Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Race-day Recap
Joint Venture (I Am Invincible) was a brave winner at Rosehill in heavy track conditions for trainer Chris Waller and jockey Sam Clipperton in the opening race of the day.
Neveu (Rich Enuff) was tenacious winning the G3 South Australian Sires' Produce Stakes over 1400 metres in the hands of jockey Andrew Stead and for trainer Jon O’Connor.
Ko Phangan (Ole Kirk) was the toughest stayer at the end of the Byerley Handicap over 1800 metres for the 2-year-olds at Flemington in the hands of Craig Williams
Tengun Tommy (Flying Artie) made it three wins in a row at Doomben in the hands of Ben Thompson for trainer Tony Gollan. He now will have his sights set on the Magic Millions Carnival during the summer.
Riverina Lulu (Blue Point {Ire}) was an impressive winner on debut down the straight at Flemington for jockey Harry Coffey and in-form trainer Grahame Begg.
Joint Venture toughest of them all at Rosehill
It was a slog in the opening event at Rosehill as the late-season juveniles battled testing conditions, with the Chris Waller-trained Joint Venture (I Am Invincible) proving the toughest of them all. The well-bred 2-year-old colt, carrying the well-known China Horse Club colours, dug deep under Sam Clipperton to post an impressive victory.
Race favourite Seeiaye (Russian Revolution) began quickly for Chad Schofield, although several runners were intent on pressing forward. That saw a tightly packed leading division before Gatineau (Frosted {USA}) worked across to take up the running from Seeiaye.
After straightening, Schofield angled Seeiaye to the outside and the favourite struck the lead approaching the 250-metre mark. Gatineau continued to fight strongly, but Clipperton had Joint Venture building momentum closer to the inside. The colt forged to the front late to score in tenacious fashion by three-quarters of a length over Gatineau, who outstayed Seeiaye for second. The favourite was brave in third, beaten just over a length.
Trainer Chris Waller said Joint Venture was still learning his craft and believes the victory will do plenty for the colt's confidence.
Joint Venture at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
"He's still very green and does a few things wrong at the start," Waller said.
"It's a good time of the year to give a horse like him confidence because you see how much he does wrong at the start and in the straight. You can't get confidence if they're in a tough race doing things wrong, but at this time of year they can."
"It's a good time of the year to give a horse like him confidence because you see how much he (Joint Venture) does wrong at the start and in the straight." - Chris Waller
While no firm plans have been locked in, Waller suggested Joint Venture could soon be tested in stronger company.
"You can take on the better 3-year-olds with a bit of fitness, and you can be competitive.
"We'd be pushing on (with the preparation), I'd say.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Sales info: Joint Venture was purchased for $625,000 by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Kia Ora Stud from the Widden Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Joint Venture is the third foal and third winner out of the dual Listed-winning 2-year-old Nomothaj (Snitzel), who has also left the four-time winner Nazorian (Exceed And Excel).
Joint Venture's grandam Real Stolle (Elusive Quality {USA}) was also a stakes winner at two, taking out the G3 Maribyrnong Plate before producing seven winners. This is also the extended family of G1 Victoria Derby winner Warning (Declaration Of War {USA}) and G1 Galaxy Handicap winner Mariamia (Toronado {Ire}).
Joint Venture after winning at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Nomothaj has, in recent times, left a Zoustar yearling filly that sold for $325,000 to Dalziel Bloodstock and Moody Racing at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and she is due to foal to Zoustar late next month.
Neveu claims thrilling Sires' Produce Stakes
Rich Enuff gelding Neveu fought courageously to capture the G3 South Australian Sires' Produce Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday, providing jockey Andrew Stead and trainer Jon O'Connor with an important juvenile feature success.
Stead settled the gelding in a handy position behind Spain (Snitzel), who was urged forward by Winona Costin from the inside barrier. Tweeter (Microphone) worked across from a wide draw to sit outside the leader, while Burning Heartz (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) enjoyed a favourable run in fourth.
The pressure increased approaching the home turn before Neveu struck the front shortly after straightening and looked to have the race in his keeping. Spain refused to yield, rallying strongly after being headed, but Neveu proved just that little tougher.
And There You Go (Hellbent) charged home from the back of the field to finish third and shapes as a filly to follow over a mile and beyond as a three-year-old.
All honours, however, belonged to the brave and determined Neveu, who recorded his second win from just five starts to go with two placings.
“It was very satisfying,” said trainer Jon O’Connor.
“We set in for the race many weeks ago now, so, yeah, it's good when the plan comes off on the day and, yeah, it worked out perfectly.
“We looked to have beaten it (Spain) off and so you're looking back in the field saying what's getting home and nothing's getting home and then when I look back to us again I thought geez this thing's kicking back.
“You expect that with the Waterhouse spot horses don't you, they're hard and tough and they never lay down without a fight so it wasn't unexpected but yeah we're nervous, nervous to watch the last few strides but yeah I was confident we got there though.”
Sales info: Neveu was bred and is raced by Mr C J Martin.
Pedigree info: Neveu is the first and only foal out of Bubbles Mcginty (Akeed Mofeed {GB}), a dual winner who was also metropolitan placed in South Australia.
While the family lacks black type close up, Neveu's third dam Just A Kiseki (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}) was a Listed winner in Western Australia among her six career victories over distances up to 2400 metres. Other Listed winners in the extended family include Willi Willi (Mint Lane {USA}) and Mr. Trickster (Brocco {USA}).
Ko Phangan shows staying promise in the Byerley Handicap
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continued its outstanding record in the Byerley Handicap, with Ko Phangan (Ole Kirk) shedding his maiden status in this year's 1800-metre feature for 2-year-olds at Flemington under Craig Williams.
The stable won the race with the ill-fated but talented Arcora (Justify {USA}) in 2024 and also claimed the event with Sunsource (Zoustar) in 2023, making it three victories in the past four runnings.
Ko Phangan entered the race after a strong third behind Marwooba (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final. Williams initially allowed the colt to roll forward before Stunning Kitty (Tagaloa) took over the lead. Delahra (Doubtland) settled outside the leader, while Notified (Maurice {Jpn}) enjoyed the run of the race in the one-one position. Achy Breaky Heart (Nicconi), ridden by Jye McNeil, was content to settle at the tail.
The complexion of the race changed dramatically shortly after straightening when McNeil swept around the field and briefly joined the leaders approaching the 400 metres. It looked a winning move for a moment, but Williams had saved plenty underneath him.
Ko Phangan rallied strongly along the rail, hit the front at the 200-metre mark and quickly put the race beyond doubt, drawing clear to score by two and a half lengths from the game Notified, with Achy Breaky Heart battling on well after his searching run.
"He jumped really clean, and I was thinking please don't lead, please don't lead because the last couple of starts I have wanted him to take a sit and really chase. He took a sit and was too good for them."
"He (Ko Phangan) took a sit and was too good for them." - Craig Williams
Winning co-trainer Natalie Young believes the colt could follow a similar path to Arcora.
"It's a nice form race this, they normally carry on, like Arcora went on to win a Cup Prelude and ran second in a Group 2, the ceiling is there, we know he gets the distance and maybe a Caulfield Guineas in the spring, but he will have a couple weeks let up now like we did with Arcora and pick a path and head towards the Guineas hopefully."
Natalie Young | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Young said Ko Phangan was purchased at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with the expectation he would develop into a quality 3-year-old.
"We looked after him and didn't send him up to Magics after running second in the lead-up behind Unit Five that won the Magic Millions and I'm hoping that pays off this spring," Young said.
"He's an Ole Kirk colt, a lovely looking rooster and hopefully he can go on with it.
"He's (Ko Phangan) an Ole Kirk colt, a lovely looking rooster and hopefully he can go on with it." - Natalie Young
"He's got the Green Desert and Poet's Voice blood and may get 2000 (metres) in time but he has a good turn of foot as he has shown in his last two starts, but he's just got to the front too soon and he's floated.
"He can keep his family jewels intact and we can hopefully have a good spring this year."
Sales info: Ko Phangan was originally purchased for $75,000 by Sullivan Bloodstock and Bevan Smith Bloodstock from the A List Stud Pty Ltd draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. He was then re-offered by Sullivan Bloodstock at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Busuttin Racing purchased the colt for $260,000.
Ko Phangan as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Pedigree info: Ko Phangan is out of the three-time winning mare Singing Sand (Poet's Voice {GB}), who is a three-quarter-sister to Listed winner Zubbaya (Dubawi {Ire}), herself the dam of five winners, including Group 3 and Listed-placed Moko (Impending).
Singing Sand has, in recent times, produced an Ole Kirk yearling filly, a Tassort weanling filly and missed to Prost last spring.
Tengun Tommy makes it three straight with another tough display
The Tony Gollan-trained Tengun Tommy (Flying Artie) continued his outstanding preparation, making it three wins from as many starts this campaign with another determined performance at Doomben.
Despite carrying significant weight and being forced to work early from a wide barrier, the gelding proved too strong over the 1200 metres, giving regular rider Ben Thompson his third successive victory aboard the progressive juvenile.
My Girl Marley (Zousain) was quickly into stride for Taylor Marshall to lead, while Thompson allowed Tengun Tommy to stride forward and settle outside the leader after working across from his wide draw.
Approaching the 300-metre mark, Tengun Tommy quickly asserted his authority before drawing clear to score by just under two lengths. My Girl Marley stuck on honestly for second, while High Profit (Divine Prophet) produced a solid performance to finish third, just ahead of Cascading (Headwater), who travelled well early before battling on strongly.
Gollan confirmed the gelding would now head for a spell before being aimed at the summer carnival.
Tengun Tommy winning at Doomben | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
"He will be put away now for the summer carnival and we will set him up for the Magic Millions Guineas," Gollan said after the race.
"He is definitely not my usual type of 2-year-old, he is more of a 3-year-old type.
"He's been terrific and he has got a really good future, he is learning what it is all about.
"He's (Tengun Tommy) been terrific and he has got a really good future, he is learning what it is all about." - Tony Gollan
"The best thing about him could be his adaptability, the jockey can give him a squeeze and go forward like he did today or we can ride him back a bit quieter.
"This distance (1200m) out to 1400-metre really suits him, even a mile could be in his sweet spot."
Gollan admitted Tengun Tommy has exceeded expectations this preparation and believes there is still considerable improvement to come as the youngster continues to mature.
Tony Gollan | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
"Paul Nugent and his wife gave this horse over to us and he has just kept on improving," Gollan said.
"The horse is all legs and he doesn't really even know what it's all about yet.
"Paul Nugent and his wife gave this horse over to us and he has just kept on improving." - Tony Gollan
"You can even see that in his action, he is quite immature and young.
"I remember when he first came up to Brisbane from the Gold Coast I thought I might get one run out of him this campaign, I wouldn't get any more than two.
"But here we are now at three runs in and he has gone bang, bang, bang."
Sales info: Tengun Tommy was purchased for $6,000 by Yathroo Racing from the KBL Thoroughbreds draft at the 2025 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Tengun Tommy is the first foal out of the five-time winner She's A Tigress (Better Than Ready). While the family is relatively quiet for black-type performers close up, deeper in the pedigree are Group 1 winner and sire Knowledge, along with stakes winners Excitable Lady (NZ) (Imposing), Fraar Magic (Fraar {USA}) and Maslins Beach (Flying Spur).
She's A Tigress has since produced a yearling filly named Tengun Sinned (Spirit Of Boom), a weanling colt by Profiteer, and was served by Spirit Of Boom last November.
Riverina Lulu impresses at Flemington on debut
Much of the pre-race attention centred on boom gelding Hard Kick (All Too Hard), who won the Listed Talindert Stakes on debut in February, and Panchenko (Street Boss {USA}), the granddaughter of Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) who impressed with a dominant debut victory by more than five lengths.
However, it was the Grahame Begg-trained Riverina Lulu (Blue Point {Ire}) who stole the show, producing an impressive performance to score by a length and a half. The result came as little surprise to those who had followed her lead-up work after she produced two stylish jump-out victories at Cranbourne last month.
There was genuine early speed as the field gravitated towards the rail down the Flemington straight, with The Troubleshooter (I Am Immortal), ridden by Luke Nolen, leading from Hard Kick.
Hard Kick travelled comfortably approaching the 300 metres but was unable to respond when the pressure came. Harry Coffey produced Riverina Lulu at the right time and the filly quickly burst clear before racing away untouched.
Leopard Shark (Churchill {Ire}) finished strongly for second, while The Troubleshooter boxed on well for third. Panchenko and Hard Kick were both disappointing, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.
Begg's racing manager, Rohan Hughes, said the filly now looks capable of measuring up in better company.
Rohan Hughes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"He (Begg) might hold onto her now and give her a little blow and present her in the spring, obviously that's something he will have to consider, because, timing-wise we're close to the spring," Hughes said.
"There might be a nice race for her come springtime here at Flemington. Whether he decides that's the way to go, he'll work it out."
Hughes said Begg had always held the filly in high regard and was keen to test her against race-proven opposition.
"He had the option to go to Sandown on Wednesday, but he was adamant he wanted to come here and take on the race-experienced horses and horses that have won. He got it right, didn't he?"
Sales info: Riverina Lulu was bred and is raced by Quat Quatta Thoroughbreds.
Pedigree info: Riverina Lulu is the first winner out of the Night Of Thunder (Ire) mare Riverina Storm, who won as a 2-year-old and also finished fourth in the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies).
This is the extended family of Hong Kong Group 1 winner Thron Bone - Invincible Sage (H.K.) (Thronum) and stakes-winning juveniles Diamond Tathagata (Hinchinbrook) and Marwell Lady (Lady Seymour {Ire}).
Riverina Storm has, in recent times, produced a Blue Point (Ire) yearling filly, a Maurice (Jpn) weanling colt and is due to foal to the outstanding Home Affairs in September.
