A return to top-level winning form on Saturday has put one of New Zealand’s most decorated racemares on a clear end-of-career path, with just one further start likely before she heads to the breeding shed. The Te Rapa victory came in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), where Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) secured a fourth Group One success and confirmed that her final preparation remains firmly on track. The six-year-old had gone almost twelve months without a win before successfully defending her Herbie Dyke crown, producing a determined performance to account for Victorian raider Kingswood (Roaring Lion). The result also marked a milestone afternoon, delivering jockey Opie Bosson his 100th elite victory and extending the Group 1 tally for trainers Ken and Bev Kelso to fifteen. It was a win built on resilience rather than brilliance, but one that underlined the mare’s enduring class. Saturday’s success took her career record to 11 wins from 23 starts, with earnings approaching $2.6 million. Earlier highlights included victories in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Australian Guineas (1600m) as a three-year-old, while consistency at the elite level has been a hallmark of her career. She has finished second, third or fourth in a further six Group 1 contests, three of those coming in the lead-up to her latest triumph. The immediate focus now shifts to Ellerslie, with the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) on Champions Day identified as the logical next assignment. Ken Kelso said the mare had come through the run in excellent order. “We put her out in the paddock after getting home from the races, but it took a while to catch her when I went out to put her cover on later on,” Kelso said. “That tells me she’s taken no harm from the race, so the Bonecrusher is the obvious next target for her.” While this campaign has been flagged as her final one, Kelso acknowledged that strong form at Ellerslie could open other options. “Beyond that we’ll have to talk things through. She’s rising seven and we’ve already decided this is her final preparation, but if she was to go well at Ellerslie we could perhaps look at a race like the Australian Cup (Gr1, 2000m).” Longer term, her future is already mapped out. Philip Brown, speaking for the 12-strong ownership group, confirmed the mare will be offered at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast in May. “We’ve already arranged for her to go to Brian Nutt at Attunga Stud to be prepared for the sale,” Brown said. “Being a partnership, public auction is the proper way to realise her true worth.” Brown noted the emotional weight of Saturday’s win and drew parallels with another Proisir mare raced by the group, Levante, who is now part of a successful breeding programme. “As a multiple Group 1 winner including one in Australia, she’s obviously a valuable mare, so it’s going to be an interesting exercise,” he said. Retained by the Browns following her retirement, Levante has since been integrated into a foal-share breeding arrangement with Arrowfield Stud. Her first foal, a Snitzel yearling filly, realised $600,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions in January and is set to join the Chris Waller stable. The mare is currently in foal to The Autumn Sun and is programmed to return to the Arrowfield stallion again next spring before heading back to the Browns’ Ancroft Stud.
NEWRoadworks Create Speedbump for Doctor Askar
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
Meanwhile, s short, quiet spell in the paddock has replaced what was meant to be a significant career step, after an unfortunate travel incident ruled a promising contender out of Saturday’s Gr1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, reports loveracing.nz. The setback came late in the piece, turning anticipation into frustration just hours before raceday for Doctor Askar (NZ) (Derryn). The Waverley-trained gelding had shaped as a genuine chance in the $700,000 Group One, coming off a powerful performance in the Thorndon Mile (1600m) that suggested he was ready to test himself at elite level. Connections had been buoyed by that effort and were keen to see how he measured up over further ground against top company, but the plan was undone en route to Hamilton. Trouble struck during the float trip north, with road works and a sudden corner unsettling the gelding and causing him to scramble. By the time he arrived on course, he was clearly uncomfortable, prompting an immediate veterinary inspection and the decision to withdraw him as a precaution. Trainer Joanne Moss explained that he was sore on unloading, leaving little option but to err on the side of caution. The focus quickly shifted from the race to recovery, with the gelding returning home for some well-earned rest. Moss said he had endured close to ten hours on the truck and would be given a few quiet days to let things settle. She noted that he was moving freely in the paddock, eating well and generally content, albeit showing some residual stiffness and soreness from the incident. Although the timing was disappointing, the episode has not dampened confidence in the gelding’s long-term prospects. Moss felt the Herbie Dyke had been the right moment to step him up both in distance and class, but remains philosophical about missing the opportunity. She believes the five-year-old is still maturing mentally and physically, and that patience will be rewarded as he continues to learn his craft. Provided he comes through the coming days as expected, another Group 1 target remains firmly on the radar. The Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day has emerged as a possible next step, though Moss stressed there will be no rush. Any decision will hinge on how the gelding presents closer to the race, with his welfare remaining the priority. A homebred son of Derryn, Doctor Askar has already compiled an impressive record, winning seven of his 21 starts and banking $586,000 in prizemoney. Alongside his Thorndon Mile success, his resume includes victories in the Easter Handicap (1600m) and Flying Handicap (1400m), achievements that suggest there is still plenty to come once circumstances align.
NEWMarhoona Has History to Overcome
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
History offers little encouragement when a Golden Slipper winner attempts to reboot a career in open-age company, particularly in a race as unforgiving as the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes, yet Saturday's assignment at Flemington is not without intrigue. The task falls to Marhoona, a filly whose raw speed and careful management provide at least a plausible counter to a trend that has humbled many before her. Two factors, at least, argue in her favour. She has already returned from her Golden Slipper triumph to win again, scoring first-up in the Listed Heritage Stakes over 1000m in September, and history shows fillies enjoy more latitude than their male counterparts. No Slipper-winning colt or gelding has managed another victory since 2012, while fillies have twice broken through. Recent precedent supports that narrow opening. Fireburn followed her Slipper success with a Group 1 ATC Sires' Produce Stakes win in 2023 before spelling, later salvaging her season with a Group 2 Roses at Doomben. Earlier still, She Will Reign returned the spring after her Slipper to claim the Group 1 Moir Stakes in 2017, reinforcing that exceptional fillies can occasionally defy the pattern. Others have remained competitive without winning, most notably Lady Of Camelot, who consistently performed at elite level after her Slipper victory. Placings in the Group 1 Moir Stakes, Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, Group 1 Surround Stakes and the Group 1 Coolmore Stakes for mares underline that post-Slipper relevance is not confined solely to the winners' list. Confidence within the camp has been shaped by a deliberately conservative preparation. Trainer Michael Freedman said on Monday that the filly had returned in excellent order after an early end to her spring. "She's been very lightly-raced and well looked after and so she certainly hasn't been over-taxed and I think she's come back in really good order this time around," he said. "She's been down there since late last week. Obviously, she hasn't been up the straight before but I've been really happy with how she's been going so we figured it was worth giving her a crack." That assessment was reinforced in late January when she was allowed to stretch out in a Randwick trial, comfortably accounting for the unbeaten mare Autumn Glow. He explained that a minor foot issue curtailed plans last spring and justified the reset, noting that placement for fillies is rarely straightforward. Carrying Group 1 penalties complicates matters, but three-year-olds hold a fair record in the race and a strong showing could open a path to the Newmarket under handicap conditions. Market confidence remains measured, with Marhoona priced at $13. Against the weight of history, the filly's speed, freshness and careful spacing of runs ensure the experiment carries more substance than sentiment alone, as she steps onto Flemington's straight for the first time on Saturday, later in the afternoon program there.
Golden Slipper winner Marhoona (pic: Mark Gatt)
NEWHong Kong Shines Light on Awesome Rock Yearlings
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
An international highlight has added fresh lustre to an already productive season for Awesome Rock, just as his yearlings prepare to step into the spotlight at the Perth Magic Millions. With a half-dozen youngsters entered from Gold Front Thoroughbreds, momentum lifted further on Wednesday night when his Hong Kong-based runner Awesome Fluke rewrote the record books at Happy Valley. Formerly known as Awesome John, the six-year-old stopped the clock at 1:37.74 in the Shan Kwong Handicap (1650m), lowering the previous course record by 0.16 seconds in an on-pace victory for trainer Ricky Yiu and jockey Andrea Atzeni. The performance added another layer to his résumé, which already included a Group 2 WA Derby (2400m) success in 2023, and pushed his Hong Kong earnings to the equivalent of around AUD1.34 million. Yiu credited both preparation and ride for the result, noting that continuity had been key. "The light weight (53kg) helped and he has stayed fit, right from the beginning of the season, until now," he said. He also pointed to Atzeni's familiarity with the gelding. "Andrea knows him well and made the right move to take over at the 600m. That's the key with him. You have to get going early and get that momentum because he can stay all day." The offshore success followed a strong domestic moment for the sire when Watch Me Rock landed the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot during the Pinnacles. Together, the results have reinforced Awesome Rock's standing at a time when breeders and buyers are assessing his next crop, including five fillies and a colt entered by Alan and Sue Olive for the Perth sale. The colt, catalogued as Lot 72, is out of Fine Approach, a six-time Adelaide city sprint winner, and comes from a family that has already delivered black-type stayer Seven Iron. Sue Olive said the colt appealed on multiple levels. "He's a lovely type and it's a very successful family," she said. "He also ticks all the boxes as a physical as a big, scopey colt." Another highlight is the filly out of Zoushine (Lot 115), the first foal from the Group 3-winning mare who was a $375,000 purchase at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Zoushine completed a Moonee Valley 2YO hat-trick before progressing to stakes success, and Olive is pleased with the outcome. "Mum has thrown a good one first up," she said. "She's a bit smaller than the standard Awesome Rock but she's a lovely natured filly with a body-shape that's picture perfect." Beyond Awesome Rock, Gold Front's Swan Valley consignment spans 16 yearlings and includes first-crop representatives by Western Australian sires Aysar, Marine One and Lightsaber, alongside colts by State Of Rest, Pierata and St Mark's Basilica. Among them is a leggy State Of Rest colt from River Goddess (Lot 66) who has thrived through preparation, plus a Pierata colt (Lot 69), a half-brother to Sydney staying winner Outlandos, and a St Mark's Basilica colt (Lot 78) bred following targeted advice from Cannon Hayes. Gold Front's draft will be stabled in Barns I and J, carrying both proven performance and emerging promise into the Perth Magic Millions ring.
NEWBeautiful Sectionals Provide Cruz with Confidence
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
With the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) looming on 1 March and the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) to follow three weeks later, one emerging contender has done enough to mark himself as a serious player for the remainder of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. According to racingnews.hkjc.com, a bold front-running performance in the Hong Kong Classic Mile has reshaped the narrative around Beauty Bolt and sharpened the focus on what lies ahead. Jumping from gate 12 as a $7.8 chance, the Night Of Thunder gelding was forced to be positive early and found himself perched outside a strong tempo set by Winfield. Rather than being left vulnerable, he thrived on the role, surging to the lead at the 300m and briefly looking the likely winner. Despite being overrun late, his effort stood out for its resilience, particularly given the pressure applied throughout the race. The data backed up the visual impression. Beauty Bolt clocked the equal-fastest sectional in the race, ripping through a 22.09-second split between the 1200m and the 800m, yet still held on better than anything else that raced on speed. Only the closing pair, Little Paradise and Infinite Resolve, who both came from midfield, were able to get past him in the final strides. “He went superb, he just floated in front,” jockey James McDonald said after the run. It was the most prominently the gelding has raced in any of his eight Hong Kong appearances, and trainer Tony Cruz believes circumstances rather than stamina told the story late. The wide draw dictated tactics and forced his hand earlier than ideal. Cruz felt the gelding was exposed for too long once he hit the front, adding that he is at his best when he has horses to chase and cover for longer. With a kinder barrier and genuine tempo, the step up to 1800m holds no fears. Cruz knows the series well, having previously won the Hong Kong Classic Mile twice for the Kwok family with Beauty Flash and Beauty Only, though success in the later legs has so far eluded the powerful combination. “I won twice for them in the Classic Mile and now it’s time to try and win a Classic Cup,” Cruz said, making no secret of the target ahead. The Classic Mile third saw Beauty Bolt rise three points to a mark of 88, giving his connections breathing room as they map a measured path toward the Classic Cup. Others are still scrambling to lift their ratings, with Emblazon, Galactic Voyage and Flow Water Flow all making ground at Sha Tin last Sunday. It was Numbers, however, who made the biggest statement, claiming the G3 Centenary Vase (1800m) and stamping himself as a genuine contender. Further depth is expected to emerge from this weekend’s restricted Class 3 1600m, where Glittering Legend, Shanwah, Lucky Sam Gor and Natural Numbers all warrant close attention.
Beauty Bolt's mid race sectionals were exceptional (pic: hkjc.com)
NEWBrace of Tassie Fillies Hold Their Own
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
A dominant showing from a pair of three-year-old fillies ensured Hobart Cup Day belonged firmly to the younger brigade, with Tasmania’s two all-female features decided in emphatic fashion, reports tasracing.com.au. Both races delivered performances that not only justified their billing but also reshaped the local pecking order heading toward the back half of summer. Redemption came swiftly in the Listed Aviso Tas Insurance Strutt Stakes (2020m), where Daytona Diva (Anders) erased the memory of an unplaced effort in the Thousand Guineas by asserting herself with authority, and providing her Widden Stud-based sire Anders with his first stakes winner. Settling outside the leader under Jabez Johnstone, she travelled strongly throughout and had enough in reserve to repel the late challenge of Aurora Rise, with the pair drawing clear of Miss Aggravation in third. Early favourite Crack the Shutters was a late scratching with a minor leg issue, but the result left little doubt as to the winner’s merit. Trainer John Blacker felt the longer journey was always likely to suit, despite the setback last time at a mile. “We probably got too far back in that mile race, but she was pretty good through the line. We worked her solid to have her fit for today, and I thought, even though the favourite came out, we would’ve rolled her too, so she’s got a good result,” Blacker said. The victory also carried extra significance for Johnstone, who secured his first black-type success and completed a Hobart Cup Day double for the second year running. “It honestly feels amazing. I wouldn’t have wanted to be on any other horse,” he said. Attention now turns to Launceston, with the Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) on 20 February shaping as the logical next step. Many from the Strutt Stakes field are expected to follow that path, but Daytona Diva’s performance suggested she will arrive there with momentum firmly on her side. Earlier on the card, the Kevin Sharkie Mystic Journey Stakes (1200m) was turned into a procession by Sanniya, who delivered a commanding front-running display against older mares. Craig Newitt was forced to work early from barrier nine but was able to cross comfortably, and once in control the $1.50 favourite never looked in danger, scoring by two lengths over Alvarinho and Silver Dagger. Trainer Barry Campbell later confirmed there would be no hesitation stepping her to 1400m next start, with the Vamos Stakes now firmly on the radar.
Stretan Angel Brother Fetches $540,000 at Classic
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
Confidence at Riverside translated into another headline result on Tuesday as the Classic Yearling Sale produced its highest-priced lot to date, with a brother to Group 2 winner Stretan Angel topping Day 2 at $540,000. The result underlined the strength of demand for proven families and reinforced the positive tone that has characterised the early stages of the sale. Trade again proved buoyant across the complex, with buyers active from start to finish and vendors rewarded for their confidence in the market. Building on the encouraging opening day, the sale closed with a clearance rate of 84 per cent, reinforcing a sense that activity is being driven by depth rather than isolated spikes. The atmosphere reflected a marketplace comfortable pushing when the right individual walked into the ring. Overall honours for the day fell to the Kirks Bridge Farm-offered Harry Angel colt, a result that left farm manager Brad McCarthy both delighted and slightly stunned. "I'm speechless. It's amazing," McCarthy said, before reflecting on a journey that began well before the yearling reached Riverside. He described the colt as a standout from his earliest days, saying he had been the nicest individual on the farm as a weanling and yearling and had carried himself with complete professionalism throughout. McCarthy said the colt's temperament had been a defining feature during a demanding sale week. "He's been out so much this week, he's been so busy and he hasn't turned a hair, he's just been an absolute star," he said. He added that for a small operation with a limited crew, the result was particularly rewarding, noting the effort put into preparing horses to handle the parade environment and present at their best. The decision to bring the colt to this sale was one made with careful consideration. McCarthy said he believed the colt was physically and mentally ready and credited Inglis bloodstock consultants Angus Robertson and Will Gardner for backing the call when inspecting the farm. He said the horse continued to mature strongly toward the end of his preparation, confirming that the decision to proceed had been the right one. Signing the docket was Equine Growth Fund's Stefan Pardi, who described the colt as "the best horse in the sale". He said stretching beyond his original comfort zone was justified by the rarity of finding a colt of that calibre at this particular auction. Pardi added that the colt fitted squarely into the fund's long-term objective, calling him a clear stallion prospect and his top-rated horse among the entire catalogue.
Harry Angel's Day 2 Session topper (pic: inglis.com.au)
Arrowfield on Track to Top Classic Aggregate
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
Strong competition at Riverside again translated into six-figure results on Tuesday, with a Castelvecchio x Panzerfaust colt emerging as the day's second-top lot when selling for $390,000. Secured by trainer Bryce Heys in partnership with Ellerslie Lodge, the colt added further weight to a sale that continues to reward buyers prepared to push for individuals with depth and scope. The transaction capped a productive session for Arrowfield, which heads into the final day of the Classic Yearling Sale as the leading vendor with 26 yearlings sold. Farm representative Jon Freyer said inspection numbers had been tracking ahead of last year, noting broad participation across all sectors of the market. He described the overall response as encouraging and suggested the appetite shown so far boded well for Easter later in the year. Freyer revelead the Castelvecchio colt had been one of the most heavily viewed horses Arrowfield had brought to a Classic Sale. "This fellow is a lovely colt and he's been really popular, we had so many inspections on him, as many as I can ever remember at a Classic Sale and he sold accordingly," he said. The level of interest, he added, reflected confidence in both the sire profile and the colt's physical presence. Heys confirmed the colt fitted precisely into the buying brief. He said the horse was rated highly from the outset and that persistence at the end of bidding proved decisive. "He's the profile of horse we're looking for. He'll only get better when he gets older," Heys said, adding that the colt's size and strength suggested the capacity to develop into a more mature staying type. He said the plan would be to give the horse every opportunity as he progresses. Beyond the headline lots, the broader metrics continued to trend positively. By the close of Day 2, the sale had grossed $39,315,000, representing an increase of more than $3 million, or almost nine per cent, on the corresponding stage of the auction 12 months earlier. The clearance rate stood at 85 per cent, a figure that has become a consistent talking point across the complex. Inglis Bloodstock chief executive Sebastian Hutch said the clearance rate was the most pleasing indicator so far, particularly when viewed against 77 per cent at the same point last year. He said the sale had enjoyed strong diversity and depth on the buying bench, with international participation complementing robust domestic demand. With the final session beginning at 10am on Wednesday, Hutch said he was hopeful the market would continue along a similar trajectory as opportunities remain available.
Hong Kong Derby Might Be a Numbers Game
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
A commanding front-running performance at Sha Tin on Sunday confirmed a rising Hong Kong Derby contender, with Numbers dictating terms throughout to claim the Group Three Centenary Vase (1800m). According to scmp.com, the Tivaci gelding absorbed early pressure, controlled the tempo, and then found another gear when challenged, stamping himself as a genuine force heading deeper into the Classic Series. Imported after finishing second in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m), the Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained four-year-old had already opened his Hong Kong account at his previous start. This time, however, he repeated those tactics in far stronger company, giving established Group performers little opportunity to get into the race as he set strong sectionals from the front under Derek Leung Ka-chun. Ensued ensured Numbers didn’t have things his own way early, applying pressure soon after the break, while Speed Dragon and Chancheng Glory loomed ominously approaching the home turn. For a moment, the leader appeared vulnerable, but once Chancheng Glory ranged up alongside, Numbers responded decisively, kicking again and quickly asserting his superiority to score by a comfortable two lengths. Leung said the gelding continues to mature with racing and showed noticeable improvement in relaxation and race sense. “He did a very good job. He was still a bit nervous in the gates, he jumped nicely and the first half mile they challenged him but he handled himself pretty good,” he said. “After he relaxed, I started to pick up at the 800m and he made my job pretty easy. In the race he was more relaxed than before and he’s getting fitter. I think he’s ready for the Derby and Classic Cup – he’ll keep improving.” Connections are now firmly focused on the next two legs of the Classic Series, with the Classic Cup (1800m) on March 1 followed by the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 22. Numbers started a $1.75 favourite in the Centenary Vase, with stamina always expected to be his strength given his Australian form over 2400m, but his Hong Kong performances have shown he possesses the cruising speed to dominate at shorter trips as well. Lor said the Centenary Vase win had unfolded largely as hoped, particularly given the colt’s light weight and versatility. “He won really well, I think the light weight was good for him. Usually, in the Group Three, light weights mostly run really good,” he said. “In Australia, he could lead or sit second, third or fourth, he has lots of stamina. He’s a quiet horse at home but he’s enjoying things so I’m really happy. The next stage is the Classic Cup and the Hong Kong Derby now – I have a lot of hope.”
Snitzel Consolidates His Dominant 25-26 Season
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
A $2 million juvenile result at Randwick on Saturday has further consolidated Snitzel’s grip on the 2025/26 Australian General Sires’ Premiership, with Fireball’s determined victory in the Inglis Millennium (1100m) reinforcing the champion stallion’s authority at the top of the table. Already the leading force since the season opened in August, Snitzel again flexed his earning power through a high-profile success for an ownership group led by James Harron Bloodstock. Fireball’s win added another significant milestone to a career of extraordinary production. He became stakeswinner number 167 for Snitzel, the stallion’s 64th individual 2YO stakeswinner, and his 11th ANZ black type winner this season. With earnings now at $14.2 million, Snitzel holds a lead in excess of $2 million on the Premiership ladder, with The Autumn Sun, Zoustar, Fastnet Rock and Per Incanto rounding out the current top five. That dominance is not confined to one category. Snitzel also occupies multiple top-five positions across the Australian 2YO, 3YO and Broodmare Sires’ tables, underscoring his sustained influence across generations and reinforcing his reputation as the most complete sire of the modern era. He is also, by some margin, strongly ahead in the 20205-26 Australian Black Type Stallion Premiership as he seeks to defend last season's title. James McDonald said Fireball delivered exactly what trainer Chris Waller had predicted once the pressure went on. “Fireball is a really good type…great credit to Chris [Waller], he had faith in the colt and said he is a very nice horse as you will see when he is put under pressure. He was put under pressure today and we saw how well he responded,” McDonald said. Bred by Michael O’Keeffe, Fireball is out of the two-time winner Advance Party, a Charge Forward mare from a Redoute’s Choice family. He was secured for $460,000 from Yarraman Park’s Inglis Easter draft by the colt partnerships of James Harron Bloodstock and Tony Fung. The Snitzel/Charge Forward cross continues to deliver at an elite rate, with Fireball one of four stakeswinners from just 22 runners bred on that pattern, alongside champion 2YO Estijaab. Advance Party’s page remains active, with a Dundeel yearling filly set to be offered by Yarraman as Lot 614 at Inglis Classic 2026. Now owned by Ronba Pty Ltd, the mare foaled a Maurice filly in 2025 and is in foal to In The Congo. More broadly, the recurring presence of Redoute’s Choice in pedigrees has now produced 21 stakeswinners by 10 different sires, including Zoustar and Snitzel’s sons Russian Revolution and Shamus Award.
Huge Disappointment for Chilly Girl's Connections
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
A potentially elite 2YO autumn campaign has been cut short just as it was gathering momentum, with a highly regarded juvenile sent to the spelling paddock after suffering a minor setback. In a reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn in racing, Chilly Girl has been ruled out of the carnival only nine days after announcing herself with a dominant win in the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens. The Trapeze Artist filly had surged into Golden Slipper calculations on the back of that performance, firming to $11 for the $5 million feature scheduled for March 21. Her emergence also added to a purple patch for her sire, who is enjoying a rich vein of form through his progeny. But optimism gave way to caution over the weekend when the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained youngster showed signs of soreness. "She tweaked her hamstring on Saturday morning so we made the decision to pull up for this preparation," Ryan said. "It's cruel [for connections] but if you push these things too quickly you can bugger them up long term." Ryan said the priority was protecting the filly's future rather than chasing short-term goals. "The best cure for her is rest so she'll have a good eight weeks in the paddock now. She's had one start for one stakes win and I'm sure she'll make a better three-year-old so we've got that to look forward to." Connections briefly weighed up whether a reset could allow her to return in time for the $1 million Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) on Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick in April, but the idea was quickly shelved. "When you're playing catch up it's just too hard in races like that," Ryan said, explaining the risks outweighed the potential reward. The setback was difficult to pinpoint, coming after what had appeared a routine lead-in. "She was great on Friday morning and had a trot and canter on Saturday but when she cooled down it showed she'd tweaked her hamstring," Ryan said. "It's a bit like footballers. How or why do they do it, it's hard to know. But when they do you just have to make sure you get it right and get on top of it." While her absence reshapes the autumn two-year-old landscape, Ryan remains firmly upbeat about the filly's long-term prospects. "There's a lot to look forward to with her," he said. Chilly Girl's withdrawal is the latest twist in an ever-shifting Golden Slipper landscape, one that continues to evolve even as favoured Waroven remains prominentin markets despite his own uncertain path to the world's richest juvenile race.
All Systems Go for NSW Country Championships
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
The road to Randwick fires up again next Sunday when the 2026 Evergreen Turf Country Championships launches at Coffs Harbour, bringing the Northern Rivers qualifier back to one of the series’ most anticipated coastal stops. With a place in the $1 million final on the line, the first chapter of the carnival-style journey begins for another crop of country hopes. Now in its 12th year, the Country Championships has become a flagship for regional racing, built around seven qualifiers plus two wildcard races, each worth $150,000 in prizemoney. The series ultimately funnels into the Royal Randwick final, run on Day 1 of The Championships on Saturday, April 4, with $1 million at stake and the winner earning a major moment on Sydney’s biggest autumn stage. Coffs Harbour Racing Club will host the Northern Rivers Racing Association’s qualifier, with the first two home booking their tickets to Randwick. CHRC general manager Damien Toose told racingnsw.com.au, the meeting is a date many in the region plan around. “We are very thankful to Racing NSW for entrusting us with the qualifier as we know it is the one date on the racing calendar that every trainer in the Northern Rivers Region circles,” he said. The appeal, Toose added, is the combination of substantial country prizemoney and the dream of stepping into the Randwick spotlight. “To be running in a country race for $150,000 in prizemoney with the carrot of possibly competing in a $1 million Final at Royal Randwick in April – that’s just the ride we all want to go on!” He said the club was also intent on making the day a destination meeting. “For our Country Champs day we welcome everyone to Coffs, not only to enjoy the racing but also to make a weekend of it and take in the best of what the Coffs Coast has to offer.” On-track entertainment will round out the program, with Toose pointing to a lawn party and TAB activation area alongside the club’s regular hospitality offering. The meeting is also a Racing NSW Country Showcase fixture, with total prizemoney across the card of $385,000, highlighted by the $50,000 Super Maiden Handicap (1200m) as the main support. The series continues the following weekend with Mudgee (Central Districts) on Saturday, February 21, before Port Macquarie (Mid North Coast) on Sunday. In early betting for the Evergreen Turf Country Championships final, Clear Thinking (see below) sits at $3.50 ahead of Autumn Break ($6) and Scripted, So You Pence ($8), with Lunaite, Without Parallel and Xcessive Force among those next in the market.
BHA Hamstrung by Falling Foal Numbers
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
Forecasts of a shrinking foal crop, and a knock-on fall in the horse population, have pushed the British Horseracing Authority into scenario planning that includes trimming Britain's fixture list, reports racingpost.com. Interim CEO Brant Dunshea confirmed on Thursday that the independently-chaired Racing Committee has already reviewed the data and a range of scenarios, but stressed that "nothing has yet been put to the BHA board regarding any specific actions or interventions in relation to the fixtures". The work is built around a projected five to ten per cent drop in horses in training by 2027, with 2024 used as the last reference point for a meaningful change in race volume. Head of racing and betting Tom Byrne said: "All of our forecasting and modelling for future years shows a continual fall in the number of horses in training," adding that the current exercise is "designed to work out what that means" for how the sport stages racing. Byrne pointed to the 2024 decision to remove 300 jump races, which forced significant adjustments to the spread of Flat racing across the year. The latest projections, he said, indicate that by 2027 Britain will likely have "between five and ten per cent fewer runners compared to 2024," a shift that inevitably feeds into conversations about the programme's shape, timing and the number of opportunities offered. The task now is keeping fields healthy across the calendar. Britain has 1,458 fixtures scheduled for 2026, two fewer than 2025. A five per cent reduction on that schedule would be roughly 73 meetings; ten per cent would be about 146. Asked whether fewer horses in training must translate into a similar reduction in fixtures, Byrne said the modelling is designed to show how the sport can account for fewer runners, then choose interventions that improve competitiveness without undermining the economics of racing. The work is being channelled through the racing and commercial committees before any board decision. Field size sits at the centre of the discussion. "Last year, the jump average field size was 7.84. On the Flat it was 8.89," Byrne said, framing the immediate task as maintaining performance with fewer runners, before exploring how to lift participation and "therefore increase the competitiveness of the sport". That involves a mix of short-term measures to steady numbers in the system and longer-term thinking about ownership, breeding and demand, aimed at turning around the decline in foal crops. He said some measures are short-term, others long-term. In the near term, however, fixture volume remains an active option alongside other interventions. Byrne said a shift in "the volume of races run in 2027" is one way to tackle the issue, but warned that "removing volume has its challenges" and can hit the sport financially. Work on the scenarios will continue over the next three to five months as the 2027 fixture process takes place. Dunshea reiterated that no proposals have yet gone to the BHA board.
Alibaba Connections Likely to Roll Diamond Dice
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
A luckless passage at Randwick on Saturday (see below) hasn’t dulled the ambitions around an emerging 2YO, with connections now weighing a late push toward Victoria’s richest juvenile prize. After charging home for third in the Inglis Millennium, Alibaba has Ken and Kasey Keys seriously considering a Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes assault, convinced the colt’s run was far better than it looked on paper. Sent out at big odds ($16–$26), the Blue Diamond Preview winner drew awkwardly in gate 12 and was forced to go right back under Craig Newitt, settling last. Still anchored at the tail when the field fanned on the turn, Newitt hunted runs along the fence but repeatedly hit trouble, with gaps closing before the colt could build momentum. Once he finally found daylight, Alibaba (Alabama Express) unleashed late, closing strongly to finish a flashing third behind Fireball. “It was there for all to see; he was very unlucky. He was enormous,” Ken Keys told racing.com. He said the colt pulled up well and was already on his way home, with the next decision to be made after monitoring him in the coming days. “The plan is to go ahead and run in the Diamond, unless we see something untoward once we get him home.” Newitt’s post-race assessment was equally bullish, noting the colt was racing the Sydney way for the first time and never travelled as comfortably as he would in Melbourne. “He was unbelievable. He was on his Melbourne leg the whole race,” he said. “We were strung up in traffic and he smashed the line. He’s a genuine Group 1 colt.”If connections do roll the dice on the Blue Diamond at Caulfield on February 21, it won’t be straightforward. Alibaba was not originally nominated for the feature, meaning a $55,000 late entry fee must be paid by February 16 to secure a spot in the field, a significant outlay that underlines the confidence required to take the path. Keys has previously explained how those early nomination calls can be tricky when made months out, particularly before a horse is sold or fully assessed. “People say ‘why isn’t he in the Diamond, or the Slipper?’ – well, we made a decision (when) we paid up for the Inglis race with the theory being if he could go well enough in that, then you could pay for anything else you want,” he said, adding there is a point where you need to be mindful of spending. Keys is still chasing a first Blue Diamond, having saddled the well-fancied Saloon Rule in 1989, a filly who missed the start and finished last behind Courtza. Alibaba’s Randwick finish has now given him another reason to believe a serious tilt may be worth the gamble.
Final Lightning Touches Added to Tentyris
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
Preparations for Saturday’s Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) reached their final phase at Caulfield last weekend, with a short but purposeful hit-out designed to sharpen rather than stretch a colt already at a high level of readiness. The exercise for Tentyris (Street Boss) was less about speed and more about replicating the rhythm and stimulation of race day ahead of Flemington’s premier sprint. The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, was given a mock raceday experience that included travel, time on course and exposure to activity around him before stepping onto the course proper. Paired with Jim Conlon-trained Easy Red, the colt worked comfortably through his gears and edged clear late, leaving his trainers satisfied the objective had been met. Sam Freedman said the session was never intended to be a searching gallop. “The hitout wasn't as significant as what the day brings on,” he said. “He's been on the truck … he had a good sweat out the back, he had a bit of a play around and he's been stimulated out here.” Freedman noted that managing Tentyris’ temperament was just as important as conditioning. “He's a colt that knows he's a colt so when you get to those big (race) days, there's people everywhere, you'd rather have him simmering away, ready to go.” The work itself was deliberately uncomplicated. Without blinkers, which he will race in on Saturday, the colt settled neatly behind his partner before being allowed to lengthen late. “It was nice work from him, he didn't have his blinkers on, which he obviously races in those, he just settled in behind and relaxed really well,” Freedman said. Damian Lane asked him to quicken from the 350m mark, drawing a response that pleased connections. “He was excellent, he seemed to enjoy it out there.” That readiness has been reflected in the market, with the colt firming as a $2 favourite for the Lightning Stakes, ahead of Giga Kick and Beiwacht. While the form around him is well established, Freedman said the immediate focus remains narrow. Only two races are locked in at this stage, with longer-term planning deliberately left open. “The Lightning and the Newmarket (Handicap) have been his plan,” Freedman said. “Should he win the Lightning we'd have to see what weight he'd get in a Newmarket, not an easy feat to carry a whole heap of weight as a three-year-old so we'll wait and see.” He added that the colt has thrived through a smooth build-up. “It's exciting to get him back … he's done everything pretty right, had an uncomplicated prep. He'll improve for a run but he's definitely forward enough.” Beyond that, possibilities remain fluid. Freedman confirmed discussions have touched on overseas travel to Royal Ascot should form warrant it, but stressed nothing is locked in. With the Lightning looming, the immediate task is simple: return at the top level and let performance dictate what comes next.
Brilliant colt Tentyris (pic: Mark Gatt)
Gold Medal Performance in Karapiro Classic
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
A rails-hugging finish at Te Rapa on Saturday delivered the biggest payday yet for a progressive 3YO, when That’s Gold surged through late to win the Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m). According to loveracing.nz, the Chris Wood-trained son of Lucky Vega has been kept in the deep end this preparation and is now being aimed at longer targets. Saturday’s win underlined the upside still to come as he learns to relax. Earlier in the campaign he captured the Gr3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), then measured up again in stronger company when fifth to Well Written in the Gr2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and third behind New Zealand Oaks contender Chilling Out. Those runs shaped as the perfect grounding for a mile, and barrier one gave Wood the confidence to map the race precisely. “I thought drawn (barrier) one he had to be hard to beat,” Wood said. “I said to her don’t dig him up too much as he will get over-racing as we are trying to get him to settle as we head towards those 2000m and more races.” Sam Collett executed the brief, pinging him away cleanly, tucking in behind Thorax and holding the paint as the field swung for home. Rambling On peeled wider to throw down the challenge, but the favourite kept finding when the sprint went on. That’s Gold hit the front inside the 200m and the pair fought stride for stride to the post, the gelding refusing to yield and grabbing the verdict by a head. Wood’s emotions spilled over afterwards as he turned the moment into a thank-you to the people around the horse. “It’s a huge, huge thrill and I’m over the moon,” he said. “His work this week has been exceptional. He has a great syndicate of owners and I have to thank them, my staff at home who are incredible, and my farrier.” He also praised the ride, adding: “I have a lot of good people around me who are a big help and it was also a lovely ride by Sam.” With stamina tests looming, Wood said the plan is to head next to the Gr2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2200m) at Ellerslie on February 21, then step up again in the Gr1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) a fortnight later. Collett, pleased to land the prize against older, more seasoned rivals, said: “He is only a three-year-old and there were quite a few four-year-olds in the race with more experience.” Purchased for $57,500 from Yulong’s draft at the 2024 Inglis Premier Sale by Wood alongside Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman, That’s Gold has now won three of 14 starts and pushed his earnings beyond $287,000.
