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Gr2 PB Lawrence Stakes – 1400m, Caulfield
Friday, 14th August 2026
The first serious weight-for-age examination of Melbourne's approaching spring places Cosmic Crusader squarely under the microscope in Saturday's Gr2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m), where the Western Australian star attempts to confirm that his emphatic Bletchingly Stakes victory was the beginning of something considerably bigger. The Andrea Leek-trained gelding surprised some observers when returning over 1200m at Caulfield three weeks ago but defeated his rivals by 2.25 lengths despite racing through inferior ground, and the rise to 1400m looks considerably more suitable. His record includes four wins from four attempts on soft surfaces and three victories and three placings from six starts at Saturday's trip, while William Pike makes the journey east for the ride. Private Eye supplies the obvious class test. Joseph Pride's seasoned campaigner has earned more than $12 million, returns under Nash Rawiller and is ideally suited by weight-for-age conditions despite barrier 12 presenting tactical complications. His first-up record has traditionally been strong, and at his best the 1400m is no obstacle, but the race contains enough quality that he cannot afford to surrender excessive ground on a potentially rain-affected circuit. Feroce is particularly interesting at Caulfield. The Gr1 Australian Guineas winner has not won since that breakthrough but has produced several strong efforts in open company, including an excellent third in the Gr1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over this course and distance last spring. His fresh record and established affinity with Caulfield make him a legitimate upset prospect from barrier nine. Coeur Volante arrives with race fitness and receives 2kg from the males after assembling a sequence of three victories before finishing fourth most recently, while Evaporate, Desert Lightning and emerging import Ohope Wins add considerable depth. Cosmic Crusader is difficult to oppose after producing the dominant lead-up performance and now reaching a distance that should enhance rather than diminish his strengths. The important question is whether the Bletchingly exposed a genuine spring weight-for-age horse or simply caught several established performers short of their optimum. Private Eye can answer that question immediately if he returns near his best, while Feroce profiles as the value runner whose Caulfield 1400m credentials should not be underestimated. In a race historically used as a launching point rather than a destination, the result could influence several major spring campaigns. Selections: 1 Cosmic Crusader; 2 Private Eye; 3 Feroce; 4 Coeur Volante.
Gr3 Vain Stakes Preview – 1100m, Caulfield
Friday, 14th August 2026
The first of Caulfield's important three-year-old spring markers brings together established juvenile form and several horses whose reputations are still being constructed, with Closer To Free entitled to command considerable respect in the Gr3 Vain Stakes (1100m). Danny O'Brien's colt made an immediate impact last season by winning the Gr3 Blue Diamond Prelude on debut before finishing runner-up in the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes, and although his subsequent Golden Slipper attempt failed to produce the same result, his two best performances already give him a level of exposed quality few of Saturday's rivals possess. He resumes from barrier nine under Mark Zahra and the market has installed him favourite around $3.20. Big Wigs provides a compelling alternative after assembling a remarkably consistent juvenile record of two seconds followed by victory in the $1 million VOBIS Platinum Showdown at this track over 1200m. That win came after he settled well off the speed before producing a sustained finish, an attribute that could prove valuable if the projected wet surface places a premium on strength rather than pure acceleration. Hard Kick is another with upside despite finishing sixth when returning this preparation and has Damian Lane aboard from barrier five, while Tornado Valley brings more experience and draws ideally in two. The intriguing runner is Myhro's Ruler, who was discussed earlier in the week after graduating from an Echuca maiden victory straight into stakes company. The John McArdle-trained gelding demolished his opposition by six lengths on a Heavy 9 over 1000m, so while the class rise is enormous, deteriorating ground would remove one significant uncertainty surrounding him. Closer To Free is the horse to beat if anywhere near his Blue Diamond form, but he is returning on genuinely testing ground and giving weight to several progressive rivals. Big Wigs appeals as the strongest danger because he has already proven himself around Caulfield and has demonstrated the ability to sustain a finish, while Hard Kick should be fitter and Myhro's Ruler represents the unknown quantity capable of making the largest leap. The Vain often identifies a colt who proceeds deeper into the spring, and this edition offers several candidates whose ceiling has yet to be established. Selections: 1 Closer To Free; 2 Big Wigs; 3 Hard Kick; 4 Myhro's Ruler.
Gr3 Quezette Stakes Preview – 1100m, Caulfield
Friday, 14th August 2026
Few races on Saturday contain as much untapped ability as the Gr3 Quezette Stakes (1100m), where unbeaten New Zealand Gr1 winner Lara Antipova confronts a sizeable collection of Australian fillies headed by Natural Fling and emerging Flemington winner Riverina Lulu. Natural Fling deserves her position at the head of early betting after an excellent opening campaign in which the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained daughter of Home Affairs won impressively on debut at Caulfield before finishing second in the Magic Millions National 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast. She has drawn particularly well in barrier five, Damian Lane takes the ride and she receives 3kg from Lara Antipova under the set-weights-and-penalties conditions. The New Zealander, however, brings the strongest résumé. Lara Antipova won all four juvenile appearances, progressing from an eight-length maiden demolition through two Gr2 victories before maintaining her unbeaten record in the Gr1 Sistema Stakes. Mark Walker deliberately spelled her after that performance to prepare for an Australian spring, and while 59kg on potentially testing ground represents a meaningful first-up examination, she has done nothing on the racecourse to suggest she has yet reached her limit. Riverina Lulu provides another fascinating dimension after winning her only start down the Flemington straight. Grahame Begg's filly produced enough in that 1000m debut to justify moving directly into stakes company, and her subsequent preparation has been geared towards determining whether she remains a short-course filly or can eventually be stretched deeper into the spring. Barrier 12 complicates the assignment, but she possesses obvious acceleration. Scintillation appeals as another progressive runner after winning two of three starts, including her latest appearance, and has secured the services of Ben Melham from barrier six. Natural Fling gets the narrow preference because she combines exposed Caulfield performance, favourable weight and an economical draw, but Lara Antipova is unquestionably the benchmark on achievements and could make 59kg irrelevant if she has returned at the level expected. Riverina Lulu may be the filly capable of upsetting both if her Flemington performance translates immediately into Group company, while Scintillation has sufficient racecraft to punish any mistakes made by the more celebrated trio. With several of these fillies possessing considerably longer-range spring aspirations, the Quezette should reveal much more than simply Saturday's pecking order. Selections: 1 Natural Fling; 2 Lara Antipova; 3 Riverina Lulu; 4 Scintillation.
Listed TAB Rosebud Preview – 1100m, Rosehill
Friday, 14th August 2026
Sydney's early three-year-old spring picture begins to sharpen in the Listed TAB Rosebud (1100m), where lightly raced Blue Door and Castillo King confront several juveniles carrying considerably stronger exposed stakes form into their first serious test of the new season. Bjorn Baker's Blue Door has raced only once but did everything required on debut and has consequently been installed among the leading chances from an advantageous barrier five with Rachel King aboard. With 56.5kg, he receives weight from several of the established colts and should enjoy the opportunity to settle closer than many of the runners drawn wide in a sizeable field. Castillo King is arguably even more intriguing. Michael Freedman has wasted no time moving the last-start debut winner into stakes company, Tommy Berry retains the ride and the colt receives 54kg, although barrier 14 creates a tactical problem that could become significant over Rosehill's 1100m circuit. The market nevertheless has him vying for favouritism, suggesting the merit of his debut has been readily recognised. Central Europe offers the more established profile for Chris Waller after placings at both career appearances and gains James McDonald from barrier seven. The 57.5kg impost asks something of a horse still chasing his first victory, but his juvenile performances clearly convinced connections that stakes company was the appropriate starting point. Chilly Girl may be the most accomplished value runner. Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou deliberately gave the Widden Stakes winner a lengthy foundation after injury ended her Golden Slipper campaign, and her recent trial work against Group horses has pleased the stable. She draws beautifully in four, carries 56kg and should be capable of putting herself into the race without expending unnecessary energy. The wide gates confronting Hidrix, Tornado Valley, Outspan and Under Focus add another layer to a race containing plenty of juvenile form but relatively little three-year-old evidence. Blue Door gets the narrow call on upside and map, although Castillo King could possess greater raw ability than his solitary start has yet revealed. Central Europe has McDonald and race experience on his side, while Chilly Girl is arguably the safest runner of the quartet given her stakes victory, preparation and favourable draw. As with the Victorian three-year-old features, the Rosebud is likely to tell connections considerably more about September than August. Selections: 1 Blue Door; 2 Castillo King; 3 Central Europe; 4 Chilly Girl.
Listed Regal Roller Stakes Preview – 1200m, Caulfield
Friday, 14th August 2026
A combination of light weight, proven black-type ability and an encouraging fresh profile makes Shadhavar particularly appealing in Saturday's Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m), although the compact but accomplished field contains several runners capable of exploiting testing conditions. Tom Dabernig's mare was unbeaten through her previous preparation, returning with victory at Murray Bridge before progressing immediately to win the Listed Matrice Stakes at Morphettville. Connections subsequently resisted the temptation to extend that campaign towards the Robert Sangster Stakes and instead put her away for the spring, with Dabernig indicating ahead of Saturday that she has been progressing well and possesses a good Caulfield record. She resumes with only 54kg, Craig Williams aboard and barrier five, giving her a particularly attractive set-up against several rivals carrying substantially more weight. Recommendation brings the strongest recent fitness profile after finishing third in the Gr3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield behind Cosmic Crusader and has Blake Shinn aboard at 55.5kg. His consistency at stakes level makes him an obvious danger, although barrier 10 may require Shinn to make decisions earlier than ideal on a wet circuit. Arkansaw Kid carries the 60.5kg topweight but deserves enormous respect under the conditions. The Hayes-trained six-year-old possesses two wins and a second from three starts on heavy tracks, four victories at 1200m and an excellent Caulfield record of two wins and five placings from eight appearances. He also resumed with a third in the Aurie's Star Handicap behind Boomtown Boss, confirming he has returned in good order, although conceding 6.5kg to Shadhavar represents a genuine assignment. Asakura is an appealing lightweight fresh runner from barrier two with William Pike booked, while Persian Spirit and Warnie are capable enough to capitalise if conditions favour them. Shadhavar receives the verdict because her autumn campaign suggested she was progressing rapidly through the grades before being deliberately stopped, and the combination of 54kg, an inside-half draw and demonstrated stakes quality creates an appealing resumption profile. Recommendation has the advantage of fitness, Arkansaw Kid possesses the best wet-track credentials and Asakura offers sufficient upside to warrant inclusion. This is a deeper Listed sprint than the small field might initially suggest, with several runners capable of moving into stronger company if they handle Saturday's likely attritional conditions. Selections: 1 Shadhavar; 2 Recommendation; 3 Arkansaw Kid; 4 Asakura.
Hawker Hall Taking Measured Steps
Friday, 14th August 2026
A deliberately patient approach is shaping the next phase of Hawker Hall’s campaign, with Kris Lees content to keep the progressive sprinter in benchmark company while working towards a longer-range Magic Millions objective, reports racingnsw.com.au. The five-year-old returns at Rosehill on Saturday looking to build on a tough first-up victory at Randwick last month, where he resumed over 1200m and showed enough under pressure to convince Lees there was still improvement to come. Rather than immediately testing him in stakes grade, the Newcastle trainer has preferred to space Hawker Hall’s runs and allow him to continue developing within his comfort zone, with Saturday’s assignment viewed as another important step rather than an end point. “It should be a good test for him and Rosehill probably suits his style of racing where he’s on speed from a good gate so he gets his chance,” Lees said. Hawker Hall was given a week on the water walker after his first-up success before completing a home jumpout last Friday, and Lees believes the gelding has come through that effort in good order. James McDonald again takes the ride after recording two wins and a third from three previous associations, something Lees regards as a strong endorsement. The inside draw should also allow Hawker Hall to adopt his preferred forward position and make his own luck, although the slight rise in distance and the competitive nature of the race ensure there will be little margin for error. Another Benchmark 94 over 1200m at Rosehill in a fortnight remains an option, while Lees has not ruled out eventually testing him over 1300m if the right race presents itself. The stable will also unveil two three-year-olds in the Listed TAB Rosebud (1100m), with Under Focus and She’s Extra beginning campaigns that could head in different directions. Under Focus, third behind Blue Door and The Next Episode in the Kindergarten Stakes, is being aimed towards the Gr1 Golden Rose, although a wide barrier may force conservative tactics first-up. “He’s a really nice colt, the alley means we will probably have to ride him a bit conservatively and give him his chance to be strong late,” Lees said. She’s Extra, meanwhile, is being given another opportunity at stakes level after finishing below expectations in the Gr2 Percy Sykes Stakes, a run the stable is prepared to forgive after believing she had reached the end of her preparation. With Hawker Hall progressing quietly towards summer and the younger pair beginning potentially significant spring campaigns, Lees enters Rosehill with several developing storylines rather than any need to force immediate outcomes.

Hawker Hall's sire Russian Revolution (pic: Newgate Farm)
Huge British Plunge on US Racehorses
Friday, 14th August 2026
An extraordinary cross-Atlantic betting operation involving a group of American runners linked to Maryland’s Fair Hill Training Center has left British bookmakers facing six-figure losses and prompted investigations by several US racing bodies, reports bloodhorse.com. The episode centred on five horses who had all worked at Fair Hill and were returning from lengthy layoffs, yet four of them won on Sunday across Monmouth Park and Saratoga after attracting significant betting interest through shops in Britain. Three were listed as trained by Angel Quiroz, whose The Great Amira won by nine lengths at Monmouth before stablemate Tepeyac followed in the next race, while Scootalo finished fourth at Saratoga after a poor start. Two further winners, Classic Rock and M Bs Melanie Cares, were officially trained by Ernesto Ochoa, although Quiroz has acknowledged previously preparing both before they were sold shortly before their Saratoga appearances. The group has since been dubbed the “Fair Hill five”, with several of the winners available at double-figure fixed odds in Britain despite possessing little recent form and returning from substantial absences. According to Racing Post reporting, the operation was executed physically through more than 10 British betting shops, with combinations including doubles, trebles and each-way accumulators creating potentially substantial liabilities for bookmakers. Pat Cummings, executive director of the National Thoroughbred Alliance, indicated estimates of exposure in the region of £600,000 to £800,000 had circulated, although Paddy Power representative Paul Binfield described the eventual damage to his firm as manageable. “It was a fairly remarkable attempted gamble, the likes of which we've never really seen before,” Binfield said, adding that the failure of two legs prevented considerably larger payouts. The operation might indeed have produced a much greater return, with Winston Wolf finishing second at Colonial Downs after also attracting support, while Threedots Andadash and Bravo Rough were scratched from intended starts the following day. Threedots Andadash, trained and owned by Quiroz, was withdrawn after HISA began investigating and placed the mare on the veterinarian’s list, while Bravo Rough had previously raced for Quiroz and had also worked at Fair Hill. The unusual feature of the coup was the apparent use of British fixed-odds markets, meaning heavy wagering there did not directly shorten the pari-mutuel prices available in America. Fair Hill, HISA and HIWU have all opened inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the runners, although Quiroz has denied wrongdoing and said his horses simply went to the races and performed well. Whatever those investigations ultimately establish, the combination of lightly exposed runners, coordinated overseas betting and multiple winners across separate US tracks has already ensured the episode will rank among the more remarkable wagering stories of recent years.
Ballet’s Legacy Commands Top Inglis Price
Friday, 14th August 2026
Elite bloodlines again commanded a substantial premium in the digital marketplace when blue-blooded mare Ballet’s Legacy topped the Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale at $540,000, providing further evidence of the value attached to young breeding prospects from established stallion families. Offered by Newgate Farm as agent and purchased by New Zealand-based bloodstock agent Bruce Perry for a client, the daughter of I Am Invincible carries a particularly potent commercial pedigree. Ballet’s Legacy is a three-quarter sister to Gr1 winner and Gr1-producing Champion First Season Sire Home Affairs and a half-sister to dual Gr1 winner and successful stallion Russian Revolution, making her a rare opportunity to access one of Australia’s most active sire-producing families. Newgate’s Henry Field described the mare as an outstanding physical specimen and credited the Bateman family, together with James Harron, for developing the family to its present strength. Perry said no mating had yet been settled for Ballet’s Legacy, with a decision on her first cover this spring to be made in coming weeks, but he regarded the purchase price as consistent with the scarcity of elite young mares carrying such current pedigrees. “She’s a beautiful mare and you can’t buy into much better families, it’s outstanding and current, Home Affairs is doing the job and Russian [Revolution] is doing a great job too,” Perry said. The sale also produced strong demand below the headline lot, with Jest Excel, the Exceed And Excel mare responsible for Gr3-winning two-year-old Shiki, purchased by Suman Hedge Bloodstock for $150,000. She formed part of the Cornerstone Stud dispersal, which realised a combined $761,700, and is expected to visit Zoustar this season. Another notable feature was the offering of 74 racehorse shares by Bennett Racing, which generated $615,000 in aggregate. Five separate five per cent interests in recent Gr1 winner Fireball Miss accounted for $385,000 of that figure, effectively valuing the mare at around $1.5 million to $1.6 million according to Nathan Bennett. Other significant transactions included Tinker McPhee, sold to Mustica Bloodstock for $135,000, and three-year-old colt Loud And Clear, secured by Dynamic Syndications for $115,000. The August (Early) Sale grossed $4,044,900 overall, demonstrating the breadth now available through online trading, but Ballet’s Legacy provided the defining result: a premium price for pedigree, physical appeal and the increasingly valuable prospect of breeding into a family already producing stallions at the top end of the Australian market. The result also reinforced Inglis Digital’s role as a genuine high-end trading platform rather than merely a clearing house for lesser stock, with both breeding prospects and racehorse equity attracting meaningful competition.

Home Affairs is closely related to Ballet's Legacy (pic: Steve Hart)
Talented Lulu Pitched into Group Company
Friday, 14th August 2026
A decisive first-up examination awaits one of Victoria’s more intriguing three-year-old fillies when Riverina Lulu steps from a brilliant maiden victory into Saturday’s Gr3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield, a race that could shape the direction of her entire spring. Trained by Grahame Begg, the daughter of Darley sire Blue Point created a strong impression at her only start, reports racing.com, when she powered away in a 1000m straight-course event at Flemington on July 18, defeating a field that included highly regarded Hard Kick and Panchenko, the granddaughter of Black Caviar. That performance followed two Cranbourne jumpout victories and convinced the stable that an immediate rise to stakes company was warranted, despite the Quezette assembling a considerably deeper group headed by unbeaten New Zealand Gr1 winner Lara Antipova, Gr3 winner Shiki and the talented Natural Fling. Begg’s racing manager Rohan Hughes said the stable had taken time to assess the Flemington performance before deciding Riverina Lulu had earned the opportunity. “She was really exciting, we were really rapt with her,” Hughes told racing.com. “She was really impressive that day.” The filly was subsequently given a week in the paddock before returning to Begg’s Cranbourne stable, where she has continued to please in the lead-up to her second career start. Saturday’s additional 100m and significant class rise will offer a much clearer indication of whether she should remain on a sprinting path or be stretched into longer three-year-old assignments later in the carnival. “You’re stepping up to Stakes grade and it’s a little stretch in distance,” Hughes said. “She’s an extremely fast horse and this will probably be a fork in the road for her in terms of where Grahame goes with her for the rest of the spring.” Riverina Lulu has the physical strength and constitution to cope with a campaign, according to the stable, leaving several options open if she measures up immediately. Harry Coffey, who rode her at Flemington, makes way for Jordan Childs at Caulfield, where the filly has drawn gate nine should the three emergencies fail to gain starts. Bred and raced by Ian and Jane Mandie’s Quat Quatta Thoroughbreds, Riverina Lulu has so far offered only a brief glimpse of her ability, but the Quezette will determine whether that glimpse develops into something substantially more important. Her natural speed has been obvious from the outset, but Saturday should reveal whether that speed is simply precocious or the foundation of a filly capable of taking a meaningful place among the spring three-year-olds.
Precocious Chilly Girl Primed for Rosebud
Friday, 14th August 2026
A patient autumn decision could begin paying dividends at Rosehill on Saturday, reports racingnsw.com.au, when Chilly Girl resumes in the Listed $200,000 TAB Rosebud (1100m), with trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou confident the talented filly has been given the foundation required to make an immediate impact. The daughter of Widden Stud’s Trapeze Artist has not raced since winning the Widden Stakes earlier this year, after injury forced connections to abandon plans for a Golden Slipper campaign and send her for an extended break. Rather than viewing that setback entirely negatively, Ryan believes the additional time may ultimately benefit a filly he never regarded as a precocious juvenile, particularly given his experience that progeny of Trapeze Artist often strengthen with maturity. Chilly Girl began pre-training with Shane Rose in early May and returned to the Rosehill stable before the end of that month, building steadily towards her comeback through two trials. “She’s had a really good grounding, a long foundation, and she has trialled up very good,” Ryan told racingnsw.com.au. “She trialled well last week against Group horses.” That latest 900m hit-out provided particularly encouraging evidence, with Chilly Girl splitting Gr1 winner Apocalyptic and classy sprinter Headwall, while Ryan also points to the merit of her Widden victory when she led throughout and recorded faster time than the colts on the same programme. Saturday has been deliberately pencilled in as her return since May and will launch a campaign aimed initially through the Princess Series. The Gr2 Furious Stakes (1200m) three weeks later is next on the agenda, followed by the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m), after which connections will determine whether the Gr1 Flight Stakes over 1600m is within her range. “I don’t know whether she will be going to the 1600m or not but it’s the been plan the whole way along, ever since May, to run her in this race first-up,” Ryan said. The stable will also welcome back Franz Josef in the Racing And Sports Handicap (1400m), his first start since November 2024 after an equally patient preparation involving five trials. Kerrin McEvoy, who partnered the six-year-old in all five, retains the ride. Chilly Girl, however, provides the more compelling spring pointer, with a favourable draw, lengthy preparation and encouraging trial form offering the opportunity to turn a missed juvenile autumn into a productive three-year-old campaign. After the frustration of missing the Slipper, the Rosebud is therefore less a consolation prize than the beginning of a campaign the stable has been patiently constructing for more than three months.
Savagram Powers Home with Flashing Lights
Friday, 14th August 2026
A pedigree loaded with staying quality was matched by an unexpectedly sharp burst of speed at Canterbury on Wednesday when Savagram made a winning debut and immediately put himself into calculations for some of the spring’s stronger three-year-old races. According to racingnews.co.nz, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt, a full-brother to 2023 Gr1 Australian Derby winner Major Beel, controlled the Captivant @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1200m) from the front under Tim Clark before accelerating around the home turn and scoring by 1.5 lengths as the $2.70 favourite. Cantero filled second place, with Threads another 1.75 lengths away in third, but it was the manner in which the son of Savabeel quickened that most encouraged Bott, who believes the younger sibling may possess a broader range of options than Major Beel. “He’s probably a stronger type than Major Beel,” Bott said. “Maybe he’s got that little bit more acceleration and speed, so whether that opens up a few more options for him.” Savagram has nevertheless been bred to improve markedly as distances increase. His dam Gram, an O’Reilly mare, has already produced Major Beel as well as another full sibling in Gr3 winner Solid Gold, giving the colt a family record that suggests middle-distance racing should eventually prove well within reach. Bred by Waikato Stud, he was sold for $325,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick retaining an ownership interest. Bott has not committed to a definitive spring programme after just one start, but indicated the $2 million Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in late October could emerge as a major target if Savagram continues to progress. “No specific target yet, but all those three-year-old races will be in contention,” he said. “I do think he’ll be of that quality. We could try to take him through to a Spring Champion, they’d be lovely races for him.” For now, the most persuasive aspect of Savagram’s debut was that a colt bred so strongly for stamina could produce genuine acceleration over 1200m at his first appearance. That combination of speed and staying blood gives Waterhouse and Bott considerable flexibility as they gradually stretch him in distance, while the family precedent supplied by Major Beel ensures any move towards the stronger spring classics will attract immediate attention. His debut therefore achieved more than simply opening his account: it supplied evidence that the family’s proven stamina may be accompanied by enough tactical speed to make him effective before the distances traditionally associated with his pedigree are reached.
Withdrawals Change Thesecretadversary's Options
Friday, 14th August 2026
The sudden removal of two leading three-year-old milers from Sunday’s €1 million Gr1 Prix Jacques le Marois has prompted connections of Thesecretadversary to reconsider Deauville, potentially abandoning an intended trip to York for another chance at elite-level success. Fozzy Stack had been leaning towards the Gr1 City of York Stakes over seven furlongs as the next assignment for the son of St Mark’s Basilica, reasoning that the shorter distance offered the best opportunity to add to last month’s Gr1 Prix Jean Prat success. However, the shock retirement of unbeaten Bow Echo and a setback to Gstaad have materially altered the complexion of the Marois, leaving Thesecretadversary among 12 horses remaining after Wednesday’s forfeit stage and forcing Stack to revisit the original plan. “With Bow Echo and Gstaad out there’s been a fairly big change in the race,” Stack told racingpost.com. “I need to speak to the owners later on this evening but it’s under consideration.” A final decision was described as essentially 50-50 ahead of declarations, with Stack due to consult Cayton Park Stud and the Magnier family. Thesecretadversary began his season in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas, but circumstances worked against him in both races: he pulled away his chance at Newmarket and was trapped along the rail at the Curragh. Dropping back to seven furlongs subsequently unlocked his best form, with victory in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot followed by the Jean Prat at Deauville, where Christophe Soumillon employed positive tactics from the front. The alternative York target, elevated to Gr1 status in 2025, would keep him at the distance that has produced those two major performances, while the Marois would require another attempt at a mile against older opposition. French 2000 Guineas winner Rayif also remains among the Deauville possibles and is expected to take his chance after pleasing trainer Francis Graffard and jockey Mickael Barzalona in work on Tuesday. His fifth behind Thesecretadversary in the Jean Prat came after an interrupted preparation and a race that connections felt did not play to his strengths, while previous winning form at Deauville adds to confidence. Aidan O’Brien is represented among the remaining entries by Puerto Rico and Precise, alongside runners including More Thunder and Japanese-trained pair Sixpence and Strauss. The Marois picture has changed dramatically within days, and the absence of Bow Echo and Gstaad may now transform Thesecretadversary from an intended York runner into one of the central players at Deauville.

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Weekend News

Gr2 PB Lawrence Stakes – 1400m, Caulfield

Gr3 Vain Stakes Preview – 1100m, Caulfield

Gr3 Quezette Stakes Preview – 1100m, Caulfield

Listed TAB Rosebud Preview – 1100m, Rosehill

Listed Regal Roller Stakes Preview – 1200m, Caulfield

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Hawker Hall's sire Russian Revolution (pic: Newgate Farm)

Huge British Plunge on US Racehorses

Ballet’s Legacy Commands Top Inglis Price

Home Affairs is closely related to Ballet's Legacy (pic: Steve Hart)

Talented Lulu Pitched into Group Company

Precocious Chilly Girl Primed for Rosebud

Savagram Powers Home with Flashing Lights

Withdrawals Change Thesecretadversary's Options

2025 BTR Stud Stallions

BTP STUD STALLIONS