Queensland Derby, but we really want to look after the horse's future and have him race on until he's a five-six-seven-year-old.”
Five-strong team for Scone Cup
Trainers Rob and Annabel Archibald have four runners in Friday’s Listed Scone Cup, with Formal Display (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) as one of the favoured runners. Their other runners are Hellsing (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Depth Of Character (Deep Field), and Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready). “Formal Display was very good in the Tamworth Cup and I'm confident the mile will not be a problem,” Rob Archibald told racingandsports.com.au.
“Hellsing did a good job at Randwick and has trained on well. Depth Of Character ran a nice race at Gosford and there is a good win in him, for sure. Port Lockroy's first-up run was excellent, it was the best we have seen him resume in a while. His work has been excellent since and we expect him to be right there.”
New juvenile winner for Harry Angel
Tommy Wong-trained 2-year-old gelding Dashing Splendour (Harry Angel {Ire}) won on debut at Hawkesbury on Thursday. Strike Thoroughbreds purchased him for $180,000 from Bowness Stud’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale draft.
He is the second foal of winning mare Resplendence (Sebring) who has an Acrobat colt foal. Resplendence is out of Listed winner Shaqira (GB) (Redoute’s Choice) from the family of White Robe Lodge stallion Alflaila (GB).
Smart Missile adds juvenile winner
At Mackay on Thursday, Liam Birchley-trained 2-year-old gelding Missile Shot (Smart Missile) won at his second start. He is the first foal of unraced Stolichnaya (Domesday).
Hunter Valley Breeders’ Awards
On Wednesday night, the 35th annual Hunter Valley Breeders’ Association awards night was held. Snitzel took out Champion Sire, while Home Affairs was awarded Champion First Season Sire for the region. Champion broodmare went to Shadow (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), dam of Group 1 winner Apocalyptic and Group 3 winning Hidrix, both by Extreme Choice.
Joliestar (Zoustar) won Champion Older Horse, bred at Segenhoe Stud by Chris and Jane Barham, and Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) won Champion 3-Year-Old, bred at Middlebrook Valley Lodge by Fred and Lesley Monsour. Guest House (Home Affairs), bred at Newgate Farm by Love Racing Pty Ltd, Henderson Racing & Breeding Ltd and G1G Racing & Breeding Ltd, won Champion 2-Year-Old.
The HTBA Horsemanship Award was presented to Michelle Vincent, Broodmares at Alma Vale. The Newcomer Award went to Claudia Atfield, Stud Hand at Tooloogan Vale. The Murray Bain Services To Industry Award went to Vinery Stud’s Stud Manager David White. The HTBA Leadership Award went to Bruce Murray, Garden Manager at Coolmore. The HTBA Administration Award was presented to Suzanne Bray, Office Administrator at Godolphin.
Treble for Shum puts him in the lead
The leaderboard of the Hong Kong Trainer’s Premiership changed again on Wednesday night with Danny Shum’s treble lifting him into the lead on 54 wins. He won with Romantic Gladiator (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), General Redwood (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and Leading Agility (D’Argento).
“I will try my best for the championship, but the main thing for me is the horses. I won’t push them any harder just to win it, their health and happiness is the main priority for me,” Shum told scmp.com.
Legacy Link puts herself in Oaks frame
From the immediate family of Frankel, Juddmonte's Legacy Link (Dubawi) put herself in the Oaks picture in Wednesday's G3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York. Not seen since finishing fourth in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in October, the John and Thady Gosden-trained granddaughter of Kind (Danehill) travelled smoothly tracking the front pair early.
“She was a little fresh and green early on and got on the wrong lead on the bend, but what I liked is when the other filly came to her she fought her way back and galloped out strongly,” John Gosden said after equalling the record of the late Sir Henry Cecil in winning this nine times. “She has a great mind on her, but is short of match-practice. This is not ideal weather for fillies and she'll do nothing but improve.”
Legacy Link is the first foal out of the 12-furlong winner Chiasma, one of only two mares out of the operation's legendary Danehill mare Kind alongside the dual Listed scorer and multiple Group-placed Joyeuse (Oasis Dream) who has produced five black-type performers.
Group 1 targets for Elonjed
Shadwell's Elmonjed (Blue Point) bounced back off an unplaced effort at Newmarket's Craven meet and completed an afternoon double for William Haggas with a career high in Wednesday's G2 Go Local Stores Minster Stakes, formerly known as the Duke Of York Stakes, at York.
“He really loves this track and I think the draw helped today,” commented Haggas. “He's a really tough horse, he's gone from handicaps and won the Listed in September. We kept him in training to win this race as we thought we may as well have a go at a Group 2.
"He's in the Wokingham (Handicap at Royal Ascot), but I don't suppose he'll be running in it. I didn't put him in the (G1 Queen Elizabth II) Jubilee, so I suppose we'll have a go at the (G1) Prix Maurice de Gheest. A fast, flat track is what he likes and he needs to go for a Group One now. Whether we put him in the (G1) July Cup we'll see, but the (G1) Nunthorpe is too sharp for him. Maybe the (G1) Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai.”
Danon Bourbon out with knee fracture
Danon Bourbon (Maxfield), who finished fifth in this year's GI Kentucky Derby behind Golden Tempo (Curlin), has been found to have a fractured knee upon his return to Japan, trainer Manabu Ikezoe announced on Wednesday.
“The fracture in his knee was discovered after the Kentucky Derby,” Ikezoe said. “After returning to Japan, he had X-rays taken for confirmation and has completed quarantine at the Japan Racing School, so he will now undergo surgery to remove the bone fragments at the Shadai Clinic in Hokkaido in preparation for his return. The timing of his return is undecided as it depends on the results of the surgery and the rehabilitation that follows, but I think he will focus on resting for the rest of the year.”
Space Blues filly tops Osarus Pornichet Breeze-Up Sale
A chestnut daughter of Space Blues topped the Osarus Pornichet Breeze-Up Sale on Wednesday. Sold by Hyde Park Stud, lot 22 went to SAS Raynald Freres for €22,000 (AU$35,500).
Out of Samba Brazil (Teofilo) who won at Group 3 level in Germany, the filly is from a deep German family. Her dam is a half-sister to G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern hero Seismos (Dalakhani), while another half-sibling, Soberania (Monsun), was placed in the G1 German Oaks and G1 Premio Lydia Tesio. Under the third dam are the trio of German Classic winners Schiaparelli, Samum and Salve Regina (Monsun).
Of the 39 lots offered, 30 sold (77%) for a gross of €304,000 (AU$490,000), up 4% on last year. The average was down 19% on last year to €10,365 (AU$16,700) and the median was down 10% to €9,000 (AU$14,500).
