A Cox Plate campaign remains the ultimate spring objective for Sir Delius, but Gai Waterhouse has warned that the high-class entire is sufficiently forward to make his presence felt immediately when he resumes in Saturday's Gr1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. The imported son of Frankel has been in Melbourne for more than a week and completed his preparations with a pleasing 1200m gallop at Flemington on Tuesday, following two successful Randwick trials, leaving Waterhouse and training partner Adrian Bott satisfied that he is ready for a searching first-up assignment. Sir Delius is yet to win below 1800m, although his previous performances at 1600m suggest the distance is hardly beyond him: he was narrowly beaten by Lindermann in the Gr2 Chelmsford Stakes last year before finishing third behind Autumn Glow and Aeliana in the Gr1 Verry Elleegant Stakes earlier this year. Waterhouse stressed that although Saturday represents an important stepping stone towards longer targets, there would be no concession made simply because Sir Delius is resuming. "He's a really happy horse and he's training well," she told racing.com, adding that the six-year-old was "pretty fit" and pointing to both the prestige of the race and the significance of every elite-level victory for an entire with future stallion prospects. Sir Delius occupies the second line of early betting at around $4 behind the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Sheza Alibi, whose first-up second behind Autumn Glow in the Gr1 Winx Stakes confirmed that she has returned in excellent order. Waterhouse has enormous respect for the dual Gr1 winner, describing her as strong, impressive and a mare who knows how to find the winning post. Beyond Saturday, Sir Delius is expected to defend his Gr1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) crown at Flemington on October 3 before progressing third-up to the Gr1 Cox Plate (2040m), which will also be staged at Flemington on October 24. The change of venue from Moonee Valley is considered a significant positive for the imposing galloper, whose long stride should be well suited by Flemington's expansive layout. Waterhouse has accumulated 164 Gr1 victories during an extraordinary training career, including seven Golden Slippers, a Melbourne Cup and a Caulfield Cup, but the Cox Plate remains conspicuously absent from her record. Sir Delius now shapes as one of her strongest opportunities yet to remedy that omission.
Big expectations surround Sir Delius (pic: Mark Gatt)
Low Key Set for Midweek Spring Launch
Wednesday, 9th September 2026
An intriguing spring pathway could begin on the Kensington Track on Wednesday when promising three-year-old filly Low Key makes her return in the 1150m maiden for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The daughter of Pinatubo has raced only twice but showed sufficient ability during her juvenile campaign to suggest she may be capable of progressing quickly through the grades, and her latest trial performance has added considerably to expectations surrounding her resumption. Low Key debuted at Randwick in April before stepping immediately into Gr3 company, where she finished a little more than three lengths behind Blue Door and The Next Episode, form that has subsequently gained considerable substance. The Next Episode went on to establish herself among the better juveniles in the country with two feature sprint victories during the Queensland winter carnival, providing a useful reference point for Low Key's autumn effort. Given time to mature, the long-striding filly has returned in encouraging order and produced an eye-catching 1045m trial win on a Soft 6, settling at the rear before being brought to the outside and sweeping past her opposition while still under restraint. That performance has seen Low Key installed as a clear favourite for her first-up assignment, with Tim Clark retaining the ride after partnering her during her initial preparation. racingnsw.com.au suggests that connections are already considering a rapid progression into Saturday grade should she confirm the promise displayed at the trials, making Wednesday's race potentially more significant than its maiden status might initially indicate. She does, however, face several well-bred and potentially useful rivals, including the Chris Waller-trained Fiaba, an I Am Invincible filly making her long-awaited debut, and Threads, a progressive son of the late Snitzel now prepared by Ciaron Maher. The Kensington circuit, combined with the expected Soft 5 surface and rail positioned two metres out, should provide an informative first examination of Low Key's development since the autumn. Waterhouse and Bott have never been reluctant to test talented young horses at stakes level once they demonstrate they are ready, and Low Key's previous exposure to Group company indicates that ambitions are unlikely to remain confined to midweek racing if she returns in the fashion her trial suggests. For now, the task is comparatively straightforward: justify favouritism, demonstrate that the progress made away from the races can be transferred under race-day pressure and earn the opportunity to take the next step into stronger three-year-old company.
Stars Assemble for Ultra Competitive Epsom
Wednesday, 9th September 2026
An imposing collection of established Group 1 performers and emerging milers has been assembled among 92 nominations for the $1.5 million Gr1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 3, with Sheza Alibi, Autumn Boy and Gringotts among the headline contenders for one of Sydney's defining spring handicaps. The nominations underline the potential depth of this year's edition, bringing together proven older horses, progressive four-year-olds and several candidates capable of using the famous Randwick mile as a launching pad towards further spring riches. Dual Group 1 winner Sheza Alibi sits prominently among the entries after returning with an excellent second to Autumn Glow in the Gr1 Winx Stakes, a performance that demonstrated she had lost none of the ability which carried her to victories in the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile during her three-year-old season. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained mare boasts a handicap rating of 118 and, having already excelled over the Randwick 1600m, possesses compelling credentials should connections elect to pursue another major mile prize. Chris Waller's Autumn Boy provides another fascinating dimension. The four-year-old, rated 110, won the Gr1 Rosehill Guineas last autumn and has also been nominated for Saturday's Gr1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington as Waller maps the next stage of his spring campaign. Experienced campaigner Gringotts is another notable inclusion for Ciaron Maher, carrying a rating of 118 and having returned this preparation with a third placing behind Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi in the Winx Stakes. Among the other significant nominations are Group 1 performers Ceolwulf, Lindermann, Lady Shenandoah, Lazzura, Buckaroo and Althoff, while unbeaten New Zealand mare Well Written adds considerable international intrigue after extending her record to six wins from six starts earlier this year. The nominations, highlighted by racenet.com.au, reveal the considerable competition likely to develop before weights, acceptances and final fields progressively reduce the field. Early markets reflect the open nature of the contest, with Well Written, Autumn Boy and Sheza Alibi prominent and Gringotts among a sizeable group at double-figure odds. The Epsom will again be the centrepiece of a powerful Randwick programme featuring three Gr1 races, alongside the Metropolitan and Flight Stakes, and with a maximum field of 20 plus emergencies the battle merely to secure a start could become almost as competitive as the race itself.
Ceolwulf is one of 92 noms for the Gr1 Epsom (pic: Steve Hart)
Erdenali Bound for Breeders' Cup Mile
Wednesday, 9th September 2026
Prix du Moulin hero Erdenali is likely to head directly to the Breeders' Cup Mile after Francis-Henri Graffard abandoned plans for an intermediate appearance at Keeneland, the lightly raced three-year-old having convinced his trainer that another preparatory run is unnecessary following his brilliant ParisLongchamp breakthrough. The son of Caravaggio registered the fourth victory of his five-start career when defeating Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes winner Ten Bob Tony in Sunday's Gr1 Prix du Moulin over 1600 metres, producing a striking turn of foot off a searching tempo before passing the post with his ears pricked. Graffard admitted the colt gives almost no indication at home of the ability he possesses on raceday, describing him as physically unimposing, exceptionally laid-back and an ordinary worker, yet his competitive performances have repeatedly exceeded anything he shows on the training grounds, reports sportinglife.com. Erdenali had entered the Moulin after suffering his only career defeat in a Gr3 contest, but Graffard remained convinced the result was misleading after the colt became trapped behind runners and never received the opportunity to demonstrate his finishing speed. Rather than retreating to easier company, the trainer maintained his original Gr1 programme and was rewarded when Erdenali quickened decisively after a genuinely run race to defeat proven elite opposition. The initial plan had been to use the Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland as his American lead-up before proceeding to the Breeders' Cup, but the authority of Sunday's performance persuaded Graffard to remove that additional assignment and target the championship race directly. The decision also makes an appearance in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on British Champions Day unlikely, allowing connections to preserve a horse who has raced only five times for what would be his first start outside France. Erdenali's rapid ascent is another major result for the Aga Khan Studs and formed part of an extraordinary afternoon at ParisLongchamp in which the famous colours were also carried to victory by Daryz in the Gr2 Prix Foy and Varandir in the Gr2 Prix Niel. His Moulin performance nevertheless stood apart because of the speed displayed after sustained pressure, with Graffard particularly impressed by the colt's capacity to accelerate despite the demanding early fractions. The stable could also bypass Ascot with another of its international stars, Calandagan, whose principal autumn objective is a return to Japan for the Gr1 Japan Cup after adding the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud to his Gr1 record earlier this year. For Erdenali, however, the programme has become remarkably simple. Five starts have been sufficient to establish him as a Gr1 miler, and Graffard now sees little value in asking him to prove the point again before the Breeders' Cup.
Young Mares Set Spring Benchmark
Wednesday, 9th September 2026
Four emerging three- and four-year-old females produced some of last Saturday’s most significant stakes performances, with The Rating Bureau’s latest assessments placing Tempted (Street Boss) at the head of a quartet that also included Gr1 winner My Gladiola and progressive three-year-olds Pretty Baby and Bangkok Hottie. Tempted returned with a career-best WFA Performance Rating of 104.3 in the Gr2 Concorde Stakes over 1000 metres at Randwick, narrowly improving on her previous peak of 104 despite racing over a distance considered short of her optimum, according to racing.com. Settled back before unleashing a decisive acceleration between the 400 and 200 metres, the four-year-old quickly put the race beyond reach and maintained her effort strongly to the line, reinforcing her position as Australia’s leading local challenger to Ka Ying Rising in The Everest. The Rating Bureau noted that the prospect of Tempted stretching back to 1200 metres should provide further scope for improvement, a particularly encouraging assessment given she has already surpassed the figure achieved during her three-year-old campaign. My Gladiola also established a new peak when resuming with a breakthrough Gr1 victory in the Moir Stakes at Sandown, recording 102.5 after narrowly defeating fellow four-year-old mare Cavalry Girl. The performance marginally bettered My Gladiola’s previous best of 102.2, achieved when runner-up to Tentyris in the Gr1 Lightning Stakes, and added elite-level success to a record that already included another Gr1 second behind the same horse in last season’s Coolmore Stud Stakes. Among the three-year-olds, Pretty Baby produced arguably the most eye-catching progression of the weekend, surging to a rating of 100.5 when demolishing her rivals by 3.7 lengths in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes over 1300 metres. That figure represented a substantial new peak and was almost two lengths superior to the median winning performance in the race over the past decade, confirming the South Australian filly as a genuine Group-class prospect and strengthening her claims for the Gr1 Thousand Guineas. Bangkok Hottie continued her own upward trajectory in the Gr2 Furious Stakes at Randwick, lifting her rating for the third consecutive start to 97 after defeating Chilly Girl and Striking Alibi. Although the Furious did not rate as highly as the preceding Princess Series races, Bangkok Hottie’s continued improvement leaves open the possibility of another peak as distances increase. Collectively, the performances provide an early spring snapshot of considerable depth among Australia’s younger females: Tempted confirming herself at near-elite sprinting level, My Gladiola converting established Group 1 form into victory, and Pretty Baby and Bangkok Hottie emerging rapidly through the three-year-old ranks.
Tempted looks on song for The Everest (pic: Steve Hart)
Grafterburners Back in Business
Wednesday, 9th September 2026
Queensland speedster Grafterburners has taken an important first step towards another interstate campaign after pleasing trainer Kelly Schweida with a strong barrier trial at Deagon, placing the accomplished four-year-old firmly on course for a return to Sydney during the spring. The son of Graff finished second to Tony Gollan-trained Millane in a 1050-metre heat on September 1, settling comfortably under Cejay Graham before working through the line in encouraging fashion, with Schweida more interested in seeing his stable star relax and finish his work than in chasing a trial victory. Grafterburners has returned from a demanding autumn and winter campaign in which he repeatedly confronted elite company, and the Eagle Farm trainer believes the spell has done him the world of good as connections begin mapping out another assault on Sydney’s major sprint races, reports racenet.com.au. The colt has already accumulated more than $2.1 million from 15 starts and established himself among Queensland’s leading younger sprinters during a four-race winning sequence last season that culminated in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight at the Gold Coast. Purchased by Schweida for just $70,000 from Canning Downs Stud at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Grafterburners subsequently demonstrated that his form transferred comfortably into stronger company when finishing third behind Tempted and Devil Night in the Gr2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint at Randwick in April. His autumn had begun in extraordinary circumstances when he was withdrawn from the Gr1 Galaxy after becoming fractious in the barriers, an episode that required him to successfully complete a subsequent barrier test before racing again, but Schweida maintained faith in the colt and was rewarded with another high-class performance in the Arrowfield. The Queenslander later contested the Gr1 Doomben 10,000 and Fred Best Classic before being turned out, and Schweida has deliberately allowed him sufficient time to recover from a preparation that stretched from Sydney through the Brisbane carnival. His latest trial suggested that break has restored the enthusiasm and athleticism that characterised his best performances, while the colt’s record continues to represent an extraordinary return on his modest purchase price. Grafterburners is also providing valuable exposure for Eureka Stud stallion Graff, himself a Gr1 Golden Rose placegetter and Everest performer, whose progeny remain relatively limited numerically. With Grafterburners already a stakes winner, multiple Group placegetter and winner of one of Australia’s richest restricted sprints, Schweida is entitled to again aim high, and the Sydney spring now offers another opportunity for the Queenslander to convert his proven speed and consistency into the Gr1 success that has so far remained tantalisingly beyond reach.
Racing Future in Doubt for Mating Call
Wednesday, 9th September 2026
The promising racing future of South Australian star Mating Call is in doubt after a throat problem was discovered following her recent return to competition, leaving connections to decide whether the newly crowned South Australian Champion Racehorse undergoes surgery or is retired to stud. The four-year-old daughter of Brazen Beau, trained by Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray, has been one of the state’s brightest emerging performers during the past 12 months, winning the Gr3 Auraria Stakes and finishing runner-up in the $1 million Gr1 Australasian Oaks before beginning her latest campaign with a fourth placing in the Gr3 Behemoth Stakes at Morphettville. Subsequent examinations identified an issue that could require tie-back surgery, and MacGillivray conceded that while the procedure may allow Mating Call to return to racing, there can be no certainty that she would reproduce the level of performance that established her among Adelaide’s leading fillies last season, according to punters.com.au. Owner and breeder Robert Hill-Smith will ultimately determine whether the mare proceeds with surgery and is prepared for an autumn comeback or whether her racecourse career ends after just 10 starts and approximately $380,000 in earnings. The timing is particularly poignant, with Mating Call only days earlier recognised as South Australia’s Champion Racehorse of the Year after a campaign highlighted by her rapid progression through the grades. Her defining victory came in the Gr3 Auraria Stakes over 1800 metres in April, when she produced an explosive finish under Emily Finnegan to book her place in the Australasian Oaks, a race Clarken had identified as her principal autumn objective. Despite being by noted sprinter Brazen Beau, connections had always been confident that the stamina influence of her High Chaparral damline would allow her to cope with middle distances, a judgement vindicated when she subsequently finished second to Panova in the Gr1 Oaks over 2000 metres. That performance appeared to establish a platform from which she could develop into one of South Australia’s most important older mares, making the throat issue particularly frustrating for a stable that had carefully managed her development. MacGillivray remains understandably reluctant to prejudge the outcome and has emphasised that Mating Call’s welfare will dictate the decision, while breeding options are already being considered should Hill-Smith elect against surgery. Either path leaves the mare with considerable residual value: as a Gr3-winning, Gr1-placed daughter of Brazen Beau she possesses obvious appeal as a broodmare, while successful surgery would preserve the possibility that one of South Australia’s most progressive performers could yet return and fulfil the promise of her outstanding three-year-old season.
Pounce Puts Wexford Back on Top
Wednesday, 9th September 2026
Wexford Stables has wasted little time mounting another challenge for the NZB Filly of the Year title after promising Almanzor filly Pounce produced an emphatic victory in the opening leg of the 2026/27 series at Ellerslie. Trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, whose stable has supplied two of the past three series winners, Pounce collected the maximum six points with a decisive 1½-length success in the $150,000 Gr3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase over 1200 metres, immediately placing the Matamata operation in familiar territory at the head of one of New Zealand racing’s most prestigious seasonal competitions. Purchased by Wexford for $110,000 from Cambridge Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2025, Pounce has now won twice from only four starts and earned NZ$111,950, with her latest performance suggesting considerably more may lie ahead as distances increase, reports nzb.co.nz. Craig Grylls gave the three-year-old an economical passage from barrier four, settling fourth and one off the fence before following Miss Janet into contention approaching the home straight. Once balanced, Pounce produced a sharp acceleration to move alongside the leaders and then drew clear, defeating Silhouette, who earned three series points, while Karaka Millions 2YO winner Dream Roca collected 1.5 points in third. Grylls said the return to a better racing surface had been important and was particularly encouraged by Pounce’s ability to relax despite stepping back to 1200 metres, an attribute he believes should assist her as her campaign progresses. Scott was equally pleased with the improvement from her first-up sixth in the Listed Chittick Family Fillies’ Classic at Taupo and indicated that the Gr1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas over 1600 metres at Riccarton in November is now the logical spring objective. Wexford’s recent record in the Filly of the Year Series gives that ambition additional substance. O’Sullivan and Scott trained Molly Bloom to the 2023/24 title after purchasing her for $150,000 at Karaka, while Ohope Wins headed the standings last season after winning the Gr2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes, Gr2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic and Gr1 New Zealand Oaks. The 55th edition of the series comprises 11 Group races culminating in the $1 million Gr1 New Zealand Oaks in February, with the overall winner’s connections receiving $50,000 in bonuses. Pounce therefore has a considerable journey ahead, beginning with a likely progression towards the Gr3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings on September 26, but her opening salvo carried unmistakable authority. For a stable that has made elite three-year-old fillies something of a speciality, another potentially serious contender has announced herself remarkably early.
3YO rivals put on notice by Pounce (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
Historic Fourth Makybe Diva Possible
Wednesday, 9th September 2026
Mr Brightside will attempt to join an extraordinarily select group of Australian racing greats when the remarkable nine-year-old chases a fourth consecutive victory in Saturday’s Gr1 Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600 metres at Flemington, with Lindsay Park convinced his first run in nine months has brought him to precisely the point required. The son of Bullbars resumed from injury with a second placing in last month’s Gr1 Memsie Stakes over 1400 metres and co-trainer Ben Hayes believes that performance has sharpened both his condition and demeanour ahead of a race Mr Brightside has made virtually his own during the past three seasons, reports racingnews.co.nz. Hayes pointed out that the gelding followed an identical path 12 months ago, finishing second in the Memsie before improving sharply to win the Makybe Diva, and said his coat, fitness and general wellbeing had progressed markedly since his return. Victory on Saturday would place Mr Brightside alongside horses including Winx, Lord, Tie The Knot, Romantic Warrior and Zipping as winners of the same major race in four successive years, while Manikato remains the benchmark after capturing five editions of the race now known as the William Reid Stakes between 1979 and 1983. The achievement would carry additional weight given Mr Brightside’s age and the quality of opposition expected, with Sheza Alibi and Cox Plate favourite Sir Delius among those confronting him. Regular rider Craig Williams, who has partnered Mr Brightside in each of his past 26 starts since Zac Purton guided him to a second Doncaster Handicap in 2023, has elected to ride Sir Delius, leaving Blake Shinn to take over aboard the 10-time Gr1 winner. That decision adds another intriguing dimension to a race already loaded with historical significance, but Hayes remains focused on the horse rather than the circumstances surrounding the jockey change. Mr Brightside’s runner-up finish in the Memsie also carried him beyond A$19 million in prizemoney, making him only the fifth Australasian-trained horse to reach that figure behind Winx, Bella Nipotina, Nature Strip and Via Sistina. His career now includes 10 elite-level victories and another 13 Gr1 placings, numbers that underline the consistency Hayes believes distinguishes him even among Australia’s current stars. Lindsay Park has experience maintaining older champions, most notably Fields Of Omagh, who won his second Cox Plate as a nine-year-old in 2006, but even against that background Mr Brightside’s longevity is exceptional. Three consecutive Makybe Diva Stakes have already secured his place in the race’s history; a fourth would elevate that association into territory occupied by only a handful of champions.
