Experience and familiarity could prove decisive in Saturday's $2m Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield, where Jordan Childs reunites with the colt he believes can return him to the Group 1 honour roll. Big Sky has been one of the early two-year-old standouts of the season, and Childs is convinced the colt's natural progression has him primed for the 1200m test. The opportunity to reconnect came after Ben Melham opted to partner Streisand, leaving Childs back aboard the youngster he guided to a dominant Flemington debut. That three-length performance, achieved with a notably high head carriage and raw exuberance, hinted at upside still to be tapped. "I obviously had the experience on him at Flemington so that held me in good stead," Childs said, confident the grounding would count for plenty on the big stage. Subsequent evidence only strengthened that view. Big Sky stepped out in the Group 3 Chairman's Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield and again asserted his authority, improving sharply in both professionalism and race manners. Childs has been taken by that progression. "Big Sky's a horse in form and going extremely well, from his first to second start he improved a lot naturally, so hopefully he can improve again," he said. While acknowledging the quirks — "he doesn't really pull too hard … it's just his natural reaction to put his head up in the air" — the rider felt the colt raced more tractably last start, even without sustained pressure. The Blue Diamond market reflects that promise, with Big Sky installed as the $3.50 favourite ahead of Guest House ($6) and Closer To Free ($7). Talindert Stakes winner Hard Kick appears set to bypass the contest in favour of the Gr1 Golden Slipper, while Magic Millions 2YO Classic victor Unit Five remains among the contenders. Childs expects no soft landing. "It looks pretty even," he said. "He's probably one of the leading chances at the moment but you wouldn't be surprised if a few of them could stand up on the day." For the jockey, there is also a personal narrative unfolding. His sole Group 1 triumph came in the 2018 Blue Diamond aboard Written By, and a second has proved elusive despite consistent performances at the elite level. "It was a little while ago now, it's been a while between drinks, so hopefully I can get another one on the board," Childs said. "I feel like I've been riding well for a long time but I haven't had the success in Group 1 races … you got to keep turning up and do your best." Barrier tactics will be addressed once the draw is known. "There's pros and cons to both," he said. "It's out of my control, we'll deal with that once the barriers come out."
Eustace Pinning Derby Hopes on Seraph Gabriel
Tuesday, 17th February 2026
A stepping stone to the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) looms at Sha Tin on Thursday night, where David Eustace hopes Seraph Gabriel can break through locally and confirm his credentials for the city's most coveted four-year-old prize. The Class Three Red Packet Handicap (2000m) shapes as an ideal platform, according to scmp.com, with the Saxon Warrior colt set to strip fitter and better suited by the rise in distance. Imported after a light but promising career in Britain, Seraph Gabriel won at Lingfield before finishing a close second in the Class Two Golden Gates Handicap (1993m) at Royal Ascot on his final start there. His Hong Kong introduction was low key, an unlucky 11th, but he quickly signalled his adaptation when beaten a neck by the prolific Lucky Sam Gor at Sha Tin on February 1. That effort, in which he travelled strongly before being collared late, has given Eustace confidence that a Derby tilt on March 22 is well within reach. "His last run was excellent and he was probably just a bit complacent in front," Eustace said. "He's still a colt and looked to have kicked and won the race, but he was just run down by a very good horse." The trainer believes the move to 2000m will unlock further improvement. "He's improving all the time and there was a lot of merit in that run. He goes up to 2,000m, which he's proven at in the UK, and I'm sure he'll see it out fine in Hong Kong too." Eustace deliberately bypassed the Classic Mile, explaining: "I just felt the Classic Mile and the hustle and bustle of that race would have come too soon for him. I thought I'd rather get a couple of runs into him and just go to the one race in the series." Helene Supafeeling also features in the opening section of the Class Three Yue Yee Handicap (1200m), with Eustace opting to revert to sprinting after a recent experiment at 1400m. A winner over this course and distance on debut in Hong Kong, the British import raced too keenly when stretched in trip and is being recalibrated. "We tried him up in trip and gave him that opportunity to look suitable for the Classic Mile – he will stay the distance, but he's probably not relaxing well enough yet to see it out," Eustace said. "He's back to 1,200m and that should suit him; I'm looking forward to getting him back out." Riding Together rounds out the stable's trio in the Class Three Kut Cheong Handicap (1400m). The consistent five-year-old, who scored three starts ago, faces barrier 13 under Dylan Browne McMonagle but continues to please at home. "He's a very solid horse and rarely runs a bad race. Hopefully he can put in another consistent performance again as he's certainly in great nick at home," Eustace said.
Headline Act Could be Half Queensland's Luck
Tuesday, 17th February 2026
A $28 million winter carnival will again cast Queensland as the nation's stage for elite stayers, and Melbourne Cup hero Half Yours is set to return north to begin his title defence. The program, running from May 2 to July 4, features nine $1m races and 55 black-type events across 11 meetings, including eight Group 1 contests that anchor Brisbane's claim as Australia's premier winter destination. Seven of the headline days will be hosted by the Brisbane Racing Club, with Tattersall's Tiara day on June 27 bringing the Group 1 schedule to a close. The $3m Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 13 remains the flagship, complemented by the $1m JJ Atkins for juveniles and the $1.2m Q22 for stayers. The Doomben 10,000 and Doomben Cup (May 16), Kingsford Smith Cup and Queensland Derby (May 30), and the Queensland Oaks (June 6) complete the top-tier roster. Preparing to target those riches is the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Half Yours, who will resume in the $1.5m Group 1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 18 before heading north. "Then he'll go to the Hollindale Stakes, Doomben Cup and the Q22," McEvoy said. The five-year-old is back in work after a spell. "He's back in work now, although he hasn't trialled or anything yet. He's put on about 40kg when he was spelling. The horse is happy and back into his routine." A return to the Sunshine Coast's Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), which he won last July, looms as a possible stepping stone. That race now carries $500,000, a $200,000 increase that underscores its growing reputation as a Melbourne Cup launching pad. Half Yours parlayed that Queensland foundation into a Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double under Jamie Melham in the spring. Officials are quick to point to the state's record. Racing Queensland acting chief executive Lachlan Murray noted the past three Melbourne Cup winners – Half Yours, Knight's Choice and Without A Fight – all began their campaigns in Queensland, alongside subsequent Group 1 winners Sir Delius, Transatlantic and Autumn Boy. "Add to that another three subsequent Group 1 winners in Sir Delius, Transatlantic and Autumn Boy, and the proof is in the pudding that there is no better platform for success than the Queensland Racing Carnival," Murray said. While some have speculated about a Japan Cup venture, McEvoy dismissed that notion unless circumstances change. "No, unless the handicapper weighs him out of the Melbourne Cup," he said. "If that happens then he'd go to Japan after the Cox Plate but we'd like to keep him here." For now, the focus remains squarely on Queensland, where winter dreams are forged before spring glory is pursued.
Half Yours will be a big drawcard for Queensland (pic: Mark Gatt)
Tentyris’ Biggest Newmarket Challenge is Weight
Tuesday, 17th February 2026
Speculation has been running hot since Saturday’s Lightning Stakes, with one question dominating the aftermath: will the brilliant colt who tore down the Flemington straight now back up in the Newmarket? Tentyris (Street Boss) delivered a performance of rare authority, rounding up seven rivals in a matter of strides and asserting late to win with something in hand, immediately firming to $1.75 in All-In betting for the handicap feature. For all the market confidence, certainty remains elusive, reports racing.com. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained three-year-old now finds his fate resting largely with Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper, David Hegan, who must determine how severely that Group 1 triumph alters his rating. “I’d rather the pressure go on to Dave Hegan than us,” Freedman said, conceding the weight could quickly become prohibitive. “A cutoff – I’m not sure. Coming into this prep we were thinking he was going to have 54 and a half or 55. It’s obviously likely he’s going to have more.” Context will be everything. With Giga Kick and Joliestar both unlikely to take their place at this stage, the possibility looms that Tentyris could be asked to shoulder 59kg. “But it’s relative as well to what else is there. If there’s no superstar or there’s nothing thrown in at the weights, you could potentially line-up,” Freedman said. History offers little comfort: no horse in the modern era has carried 59kg to victory in a Newmarket, Hay List’s 58.5kg in 2012 the closest comparison. Nature Strip was allotted 59.5kg in 2013 and did not run, while one must look back to Bernborough and Gold Stakes to find winners shouldering more than 59kg. The age factor compounds the dilemma. As a three-year-old, Tentyris would be venturing into territory rarely conquered under such imposts. Weekend Hussler captured the race at the same age in 2008, but with 56kg, even after an Oakleigh Plate victory. “Fifty-nine sounds ridiculous, to be honest, for a three-year-old in a Newmarket,” Freedman said. “I’m not sure how many have carried that weight at all, in the race, but it is what it is.” Freedman also pointed to the modern calendar, where multiple high-value options dilute the handicap’s depth. “You’re a victim of everyone having so many options. You’d love to see some of those better horses have to run in a Newmarket, because there are no other options. In the past… you’d have big fields, horses right down in the weights, horses carrying big weights in a proper handicap.” Beyond March, horizons stretch far wider. Royal Ascot has been floated since his Coolmore triumph, and there is enthusiasm within Godolphin for Tentyris to travel. “We’d love to (go overseas), and there’s an appetite from Godolphin to see him travelling,” Freedman said. An Everest clash with Ka Ying Rising also tempts, though the trainer admits a straight-track showdown would be purer theatre. For now, however, the scales will speak first.
The nature of his win will ensure Tentyris a big Newmarket weight (pic: Mark Gatt)
Yulong Invests in Another Key Oaks Filly
Tuesday, 17th February 2026
A significant ownership shift has added fresh intrigue to Saturday’s Gr1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie, with Waikato Guineas winner Autumn Glory (NZ) to carry the green and white of Yulong Investments. According to racingnews.co.nz, the daughter of Ocean Park heads into the Classic off a dominant Gr2 performance at Te Rapa, where she overwhelmed her male rivals and confirmed the promise she had hinted at since breaking her maiden at Ruakaka in January. Patiently prepared by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, the filly has been handled as a late bloomer, her trainers resisting the urge to rush her through the grades. That patience was tested when she struck a bottomless surface at Taranaki at her second start, but the experience ultimately hardened her. James revealed they had long held her in high regard, stepping her straight from maiden company into black-type company because they believed she was above average. The Waikato Guineas result vindicated that assessment, her work at home having lifted to a new level in the lead-up. Bred and raced by the Smithies family under their Monovale Holdings banner, Autumn Glory has now been sold outright to Yulong, though she will remain in her current stable through the Oaks. “It's a privilege to have international owners of their magnitude in the stable, and it's great to see them becoming involved in New Zealand in a bigger way,” James said. He views the partnership as a reflection of what New Zealand racing can offer in terms of stakes and high-class horses, but is keeping the immediate focus simple. “Our aim is the New Zealand Oaks and what happens after that will be discussed after the race, but it is a Group One and that is what we are focussed on.” The filly has thrived since Te Rapa. “We’re really happy with the way she's bounced through the Waikato Guineas. She's feeding well and looks great in the coat,” James said, satisfied she is peaking at the right time. Yulong’s growing presence in the country now includes Oaks favourite Ohope Wins and unbeaten Guineas winner Well Written, giving the operation a powerful hand among the elite three-year-old fillies. For Monovale, the sale aligns with a clear commercial model. “Yulong has purchased her outright, and she will stay with Roger and Robert for the Oaks, who have done a terrific job,” Joe Smithies said. “We've got to stick to our core business model, which is breeding horses for the yearling sales. Racing for us is probably a by-product of what we do, but having said that, we really do enjoy racing horses, particularly nice fillies like Autumn Glory.” The Smithies will still have a personal stake in the Oaks narrative through stakes-winning filly Acer (NZ), another Monovale graduate.
Ridgeport and Mogumber Dominate Pinjarra
Tuesday, 17th February 2026
Ahead of this week’s Magic Millions Perth Sale, Pinjarra’s Magic Millions meeting delivered a two-pronged domination, with Ridgeport Farm and Mogumber Park combining to shape the headline races on Saturday. The $250,000 RL Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) went to 2YO filly Maria Lucia (Rommel-Mindarie, by Safeguard), and Ridgeport’s stallion Rommel (Commands) later completed a feature double when Twisted Steel won the $250,000 RL Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m). According to tbwa.net.au, Mogumber Park-bred Maria Lucia was conceived in the sixth and final book Rommel covered there before he relocated from Bullsbrook to Waroona in 2023. Owner Maureen Daly also collected the $60,000 Magic Millions WA Racing Women’s 2YO Bonus, and the result kept it in the family after her older half-brother Do I Feel Lucky (Dirty Work) won the same race last year. “She is just a beautiful horse,” co-trainer Sean Casey said. “Chris (Parnham) made a plan how he was going ride her and was very confident going into race.” The Mogumber Park team of Colin Brown and Fiona Lacey also tasted success earlier when their 2023 Magic Millions graduate Shamilian Miss (Shamus Award) landed the Geisel Park Stud Hcp (1600m), having been sold for $135,000 as agent for Woodbridge Thoroughbreds breeders Ian Riley and Rachelle Huckson. A 3YO gelding, Twisted Steel (Rommel-Real Beauty by I Am Invincible), bred by Jason Cheetham, became Rommel’s fourth individual black-type winner and his second winner of the Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy, following Pixie Chix in 2022. Ridgeport owner Santo Guagliardo bred and sold Pixie Chix for $20,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions through Mogumber Park as agent, and he also struck on Saturday when Ridgeport-bred Monte Tremezzo (Hellbent) split runners late to win the Darling View Thoroughbreds Hcp (1400m) for trainer Dan Morton’s clients. With the Karrakatta Plate (1200m) now on the radar, Parnham was pleased with the filly’s professionalism under pressure. “She’s a talented filly and I had to extricate her out of a tricky situation in running. She couldn’t have impressed me more and I think she’s got a fair bit left in store.” Twisted Steel had been bought for $100,000 through the Ruby Racing & Breeding consignment at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions and won his first two starts before a summer campaign that didn’t go to plan. “I thought he could be a Winterbottom Stakes horse but he was too revved up and not chilled enough pre-race to take on a field of Group 1 sprinters,” trainer Simon Miller said. “We were asking too much too early but my team have done a great job and now he’s really starting to settle.” A break is planned ahead of the $5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on April 18, and Clint Johnston-Porter agreed: “I’ve always had a massive opinion of this horse. We idled up to Heeza Phoenix and when I looked around I knew it was going to be an easy win.”
Northern Raider Enrico Grabs the Spoils
Tuesday, 17th February 2026
A bold northern raid paid handsome dividends at Matamata on Saturday when the $350,000 Comag Wairere Falls (1500m) fell the way of Central Districts visitor Enrico, a gelding whose recent record suggested a breakthrough was imminent. After a string of high-quality performances without quite landing the spoils, he finally converted consistency into a feature-race cheque, reports loveracing.nz. Trained at Levin by Ilone Kelly, the galloper had been racing in rich vein. Three stakes placings from his previous four outings – in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m), Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) and Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m) – underlined his competitiveness in strong company. Yet the market was not convinced, allowing him to drift to 23-1 for his Matamata assignment despite that solid résumé. The price did little to shake the belief of regular rider Madan Singh, who was determined to partner the gelding at 53.5kg. “I was definitely a little bit confident, but 53.5kg is a bit hard for me,” Singh said. “But I knew he was a good chance and she (Kelly) has always been a big supporter of mine, so that’s why I made 53 to ride this horse.” His commitment was evident from the outset. Away cleanly, Enrico was urged forward to hold a prominent position and briefly engaged in an early contest for the lead with Leroy Brown and Vegas Queen. Rather than press on at all costs, Singh eased into the trail to secure cover and a kinder run. That patience proved decisive as the field turned for home, with Leroy Brown slipping clear by two lengths and appearing to have pinched a winning break. Singh, however, remained composed. Keeping his mount balanced and within striking range, he asked for a final effort in the closing stages and Enrico responded strongly, lengthening stride by stride to reel in the leader and snatch victory by a head in the final bound. Relief and satisfaction were evident afterwards. “It was very good,” Singh said. “He is a nice horse who is always knocking on the door, and he always has wide draws. We got a nice enough draw (6) and got a nice run and when I asked he gave me a really good response.” Co-bred and part-owned by respected Horowhenua horsewoman Syliva Kay, Enrico now boasts seven wins and nine placings from 33 starts, with earnings beyond $420,000 – figures that now carry the weight of a deserved feature success.
The gamble on Enrico paid off (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
Correct Weight Declared for Juliet Partridge
Tuesday, 17th February 2026
A long apprenticeship behind the scenes has given way to a moment in the saddle, and for Juliet Partridge the return to Queensland as a race rider carried special meaning. After years strapping horses and riding trackwork around Brisbane, she came back north on Saturday not as part of the support crew but as the jockey. Now 27, Partridge spent more than five years with the Chris and Corey Munce operation at Eagle Farm, serving as travelling foreman and trusted trackwork rider. She accompanied eventual Group 1 winner Palaisipan on interstate trips and was on strapping duties when the mare captured the Tatt’s Tiara in the winter of 2023. Those experiences, she believes, laid the groundwork for her own ambitions. Her race-riding journey began in New South Wales late last month, and Dalby marked her first competitive appearance back on home soil. Partnering Smackeroony into third for Ipswich trainer Beau Gorman, Partridge soaked in the reception from familiar faces. “It was fabulous because I saw so many faces that were excited to see me riding,” she said. “Beau Gorman heard that I was keen to come up to ride to get more experience and he rang me straight away and offered me the ride.” The reunion extended beyond one trainer. “And, then I got there and I saw lots of old faces and they were happy to see me riding. That included Darren Bell and a few other trainers. People were happy to see that I was kind of chasing my dreams.” Earlier in her career, weight had proven a stumbling block to commencing an apprenticeship in Queensland. A move south to the stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott proved pivotal, with added gym work helping her reach a riding weight now listed at 54kg. She is currently based with Melanie O’Gorman at Tamworth. Partridge credits her grounding under Chris Munce as instrumental. “He was a terrific boss,” she said. “I spent five-and-a-half years there and they let me do lots of jumps-outs, like I did a lot of my riding there. I would have done 20 or more jump-outs at Chris' before I even decided to do an apprenticeship.” She added: “I learned so much at Chris’, I just galloped a lot of nice horses and did a lot of jump-outs. He just taught me everything, he was a terrific boss.” Still chasing a first winner, she was encouraged by Smackeroony’s effort in the 0–55 Handicap over 1000m. “I think he just peaked on his run,” she said. “The horse was five-and-a-half weeks between runs. There's a race for him in three weeks’ time and I think it can win then in the same sort of race.”
