Champion jockey Zac Purton has defended his handling of Ka Ying Rising in Saturday's $20 million The Everest at Randwick, insisting he would adopt the same tactics again despite criticism following the Hong Kong superstar's shock defeat by Tempted. The world's highest-rated racehorse was attempting to register his 22nd consecutive victory and become the first dual winner of the celebrated sprint, but his formidable winning sequence ended when Chad Schofield produced an outstanding ride aboard the Ciaron Maher-trained mare. Starting the shortest-priced favourite in the race's history at $1.35, Ka Ying Rising faced a difficult assignment from barrier 11, with Purton forced to make an early tactical decision as the leaders established a searching tempo. As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, Purton rejected suggestions that he should have driven forward to secure a more prominent position, arguing that attempting to match the early speed could have compromised his mount's finishing effort. The nine-time Hong Kong champion acknowledged the frustration of punters but maintained that criticism frequently overlooked the circumstances confronting jockeys during a race. With Savvy Hallie, Blue Door and Spicy Martini contributing to a fast early pace, Purton elected to restrain Ka Ying Rising rather than become embroiled in an exhausting contest for position. The decision left the David Hayes-trained gelding racing considerably further back than anticipated after covering substantial ground without cover. Although he eventually produced a powerful finishing effort, the response came too late to overhaul Tempted, who had enjoyed a considerably more economical passage from barrier one. Purton revealed that Ka Ying Rising appeared beaten approaching the 300m before the arrival of Headwall alongside him prompted a renewed effort, transforming what had looked a disappointing performance into a desperately close finish. The jockey also observed that the gelding had not displayed the same competitive sharpness at Randwick that has characterised his performances in Hong Kong, where he has established himself as one of the most formidable sprinters of the modern era. Nevertheless, Purton maintained that the performance had done little to diminish the horse's standing, while acknowledging the exceptional achievement of Tempted and Schofield. Hayes similarly attributed the defeat principally to the wide barrier and difficult passage rather than the racing surface, praising his champion's determination in the closing stages. The result ended one of international racing's most extraordinary winning sequences and delivered another major triumph for Godolphin, while leaving connections of Ka Ying Rising contemplating a possible return to Randwick in 2027. For Purton, however, the immediate verdict was unequivocal: the circumstances dictated his tactical choices, and the narrow defeat provided no reason to reconsider them.
Godolphin Could Strike While the Iron's Hot
Tuesday, 20th October 2026
An appearance on Champions Day at Flemington could provide the next chapter in the remarkable rise of Tempted, with Godolphin considering a tilt at the Gr1 Champions Sprint (1200m) on November 7 following her stunning victory over Ka Ying Rising in Saturday's $20 million The Everest at Randwick. The Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Street Boss has emerged as one of Australia's outstanding sprinters, and Godolphin's Australian racing and bloodstock manager Jason Walsh believes a test down the famous Flemington straight could provide valuable guidance for future campaigns, including possible international assignments. Speaking to racing.com at Caulfield, Walsh explained that The Everest had been the mare's principal spring objective, but the prospect of extending her preparation was under serious consideration. The alternative is the Gr2 Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on October 31, with any decision dependent on how Tempted recovers from her Everest exertions and the advice of Maher and his team. Already installed as the $1.60 favourite for the Champions Sprint, Tempted has compiled an imposing record of 10 victories and four placings from 15 starts, accumulating more than $14.5 million in prizemoney and capturing two Gr1 contests. Walsh's assessment of her ability places her in extraordinarily distinguished company within the Godolphin ranks, alongside elite performers Sepoy, Tentyris and Anamoe. He suggested that her victory in the Gr2 Premiere Stakes had already established her credentials as potentially the finest female galloper the operation had trained in Australia, an assessment emphatically reinforced by her Everest triumph. Importantly, Walsh believes the patient management of her career has left considerable scope for further improvement and longevity. Godolphin and Maher have followed a deliberate 12-month programme designed to protect the mare from excessive demands during her formative racing seasons, with the intention of maintaining her competitiveness at the highest level for several years. That approach has been handsomely vindicated, and the possibility of international competition now adds another dimension to her future. A Godolphin homebred, Tempted is out of the Gr2-winning Exceed And Excel mare Calliope, making her a half-sister to dual Gr2 winner Kallos. Her second dam, Melpomene, was Listed-placed, while her third dam, Bulla Borghese, won the Gr1 VRC Oaks. With her exceptional pedigree, outstanding race record and considerable residual breeding value, Tempted represents a prized asset for Godolphin, although the immediate question is whether Victorian racegoers will have an opportunity to witness the Everest heroine before the spring carnival concludes.
Dazzling British Champions Day for Godolphin
Tuesday, 20th October 2026
Meanwhile, a do-not-argue triumph by Ombudsman in Saturday's Gr1 Champion Stakes (2000m) provided the centrepiece of a remarkable British Champions Day at Ascot, where Godolphin and William Buick completed a memorable treble and the John and Thady Gosden-trained entire reversed last year's defeat by Calandagan. Twelve months after finishing second to the French champion in the same contest, Ombudsman turned the tables in commanding fashion, sweeping past the courageous pacemaker Bay City Roller before drawing clear to defeat Calandagan by three and three-quarter lengths. Sent off the 2.25 favourite, the son of Night Of Thunder produced a performance reminiscent of his outstanding victory in the Gr1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, emphatically erasing memories of his disappointing appearance at York. As The Guardian reported, the result crowned an exceptional afternoon for Godolphin, whose familiar royal blue silks had earlier been carried to victory by Talk Of New York in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m). Trained by Charlie Appleby, the three-year-old defeated Ten Bob Tony and Rayif under Buick, demonstrating the considerable depth of Godolphin's international operation. Buick subsequently completed his treble aboard the 23.00 chance Fifth Column in the concluding Balmoral Handicap, providing an unexpected flourish to an afternoon already dominated by his achievements. The meeting also delivered a welcome return to Gr1 success on Champions Day for Aidan O'Brien, whose outstanding filly Minnie Hauk captured the Gr1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2400m), ending the Ballydoyle trainer's drought at the fixture dating back to 2019. Elsewhere, the Gr1 British Champions Sprint Stakes (1200m) fell to Almeraq, while the Gr2 British Champions Long Distance Cup (3200m) produced one of the day's biggest surprises when Mount Atlas prevailed at odds of 34.00 for Andrew Balding. That victory carried additional significance in the closely contested British trainers' championship, with Balding attempting to overhaul O'Brien in a battle involving unprecedented prizemoney totals. Although O'Brien enjoyed success with Minnie Hauk, disappointing performances from other leading representatives, including Gstaad and Constitution River, ensured the championship remained unresolved. For Godolphin, however, the afternoon belonged unmistakably to Ombudsman, whose authoritative defeat of Calandagan reinforced his credentials among Europe's outstanding middle-distance performers. Connections must now determine whether the four-year-old will make another appearance, potentially at the Breeders' Cup, or conclude his racing career with a performance worthy of his exceptional ability. Godolphin's exceptional day in England followed a consistent run of major stakes success in Australia's Caulfield and Randwick meetings by their stallions.
War Machine Rediscovers Winning Touch
Tuesday, 20th October 2026
A determined victory in Saturday's Gr3 Harry White Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield has returned War Machine to the winner's circle after more than 12 months without success, providing another reminder of the exceptional value that can emerge from New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale. The Harry Angel gelding, who captured the Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) during an outstanding 2025 campaign, was offered by Ardsley Stud at Karaka in 2022 but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve. His subsequent achievements have made that valuation appear remarkably modest, with eight victories and six placings from 21 starts generating A$3.56 million in prizemoney, equivalent to more than 43 times his reserve price. As nzb.co.nz reports, the Lindsay Park-trained gelding had endured a frustrating sequence of defeats since completing four consecutive victories between May and October last year, a remarkable run that included the Gr3 BRC Sprint (1350m), Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap and Gr2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m). Nevertheless, his performances during the intervening period demonstrated that his ability remained intact, including a competitive effort behind Ka Ying Rising in the $20 million The Everest, together with placings in the Gr2 Australia Stakes (1200m) and Gr3 The Heath (1100m). With Mark Zahra aboard at Caulfield, War Machine enjoyed a favourable passage immediately behind the leaders before accelerating into contention at the entrance to the straight. Although the experienced Private Eye, whose career earnings exceed A$13 million, produced a determined late challenge, War Machine refused to surrender his advantage and prevailed by a head. Zahra acknowledged that the gelding had enjoyed an ideal passage but needed considerable determination to withstand the runner-up's finishing effort. Co-trainer Ben Hayes expressed satisfaction that the stable's patience had finally been rewarded, explaining that unsuitable tracks and wide barriers had repeatedly frustrated the horse's recent preparations. Indeed, Lindsay Park had scratched War Machine on four occasions before finding a suitable assignment, with the combination of favourable conditions, a drop in class and Zahra's accomplished ride proving decisive. Hayes was particularly encouraged by the gelding's ability to settle behind the speed before producing a sustained finishing effort, suggesting that further opportunities could arise over a variety of distances. Although the stable will assess his recovery before determining his next engagement, War Machine's versatility over 1200m and 1400m, including his effectiveness down the Flemington straight, provides considerable flexibility. Bred by MDJ Bloodstock and out of the mare Caserta, War Machine has developed into an outstanding advertisement for the Karaka sales system, with his return to winning form particularly timely ahead of the 2026 NZB Ready to Run Sale on November 18 and 19.
Morton Sees the Railway Light for King
Tuesday, 20th October 2026
A performance of exceptional determination in Saturday's Gr3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) at Ascot has propelled King Of Light into favouritism for next month's $1.5 million Gr1 Railway Stakes (1600m), where the Daniel Morton-trained gelding will attempt to complete a double not achieved for more than half a century. The four-year-old son of Earthlight captured last year's Gr2 WA Guineas (1600m), and victory in the Railway on November 21 would make him the first horse in more than 50 years to win the two races in successive seasons. As reported by tbwa.net.au, King Of Light shortened to $4.50 favourite for the Railway following his latest success, which extended his outstanding career record to seven victories from eight starts. With regular rider William Pike fulfilling commitments in Melbourne, Lucy Fiore secured the mount and delivered a beautifully judged performance, producing the chestnut at precisely the right moment to prevail in a blanket finish over Bonjoy and Let's Galahvant. Although King Of Light had already established himself among Western Australia's most exciting gallopers, the Eurythmic represented a searching examination of his credentials against seasoned opposition, particularly given that his principal spring objective remains more than a month away. His ability to overcome the challenge while maintaining his remarkable winning record reinforced Morton's confidence that the gelding possesses the versatility and competitive determination required for success at the highest level. Bred from Queen's Parade, a daughter of Dalghar, King Of Light has developed into a particularly valuable representative of Darley's shuttle stallion Earthlight, whose own racing career included victories in the Gr1 Prix Morny (1200m) and Gr1 Middle Park Stakes (1200m). The gelding's rise has been rapid since his emergence during last year's Ascot summer carnival, when his victory in the WA Guineas established him as a leading prospect for the following season's major weight-for-age and handicap contests. His only defeat came when finishing unplaced in the Gr1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) last December, but he has subsequently returned with consecutive victories, including the LR Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) at Belmont Park in August. Saturday's success confirmed that the setback had done little to interrupt his development, with the gelding again demonstrating his capacity to produce a decisive finishing effort under pressure. The Railway Stakes now presents a compelling opportunity to establish King Of Light among the outstanding performers of Western Australian racing, although Morton must balance the temptation of further competition against the importance of preserving his charge for the November feature. TBWA reveals that Morton is considering the Gr3 Asian Beau Stakes or Gr2 Lee-Steere Stakes as King Of Light's final Railway lead-up. With an enviable strike rate, proven ability over 1600m and a growing reputation for courage, King Of Light appears ideally placed to challenge a record that has stood for more than five decades.
Byrne Burke Launceston Dominance Continues
Tuesday, 20th October 2026
A remarkable four-win performance at Launceston on Friday night has propelled Erica Byrne Burke to the top of the Tasmanian jockeys' premiership, with the reigning titleholder continuing an extraordinary association with the northern Tasmanian circuit. Byrne Burke captured half the eight-race programme, including the feature Crawf Loves Launnie Open Handicap (1100m) aboard Prince Of Khatun, while recording victories for three different trainers and reinforcing her standing among the state's most accomplished riders. As reported by Matt Reid for Tasracing, the jockey's latest haul took her Launceston tally to 12 winners from just 34 rides this season, a remarkable contrast to her two victories from 31 mounts at Devonport and Hobart. Her successful evening included a double for former master Adam Trinder, together with wins for Matthew Brown and Monica Ryan, illustrating both her enduring association with Trinder and the confidence she commands among Tasmania's training ranks. The feature success came aboard Prince Of Khatun, who started at $3 and demonstrated considerable determination to withstand the challenge of $2.60 favourite Glory Mission. The four-year-old gelding initially assumed the lead before Mastretta, a $26 outsider, swept forward to dictate the tempo, allowing Byrne Burke to settle her mount before reclaiming the advantage early in the home straight. Prince Of Khatun responded courageously when challenged, taking his career record to six victories and six placings from 14 starts. "This was his toughest test, but he went really well. He's not very big, but he just tries so hard," Byrne Burke said. Trinder indicated that the $150,000 LR Tasmanian Newmarket (1200m) next month represents a logical objective, although he expressed reservations about the gelding's effectiveness beyond 1100m. The trainer is considering a Goodwood Handicap (1100m) assignment on Melbourne Cup Day before deciding whether to tackle the Newmarket. Prince Of Khatun completed a race-to-race double for the jockey and Trinder after Ozonica, the $2.15 favourite, prevailed in a Class 3 contest over 1200m. Byrne Burke's other victories came aboard Shines Discreetly at $5 in the opening race and Genuine Lady at $9, the longest-priced winner of the evening. Her four successes lifted her seasonal tally to 14, placing her three victories ahead of Anthony Darmanin, who also enjoyed a productive meeting with two winners. Having already secured last season's premiership, Byrne Burke has established an early advantage in her title defence, with her remarkable effectiveness at Launceston providing the foundation for another potentially outstanding campaign. Friday night's achievement also demonstrated the value of established relationships between riders and trainers, particularly her successful partnership with Trinder, whose Prince Of Khatun now appears poised for a significant examination in Tasmania's forthcoming sprint features.
Heartbreak Shadows Autumn Glow Triumph
Tuesday, 20th October 2026
The extraordinary rise of champion mare Autumn Glow has been accompanied by heartbreak at Widden Stud, where her dam Via Africa recently delivered a stillborn Zoustar foal, casting a shadow over the days preceding her daughter's magnificent victory in the $5 million Gr1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. The loss represents another devastating setback in the breeding career of the South African-bred mare, whose remarkable ability to produce elite racehorses has been offset by persistent reproductive difficulties. According to racenet.com.au, the Zoustar foal was the third offspring of Via Africa to be born dead, following two previous stillbirths by four-time Australian Champion Sire Snitzel. Foaled in South Africa in 2009, the now 17-year-old mare has also failed to conceive in three of her 10 breeding seasons, leaving her with a relatively small number of surviving offspring despite her exceptional record as a producer. The latest tragedy has reportedly prompted consideration of her retirement from broodmare duties, a decision that would bring to an end a breeding career distinguished by quality rather than quantity. Among her four surviving offspring are In The Congo, the Gr1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) winner who subsequently retired to Newgate Farm, and Autumn Glow, the outstanding daughter of The Autumn Sun who has emerged as one of Australia's most exciting racehorses. The latter's latest success extended her record to 14 wins from 15 starts and further enhanced her standing among the nation's elite performers, although the sombre circumstances surrounding her maternal family provide a poignant counterpoint to those achievements. Autumn Glow is now being prepared for her first interstate assignment, with the Gr1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on November 7 identified as her next target. The Arrowfield Stud-owned mare has raced exclusively at Randwick and Rosehill throughout her career, making the Melbourne expedition an important new experience for a horse whose future ambitions may extend well beyond Australia. Arrowfield Bloodstock Manager Jon Freyer acknowledged the significance of taking her away from familiar surroundings, telling Racenet, “She's never been away from home so it's always a challenge.” Freyer suggested the trip could also provide valuable experience ahead of a possible international campaign, adding, “If she were to go to England to race at Ascot next year then it's probably not a bad little test to take her away and settle in somewhere different and see how she goes.”
Asfoora Set for Switzerland Mating
Tuesday, 20th October 2026
A new chapter in the remarkable story of international sprinting star Asfoora is set to begin in the breeding barn, with the triple Group 1-winning mare earmarked for a mating with Coolmore's Switzerland following her return to Australia from Europe. The proposed union brings together two high-class Australian sprinters whose racing careers demonstrated the speed and precocity so prized by the domestic breeding industry. Asfoora, the daughter of Flying Artie who carried the colours of Noor Elaine Farm owner Akram El-Fahkri, retired earlier this year after a career that took her from the Australian sprinting circuit to some of Europe's most prestigious racecourses. Prepared throughout her racing career by Henry Dwyer, she won 12 of her 35 starts and established an extraordinary international record, highlighted by victory in the Gr1 King Charles III Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot in 2024, the Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) at York in 2025 and the Gr1 Prix de l'Abbaye (1000m) at Longchamp later that season. Those performances helped secure her recognition as Europe's champion sprinter in 2025, a distinction that placed her among an elite group of Australian-trained horses to achieve international acclaim. Her final campaign proved less productive, culminating in an eighth placing in the Nunthorpe in August, after which connections decided that the eight-year-old had earned retirement. The mare subsequently completed quarantine requirements and returned to Noor Elaine Farm, where stud manager Tim Jackson reported that she had arrived in good condition and was settling comfortably into her new surroundings. Speaking to racing.com earlier this month, Jackson emphasised that the priority was to allow Asfoora time to readjust before finalising her breeding arrangements. El-Fahkri had previously told ANZ Bloodstock News that an Australian stallion was the preferred option, with the timing of the mating dependent upon the mare's health and recovery from international travel. Switzerland, a son of Snitzel who won the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, represents a commercially appealing choice for a mare whose principal attributes were exceptional acceleration and sustained high-class sprinting ability. The pairing also offers an intriguing blend of Australian speed influences, although the ultimate merit of the mating will only become apparent in the years ahead. Asfoora's international achievements have already secured her place in Australian racing history, and her transition to broodmare duties now offers the prospect of extending that influence into another generation. For El-Fahkri and the Noor Elaine team, the immediate task is ensuring that one of Australia's most accomplished travelling mares makes a successful transition to her second career.
Switzerland has been chosen for Asfoora's debut mating (pic: Steve Hart)
Caulfield Cup Tragedy Demands Open Inquiry
Tuesday, 20th October 2026
The death of talented New Zealand-bred mare Ohope Wins following Saturday's Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) has renewed calls for greater transparency in Australian racing, with the circumstances surrounding the devastating fall now the subject of an impending Racing Victoria stewards' inquiry. The Chris Waller-trained mare suffered fatal injuries when she was brought down in the home straight after the preceding fall of Half Yours, the previous year's Caulfield Cup winner, approximately 300m from the finish. While Half Yours regained his feet and continued riderless before being assessed with lacerations and abrasions, Ohope Wins remained on the track and was subsequently euthanased by veterinary personnel. The incident also involved jockeys Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil, who were taken to hospital for observation but fortunately escaped serious injury. Writing in The Sydney Morning Herald, racing journalist Danny Russell has argued that the industry must make the findings of the investigation public, contending that confidence in the sport depends upon a thorough and transparent examination of the circumstances. His argument comes at a particularly sensitive time, with the Melbourne Cup Carnival approaching and the welfare of racehorses again under intense scrutiny. Racing Victoria has confirmed that stewards will conduct an inquiry, although the timing had not been announced when the initial reports were published. The central issue extends beyond determining whether any rider or racing incident contributed to the fall. Racing's administrators must also demonstrate that their procedures for investigating catastrophic injuries are rigorous, independent in their assessment of evidence and sufficiently transparent to withstand public examination. The ABC reported that animal welfare advocates have renewed their demands for accountability following the incident, with the Coalition for the Protection of Horses criticising the industry's handling of racehorse fatalities. Racing authorities, meanwhile, face the responsibility of balancing the welfare of participants, the integrity of the investigation and the legitimate public interest in understanding how such a tragedy occurred. Ohope Wins was a particularly poignant loss, having established herself as one of the outstanding staying mares of her generation through victories in the Gr1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Gr1 Australian Oaks (2400m). Her death has therefore resonated far beyond the immediate connections of the horse, casting a shadow over one of the spring's most prestigious contests. The welfare of horses and riders remains fundamental to racing's future, and a comprehensive public account of the evidence, findings and any resulting recommendations would provide an important opportunity to demonstrate that commitment. At a time when public confidence cannot be taken for granted, the industry has much to gain from ensuring that the investigation is not merely conducted thoroughly, but seen to be conducted thoroughly.
