Metropolitan Handicap downgraded to Group 2
The Asian Pattern Committee (APC) have announced that the Metropolitan Handicap will be downgraded to Group 2 for the 2026/27 season. At the previous meeting in July, the APC recommended that the race be downgraded unless Racing NSW “implement material changes to the race conditions.” Racing NSW have since informed the APC that they will not be making those changes, therefore the downgrade to Group 2 has been invoked. The APC press release did not explain what those material changes might have been.
The downgrade was endorsed by the APC and approved by the ARF Executive Council on August 27. The 2400 metre race was won in 2025 by Royal Supremacy (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) who has since won the G2 Q22. In 2024, the race went to Land Legend (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) who hasn’t won since, but did place in the G1 Caulfield Cup at his next start. The 2023 event, which thus covers the three years of form that are used to analyse a race’s worthiness, was won by Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) who added the G3 Bart Cummings Stakes the following spring.
Major Beel’s brother ready for Up & Coming Stakes
G1 Australian Derby winner Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel)’s full brother Savagram (NZ) won his maiden on debut and steps up sharply in class to Saturday’s G3 Up & Coming Stakes. Another full sister is Group 3 winner Solid Gold (NZ). “He’s got good size, he’s a well put together horse,” jockey Tim Clark told racingnsw.com.au.
Savagram (NZ) | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“A bit bigger than Major Beel but stronger and obviously he has to keep progressing but a race like the Spring Champion could be on his radar if he keeps progressing. It’s up to him to put his hand up and show he’s up to that sort of level.”
The trio are three of the five foals produced by Gram (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) who is an unraced half-sister to a trio of stakes winners in Calaverite (Lonhro), Gold Rush (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}) and Gold Fever (NZ) (Savabeel).
Unreserved share in Private Eye available
Proven Thoroughbreds (As Agent for City Tattersalls Club) will offer an unreserved 10% share in Group 1 winner Private Eye (Al Maher) in the upcoming Magic Millions Digital Sale. Importantly, bidding on this lot will close early on Monday August 31 at 12 pm AEST. The remainder of the sale closes on Wednesday September 2.
Private Eye | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Catalogued as Lot 1, Private Eye will race on the Saturday following the sale in the G2 Tramway Stakes or alternatively the following week in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes. Closing bidding early will allow ownership transfers to take place so the new owner can be in the race book.
Founded by a group of bookmakers in 1895, the City Tattersalls Club is selling their share after being placed into administration. Private Eye is trained by Joe Pride and the 9-year-old gelding has won 14 of his 53 starts and over $13 million. He resumed this season in the G2 PB Lawrence Stakes on August 15, running second to Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice {Jpn}).
Berry chasing fourth San Domenico Stakes
Jockey Tommy Berry has won the G3 San Domenico Stakes three times and hopes Bjorn Baker-trained filly Blue Door (Stay Inside) can be his fourth. “She’s obviously a very fast filly, puts herself on speed, she’s drawn well and horses like that make a jockey’s job pretty easy,” Berry told racingnsw.com.au.
Tommy Berry | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I haven’t ridden her before so it’s not like I have a big opinion on where she’s best suited, just going off what I’ve seen, so I’ll be guided by what Bjorn says and go from there. She’s drawn well in a race that looks to set up quite nicely for her. The Rosehill 1100m is a good track and distance for on speed horses.”
Sheza Alibi could head to the Cox Plate
Co-trainer Peter Moody isn’t ruling out the G1 Cox Plate for star mare Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). “I’ll have to assess my filly when we see a few more of the horses come out that might be running in the Golden Eagle,” Moody told racing.com.
Sheza Alibi | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Is my filly going to be sharp enough, or good enough, to win that race at 1500 metres? Or do we seriously put the Cox Plate back on the agenda, thinking she might tell us she wants 2000 metres, this time around?
“We are still learning, each and every time. We certainly won’t dodge Autumn Glow, going forward. We’ll just pick our mark and place her where we think she is best suited.”
Oliveanotherday has multiple options
With much chatter about the G1 The Everest for Oliveanotherday (Nicconi), trainer Tom Dabernig is only focused on this weekend’s G3 Heath Stakes for now. “I'm just going to judge it one run at a time but there's the Bobbie Lewis (Quality) because I'd like to see him down the straight. He's never been there,” Dabernig told racenet.com.au.
“Then it gives me time to plan if we're looking at something in Cup Week. If he doesn't like the straight, we can go down a different path.”
Strictly Business on song for Cups
G1 Victoria Oaks winner Strictly Business (Grunt {NZ}) had a good hitout on Thursday ahead of a Cups campaign. “Both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups could really suit her with the light weight, and she’s effectively qualified for both as a G1 winner over 2500m,” trainer Thomas Carberry told racing.com.
“She might sharpen up over those 2000m trips this time in, but we know she’s just going to better as she gets over more and more ground. She did a good bit of work this morning, she hit the line really well. It was great to get on the grass here at Burrumbeet on a nice fresh morning, even thought it was heavy.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing what she can do for us this season, and today was the first step towards that.”
Cook’s Wild Atlantic thrust into stakes class
Owner Francis Cook told TTR earlier in the week that he was excited about 3-year-old colt Wild Atlantic (Exceedance) and his trainers Team Hawkes agree, debuting him in Saturday’s G3 San Domenico Stakes. “He was a lovely colt, and he actually looked a lot like Dad,” Michael Hawkes told betsy.com.au.
“He’s done everything right. He’s just taken a bit of time, probably a bit like Dad as well. He’s had some nice trials, a good grounding. Yes, he’s in the deep end on Saturday. If anything, he lacks the race craft because he is obviously unraced, where a lot of these have started and they’ve won numerous times.
“But he’s definitely got the ability to be there. Everyone has seen that with his trials, and we have too. It’s more about him having the right run in transit. He’s drawn a good barrier to get that now, and he’s going to have his chance.”
Steve Old appointed Chair Tas Racing
Tas Racing announced on Thursday that Steve Old is the new Chair of Tasracing, after serving as Deputy Chair and a member of the Board since 2022. “I am very much looking forward to working with my fellow directors, everyone in the Tasracing team and the broader Tasmanian racing industry in my new capacity as Chair,” Old told tasracing.com.au.
“Tasracing and the industry are set to face and manage some significant issues in the coming years, including finalising a new industry funding deed, which is set to expire in June 2029, and the Tasmanian Government’s decision to end greyhound racing at the same time.
“Industry sustainability and its future will be top of mind for me and the Board going forward. My priority as Chair will be to provide the leadership and sound decision-making needed to ensure Tasracing and the industry emerge from my term stronger, more sustainable and well positioned for the future.” He replaces Gene Phair in the role whose term expired this calendar year.
Unbeaten Proxima Dea on Oaks path
If unbeaten 3-year-old filly Proxima Dea (Tarzino {NZ}) can win on Saturday at Rosehill, she’ll be set on an Oaks pathway. “If you want to win those kinds of races they’ve got to be competitive,” trainer David Payne told racingnsw.com.au.
“It’s a good test for her, you want to toughen them up. Hopefully all goes well and I might give her a week in the paddock and concentrate on the Oaks.” She is a full sister to G1 Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess (NZ).
Early spring 3-year-old winner for The Autumn Sun
Danny O’Brien-trained 3-year-old filly Autumn In Grinzing (The Autumn Sun) won at Seymour on Thursday at her second start. She was purchased by John Wheeler for $120,000 from Torryburn Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Two other 3-year-olds won their maidens at the meeting being Dark Monarch (Cosmic Force) and Cliff Runner (NZ) (Ardrossan).
Trio of 3-year-olds win in WA
At Thursday’s Northam meeting in WA, three spring 3-year-olds won their maidens. Star Martini (Hellbent) won for trainer Jim Taylor, while Grant and Alana Williams trained a treble led by Secret Planet (Admire Mars {Jpn}) and debutant winning filly Juniper (Russian Revolution). Their treble came up with 4-year-old gelding Tag Time (Tagaloa).
Cuts made to New Zealand prizemoney
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing announced on Thursday that NZ$104 million will be paid in prizemoney in the 2026/27 season, down NZ$3 million on last season. “To be able to protect minimum stakes across all our non-black-type races, given the funding circumstances, is a positive outcome,” NZTR General Manager Racing Mitch Lamb said.
“This provides important certainty for owners, trainers and other participants as they plan for the season ahead. The changes have been concentrated across selected black-type, innovation and other additionally funded races. We have taken a targeted and selective approach, particularly across the Group 1 programme, taking into account the potential impacts of each change. We are comfortable that we have reached the right balance within the funding available.”
Goffs Premier ends with solid figures
Leading owner Charlie Bond admitted to already be dreaming of pitching up in next year's Harry's Half Million race with his £210,000 (AU$397,000) Night Of Thunder colt purchase that led the way on the second and final day of a solid – if not spectacular – Goffs Premier Yearling Sale on Wednesday.
The Night Of Thunder colt was sourced from Eugene Daly's Longview Stud and was one of the most expensive lots sold at a sale that grossed £14,247,000 (AU$26.8 million). That was down 1% despite the fact there were 36 more horses catalogued at this year's sale. The average was down 7% to £40,022 (AU$76,000), while the median was down by 14% to £30,000 (AU$57,000).
On Wednesday's top lot, Bond said, “He's been bought for Bond Thoroughbred and Geoff Oldroyd will train him. Being by Night Of Thunder, who's on fire, he obviously stood out in the catalogue, and when Geoff and PJ [McDonald] came up the other day to look at the horses, he was their star pick.”
Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent said at the conclusion of the sale, “Today wraps up another year for the Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale which has produced strong trade over the two days and it enjoyed a great advert leading into the sale with 2-year-old Sun Goddess showcasing the calibre of horse this sale repeatedly produces and what it stands for.
“With hotel space in Doncaster stretched to the limit, we have delivered another huge buying bench and the 85% clearance rate shows demand has been robust with buyers from around the world in attendance. Buyers have always shown a strong appetite for Donny yearlings and the sale's identity is alive and well which is fantastic – but there has been a call for more higher end horses at this sale from buyers, and some vendors, over the last 12 months.
“Ultimately it is for the market to decide what it needs and wants Premier to be and our message to the market is this; we remain ambitious and hungry to grow this sale. We want to offer a higher quality catalogue to buyers who walk in our gates wanting and expecting to see real quality, and we want to continue to surpass the high expectations of vendors when we are given the opportunity to offer something special.”
Ears Back offered via Gavelhouse
G3 Metric Mile victrix Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) who counts a pair of stakes wins among her nine career victories is for sale on Gavelhouse with the auction closing on August 31. “She was a great mare. She loved the Central Districts. She won the Listed race at Wanganui and the Group 3 at Wellington, which was her biggest win,” trainer John Blackadder told Loveracing.nz.
Ears Back (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)
“My lease ran out at the end of the season, and with her barrier manners, she was just telling us that she had enough.” She is from the family of G3 Hobart Cup winner Pretty Punk (Rebel Raider) and further back to G1 The Derby winner Pour Moi (Ire) who stood in New Zealand and sired Group 1 winner Sacred Elixir (NZ).
Hartman breaks Devonport record
On Wednesday, Barry Campbell-trained Hartman (Exceed And Excel) broke the 1150 metre record at Devonport covering the trip in 1:07.09. The previous record of 1:07.17 was set by I’m Wesley (I Am Invincible) in September 2016.
“I think there’s an open for him in a fortnight over the same distance, so we’ll keep him fresh and aim for that,” Campbell said. The 6-year-old gelding has seven wins from 28 starts and earnings over $220,000.
Daiquiri Bay to follow in Trueshan’s footsteps
Daiquiri Bay (New Bay) will bid to follow in the footsteps of former stablemate Trueshan after Alan King confirmed that last week's Ebor winner is set to target the G1 Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October.
Trueshan won three consecutive editions of the Long Distance Cup between 2020 and 2022, with his first success in the race coming as a 4-year-old after he'd finished eighth in the Ebor from a BHA mark of 109 earlier that season. “He's come out of York well,” said the Barbury Castle trainer. “I haven't done much with him, but he's bright and well in his paddock. I'm very happy with him.
“He'll probably go to Ascot and he'll probably get an entry in the Prix Royal-Oak, I would have thought. He's rated 110 now, so he's rated higher than Trueshan was at a similar stage. Trueshan was 109 when he got beat in the Ebor and he went and won at Ascot for the first time after that.
“I'm not saying he's as good as Trueshan, don't get me wrong, but he's only a 4-year-old and he could improve again.”
Castellano achieves 6000 wins
Rider Javier Castellano, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017, secured his 6000th North American win Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course aboard Starship Lizzy (Central Banker) in Race 8, a New York-bred maiden claimer. The 3-year-old filly is trained by Michelle Nevin and owned by Starship Stables. After some bumping in the stretch, Castellano had to wait out a stewards' inquiry to find out if he'd reached win 6,000.
“6,000 [wins] and I still have to sweat out my result! Nothing's easy in this game, for sure,” said Castellano with a laugh. “…I knew it wasn't my fault, and that's why I felt comfortable. But you never know, you have to see the 'official' first to count 6,000 races.
“Mentally, it's really, really tough. It looks easy, 6,000 races, but you've got to go through almost 40,000 races to win 6,000. Can you imagine how many losses you have to go through to win 6,000? There's a lot of disappointment, and I thought about it for a moment to quit being a jockey, because you go through those slumps and you don't think [it will get better]. Thank God I've been very lucky and fortunate to be strong, disciplined, dedicated, hard-working, and it paid off.”
First stakes winner for Flightline
Blue Heaven Farm homebred 2-year-old filly Go for Launch (Flightline) became the first stakes winner for the all-conquering 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline with a 10-1 upset in Wednesday's Bolton Landing Stakes at the Spa.
Go for Launch's dam Starship Jubilee, also owned by Blue Heaven Farm and trained by Attard, was a three-time champion in Canada and also Canada's Horse of the Year in 2019. The 2019 GI E. P. Taylor S. winner and 2020 GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile S. winner is also represented by a yearling filly by Gun Runner. She was bred to Maxfield and Curlin for 2027.
