A dramatic last-stride victory at Te Rapa on Monday propelled Coniston (Wootton Bassett) into equal favouritism for next month's Gr1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, the three-year-old colt redeeming himself with a determined performance in the Gr2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), reports racingnews.co.nz. Trained at Matamata by Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Coniston had disappointed when finishing last at Hastings a fortnight earlier, but connections were confident that performance was misleading and their faith was rewarded when jockey Joe Doyle produced him with a perfectly timed finishing burst to deny Justin Case by a head, with another 1¾ lengths to Cambridge Stud filly Joyeuse in third. The race had been dominated in betting by previously unbeaten Te Akau Racing colt System Of Play, but Coniston was able to reverse his fortunes despite beginning only fairly. Doyle positioned him three back in the running line behind Justin Case while Lassified and Whistlejacket established a strong tempo in front. Justin Case swept past the leaders early in the straight and appeared poised for victory, but Coniston gradually gathered him in, producing his strongest work over the concluding stages to secure his first black-type success. Scott said the stable had been prepared to overlook the colt's Hastings defeat after reviewing his closing sectionals, which revealed that he had recorded the second-fastest final 600m despite finishing last. “You look at the sectionals (last start), and he was the second quickest in the last 600m, and it was just a non-event. It was an expensive track gallop unfortunately,” Scott explained. The trainer was particularly encouraged by Coniston's determination under pressure and believes the step up to 1600m at Riccarton will prove ideal. “If it was a mile today, he would have run it out strong by the looks of it. He will only improve with a good hit-out today,” he said. Doyle was equally enthusiastic about the colt's Guineas prospects, admitting that previous tactical errors had contributed to his Hastings defeat. “He felt like he would eat the mile there today. I think he will improve a little bit off it too. He got the right run today,” Doyle said. Although the jockey retains several possible Guineas mounts, he acknowledged that Coniston would be difficult to abandon following such an encouraging performance. The stable also received encouragement from Rip Tide (Ocean Park), who made significant late ground to finish fourth and is likewise destined for the Riccarton Classic. Coniston's victory saw his Guineas price contract to $5, sharing favouritism with fellow Wootton Bassett colt Excite, trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, who impressed with a mile victory at Ellerslie on Saturday. System Of Play, meanwhile, finished sixth and drifted from $3.50 to $6 in Guineas betting, while Rip Tide shortened to $10. Bred by W.G. and H.G. Bax, Coniston is out of the Tavistock mare Le Gai Soleil and now heads south with his Classic credentials considerably enhanced.
Coniston is joint favourite for the Gr1 NZ 2000 Guineas (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
Melbourne Cup Field Narrows To 39 Contenders
Tuesday, 27th October 2026
The battle for a place in Australia's most celebrated staying contest has intensified, with 39 horses remaining in contention for the Gr1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) following Monday's third acceptances, as trainers and connections prepare for the final scramble to secure a position in the 24-runner field. Ciaron Maher has strengthened an already formidable hand with recent import Point Of Law, who surged to the head of betting following his impressive victory in last week's Gr2 Geelong Cup (2400m), earning the ninth ballot exemption into the $10 million feature at Flemington on 3 November. Stablemate Juja Kibo secured the tenth and final exemption with victory in Saturday's Gr2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) at Flemington, joining a Maher contingent that also includes last year's Melbourne Cup placegetter Middle Earth (see below) and 2026 Caulfield Cup placegetter Saint George. The powerful stable appears particularly well equipped to repel the international challenge, although Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien, already twice successful in the race, has eight horses remaining in contention and looms as a formidable opponent. His representatives include Gr2 Curragh Cup (2800m) winner Trustyourinstinct, for whom champion jockey James McDonald has been confirmed, along with Defiantly, James J Braddock and last year's placegetter Goodie Two Shoes. O'Brien's numerical strength highlights the growing influence of internationally trained stayers on Australia's greatest race, with the overseas contingent again threatening to dominate proceedings. Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller retains five prospective runners, including 2023 Melbourne Cup placegetter Soulcombe and Gr2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) winner Pinhole, whose prospects remain very much alive despite an unlucky passage in Saturday's Moonee Valley Gold Cup. With the ten ballot exemptions now allocated, Wednesday's Gr3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) shapes as a crucial opportunity for several borderline contenders seeking to improve their prospects of gaining a start. Among them are the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained The Euphrates, Bjorn Baker's So You Are and Danny O'Brien's Litzdeel, all currently positioned precariously close to the elimination line. While the Bendigo Cup winner will not receive an automatic Melbourne Cup berth, a strong performance could prove decisive in determining which horses survive the final ballot. The remaining days promise considerable intrigue as trainers assess their options, international challengers complete their preparations and the composition of the field gradually takes shape. The final 24 runners will be confirmed on Saturday, 31 October, following Howden Victoria Derby Day, setting the stage for the 166th running of the Melbourne Cup.
Caddington Delivers Emotional Stakes Victory
Tuesday, 27th October 2026
An emotional victory provided one of the most poignant moments of Cox Plate weekend when Caddington (Captivant) produced a powerful finishing burst to capture Saturday's LR Crockett Stakes at Moonee Valley, delivering a result that meant considerably more than black type to trainer Liam Howley and the filly's connections, reports Vinery Stud. Raced in memory of Nicole Strang, who lost her battle with breast cancer, Caddington carried the hopes of an ownership group that includes Nicole's husband, Adin Strang, Howley's General Manager, and her victory prompted an outpouring of emotion among those closest to the family. Ridden by Billy Egan, the daughter of Vinery Stud's Group 1-winning stallion Captivant settled towards the rear before sweeping down the outside to overwhelm her rivals, including Aroused, in the closing stages. For Howley, the performance was the culmination of a deeply personal journey shared with a valued member of his team. “There’s been no more important wins than this one,” Howley said. “It’s all about the team and Adin’s our most important team member; he runs the show. I was lucky enough to sit with him through the last few years of Nicole’s journey. To be able to give them something to smile about like this, it means the world.” While the emotional significance of the occasion understandably overshadowed the sporting achievement, Howley was equally enthusiastic about Caddington's ability and the promise she had displayed throughout her preparation. “The filly has done a super job. If ever you wanted one to be talented... I looked at her every day of the week hoping that she’d turn out to be this good,” he said. “It’s a good story.” Egan also acknowledged the special circumstances surrounding the success and the contribution of the filly's extensive ownership group. “It was a super effort by the horse and Liam won’t be the only happy one,” he said. “There’s a great bunch of owners and it is all for a good cause.” The jockey revealed that the cause held particular significance for him, having known one of the medical professionals involved in Nicole's breast cancer treatment since his schooldays. He also praised Caddington's professionalism and determination. “She’s well-schooled. She just took it all in her stride. She knows what she’s here to do. She’s here to do business and she gets it done.” Egan added that one of the studs involved had donated 30 per cent of its share to support the cause, further underlining the generosity associated with a victory that will be remembered for reasons extending far beyond the winning post.
MVRC Targets Historic Cox Plate Homecoming
Tuesday, 27th October 2026
The Cox Plate could return to its traditional home at Moonee Valley as early as October 2027, with the Moonee Valley Racing Club working towards an ambitious reopening timetable as the transformation of one of Australian racing's most celebrated venues continues. Saturday's $6 million Gr1 Cox Plate (2040m), won by Cosmic Crusader at Flemington, marked an unprecedented departure from the race's spiritual home, where the weight-for-age championship had been conducted throughout its history before the temporary relocation became necessary to accommodate the extensive redevelopment of The Valley. Almost a year after the final meeting at the old racecourse, the demolition of the former grandstands and reconstruction of the racing circuit have substantially altered the familiar landscape, with the club seeking to create a contemporary sporting and entertainment destination while preserving the distinctive identity that has made the Cox Plate one of the country's most prestigious contests. As reported by Austadiums, work has progressed on the reconfigured track, underpasses and associated infrastructure, while lighting installations have also begun to take shape. The club is targeting the eve of the AFL Grand Final in September 2027 for its return to racing, providing sufficient time to test the new facilities ahead of a potential Cox Plate homecoming the following month. The proposed reopening nevertheless remains subject to Racing Victoria's approval, and the ambitious timetable will require the completion and testing of the racing surface and associated infrastructure before horses can return to competition. Importantly, the return of racing does not necessarily depend on the completion of every element of the redevelopment. Temporary spectator and hospitality facilities are envisaged for the initial reopening, with the permanent grandstand forming part of a longer construction program. The distinction is significant for a race whose enduring appeal has been shaped not merely by the calibre of its competitors but by the peculiar configuration and intimacy of Moonee Valley itself. The comparatively tight circuit and short home straight have contributed to some of Australian racing's greatest weight-for-age battles, from Bonecrusher's unforgettable confrontation with Our Waverley Star in 1986 to Winx's unprecedented sequence of four consecutive victories between 2015 and 2018. Flemington's hosting of the 2026 edition has provided a fascinating contrast, allowing the championship to unfold on a considerably more expansive circuit, but the prospect of returning to The Valley remains central to the race's historical identity. The redevelopment also represents a substantial commercial undertaking, with the club seeking to establish facilities capable of accommodating major sporting occasions and premium hospitality experiences for decades to come. While the October 2027 objective offers an encouraging indication of progress, the definitive timetable will depend upon construction milestones, regulatory approval and the readiness of the new racing surface. For now, the prospect of another Cox Plate at Moonee Valley provides an appealing glimpse of the championship's future as the club prepares to unite its considerable heritage with a thoroughly modern racing environment.
Crusader Crowns Maurice's Lucrative Spring
Tuesday, 27th October 2026
A profitable spring for Japanese champion Maurice reached its pinnacle when Cosmic Crusader captured Saturday's $6 million Gr1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Flemington, delivering a memorable triumph for Western Australian owner-breeder Bob Peters and adding another distinguished chapter to the stallion's growing Australian legacy, reports Arrowfield Stud. Defeating Birdman and Castelvecchio's daughter Aeliana, the six-year-old gelding evoked memories spanning more than half a century for Peters, whose first experience of the Cox Plate came in 1973 when Bart Cummings-trained three-year-old Taj Rossi narrowly defeated Swell Time. Taj Rossi subsequently won the Victoria Derby, George Adams Handicap and Sandown Guineas on successive Saturdays before being crowned Horse of the Year. Another cherished memory was Western Australian champion Northerly's extraordinary 2002 spring campaign, culminating in his second Cox Plate victory and contributing to a career tally of nine Gr1 successes, Horse of the Year honours and induction into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Peters considers the Cox Plate Australian racing's ultimate examination of thoroughbred excellence. “The best race in Australia by a long way. It’s weight-for-age at 2000 metres. It’s a real test,” he said. Cosmic Crusader's victory also recalled the extraordinary finishing power of his sire Maurice, who overcame an apparently hopeless position to win the 2016 Gr1 Hong Kong Cup in his final appearance, completing a magnificent career with six Gr1 victories. Almost a decade later, his son has emerged as one of Australia's outstanding middle-distance performers, having previously won at Gr1 level in Perth before transferring to Andrea Leek's Pakenham stable. His spring campaign has included Group victories over 1200m and 1400m, success in the Gr1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), two further Gr1 placings and a fourth in the Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), before his crowning achievement at Flemington. The Cox Plate success spearheads a remarkable sequence for Maurice, whose progeny Cosmic Crusader, Icelady, Kosaji, Murshidi and evergreen sprinter Mazu have collectively recorded seven stakes victories this spring. Their performances have contributed substantially to Maurice's $8.4 million in Australian progeny earnings, elevating him to second on the current General Sires' Premiership ahead of established stars Snitzel, I Am Invincible, Zoustar and Written Tycoon. Significantly, Snitzel is the only other stallion among that distinguished group to have produced a Cox Plate winner, courtesy of Shamus Award in 2013. Maurice's influence was further evident on Saturday when three-year-old Cormier finished third in the Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes and Mazu claimed second in the Gr2 Ian McEwen Stakes. Further opportunities beckon, with Cormier, Murshidi and Vallice among potential contenders for the Gr1 Victoria Derby, Your Colour targeting the Gr1 VRC Oaks and juvenile Torshavn a candidate for the LR Golden Gift. Cosmic Crusader also holds nominations for Perth's Ascot Racing Carnival. Meanwhile, Maurice's international influence continues to expand, with Northern Farm-bred two-year-old daughter Pulvinar becoming his 39th stakes winner following victory at just her second appearance in Japan's Gr3 Artemis Stakes (1600m) at Tokyo.
Bob Peters finally has his Cox Plate (pic: Mark Gatt)
Feature Double Tightens O'Brien's Title Grip
Tuesday, 27th October 2026
Another remarkable chapter in Aidan O'Brien's extraordinary training career unfolded at Doncaster on Saturday when Giant Sequoia captured the Gr1 Futurity Trophy (1600m) and Bengal Tiger added the Listed Prospect Stakes (1200m), a double that strengthened the Ballydoyle maestro's prospects of securing a ninth British trainers' championship. Giant Sequoia ($12.00), the outsider of O'Brien's three Futurity Trophy runners, produced a commanding performance under Dylan Browne McMonagle to defeat Andrew Balding's Gran Dia ($9.00) by three lengths, with stablemate and favourite Noble Exhibit ($2.38) another length away in third. The victory extended O'Brien's record in Britain's final juvenile Gr1 of the season to an astonishing 13 successes and marked McMonagle's first Gr1 winner for the trainer. A son of Frankel and the Oaks runner-up Pink Dogwood, Giant Sequoia had disappointed when sixth in the Gr1 National Stakes at the Curragh in September, but O'Brien attributed that performance to the illness which had affected his stable at the time. "He disappointed the last day, but that was when our horses were off colour," O'Brien explained, adding that the colt had flourished following a break. The impressive winner, who travelled strongly before accelerating clear on heavy ground, is now being considered a legitimate contender for several of Europe's premier three-year-old contests. "We always thought he was a Classic horse, a mile or a mile and a quarter would be no problem, but he could get a mile and a half," O'Brien said, identifying the English and French Guineas and Derby races among his potential targets. McMonagle was equally enthusiastic, describing Giant Sequoia as an immature colt with considerable improvement ahead of him. Earlier, Bengal Tiger ($1.91) had demonstrated another dimension of Ballydoyle's juvenile strength with a decisive three-and-a-half-length victory over Hi Corbett Court ($4.00) in the Prospect Stakes. Ridden by Ryan Moore, the son of No Nay Never and Galileo mare On Ice relished the testing conditions, quickening clear inside the final 200m after settling behind the early pace. Originally intended for the abandoned Gr3 Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury, Bengal Tiger was redirected to Doncaster despite the shorter distance, with O'Brien convinced that his stamina would prove decisive. "It's unusual for one by No Nay Never to go through heavy ground like that, but he's out of a good Galileo mare (On Ice), so we shouldn't be surprised," the trainer observed. "It wasn't his speed that won him it today, it was staying, the last furlong he was getting going." O'Brien believes the colt will comfortably handle 1400m and possesses Classic potential. As reported by Thoroughbred Daily News, with supplementary accounts from Racing Post and Sky Sports Racing, the double delivered another substantial boost to O'Brien's challenge against Andrew Balding for the British trainers' championship, extending his advantage to approximately £210,000 and leaving the Irishman strongly positioned to add another title to his extraordinary collection.
Cox Plate Dream Falls Agonisingly Short
Tuesday, 27th October 2026
A remarkable sporting crossover almost delivered one of Australian racing's greatest prizes at Flemington on Saturday when Birdman ($11.00) came within three-quarters of a length of winning the $6 million Gr1 Cox Plate (2040m), leaving a syndicate of prominent Carlton footballers celebrating an extraordinary experience despite the disappointment of defeat. Dual Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps, fellow Carlton champion Chris Judd, former captains Marc Murphy and Sam Docherty, current star Sam Walsh and former midfielder Will Setterfield are members of the Baggers Naggers syndicate, which races the Irish import alongside prominent owner Ozzie Kheir and other investors. Their association developed after former Carlton assistant coach John Barker introduced the prospect of racehorse ownership to his football connections, using Cripps's involvement to help establish a foothold in Kheir's successful racing operation. Initially purchased with Melbourne Cup ambitions, Birdman was subsequently redirected towards middle-distance competition by champion trainer Chris Waller, whose judgement was almost rewarded with victory in Australia's weight-for-age championship. Ridden by Ben Melham, the gelding appeared poised to deliver a famous upset after accelerating clear near the 300m mark, but Cosmic Crusader ($9.50), partnered by William Pike, produced a determined finishing effort to overhaul him in the final 50m. The winner's victory also represented an exceptional achievement for Andrea Leek, who became the first female trainer in 32 years to prepare a Cox Plate winner, while Birdman's connections were left to contemplate how narrowly their sporting ambitions had escaped them. As The Sydney Morning Herald reported, Cripps, who travelled from Perth for the occasion, was particularly enthusiastic about the collective experience of racing ownership and the exhilaration of watching a horse compete for such a prestigious prize. "The whole thing about racing is bringing people together," he said, drawing a comparison between the camaraderie of football clubs and racing syndicates. The Carlton captain also likened the thrilling finish to a closely contested football match at the MCG, although he acknowledged that ownership offered none of the control a player could exercise on the field. Kheir thanked the ownership group for its support, while Barker expressed confidence that Birdman possessed the ability to return for another Cox Plate attempt in 2027. The experience may also prove a precursor to further spring involvement, with Cripps, Judd, Murphy, Walsh and Barker having joined a smaller syndicate known as the Baggers Five, which has acquired an interest in Melbourne Cup contender James J Braddock. Birdman's second placing earned $800,000 in prizemoney for his ownership group, but the emotional reward of participating in such a memorable championship contest appeared considerably more significant to the footballers involved. For Cripps and his Carlton colleagues, October may have produced another narrow sporting defeat, but their continuing involvement in thoroughbred ownership provides ample opportunity for future celebrations.
So You Are Faces Melbourne Cup Ballot Battle
Tuesday, 27th October 2026
A surging spring campaign has carried So You Are to the fringes of Australia's most famous staying contest, but the Bjorn Baker-trained five-year-old faces a race against the Melbourne Cup ballot despite a sequence of three black-type victories that has established him among the country's most progressive stayers. The son of So You Think added the Gr3 ATC St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick to earlier victories in the Gr3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) and LR Drinkwise Cup (2400m), prompting Racing Victoria's Head of Handicapping David Hegan to impose a further 0.5kg penalty for the $10.2 million Gr1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3. The adjustment lifted his handicap to 53kg, representing a cumulative increase of 1kg following his two Gr3 successes, but left him 35th in the order of entry and still requiring sufficient withdrawals to secure a place among the 24 starters. As Racing Victoria reported, Hegan was impressed by the gelding's performance at Randwick, where Tommy Berry guided him to a determined three-quarter-length victory over Tempesti, with Klondike another half-length away in third. "So You Are is in a rich vein of form and was very strong over the concluding stages of the ATC St Leger suggesting the two miles of the Lexus Melbourne Cup will be to his liking if he secures a start," Hegan said, adding that the gelding would still carry 6.5kg below the weight-for-age benchmark for an older male horse. Baker was similarly enthusiastic after the St Leger, expressing confidence that So You Are would appreciate the additional distance at Flemington. His assessment was supported by Berry, who praised the gelding's determination when challenged in the closing stages. The situation nevertheless illustrates the difficulty confronting late-developing stayers attempting to force their way into a Melbourne Cup field increasingly populated by highly credentialled international runners and horses holding ballot exemptions. Ciaron Maher's powerful team has been particularly prominent throughout the spring, with several imports and established local stayers strengthening their claims through major qualifying contests. Meanwhile, Joseph O'Brien's unprecedented international assault threatens to command a substantial proportion of the final field. For So You Are, the immediate priority is not another performance on the racecourse but a favourable outcome from the remaining declarations and withdrawals. Third acceptances close on Monday, October 26, and the subsequent reshuffling of the order of entry will provide a clearer indication of his prospects. Whatever the outcome, the gelding's transformation into a genuine staying performer has been among the encouraging developments of the Sydney spring, and his connections have every reason to believe the 3200m examination would suit him if the opportunity arrives.
Osborne Reunites With Golden Eagle Import
Tuesday, 27th October 2026
One of Britain's most accomplished young jockeys will renew a successful international partnership at Royal Randwick on Saturday when Saffie Osborne rides Amazing Journey in the $10 million Gr1 Golden Eagle (1500m), providing trainer Ciaron Maher with an intriguing European-trained recruit for one of Australia's richest races. The four-year-old son of Starspangledbanner was purchased privately from Gallagher Bloodstock following his impressive victory in the £150,000 Moët & Chandon International Handicap (1400m) at Ascot on July 25, where Osborne partnered the Jamie Osborne-trained gelding to a decisive success that attracted the attention of Australian bloodstock interests. The transfer was negotiated by Will Bourne on behalf of Maher's operation, with the Golden Eagle immediately identified as the principal objective for a horse whose rapid improvement through the British handicap ranks suggested he possessed considerably more ability than his official rating indicated. Amazing Journey, who is out of the Reliable Man mare Kiss Me Daily, compiled five victories from 11 starts in Britain, with his final two appearances producing convincing successes over 1200m and 1400m at Ascot. His former trainer Jamie Osborne, Saffie's father, regarded the substantial private sale as another successful outcome for a horse originally purchased for approximately £30,000 as a yearling. Speaking to the Press Association in August, Osborne said the opportunity to sell a progressive performer into a lucrative overseas campaign was a source of satisfaction for his stable and original owners. The gelding subsequently entered quarantine before travelling to Australia, where Maher's team has prepared him for a race restricted to four-year-olds and offering a substantial international prize. Maher has expressed considerable enthusiasm for the import, describing his finishing acceleration at Ascot as an outstanding attribute and comparing his profile favourably with that of established international performer Light Infantry Man. The trainer also noted the contribution of his bloodstock and performance-analysis team in identifying the gelding as a suitable Golden Eagle prospect. For Saffie Osborne, the Australian engagement presents another high-profile international opportunity following her historic victory aboard Highwayman in the English St Leger at Doncaster in September, when she became the first female jockey to win an English Classic. Her familiarity with Amazing Journey could prove particularly advantageous in a demanding Randwick contest featuring some of the strongest four-year-old performers from Australia and overseas. As Racenet reports in its October 25 coverage, Osborne has been engaged for the Golden Eagle assignment, completing the reunion between jockey and horse after his transition from the British racing scene to Maher's Australian operation.
