Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Persian Wonder gains deserved maiden success
The David Payne-trained Persian Wonder (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) claimed a much-deserved maiden victory late in his 2-year-old season at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The full-brother to the exciting 4-time winning 3-year-old Hello Captain (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) may have taken until his seventh start to break through, but the win was richly deserved after finishing second in the G3 TL Baillieu Stakes, third in the Pierro Plate and fourth in the G3 Pago Pago Stakes earlier in the autumn.
The Jim and Greg Lee-trained debutant Yoshida (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) sped straight to the lead under Reece Jones, while Zac Lloyd was caught wide aboard Persian Wonder and elected to eventually press forward to sit outside the leader.
Approaching the home turn, Yoshida was travelling noticeably better than the rest of the field, but under vigorous riding from Lloyd, Persian Wonder levelled up at the 100-metre mark before his class came to the fore. The Hello Youmzain (Fr) gelding drew clear to score by half a length and looks likely to improve further with this run under his belt, particularly over more ground. Yoshida was brave in second, while Stateroom (Astern) was another length away in third.
“Class prevailed, but I'm actually quite surprised how well he’s done in his previous preparation, considering he's still very immature,” said winning jockey Zac Lloyd.
“Class prevailed, but I'm actually quite surprised how well he’s done in his previous preparation, considering he's still very immature.” - Zac Lloyd
“So that's obviously not the way to ride him, but I just thought I'd give him every chance to at least tough it out and that he did. I knew he was going to keep responding and once he got a couple of reminders then he really stretched out and went on with the job.”
Zac Lloyd aboard Persian Wonder | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sales info: Persian Wonder was purchased for $160,000 by Payne Racing from the Cambridge Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Persian Wonder is the fifth winner from five starters for Steer By The Stars (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), a two-time juvenile winner who produced the Listed Carnarvon Stakes winner Never Back Down (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) before her journey south to New Zealand.
A granddaughter of Listed victress and prolific producer Wild Planet (USA) (Nureyev {USA}), Steer By The Stars is a half-sister to the Listed winners Consort (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Her World (Ire) (Caravaggio {USA}), as well as closely related to G1 Spinster Stakes winner Aruna (USA) (Mr Greeley {USA}) and stakes-winning, Group 1-performed stallion Honoured Guest (Ire).
Persian Wonder as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Steer By The Stars left a yearling filly by Farnan, who was purchased by Shijiazhuang Hongtao Horse Breeding for NZ$160,000 at this year's New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, before the mare sadly died in 2025.
Krasina's class shines through late
The consistent Krasina (Russian Revolution) completed a 2-year-old double at Canterbury for trainer David Payne and jockey Zac Lloyd.
Like Persian Wonder, Krasina brought a consistent juvenile profile into the maiden, having performed well throughout the season without breaking through. She finished fifth in the G3 Widden Stakes behind Chilly Girl (Trapeze Artist) in January before placing at her previous two starts at Warwick Farm and Randwick in Saturday company, making the breakthrough thoroughly deserved.
The pace was genuine early as La Folle (Wild Ruler) led, with Farfetched (Farnan) applying pressure on the outside under Rachel King. Lloyd settled Krasina perfectly in the one-one trail behind Farfetched before King sent her mount to the lead approaching the home turn.
Krasina was always travelling strongly and, although Farfetched kicked bravely, Lloyd's mount gradually wore her down over the final 100 metres before racing away to score by just over a length. Queen's Gamble (Anders) charged home for second, with Farfetched sticking on well for third.
Lloyd was delighted to complete a winning double for Payne, who in the past enjoyed plenty of success with his father, Jeff Lloyd.
Zac Lloyd aboard Krasina | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“Dad (Jeff Lloyd) and David Payne go a long way back, so it's good when I can ride winners for David,” Zac Lloyd said.
“It was good to see her (Krasina) be able to put herself in a spot where you're not relying so much on luck.
“It was good to see her (Krasina) be able to put herself in a spot where you're not relying so much on luck.” - Zac Lloyd
“The form was there. She was the best horse in the race, so I rode her accordingly and she has done that very comfortably.”
Sales info: Krasina was purchased for $16,000 by Payne Racing Pty Ltd from the Kingstar Farm draft at the 2025 Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Krasina is one of four winners from only four to race out of the Listed Strutt Stakes winner Sebring Sally (Sebring), who also placed in the G2 The Roses Stakes and finished fourth in the G1 Queensland Oaks.
She has already made an impact at stud, producing the G2 Autumn Classic and Listed Galilee Series Final winner Single Choice (Anders), who also finished fourth in the G1 South Australian Derby.
Krasina as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sebring Sally is also a half-sister to the South African Group 3 and Listed winner Roy's Riviera (All Too Hard).
Since producing Krasina, Sebring Sally has not had much luck, failing to produce a live foal, but is due to foal to Artorius next month.
One Day At A Time has her day in the sun
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained 2-year-old filly One Day At A Time (Bivouac) put it all together at Sandown on Wednesday, scoring an impressive maiden victory at her fifth start.
The performance came as little surprise after she had consistently shown ability. She finished third on debut in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Plate behind Eurocanto (Per Incanto {USA}), before another encouraging third behind Dream Roca (NZ) (El Roca) at Eagle Farm. That form received a significant boost when Dream Roca went on to win the R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie in late January.
After a break, One Day At A Time resumed with a solid fourth behind the talented Stars Of Dom (Exceedance) at Flemington before taking full advantage of her second-up opportunity.
Jye McNeil settled the filly second last in the small field as Fontalicious (Hanseatic) and Brighterdaysahead (Super One) ensured a genuine tempo as they took each other on up-front.
Travelling strongly approaching the 300 metres, McNeil angled her to the inside of the wayward Egyptian Dancer (Portland Sky) and the filly quickly burst clear to score by a length and a half. Egyptian Dancer battled on well despite racing greenly to finish second, while Fontalicious held third bravely, just under two lengths from the winner.
Stable representative Mitch Whelan said the promising filly had always shown plenty.
“He's (co trainer Calvin McEvoy) has always had a good opinion of her (One Day At A Time),” said Whelan.
“She's shown plenty. Obviously only half a length off them in the Maribyrnong Trial in the spring and she's going really well.
“It's nice to see her knock it off and Jye really deserves it as he comes in and works hard for us a couple of mornings a week. I'm just really happy for him.
“It's nice to see her knock it off and Jye really deserves it as he comes in and works hard for us a couple of mornings a week. I'm just really happy for him.” - Mitch Whelan
“She's always been a nice type. Probably still not a heap of horse there, but she's growing and she's going the right way.
“She's very correct and has a lovely action and does everything well. Hopefully she can be a player in the spring and we've got something to look forward to.”
Winning jockey Jye McNeil said the filly had been showing encouraging signs at home.
“I have got to know her through a few gallops at trackwork and she’s always promised to do something like she did today.
Jye McNeil | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"It was a matter of it all coming together, back to 1000 metres and the tempo really suited her, she obviously took a bit of fitness from her first-up effort and it was great to see her do what she did.
“She will take a lot of confidence out of today.”
Sales info: One Day At A Time was purchased for $270,000 by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Rosemont Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: One Day At A Time is the third foal out of the Listed winner Everyday Lady (Charge Forward), who also showed her class when finishing fourth in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes.
One Day At A Time as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This is the extended family of Horse of the Year and seven-time Group 1 winner Weekend Hussler (Hussonet {USA}), G1 William Reid Stakes winner Lucky Hussler (Husson {Arg}), and Group winners Saturday Fever (Groom Dancer {USA}), Phantom Thief (Jade Robbery {USA}), and Not On Friday (At Talaq {USA}).
Everyday Lady has since produced a Hanseatic weanling filly and is due to foal to Schwarz late next month.
Watson too quick at Canterbury
The classy Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained 3-year-old Watson (Capitalist) resumed in dominant fashion at Canterbury, producing a narrow but classy victory over 1200 metres in BM72 grade in the hands of apprentice Zac Widdick.
The speedy Capitalist gelding recorded his third win from just eight starts as he launched his new campaign in style, having finished fourth to Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) in the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes back in February before a close fifth in the Listed Canberra Guineas last preparation.
Settled in a forward position throughout, Watson always travelled strongly and looked the winner approaching the straight. Dylan Gibbons urged Clear Proof (Justify {USA}) late, but ultimately fell a neck short, while the Chris Waller-trained Unstopabull (Russian Revolution) was nearly five lengths away in third.
“It was pleasing to see that return. Zac rode him well today and he was patient when they kicked up underneath him and got into a nice rhythm,” said winning co-trainer Adrian Bott.
“Zac rode him well today and he was patient when they kicked up underneath him and got into a nice rhythm.” - Adrian Bott
“He quickened really well at the top of the straight and may have been tiring a bit late in the testing conditions, but his class got him through.
“Naturally he can step up to 1400m and I think that will be his sweet spot this campaign and we will look to step him up to Saturday grade provided we get the right track conditions at this time of year.
“He’s a nice horse with plenty of upside.”
Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Sales info: Watson was purchased for $450,000 by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Watson is one of three winners from the G1 Flight Stakes winner Speak Fondly (Northern Meteor). The best of them has been the 12-time winner and Listed winner Compelling Truth (I Am Invincible).
Watson's grandam Blab (Flying Spur) was a Listed winner and, as well as leaving Speak Fondly, also produced the Group 2 winner Wild And Proud (Snowland) while Group 1 winner Kenedna (Not A Single Doubt) also features in the extended pedigree.
Watson as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
In recent times, Speak Fondly has produced an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Extreme Choice, who was purchased by Michael Freedman Racing, Michael Wallace and Emirates Park for $800,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Her current yearling filly, also by Extreme Choice, was purchased for $1,800,000 by Shane McGrath Bloodstock and Clinton McDonald Racing from the Newgate Farm draft at this year's 2026 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Speak Fondly was again served by Extreme Choice last December.
