3.10pm: Gr3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) Flemington
3.30pm: $1 million Golden Gift (1100m) Rosehill
3.50pm: Gr1 Champions Sprint (1200m) Flemington
4.10pm: Gr2 Hot Danish (1400m) Rosehill
4.30pm: Gr1 Champions Mile (1600m) Flemington
4.35pm: LR Ladies Day Cup (1500m) Hawkesbury
4.50pm: $2m Five Diamonds (1800m) Rosehill
5.10pm: Gr1 Champions Stakes (2000m) Flemington
6.45pm: LR Fairetha Stakes (1400m) Ascot
7.20pm: Gr2 Lee-Steere Stakes (1400m) Ascot
7.59pm: LR Luckygray Stakes (1800m) Ascot
NEWAutumn Glow Could Race on Until 2027
Friday, 7th November 2025
One of Australian racing’s most captivating talents, Autumn Glow, will be back next season, although her long-term racing future remains uncertain given her escalating broodmare value. Following her dominant Golden Eagle triumph last Saturday, where she secured her eighth consecutive undefeated victory and lifted her prizemoney haul beyond $7.3 million, Autumn Glow has been sent for a spell. Discussions are underway between John Messara and trainer Chris Waller to map out an autumn program, reports punters.com.au, with the Apollo Stakes, Verry Elleegant Stakes, and George Ryder Stakes all under consideration. A tilt at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000 metres is also on the table, but no firm decision has been made. Messara indicated plans were in place for the mare to continue into her five-year-old season, potentially racing through until the autumn of 2027. However, he acknowledged that scenarios can shift rapidly in the racing game. The intention is to keep her going as long as she remains sound and enthusiastic, but caution is being exercised due to her value as a future broodmare. Having bred and raced elite mares for over four decades, Messara remains wary of overexposing fillies on the track. His experience has shown that excessive racing can affect long-term broodmare success. He pointed to Autumn Glow’s exceptional nature as a reason to avoid unnecessary risks, describing her as an outlier whose potential must be protected rather than exploited. In Messara’s hierarchy of champions, Miss Finland still ranks as the benchmark. A five-time Group 1 winner, including the Golden Slipper and VRC Oaks, Miss Finland was a dominant figure at both two and three. At stud, she produced Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me. Messara noted, however, that leading race mares who produce multiple elite-level winners remain rare. Denise’s Joy and her Group 1-winning daughter Joie Denise were referenced as other rare examples of high-performing broodmare dynasties. Autumn Glow’s pedigree adds weight to her appeal. She is by Arrowfield’s The Autumn Sun out of Via Africa, a Group-winning sprinter whose produce also includes Gr1 Golden Rose winner In The Congo. With a perfect race record and impeccable conformation, Autumn Glow already ticks every box as a future matron. Alongside her, another promising Messara-owned mare, Clear Thinking, has also turned heads. By international stallion Dubawi out of Group 1 winner Sweet Idea, Clear Thinking has won five of her seven starts, including The Kosciuszko on Everest Day. Although a minor hoof concern ruled her out of the Hot Danish Stakes at Rosehill, connections are aiming her at The Hunter in Newcastle, where she will look to reinforce her own credentials on the path to black type success.
NEWMatthew Prior Appointed Tattersalls MD
Friday, 7th November 2025
The steady evolution of leadership within Tattersalls has continued with the appointment of a familiar face to one of its most senior roles. After more than a decade with the company, Matthew Prior will move into the position of managing director from the start of 2026, reflecting a succession plan that balances experience, continuity, and industry respect. Since joining Tattersalls in 2012, Prior has become a key member of the bloodstock sales team, blending horse recruitment and yearling inspections with responsibility for Cheltenham’s sales operation. He has also represented the organisation on several industry committees and has served on the Tattersalls Ireland Board since 2021. “It is an enormous privilege to be appointed managing director of Tattersalls, a company with such a proud history and tradition,” he said, acknowledging the strength of the team around him and his intent to uphold the values of integrity and excellence that underpin the brand’s reputation. He added that the confidence and loyalty of Tattersalls’ clients would remain central to its future direction. Supporting Prior in the reshaped management structure are fellow associate directors Harvey Bell and Jason Singh, who step up to the Tattersalls Board as sales director and marketing director respectively. Both have spent many years within the organisation, with Bell overseeing sales coordination and auctioneering, and Singh steering Tattersalls’ marketing for more than two decades. Tattersalls Ireland Board member Tammy O’Brien, whose résumé includes two decades as racing manager at Coolmore before joining Tattersalls in 2017, also joins the main Board. Chairman Edmond Mahony said the quartet’s promotions marked an important moment for Tattersalls as it prepares for the next phase of its growth. He described all four appointees as “hugely respected individuals within the global bloodstock industry” and highlighted Prior’s “consistent demonstration of the attributes to take on the new role of managing director.” The incoming team, he added, embodies the same deep commitment to Tattersalls’ enduring success that has sustained the company through centuries of trading excellence.
Ballarat Neighbours Plunder Gr1 Victorian Oaks
Friday, 7th November 2025
Few in the 51,239-strong crowd could have predicted what unfolded at Flemington on Thursday, when Ballarat-based horseman Thomas Carberry pulled off one of the most remarkable training feats in memory. In just 13 days, his lightly raced Grunt filly Strictly Business surged from a 1400-metre maiden win to land the 2500-metre Group 1 VRC Oaks – his first Group 1 runner, and now winner. The dream unfolded before his eyes as Strictly Business, guided by neighbour and top rider John Allen, dismantled the field with a fluent staying performance that defied her inexperience. She had kicked off her campaign only on October 24 at Ballarat and stamped her credentials with a bold effort in the Gr2 Wakeful Stakes just days before backing up into the Oaks. Carberry was still processing the result post-race, describing the ride as “an incredible journey” and praising the filly’s natural feel from her first run. “She just did things that weren’t normal,” he said. “It takes a really good horse to do what she did, even in her maiden. The Wakeful came on our radar only after that. Once she showed how much she needed the trip, everything changed.” Allen was equally stunned by her steep learning curve, describing her as raw but gifted. “She was green as they come,” he said, recalling their Ballarat debut together. “Then Tommy mentioned the Wakeful, and I thought, why not? She handled it like a natural.” Her Oaks performance, he added, was as polished as it was tough. “She’s pulled up without a bother and looks to have a bright future.” With just a handful of horses in his care, Carberry, who hails from a famous Irish racing family, typically rides his own work and keeps things simple. Now he’s pulled off a feat few would even attempt, taking a maiden filly, practically unknown a fortnight ago, and turning her into a Classic winner at the deepest end of spring. It’s no wonder Allen joked about dropping in during his morning runs with a carrot in hand, not just for the filly, but in tribute to the kind of horsemanship that reminds everyone why the sport still inspires awe. From a yardstick point of view, it was the biggest winning margin since Lasqueti Spirit crushed her rivals in 2016.
Race Experience to Aid Free Flying
Friday, 7th November 2025
Second on debut, beaten a half-length by stablemate Torture (NZ) (Sword Of State) in the Listed Debutant Stakes, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Free Flying (Snitzel-Ennis Hill, by Fastnet Rock) finished ahead of Tornado Valley (Too Darn Hot), with that colt coming out on Tuesday and winning the Gr3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) down the Flemington straight. Purchased for $750,000 from the draft of Coolmore at the Easter yearling sale, the half-sister to the Gr2-winning, G1 placed Learning To Fly (Justify) heads into Saturday's $400,000 Restricted Listed Inglis Banner (1000m) as a leading chance. One of four runners for the stable in the field of 12, the Hayes brothers have recorded two wins in the last three years in the sales-based race with Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel) and Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau). With the in form Mark Zahra in the saddle, Free Flying's stablemate Angelic Rise (Harry Angel-Ladder, by Commands) has won both of her jumpouts leading into her debut, and while she was only a $55,000 yearling purchase, she's from the family of Group 1 winners Trapeze Artist and Crawl and looks to have a show here. It is worth noting that in the past ten years of the race, only two winners had previously raced, with the remaining eight winning on debut, and with nine of Saturday's runners coming into the race on debut, it will surely be an interesting contest.
Lindsay Park Upbeat About Brightside's Chances
Friday, 7th November 2025
Heading into Saturday's big 1600m Group 1, Lindsay Park's iron‑willed galloper remains the benchmark of Australian milers as he readies for another tilt at the Champions Mile at Flemington. Nearing the twilight of an extraordinary career, Mr Brightside still moves and competes like a horse in his prime, and the team behind him see no reason the run of excellence should end this Saturday. A defiant second in the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick confirmed his zest for racing, backing up a strong Memsie Stakes placing and a third‑straight Makybe Diva Stakes victory earlier in the spring. Co‑trainer Ben Hayes believes their stable star is every bit as sharp as ever. "He's come back and his three runs to date have been fantastic and he's showing no signs of training off," he said. "He's an eight‑year‑old that every trainer would love. He's won ten Group 1s, he's placed in ten, and he's also won an All‑Star Mile, so he's a very special horse to Lindsay Park." The gelding's link with the Champions Mile stretches back to its earlier days as the Cantala Stakes on Derby Day. He ran fourth behind Superstorm in 2021, took third to Alligator Blood and Tuvalu the following year, and returned last season to beat all but Pride Of Jenni in a renewal widely hailed as one of the highest‑rated Group 1 races in the country. From 24 starts at 1600 metres, Mr Brightside has won 13, placed six and missed the quinella only once in his past 13 runs at the trip – that sole blemish coming in Hong Kong's Champions Mile in April. His durability at the distance is almost without parallel. This weekend he'll again face a quality field, including Pride Of Jenni, Doncaster winner Stefi Magnetica, Cox Plate placegetter Treasurethe Moment and Ceolwulf, who narrowly edged him at Randwick. Williams retains the ride despite a challenging gate draw, and while there's little room for error, those closest to Mr Brightside know his rhythm, his courage and his ability to rise when it counts. At a time when most horses have long since peaked or retired, the veteran still walks into the mounting yard like he owns it and sometimes, it seems, he still does.
Who Will Wear the Champions Miler Crown?
Friday, 7th November 2025
With both Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai-Sancerre, by O'Reilly) and Mr Brightside (Bullbars-Lilahjay, by Tavistock)the winners of the past two editions of the $3m Gr1 Champions Mile (1600m) back to fight it out once again this year, the pair are coming into this year's race off the back of a Group 1 victory and a Group 1 second, respectively. Interestingly, Mr Brightside's last start second placed effort when runner up in the King Charles III Stakes saw Pride Of Jenni finish a length and a quarter behind him with the Ciaron Maher-trained mare having since had another start, defeating her rivals by four and a half lengths in the Gr1 Empire Rose Stakes last Saturday. The question remains, are these two the leading chances, or does Joe Pride's Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock-Las Brisas, by Shamardal) have the class to beat them once again like he did last start in the King Charles III Stakes? Will Treasurethemoment (Alabama Express-Draconic Treasure, by Street Cry) handle the drop back from her narrow last start third in the Gr1 WS Cox Plate (2040m)? With three wins at the track, including victory over 1600m, the Matt Laurie-trained 4YO showed a return to form last start and it will be interesting to see how she and Pride Of Jenni face off as both are noted leaders.
Tentyris Attempts Major Group 1 Sprint Double
Friday, 7th November 2025
Sensational when winning the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) last Saturday and recording a 124 Timeform Rating, the highest of any 3YO so far this season, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Tentyris (Street Boss-Deity, by Exceed And Excel) will back up in Saturday's $3m Gr1 Champions Sprint (1200m) where he takes on the older sprinters. While no 3YO has won the race since 1999, the plan always appeared that the Godolphin owned colt would start here. In an interview mid-week, Sam Freedman was quite open when speaking to SEN about the fact that backing up was always the plan, stating that "It was always the plan to do that, and he's given us no reason this morning to think that he shouldn't be back down the straight on Saturday. We were keen to miss an Everest – this was going to always be his shot at the older sprinters. He's just a beast now… We won't be shying away from any challenges going forward." This should probably send a shudder through the connections of most other runners, although C J Waller's multiple Gr1 winner Joliestar (Zoustar-Jolie Bay, by Fastnet Rock) has proven herself at the elite level down the Flemington straight, and while she could only manage fifth in this year's The Everest, it was a sensational run which will see her ready to peak here third up from a spell. Having contested this race twice in the past off the back of a run in the Everest, and coming up short on both occasions, the Clayton Douglas trained Giga Kick (Scissor Kick-Rekindled Applause, by Royal Applause) comes in off an impressive win in the Gr2 Schillaci Stakes, and with further improvement, he could shock a few in the run to the line.
Tentyris is on the cusp of a major double (pic: Mark Gatt)
Maher Trio Ready to Rumble in $1m Golden Gift
Friday, 7th November 2025
They’ve each shown different flashes of talent, but one thing unites Artemex, The Next Episode and Spicy Mix – they all represent Maher’s hope of capturing Saturday’s $1 million Inglis Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill. According to racingnsw.com.au, each brings something different to the table: a precocious colt with race smarts, a determined competitor with a punchy attitude, and a big filly still on the way up but hard to ignore. It’s been a winning week already for the Maher stable following their Big Dance trifecta on Tuesday, but Saturday’s assignment demands a new level of precision – and plenty of faith in raw ability. Artemex, a $120,000 Exceed And Excel colt, heads the trio as the most professional of the lot. Two Bong Bong jump outs laid the base before his sole public trial win at Warwick Farm, where Nash Rawiller guided him through traffic and asked for a quicken late. “He takes everything in his stride which early in the season is very important,” assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said. “He’s a mature colt both physically and mentally. His attitude is his biggest asset.” The colt trialled with the Golden Gift in mind, and his tidy win – only a neck in it, but efficient throughout – confirmed that he’d earned his place. “He only needs one experience and it’s like he knows,” Gerard-Dubord added. The Next Episode, by Snitzel, cost a whopping $2.8 million and comes across as the street fighter of the trio. His barrier trial win came a week before Artemex’s and was preceded by a sharp Melbourne jump out that demanded a trip north. “He quickened in his trial impressively and was left in front by himself a long way out,” said Gerard-Dubord. “Jason (Collett) felt there was a bit more there and he would have learned from that.” More than anything, it’s his spirit that stands out. “He’s very competitive. When he’s head to head, he wants to win. He’s one of those horses that will fight if he has to.” Spicy Mix is still learning the ropes, but her raw talent is apparent. The Exceedance filly cost $150,000 and trialled only 0.13s slower than The Next Episode on the same morning. “She’s got plenty of size, and there’s more to come,” Gerard-Dubord said. “Once she got her head in front she had a bit of a look, but each time something came at her, she found more. She’s earned her place – she’s here because she’s got talent.”
Via Set for Champions Status Once Again
Friday, 7th November 2025
Dominating last year's Gr1 Champions Stakes (2000m) off the back of her sensational eight length Gr1 WS Cox Plate romp, the C J Waller-trained Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock-Nigh, by Galileo) is out to replicate her deeds of twelve months ago. Set to start the favourite in the $3m contest, the James McDonald ridden Horse of the Year has drawn barrier 10 in the 11-horse field, and while she may not have been as impressive in this year's Cox Plate as she was when winning last year, the fact that she won is enough to suggest that her rivals will find it very hard to beat her here. With the Cox Plate fourth placed Attrition (Churchill- Queen's Kiss, by French Deputy) and fifth placed Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company-Lights On Me, by Kyllachy) both running here, it will be intriguing to see if they can step up and make their presence felt. An interesting runner lining up over 2000m for the first time is the Darryn and Briar Weatherley-trained Pier (NZ) (Proisir-La Vitesse, by Darci Brahma). Beaten just over three lengths by Autum Glow (The Autumn Sun) in the Gr1 Epsom before third to Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Gr1 King Charles III Stakes, the 6YO kiwi gelding could have gone to the Champions Mile, but interestingly he lines up here and could be a chance.
Another Gr1 awaits Via Sistina on Saturday (pic: Mark Gatt)
Invitational Form on Show in Hot Danish
Friday, 7th November 2025
Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard), a last start winner of the $2m Gr2 The Invitational appears a leading chance in Saturday's $3m Gr1 Champions Mile at Flemington, and, having finished just under a length and a half off her in fifth last time out in the Goup r2 contest, the Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained Bauhinia (Hellbent-Like A Butterfly, by Blackfriars) also looks a solid chance in the $500,000 Gr2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill. Finishing behind Bauhinia on that occasion was the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr trained Miss Roumbini (Zoustar-Bleu Roche, by Fastnet Rock) who surprisingly is the current favourite for Saturday's race. Trainer Grahame Begg has made a habit of sending mares up to NSW from his Victorian base, with Miraval Rose (Grunt-Gypsy Tucker, by Zabeel) set to line up in the Hot Danish off a last start fourth at Gr2 level at Caulfield, having won the start prior to that at Gr2 level over 1400m at Flemington. With Nash Rawiller set to partner the Yulong-bred and sold 5YO, the pair will jump from barrier three in the nine-horse field. Having her first Australian start, the imported Pounce (USA) (Lookin At Lucky-Bouncy, by Twirling Candy) has performed over further in America, but it's not unusual for imports to sprint very well fresh when making their local debut, so keep an eye out for any market support.
Celebrations All Round as Maschino Fires in WA
Friday, 7th November 2025
In WA, Toodyay breeders Dave and Doris Keens celebrated a satisfying Cup Day double when Masmelo and Solo Vega each posted breakthrough victories, within half an hour of one another, at Ascot and Bunbury. Both 3YO fillies were sourced from Gervase Park’s Perth Magic Millions draft, with the Keens retaining a share in each. Masmelo delivered a commanding five-length win in the Hunter Manning Recruitment Maiden (1800m) at Ascot, confirming her progress since finishing unplaced on debut in the Gimcrack Stakes last season. She was kept wide throughout but travelled comfortably under Luke Campbell, before lengthening stride to put the result beyond doubt. “She’s a big, tall filly and needs plenty of galloping room,” said Neville Parnham. “She was cruising in a nice rhythm and it was good to see her let down and sprint away from them.” Four starts into her prep, she’s expected to spell and be aimed toward the WA Oaks. “She’s still quite immature and I’m in two minds what to do now,” Parnham added. “The good races have probably come a bit too soon. I think she can come back and stay in the autumn.” Her sire Maschino has had a strong season, with Jokers Grin adding the Gr3 Prince of Wales Stakes to his résumé just days earlier. Masmelo was a $3,000 bargain from the Swan Valley, out of Northam winner Melteme — a Blackfriars mare sold by De Grey Park carrying Masmelo for $6,000. The second dam Pride is a half-sister to the dam of Bunbury stakes winner Summer Swallow. “She was parading behind another horse I was looking at but she was the one that caught my eye,” recalled Parnham. Solo Vega made a tidy first impression at Bunbury in the Switchboards WA Maiden (1200m), starting at $26 before firming to $18 and getting the job done at the first time of asking for Keysbrook trainer Ryan Hill. A $30,000 yearling who failed to make her reserve, she was later secured privately and took time to develop. “It’s taken her a few preparations to make it to the races, but the patience has paid off,” said Hill. By Lucky Vega and out of the Not A Single Doubt mare Singles – a $4,500 Inglis Digital buy – she looms as another bargain story for the Keens.
Masmelo dazzled with her 5-length romp at Ascot (pic: westernracepix.com.au)
$340k Inglis Snitzel Colt Head to Hong Kong
Friday, 7th November 2025
A highly promising 3YO colt will depart Australian shores after topping the Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale, with Equerry sold to Hong Kong interests for $340,000. The son of Snitzel had only added to his appeal with a stylish win at Randwick the day before the sale concluded, notching a second victory from just four career starts under Chris Waller’s care. Equerry’s new owner, Mr T Leung, was clear in his ambitions. “He looks a very promising young horse that we think will fit in well up in Hong Kong,” Leung said. “We will sit down in coming days to work out a trainer and a program for him but I think he is a very exciting horse.” Offered by a Coolmore-headed ownership group, Equerry drew high praise from John Kennedy, who described the result as “phenomenal.” He added: “Equerry won very impressively yesterday and looks to have a bright future, and I wish Mr Leung all the best with him. With the Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours selling on Inglis Digital last year, I hope Equerry can be hugely successful for his new owners up in Hong Kong as well.” The platform’s proven record in the region only strengthens the colt’s credentials. In 2025 alone, 21 individual Inglis Digital graduates have saluted in Hong Kong, headlined by classy types Helios Express and Tomodachi Kokoroe. Since 2018, no Australian auction house has matched Inglis in Hong Kong winners – 729 in total, accounting for nearly 2000 wins – more than 230 ahead of their nearest rival. Equerry becomes the 38th lot to exceed $200,000 on the platform this year and lifts the 2025 tally of $100,000+ sales to 118. Second-top lot of the sale was the lightly raced mare Silent Shares, retained for $140,000 by current trainer Gavin Bedggood, who wasn’t willing to lose her to a competitor. “The owner is reducing his racing stock and I think this mare has good residual in her and is far from at her peak so I was happy to keep her,” Bedggood explained. “She’s been back in the stables for five weeks so she’ll race around Christmas time, and having trained her already up to this point, it’s a nice advantage to have when trying to buy these mares and race them on.” Bedggood also invited potential partners to reach out, noting shares in the three-time winner remain available. The November (Early) Sale grossed a final total of $2,290,800.
