With the race towards the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes commencing on Saturday with the running of the Previews, the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) (1000m) is first to jump with a field of ten assembled, six of which have raced before. The most recent colt winner of the Preview to go on and take out the Blue Diamond was Godolphin's Daumier (Epaulette), and this year royal blue silks will be adorned by Ciaron Maher's debut winner Milsons Point (Blue Point-Ventura, by Lonhro). Coming from a mid-field position on debut to work home and score by a length and a quarter, jockey Ben Allen is continuing his association aboard Milsons Point with the pair to jump from barrier 6. A winner of the Listed Maribyrnong Trial on debut, the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained Eurocanto (Per Incanto-Shespending, by Savabeel) has been back to the jumpouts, winning his most recent one at Werribee over 800m. Coming from the same stable as last year's winner Shining Smile (Spirit Of Boom), Eurocanto was a $250,000 yearling purchase from the draft of Evergreen Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast and should get a very good run from gate 3. Of the unraced runners, of which there are four, the Ciaron Maher trained Invicto (I Am Invincible-Chica Fuerte, by Hinchinbrook) creates strong interest. The most expensive yearling purchase in the field, with his trainer and agent David Redvers going to $600,000 for the Vinery Stud graduate, Invicto is the second foal out of the dual Gr3-winning Hinchinbrook mare Chica Fuerte from the Group 1 family of Assertive Lad and Assertive Lass.
Daumier was the last horse to complete the double (pic: Mark Gatt)
Bluebloods Highlight Fillies Preview Lottery
Friday, 23rd January 2026
With a field of 14 acceptances for Saturday's Gr3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for the fillies, only five have previously faced the starter on race day, led by Clinton McDonald's dual stakes placed Streisand (Magnus-Zouper Star, by Zoustar). A narrow second behind Eurocanto (Per Incanto) in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial before finishing in the same position behind Calamari Ring (Street Boss) in the Restricted Listed Inglis Banner, the filly will be out to emulate McDonald's ill-fatted Blue Diamond winner Haysugi (Royal Meeting) who won the Preview, followed by the Prelude, enroute to her success in the main event. Secured for $1m at the Inglis Easter yearling sale by Hilldene Farm and James Bester Bloodstock, Queen's English (Snitzel-English, by Encosta de Lago) makes her debut off the back of two stylish jumpout wins. Bred by Newhaven Park, Queen's English is the third foal of their Champion Filly and dual Gr1 winner English and, if this filly can show half of the talent of her dam, then she's surely one to watch. Another well-bred filly who makes her debut here is the Sledmere Stud-consigned I Am Aria (I Am Invincible-Talaria, by O'Reilly). Second in all three of her jumpouts, including most recently behind Queen's English, the Te Akau Racing owned filly was a $450,000 Inglis Easter yearling sale purchase. Another filly to come through the very same sale is the first crop daughter of Coolmore's dual Gr1-winning I Am Invincible stallion Home Affairs. Trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, La Gitana (Home Affairs-Hips Don't Lie, by Stravinsky) has pedigree of her side, being a half-sister to Fastnet Rock's stakes winners Ennis Hill (dam of Learning To Fly), Lake Geneva and Acrobat from the family of Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis (Zoustar).
Nellie Can Sprint to Carrington Success
Friday, 23rd January 2026
Not necessarily known over 1400m, the Annabel and Rob -rchibald trained Nellie Laylax (Calyx-Lovelocks, by High Chaparral) comes into Saturday's Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick off the back of two trials, winning his most recent. A winner on debut over 1005m in Europe, followed by success over 1600m when resuming for his second campaign, the import finished third on his Australian debut before being stepped up in trip to races over 2000m which saw the 5YO gelding win the Gr3 Premier's Cup (2000m) by more than two lengths. With his first Australian campaign under his belt, it would not surprise to see him sprint well fresh, and with champion jockey James McDonald taking the ride from barrier one, it creates a level of intrigue which could see a surprise result come Saturday. Impressive when winning first up at Wyong last start, David Pfieffer's Winchat (Russian Revolution-Natchwhali, by O'Reilly) is likely to start one of the favourites and with two wins from five second up efforts, if the gelding shows any improvement from his win, then he is sure to prove hard to catch in the run to the line. Beaten just over three lengths by Winchat last start, Bjorn Baker's Thunderlips (Zoustar-Shapita, by Foxwedge) has a solid record at the track and trip of Saturday's race. Drawn wide in barrier 9 in the 13-horse field, jockey Dylan Gibbons should be able to make use of the drop in weight from his most recent run to be right in the finish.
Two Manfred Stakes Chances for Price/Kent
Friday, 23rd January 2026
In the past six years, three winners of the Gr3 Manfred Stakes: Super Seth, Portland Sky and Jacquinot, all retired to stud at the end of their race careers as Group 1 winners and are now all standing at leading stud farms. With only two fillies winning the race in the last 15 years, it will be interesting to see how the five in this year's field go, with many of them on paper looking to be a chance. Set to have his first start in the MyRacehorse silks after a change of ownership, 3YO colt Space Rider (Zoustar-Fuddle Dee Duddle, by Red Ransom) will be out to maintain his perfect first up record when he contests Saturday's Gr3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. While he is yet to win at black type level, the colt has two wins from two attempts first up in the past, and with decent form throughout his career including a win over Grafterburners (Graff) at 2, the former Kia Ora Stud colour-bearer will be out to try and highlight possible stallion potential with a stakes victory. A stablemate to Space Rider, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Job Done (Snitzel-Di Lusso, by Lonhro) has always been highly touted and with three wins and a third from five starts, the colt's only finish outside of the top three was his only start at Flemington, so it will be interesting to see how he goes. Of the fillies, there appear plenty of chances – headed by Ciaron Maher's Salty Pearl (Tagaloa-Leaven of Malice, by Sebring). A winner of the Gr2 Fillies Classic (1600m) at her final run of the spring, the grey filly had finished fourth at the start prior to the in the Gr1 Thousand Guineas, form that clearly suggests that she'll be right in the finish.
In Form Zou Sensation the Testing Material
Friday, 23rd January 2026
Successful in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1400m) where he narrowly defeated Steparty (Artie Schiller-Watch Your Step, by Sepoy) last start, the Leon and Troy Corstens & Will Larkin-trained Zou Sensation (Zoustar-Dame Claire, by Danehill Dancer) will be attampting consecutive black type wins when the he lines up in Saturday's Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Having previously won the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield where the beaten brigade included the Gr1 winner Benagil (Manhattan Rain), the Bennett Racing owned Zou Sensation has been in great form since that victory and although he rises in weight, the Jamie Melham-ridden 6YO gelding looks very hard to beat once again. While we have to go all the way back to his 3YO season when successful in the Gr3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude where he defeated next start Gr1 Caulfield Guineas winner Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon), the Paul Preusker-trained Steparty hasn't managed to win in the subsequent 22 starts but has recorded 11 top five black type efforts. After winning his first five straight and then not being able to breakthrough for 22 starts would be frustrating for connections, and come Saturday, he appears to have everything in his favour to take the prize. They say weight can stop a train, and here Group 1 winner Attrition (Churchill-Queen's Kiss, by French Deputy) has been lumped with 61kg. While not the most consistent stallion in training, his fourth two starts back behind Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) in the Gr1 WS Cox Plate suggests he has more than his fair share of ability, and if the 1400m first up is suitable, then watch for him late as class can often shine through.
Epicurian Delights Combine with Future Stars
Friday, 23rd January 2026
Opportunity often arrives quietly, but its impact can be transformative – something regulars at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale know all too well. As March 19 and 20 draw closer, a newly released catalogue featuring 412 yearlings is already drawing attention from trainers, owners, and bloodstock agents eager to unearth the next racetrack star at Morphettville. What sets Adelaide apart is not only its tradition, but its reputation as a launchpad for affordable winners who go on to shape the global stage. “The Adelaide Yearling Sale is so highly regarded by all industry players. From our vendors to our buyers, whether trainers, owners or traders, it’s the sale that keeps producing,” observes Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch. That reputation is well earned: European Champion Sprinter Asfoora once changed hands in Adelaide for just $30,000 before conquering major races overseas, while Private Eye turned a $62,500 investment into $12.8 million in earnings. Hong Kong star Galaxy Patch was a $50,000 Adelaide buy, now boasting more than A$6.6 million in stakes. Last year’s graduates are already making a mark, including unbeaten stakes winner Eternal Warrior. The diversity of the 2026 catalogue is again a highlight, featuring yearlings by 107 sires – including 15 freshman stallions – giving buyers a chance to tap into both established lines and the latest potential star sires. “The sires represented present prospective buyers with so many opportunities. From the established stars to an exciting group of first seasoners,” Bowditch notes. Every yearling catalogued is eligible for the $20 million-plus Magic Millions Race Series, regarded as the world’s richest, giving buyers a shot at life-changing rewards. Last season’s Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic unveiled another headline act in Ole Dancer, who went on from Murray Bridge to Group 1 glory in the Thousand Guineas. As the 2026 edition approaches, all eyes will be on the next wave to emerge from South Australia’s signature juvenile race. The event is also a favourite on the calendar for lifestyle reasons, according to Bowditch. With Morphettville’s location near Glenelg, along with renowned food and wine, there’s every reason to combine business with pleasure. The online catalogue for the 2026 Adelaide Yearling Sale is now available, with further details through the Equineline Catalog App for iPad.
Hong Kong A$6.6 million earner Galaxy Patch cost just $50,000 (pic: hkjc.com)
Purple and White Stars to Shine in Launceston
Friday, 23rd January 2026
Few sights have been as familiar this Tasmanian summer as the purple and white of syndicator Star Thoroughbreds crossing the line first. The Campbell stable’s trio, comprising Mazzini, Durazzo, and Sanniya, are poised to again leave their mark, this time as Mazzini steps out a likely favourite in the $75,000 Ladbrokes Stakes (1200m, WFA) at Launceston on Friday night under lights. Results have followed the colours wherever they’ve gone: nine collective wins and nearly $600,000 in stakes across just a few months. Each of the trio brings serious credentials. Durazzo has bagged the Newmarket Handicap, Conquering, and The Inevitable Stakes, while Mazzini has landed the 3YO Trophy and the Tasmanian Guineas. Sanniya comes into the feature fresh from last Sunday’s Lady Lynette, where she backed up a seven-length demolition in the Carpet Charge. All three are under the care of Barry Campbell, who continues to rack up winners at a rate most trainers only dream of – 28 for the season so far, striking at an imposing 34 percent. Mazzini will have a change of partner this week, with Craig Newitt stepping in for the sidelined Kelvin Sanderson. The latter has played a key part in the stable’s roll, partnering both Mazzini and Durazzo in all their victories and notching a Devonport Cup success with Asva before minor surgery put his season on pause. Froggy Newitt returns off a stellar Hobart meeting last Sunday, where he claimed four winners, including a sweep of the three feature races. “Mazzini in the Ladbrokes Stakes will be something to look forward to,” he said. The in-demand rider has mounts in every race, with a strong book headed by the highly promising Skin In The Game in the BM76 (1400m), a ride picked up after Anthony Darmanin was sidelined by a trackwork fall. Mazzini has been freshened since his 1600m Guineas win just after Christmas and, despite drawing the outside alley (barrier 9), remains the one to beat, particularly with the WFA scale allotting him just 55kg. The only blemish on his record is a 3YO Cup defeat after playing up before the start. Main rivals include Turk Warrior, set for his second-up run after a strong fourth in the Carpet Charge, and other consistent headline types such as Geegees Gemstone, Jaguar Stone, Thespian Waters, and Cartoon Graveyard. The Launceston card kicks off at 5:53pm, with the feature Ladbrokes Stakes scheduled for 8:23pm and all the action live on Tasracing, hosted by Colin McNiff.
Zahra Finds Silver Lining in Superbowl Passion
Friday, 23rd January 2026
News from the specialist’s office has provided Mark Zahra with the sort of relief every jockey hopes for after injury – a clear path to recovery and no major setbacks to autumn ambitions. The Caulfield and Melbourne Cup-winning rider, who fractured the top of his shin bone in a barrier incident last Thursday at Sandown, received the best possible prognosis this week, allaying fears of missing the lucrative Melbourne and Sydney autumn carnivals. According to punters.com.au, initial concerns had suggested Zahra might be facing an extended stint on the sidelines, but the diagnosis was mercifully straightforward. “It was actually really good. I had a great meeting with the specialist,” Zahra reported after receiving his assessment. “There’s no surgery needed and the ACL and PCL are all intact. There’s bad bone bruising, which they would expect but all the structures are good. He was really happy. He doesn’t need to see me again and he doesn’t need any more scans or anything.” Encouragement from his specialist extended beyond the short-term, with Zahra cleared to begin a cautious return to work ahead of the usual six-week recovery period for a leg fracture. “He said, ‘you’ll know about the three to four-week mark how you’re going’ so I’m actually going to start rehab straight away,” Zahra explained. The aim is to strike the right balance: a return as soon as safely possible, but with an eye on long-term health. “I’ll aim to get back as soon as possible without causing any more damage. He said, around the four-week mark, once it starts to heal itself, it’s a matter of whether you can manage the pain. If I came back too early, there’s a chance of knocking it and cracking it off sort of thing and it could go underneath the knee so that’s what I don’t want to happen.” Zahra will begin reducing his use of crutches from Monday and has lined up appointments with rehab specialists to tailor a strengthening plan for the coming weeks. “I’ll get a plan on what I can do and what I can’t do and go from there,” he said. “It was good news because I was getting bored. I’m happy I can start to do these things. It was a bit frustrating but with the good news, I’ve got something to look forward to, a bit of a goal.” While he’ll miss the ride on Tentyris in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington, Zahra expects to miss just one autumn start aboard the Coolmore Stud Stakes winner. With his trademark optimism, he’s finding a silver lining – time for another passion. “I’m focused on the NFL playoffs and might be able to get to the Super Bowl,” he said. “Now that’s freed up, I’ll look at getting to that and then come back and do some race riding.” That's music to the ears of feature race punters who watched Zahra dazzle during Melbourne's Spring Carnival including an astiure ride to get Giga Kick home at $5.00 in the Gr1 VRC Champions Sprint (see below).
Karaka Millions 3YO Story Already Written?
Friday, 23rd January 2026
Fortune smiled on connections at the Karaka Millions barrier draw, but not many needed reminding that the task confronting rivals in Saturday’s Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO became even steeper when the unbeaten Well Written landed gate three. The Stephen Marsh-trained filly, already the hot favourite after an unblemished run through her spring assignments, has swept all before her, most notably with a dominant win in the Gr1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas last November. That victory, also from barrier three, only added to the sense of inevitability around her prospects for the $1.5 million feature at Ellerslie. There was a familiar sense of confidence when bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson, the man who first spied the Written Tycoon filly on Gavelhouse for $80,000, stepped up for Wednesday’s draw and produced the ideal marble. “I said to Dylan that I wanted somewhere between one and five, and he pulled out three,” Marsh said. “A filly like her, she jumps and puts herself there, so yes, we’re happy. Everything has gone to plan, I was very happy with how she worked at Ellerslie yesterday, and now we just have to tick her over until Saturday.” Well Written’s stranglehold on the market was reflected in unwavering $1.50 odds – no shift despite the perfect draw – while La Dorada held steady as the $5 second favourite after drawing gate five. The remainder of the field drifted further, with Affirmative Action, previously third elect, out to $13 after coming up with barrier 10. Pam Gerard, trainer of both Romanoff ($27), who narrowly beat Affirmative Action in the Gr1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, and lightly raced Now Not Never ($71), took the draw in stride. “That draw doesn’t worry me with Affirmative Action as he’s a far better horse coming off the pace,” Gerard said. “I’ve been watching him and Romanoff making all the right progress lately and they’ll go to Ellerslie in very good shape. Now Not Never has had just the two starts and he won the second of them. He’s well and I’m happy to give him his chance.” Despite conceding that Well Written is “very special,” Gerard remains philosophical. “We’ll give it a good go.”
Robust Trade for First 2026 Inglis Digital Sale
Friday, 23rd January 2026
Excitement marked the opening Inglis Digital auction of 2026, as spirited bidding saw the well-related mare Sliders, offered with her I Am Invincible colt foal at foot, fetch a sale-topping $400,000. Coolmore, acting on behalf of a client, presented the pair, with the hammer falling to prominent owner Ben Kwok. His future plans involve a trip to Darley stallion Too Darn Hot, provided he returns to Australia. “I’m hoping he returns to Australia this year and I can get her to him but if not, I’ll find another good stallion,” Kwok explained. Regardless of mating arrangements, the mare is set to remain in Australia and the colt is likely to be retained to race. The result drew praise from Coolmore’s Brian McGuire, who emphasised both the appeal of the family and the type of the foal. “Sliders is from an outstanding family and her I Am Invincible colt foal is a lovely type so she deserved to make that sort of money,” he said. McGuire also pointed to the efforts of Inglis in marketing the package, adding, “The promotion of the package was excellent and it was helpful that (Inglis CEO) Sebastian (Hutch) came to inspect the mare and foal at the weekend. I know he fielded plenty of enquiries for her and that sort of service, along with the promotional video that was created by Inglis, shows why the platform has been so successful and why people like using it to buy and sell.” Interest extended beyond the top lot, with the three-year-old Portofino, another by Yarraman Park Stud’s I Am Invincible and offered by Newgate Farm, realising $105,000. Portofino was purchased by Luke Berger, a former trainer now focused on ownership management, who will send the colt to Mudgee-based Mack Griffith. “He fits our model, we look for well bred horses with good form and then we place them with trainers with high strike rates and put them in a weaker jurisdiction,” Berger outlined. Berger’s syndicate is fresh from recent success, having bought Voracious via Inglis Digital in December and quickly landing the hometown Cup in Inverell, a feat that had eluded his family since 1987. The January sale concluded with gross receipts of $3,391,400, and attention now turns to the Inglis Digital February (Early) Online Sale, set for January 30 to February 4. Among the headline early entries is a breeding right in the highly sought-after Darley first season sire Anamoe. The nine-time Group 1 winner made headlines last week when his debut yearlings averaged $469,000 on the Gold Coast, with 31 lots grossing $14.5 million. Notably, Anamoe has already sired a seven-figure yearling from his first offering – a rare achievement for a new stallion (see why below). “The way the market has accepted Anamoe’s first progeny has been unbelievable,” enthused Darley’s Alastair Pulford. “He really could be the next big thing, he has all the attributes to suggest he’ll be a tremendously successful stallion and his progeny certainly look the part.”
