Few horses in Australian racing can produce the sort of acceleration Jimmysstar unleashed at Caulfield on Sunday, and the mercurial New Zealand-bred sprinter chose the Gr1 Manikato Stakes over 1200m to emphatically announce that his devastating best remains very much intact. Coming into the $2 million feature after several performances below the extraordinary standard he established last season, the Ciaron Maher-trained seven-year-old was fitted with blinkers for the first time, although ultimately it was a return to his preferred racing pattern that appeared most instrumental in the transformation. Jimmysstar was slow from the barriers and Ethan Brown made no attempt to bustle him forward, instead allowing the son of Per Incanto to settle last while the speed developed ahead. Brown remained conspicuously patient before steering his mount to the extreme outside approaching the home turn, and what followed was vintage Jimmysstar. Gathering speed with startling rapidity, he swept down the outside to overwhelm his rivals and defeat Extragalactic by three-quarters of a length, with Charm Stone another long head away in third, stopping the clock at a slick 1:08.24. Maher told racingnews.co.nz that while the blinkers may have contributed, allowing Jimmysstar to relax before producing one concentrated finishing burst had been the crucial factor, with Brown deliberately replicating the tactics that proved so successful in last season's Gr1 Oakleigh Plate. The victory was Jimmysstar's fourth at the highest level, joining the Gr1 C F Orr Stakes, Gr1 Oakleigh Plate and Gr1 All Aged Stakes on a résumé that now stands at 12 victories and nine placings from 30 starts, with prizemoney exceeding A$10 million in addition to more than A$1.65 million in bonuses. Remarkably, six of those victories have now come at Caulfield. The performance also propelled Jimmysstar firmly towards the A$20 million Gr1 The Everest over 1200m at Randwick, where Maher believes the spacious circuit will be ideally suited to his racing pattern. Bred by Pete and Chrissy Algie in partnership with Little Avondale Stud, Jimmysstar began his career with Hastings trainer Guy Lowry before a majority interest was sold to Maher clients, with his breeders retaining shares. Out of the Listed Feilding Gold Cup-winning Zed mare Anniesstar and a brother to Gr3 winner Charms Star, Jimmysstar has already travelled an extraordinary road from New Zealand Rating 65 company to the upper reaches of Australian sprinting, and Sunday suggested another major chapter may yet await.
Emphatic statement made by Jimmysstar (pic: Grant Courtney)
Diameter Measures Up in Stutt Thriller
Weekend, 28th September 2026
A coveted Gr1 Caulfield Guineas berth now beckons for Diameter after the Godolphin colt prevailed in a desperately tight three-way finish to Sunday's Gr2 Stutt Stakes over 1600m at Caulfield, providing Chris Waller with a timely reminder of the depth within his three-year-old ranks. According to justhorseracing.com.au, the son of Brazen Beau entered the race with established black-type credentials, having won the Listed Fernhill Stakes over the same distance during his juvenile campaign before finishing third behind stablemates Fireball and Campione D'Italia in the Gr1 Champagne Stakes, and his return to a mile brought out the qualities that had marked him as a serious spring prospect. James McDonald's passage aboard the $3.20 second favourite was anything but straightforward approaching the business end, with Diameter requiring both patience and determination when clear running proved elusive near the top of the straight. Once a gap materialised, however, the colt responded willingly, driving through to engage stablemate Somethings Burnin' and Ciaron Maher-trained Scarole in a finish that could scarcely have been tighter. Diameter eventually prevailed by a short head over the $8 Somethings Burnin', with Scarole only another head away in third. Waller was delighted to see both of his colts demonstrate that they deserved consideration for stronger assignments, particularly Diameter, whose association with Godolphin and Brazen Beau gives his progress additional significance. The trainer also remains enthusiastic about Somethings Burnin', although he believes the son of Too Darn Hot is still developing mentally and may ultimately prove a better horse in another preparation. McDonald, meanwhile, drew particular encouragement from Diameter's determination after his initially awkward predicament in the straight, saying the colt had been a willing partner when the opportunity finally presented itself and suggesting he could comfortably envisage him being competitive when raised to Gr1 company. The victory was Diameter's second stakes success and immediately shortened his price for the $3 million Gr1 Caulfield Guineas over 1600m at the same venue on October 10, while the Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m at Randwick two weeks later remains another potential option. With his juvenile form already demonstrating an ability to compete at the elite level and Sunday's performance adding another layer of toughness to his profile, Diameter has emerged from the Stutt as considerably more than merely another member of Waller's formidable three-year-old squad.
Pride Of Jenni Makes It a Feehan Treble
Weekend, 28th September 2026
Nine years of age have done remarkably little to diminish the phenomenon that is Pride Of Jenni, who returned from a four-month absence at Caulfield on Sunday and promptly produced another exhibition of sustained front-running power to secure an unprecedented personal hat-trick in the Gr2 Feehan Stakes over 1600m. Facing a field containing familiar adversary Mr Brightside and multiple Gr1 winner Treasurethe Moment, the Ciaron Maher-trained mare was nevertheless sent out the commanding $1.85 favourite, and within moments of the gates opening the race had assumed its customary shape. Declan Bates allowed Pride Of Jenni to roll into the lead and establish her rhythm, and although her rivals remained within striking distance for much of the contest, the nine-year-old was travelling with such authority that Bates had little cause for concern. Once straightened, she accelerated away in characteristic fashion and maintained a comfortable advantage to the line, defeating the fast-finishing Treasurethe Moment by 1.5 lengths, with Pounding another 1.75 lengths back in third. Bates did not even resort to the whip, later explaining that he always felt he had the race under control and marvelled again at a mare capable of sustaining a racing style that would exhaust most thoroughbreds. According to racingnews.co.nz, Maher was similarly taken by the quality of the performance, particularly given Pride Of Jenni's age and the fact she was making her first appearance since May, describing her continuing appetite for racing as remarkable. The victory was the 14th of Pride Of Jenni's 49-start career, during which she has also accumulated 15 placings and A$12,818,685 in prizemoney, while the Feehan has effectively become her personal property after three successive victories in the race. Owner Tony Ottobre was delighted that his stable star continues to enjoy racing and acknowledged the extraordinary public following she has developed through her uncompromising style. Bred by Trelawney Stud, Pride Of Jenni is by Pride Of Dubai from the O'Reilly mare Sancerre, herself a four-time winner for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike, and represents a female family cultivated over generations by the historic New Zealand nursery. She was sold through Segenhoe Stud's draft for A$100,000 at the Sydney Classic Yearling Sale to Tony and Lynn Ottobre's Cape Schanck Stud, a figure that now looks decidedly modest given the remarkable career that followed. Sunday provided no suggestion that the story is approaching its conclusion; rather, one of Australian racing's great contemporary showstoppers appears ready to make herself a central figure in yet another spring.
Waitak Goes Back-To-Back at Hastings
Weekend, 28th September 2026
Seven-year-old warrior Waitak added another distinguished chapter to an increasingly impressive career when successfully defending his Gr1 Howden Insurance Mile crown over 1600m at Hastings, prevailing in a pulsating three-way finish to register the fourth elite-level victory of his career. Craig Grylls made full use of barrier two aboard the Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding, securing a comfortable position in sixth on the rail while fellow Group 1 performer El Vencedor controlled proceedings in front, contrasting sharply with favourite Tuxedo, who was forced to settle well back before Opie Bosson began improving around the field from the 700m. Grylls remained patient before easing Waitak away from the fence approaching the home turn, where She's A Dealer and the advancing Tuxedo joined him and the trio swept to the front near the 300m. What followed was a stirring battle in which Waitak's trademark determination proved decisive, the son of Proisir refusing to yield as he edged Tuxedo by a short head, with She's A Dealer only another half-neck away in third. Racingnews.co.nz reported an emotional Andrew Scott describing Waitak as the stable's champion and pointing to a clean getaway as crucial after the gelding had compromised his chances in several previous appearances by missing the start. Grylls was similarly complimentary, explaining that from the inside draw he had been determined not to become buried too far back and that, despite Waitak becoming somewhat keen through the middle stages, he was travelling strongly enough on straightening to obtain clear running before showing tremendous resolution under pressure. The victory took Waitak's record to nine wins and 11 placings from 40 starts, with earnings beyond NZ$2 million, while also providing a notable milestone for Grylls, with Scott indicating the success was his 100th winner for the stable. Bred by the late Colin Devine and raced by his widow Jill, Waitak is by Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir from the Shocking mare Repo Bay, and his next assignment is expected to be the Gr1 Livamol Classic over 2040m at Hastings on October 10, a distance well within the compass of a remarkably versatile performer whose stakes successes have now ranged from 1200m to 2000m.
Evergreen Waitak emulates last year's success (pic: Peter Rubery)
Lazzura Adds Another Pendant to Her Collection
Weekend, 28th September 2026
Already established among the country's leading mares, Lazzura added further lustre to an increasingly valuable record when proving too classy for her rivals in Saturday's Gr2 Golden Pendant over 1400m at Rosehill, taking her career earnings beyond $2 million and recording a sixth black-type success. The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old had resumed with an encouraging third in the Gr2 Sheraco Stakes over 1200m at the same track and relished the return to 1400m, a distance over which she had previously finished runner-up to Beiwacht in the Gr1 All Aged Stakes. James McDonald allowed the short-priced favourite to settle prominently after beginning cleanly, with Surfin' Bird taking up the running ahead of Ahha Ahha, before Lazzura travelled comfortably within striking distance as the field approached the home turn. Once McDonald brought her into the clear in the straight, the daughter of Snitzel quickly gathered the leaders and asserted her superiority, holding the late-finishing Verona Rose by 1.2 lengths, with Modella another 0.4 lengths away in third. The winner stopped the clock at 1:23.00 on the Good 4 surface, completing her final 600m in 33.82 seconds. Waller told breednet.com.au that Lazzura's unassuming nature belies her consistency and determination, describing her as a mare who invariably produces an honest performance, while McDonald was particularly encouraged by the sharpness she displayed second-up and believes further improvement remains as she progresses deeper into the spring. Attention is now expected to turn towards the $2 million The Invitation over 1400m at Randwick, with Waller also identifying the Gr1 Empire Rose Stakes and Gr1 C F Orr Stakes as possible subsequent targets. The latter's 1400m distance holds obvious appeal given Lazzura's established effectiveness at the trip. Bred by Arrowfield Group and Jungle Pocket Pty Ltd, Lazzura was purchased by B2B Thoroughbreds for $500,000 from Arrowfield Stud's draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and has now won seven of her 19 starts, with another six placings and earnings of $2,133,460. She is the best of three winners from four runners out of the Japanese-bred Heart's Cry mare Laguna Azzurra and comes from the extended family of Japanese champion three-year-old and successful stallion Kizuna. Already a Gr1 winner through last season's Coolmore Classic, Lazzura continues to enhance both her racing and eventual broodmare value, with Saturday's victory confirming that Waller has her poised for another serious assault on the major mares' races this spring.
Skyhook Turns Shannon into A Procession
Weekend, 28th September 2026
Any lingering question about whether Skyhook could translate his explosive 1300m form to 1500m disappeared emphatically at Rosehill when the exciting four-year-old simply ran his rivals into submission in the Gr2 Shannon Stakes, scoring by three lengths and putting himself firmly on course for a lucrative Golden Eagle campaign. Following his commanding first-up victory in the Gr2 Theo Marks Stakes, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained entire was sent out a $1.50 favourite and Kerrin McEvoy wasted little time exploiting his tactical versatility, allowing Skyhook to stride to the front and dictate rather than surrendering the initiative. From there the race became increasingly one-sided. Skyhook travelled comfortably, controlled the contest and still had ample reserve when McEvoy asked him to extend, clearing away to defeat Estadio Mestalla by three lengths, with that gelding's Joe Pride-trained stablemate Private Eye another long neck away in third. Wagering site betsy.com.au reported Ryan describing the performance as "poetry in motion", with the trainer particularly satisfied that Skyhook had successfully negotiated the rise from 1300m to 1500m at only his second run of the campaign. Ryan also pointed to the four-year-old's growing versatility – effective on wet or dry ground and equally comfortable leading or settling behind the speed – as an increasingly potent weapon. McEvoy, now unbeaten in his past three rides aboard Skyhook, noted that his mount was fresh and enthusiastic on the way to the barriers and praised a racing style that increasingly removes traffic and bad luck from the equation. Tempting though a quick return in the Gr1 Epsom Handicap over 1600m might appear after such a demolition, Ryan has ruled that out, preferring to freshen Skyhook before the Silver Eagle over 1300m in three weeks. That race will provide the final stepping stone towards the $10 million Golden Eagle over 1500m at Randwick on October 31, where the opposition will inevitably be considerably deeper. On Saturday's evidence, however, Skyhook is arriving at his four-year-old season as a substantially more complete racehorse than the talented youngster already familiar to racegoers.
Warwoven Impeccable in Golden Rose Route
Weekend, 28th September 2026
Potential gave way to emphatic confirmation at Rosehill as Warwoven dismantled a high-class three-year-old field in the $1 million Gr1 Golden Rose over 1400m, exploding clear in the straight to score by more than three lengths and establish himself as one of the most exciting colts of the spring. Fresh from taking the Gr2 Run To The Rose, the Bjorn Baker-trained son of Sword Of State was again partnered by Rachel King, who found herself three back along the rail from barrier one before trusting the $6 chance to relax beneath her as sufficient pressure developed ahead. Once daylight appeared, the response was devastating. Warwoven accelerated clear around the 200m and continued putting distance into his rivals, ultimately defeating the Chris Waller-trained St Gotthard by 3.16 lengths in 1:20.93, with Under Focus narrowly behind the runner-up in third.. According to racing.com, an understandably delighted Baker describing the performance as "very special", while King – registering the ninth Gr1 victory of her career – said the colt had relaxed beautifully before demonstrating the exceptional turn of foot connections already knew he possessed. The result also delivered a major breakthrough for Cambridge Stud's young stallion Sword Of State, with Warwoven becoming his first Group 1 winner from his first crop. Purchased for $380,000 from Kia Ora Stud at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Warwoven is out of the Makfi mare Needle And Thread, whose own ability around 2000m provides encouragement that her son's brilliance need not be confined to sprint distances. That prospect has prompted Baker to confirm the Gr1 Caulfield Guineas over 1600m on October 10 as the colt's next target, while even the Gr1 Cox Plate over 2040m has entered calculations should Warwoven continue progressing. The victory also completed a remarkable stakes treble on the Rosehill programme for Baker, following earlier Group 3 successes with So You Are and Blue Door. For Warwoven, however, the implications extend beyond another trophy: having missed the Magic Millions 2YO Classic earlier this year after being scratched on race morning, he has returned to build a résumé carrying considerably greater consequence, and Saturday's breathtaking acceleration transformed an already valuable colt into a genuine Group 1-winning stallion prospect.
Hurry Curry Adds Stakes Win to Staying Résume
Weekend, 28th September 2026
For a mare who had already stood on the podium in both Group 1 and Group 2 company, the conspicuous omission from Hurry Curry's résumé was a black-type victory of her own, and that gap was emphatically filled when the Waikato Stud homebred captured Saturday's Listed R.M. Ansett Classic over 2400m at Mornington. Trained by Danny O'Brien, the five-year-old daughter of Ocean Park had established her credentials as a genuine stayer during previous preparations, most notably when third behind Treasurethe Moment in the Gr1 VRC Oaks at Flemington as a three-year-old and again when third over 3200m in the Gr2 Adelaide Cup earlier this year. Those performances had earned Hurry Curry valuable black type without the accompanying stakes success, and after O'Brien spelled her following Adelaide she resumed this season with unplaced performances over 1600m and 1800m while carrying sizeable weights. Saturday provided a much more favourable equation: the distance stretched to 2400m, her impost fell to 54kg and barrier one allowed Lachlan Neindorf to contemplate racing significantly closer than she had in her first two runs back. The plan was executed superbly. Neindorf was positive enough early to secure the box seat and then conserved energy behind the speed before shifting Hurry Curry into clear running at the top of the straight. Sunset Park proved a stubborn target in front, but Hurry Curry sustained her finish to wear that rival down and score by a neck, with Beach Pad third and Leonchroi fourth. According to racingnews.co.nz, O'Brien's racing manager Jack Howard regarded Neindorf's early tactical move as the pivotal moment of the race, particularly when Beach Pad rolled away from the rail and presented an opportunity for Hurry Curry to secure the coveted position behind the leader. Connections were also relieved to find an appropriate race after believing the mare's rating had been adversely affected by her Adelaide Cup placing, restricting suitable options earlier in the preparation. The victory advanced Hurry Curry's record to four wins and three placings from 20 starts with earnings of A$362,650 and, more importantly for Waikato Stud, provided the stakes victory required to complement her high-class staying performances. Out of the Savabeel mare Hurry, she represents a family containing considerable black-type depth, while her second dam Rush is closely related to a branch responsible for stakes performers including Splashing Out, Shopaholic, Splurge and Packing Pins, with dual Gr1 Doncaster Mile hero Sacred Falls also featuring prominently in the extended family.
Sun Goddess Completes Rare Gr1 Hat-Trick
Weekend, 28th September 2026
A remarkable juvenile campaign scaled still greater heights at Newmarket on Saturday when Sun Goddess produced the versatility and tenacity required to capture the Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes over six furlongs, lowering the track record while completing an extraordinary sequence of three consecutive Gr1 victories. Already successful in the Gr1 Phoenix Stakes and Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, the Aidan O'Brien-trained daughter of Sioux Nation was dropping sharply in distance after winning over seven furlongs on soft ground, but the contrasting assignment proved no impediment as Ryan Moore guided the 5-6 favourite to her sixth victory from eight starts. Settled patiently behind Moonrise and Snowing as the leaders disputed the early running, Sun Goddess came under pressure approaching the quarter-mile marker before steadily gathering herself and engaging Libertango inside the final furlong. The latter, who had beaten her in the Gr3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier in the season, offered determined resistance, but Sun Goddess found another gear approaching the line to prevail by a length, with Alwaysanangel finishing strongly another length and a half away in third. The winning time of 1:09.08 established a new six-furlong course record and left O'Brien marvelling at a filly whose unusual combination of speed, stamina and constitution has allowed her to excel under markedly different conditions. Speaking to thoroughbreddailynews.com, O'Brien described the performance as a major test after her seven-furlong success on softer ground and suggested Sun Goddess possesses qualities unlike those of any juvenile filly he has previously trained, noting both her imposing physical development and remarkably relaxed temperament. Moore was similarly delighted with a performance that demonstrated she could adapt when the tempo took her outside her comfort zone early. Purchased for £120,000 as a yearling at the 2025 Goffs UK sale, Sun Goddess is out of the unraced Starspangledbanner mare Etoile Bleu and has now amassed earnings approaching US$1.3 million. Her pedigree contains further black-type depth through her granddam Holly Blue, whose descendants include multiple stakes performers, while Sun Goddess's Blue Point yearling half-sister is catalogued for next month's Tattersalls October Book 1 sale. Whether O'Brien asks his exceptional filly to race again this season remains undecided, but a campaign encompassing six victories from eight appearances and three Gr1 successes has already established Sun Goddess among Europe's outstanding juveniles of 2026.
Jimmysstar Wins Gr1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes
Weekend, 28th September 2026
Track: Caulfield
Race: Gr1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m)
Winner: Jimmysstar (Per Incanto–Anniesstar, by Zed)
