Dominant in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at his final start of his spring preparation, the Anthony and Sam Freedman trained Tentyris (Street Boss-Deity, by Exceed And Excel) looks the sharper of the two Godolphin-bred and owned runners with Beiwacht's (Bivouac-Metastasio, by Street Cry) claim to fame coming over slightly longer when simply devasting in the Gr1 Golden Rose (1400m). With both colts spoken about as possible runners overseas this year in either Dubai (Beiwacht) or Royal Ascot (Tentyris), Saturday's running of the $1m Gr1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) down the Flemington straight will surely be an exciting contest. With 3YO Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) and Home Affairs (I Am Invincible )winning the Lightning Stakes three and four years ago, respectively, the five 3YOs in this year's field are in a good position to continuing that trend. One horse looking to defy the 3YOs and is sure to be right in the finish is Everest hero and last start G1 VRC Champions Sprint (1200m) winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick-Rekindled Applause, by Royal Applause). Unbeaten at the track/distance, the Clayton Douglas trained 6YO is already the winner of over $16m and coming off a jumpout second to fellow Lightning runner and 3yo filly My Gladiola (I Am Invincible-Villa Verde, by Not a Single Doubt), the Ethan Brown ridden gelding is likely to start one of the favourites.
Class Should See Apocalyptic Return in Winning Form
Friday, 13th February 2026
A narrow second in the final start of her Spring campaign when just off Ole Dancer (Ole Krik) in the Gr1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, Michael Freedman's Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice-Shadow, by Medaglia D'oro) had gone into that race off three straight stakes victories, culminating in a length plus victory over Within The Law (Lucky Vega) in the Gr1 Flight Stakes. Given two solid trials leading into Saturday's return to racing in the Gr2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m), unless something goes amiss in the race, then the MyRacehorses and partners owned filly should be winning. As the only other filly in the race under double figure odds, the Brad Widdup trained Savvy Hallie (Hellbent-Rose Of Savannah, by Fastnet Rock) comes into the race second up from a spell, having finished a fast closing fourth behind Grafterburners (Graff) in the $3m The Sunlight at the Gold Coast. A winner of the Gr2 Silver Shadow Stakes before third in the Gr2 Furious Stakes last campaign, Savvy Hallie does have form around Apocalyptic, but more so those that finished in the placings behind her. Another runner who can be linked to the favourite is the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton trained Artistic Venture (Trapeze Artist-Secret Venture, by Husson) who looks capable of a forward showing based off her recent trial efforts.
Waller Trip to Take Charge in Expressway Stakes
Friday, 13th February 2026
With Saturday's Gr2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) down, to just six runners due to a pair of initial scratched entries, the three Chris Waller-trained runners look likely to fight out the $300,000 sprint. Ending her spring campaign with a third behind Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in the Gr1 Champions Sprint down the Flemington straight off the back of a fifth in the Gr1 The Everest the start prior, 5YO mare Joliestar (Zoustar-Jolie Bay, by Fastnet Rock) looks likely to start favourite with James McDonald in the saddle. Another of Waller's mares who comes into the race with great first up form, winning twice and placing twice from four attempts, 4YO Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel-Star Pupil, by Starcraft) has the ability to win here. Unable to taste success in her four starts last campaign, she did finish seventh in the Everest before ending her campaign with a second in the $3m Russell Balding behind Jimmysstar (Per Incanto). Splitting Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah in the Everest, 4YO stallion prospect Angel Capital (Harry Angel-Bahamas, by Teofilo) is unbeaten first up in four attempts, and has the ability to simply blow this field away if all goes to plan. Ending his campaign with second in the Gr1 CF Orr Stakes, the Mill Park bred performer races in the silks of Yulong, who also own last year's winner Magic Time (Hellbent).
Lady Shenandoah is a genuine chance (pic: Steve Hart)
Autumn Glow Chasing a Mere Formality on Paper
Friday, 13th February 2026
Having recorded seven winners from the last 12 editions of the Gr2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), the Chris Waller stable has come ready to add another win to their record, saddling up six of the ten runners. While many from the stable will be purely using the run as a stepping stone to other features down the track over more ground, Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun-Via Africa, by Var) will be using this race as a mere formality to continue her unbeaten run and take her record to nine from nine. Securing an elusive Group 1 victory when winning the Epsom Handicap before ending her campaign with success in the $10m Golden Eagle, the James McDonald-ridden mare comes into the race with two trials under her belt this time in, going down by three-parts of a length in her most recent behind Golden Slipper winner Marhoona (Snitzel) who resumes this Saturday in the Gr1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington. Bjorn Baker's Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard-Mid Summer Music, by Oamaru Force) has a fair first up record and although she has achieved more prizemoney and recorded more Gr1 success than Autumn Glow, one would say that the Waller trained mare is simply better, but jockey Jason Collett will be out to highlight the Ridgmont and partners owned 5YO mare ahead of what connections will be hoping is another lucrative campaign.
Forever Young Can Rewrite G1 Saudi Cup History
Friday, 13th February 2026
History is waiting to be rewritten in Saturday's $20 million G1 Saudi Cup, a race no horse has ever won twice, and the task of attempting it now falls to Japan's Horse of the Year Forever Young after Wednesday's draw delivered gate six for the return engagement at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. According to TDN, the likeable bay, by one season Arrowfield shuttler Real Steel (Deep Impact), arrives with a formidable international profile after being voted a champion in the United States on the back of his GI Breeders' Cup Classic triumph last autumn. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi sounded satisfied with the middle draw and signalled there would be no need for reinvention on race day. "I think six is a good number," Yahagi said. "We don't have to change anything with tactics. Honestly, I feel a lot of pressure on my shoulders bringing a defending champion but Forever Young doesn't feel any pressure at all." A strong American challenge shapes as the core threat, led by GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos, the Bob Baffert-trained son of Nyquist who will break from gate 12. Baffert also saddles Nevada Beach, by Omaha Beach, the reigning GI Goodwood Stakes winner, who comes off a second in the GII Laffit Pincay, Jr. Stakes to Nysos and will jump from gate seven. Baffert made it clear he was comfortable with the wider alley for his top seed. "I'd rather be on the outside than the inside," he said. "As long as the horse shows up that is more important. I think he is a really good horse and has always shown brilliance, he's a trier and knows where the wire is. From the outside he will have a clear run. "Gate seven is good for Nevada Beach too. We just didn't want to be in the one-hole." Beyond the Americans and Japanese star, the G3 King's Cup quinella will also step up in class, with Mhally (Sergei Prokofiev) drawn in 13 and Ameerat Alzamaan (Ghaiyyath) in gate four. Connections of Mhally welcomed their draw, with Sheikh Faisal Al Sabah, son of owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, saying: "We are very happy with that draw, we wanted something on the outside. Hopefully he proves himself on Saturday." As ever, the Saudi Cup carries more than just prestige and purse: the winner earns a "Win and You're In" berth for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland later this year.
Manaal Has Class Edge in Triscay
Friday, 13th February 2026
Scratched from the Gr2 Expressway Stakes in favour of a start in the Gr3 Triscay Stakes (1200m), Michael Freedman's Manaal (Tassort-Red Lodge, by Midshipman) is the lone Group 1 winner in the field of 11. Drawn well in barrier 5, the Jason Collett-ridden mare has a solid first up record and while it can often take her a run or two to produce the goods, her two barrier trials would suggest she is ready to go. Joe Pride's 5YO mare Weeping Woman (Lonhro-Cries And Whiskers, by Street Cry) really came into her own last time in, winning all three of her starts, culminating in success over stablemate Coal Crusher (Turffontein) in the Listed Razor Sharp. With two wins and a third from five first up runs, the mare has been given two trials to bring her to peak fitness ahead of Saturday's race and while she needs to step up in class, she is in form and looks likely to run another big race. Another who is likely to need to step up in class is the Gary Portelli-trained Verona Rose (Castelvecchio-Minamya, by Makfi). With two wins from three first up runs, the Group 3 winner split Steif Magnetica (All Too Hard) and Angel Capital (Harry Angel) in her only trial leading into Saturday's race, and with both those horses racing earlier in the day, their form should be watched.
It's Full Circle for Bargain Buy Hezashocka
Friday, 13th February 2026
Few horses get to begin their careers at Byerley Park, travel across the Tasman, mix it in elite company, then return years later to the same familiar barn. According to racingnews.co.nz, that is the full-circle story of Group 1 performer Hezashocka, now back in New Zealand with part-owners Shaun and Emma Clotworthy after an accomplished Australian stint. Bought for $18,000 from Grangewilliam Stud's 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 3 Yearling Sale draft, the gelding had three starts as a 3YO for the Clotworthys before landing the Gr2 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m). Trans-Tasman syndicator OTI Racing later purchased into him and the campaign shifted to Melbourne, where Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr trained him through the bulk of a strong, durable run that has pushed his earnings beyond $1.65 million. Along the way he added the Gr3 Premier's Cup (2400m) and the Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2200m) to his record, and regularly met high-class opposition. His placings include a Gr1 Champions Stakes (2000m), two editions of the Gr3 JRA Plate (2000m), and the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m), performances that underlined both stamina and toughness. "It was five years ago that we sent him over to Aussie and he has done a great job for us," Clotworthy said, pleased to have him back in the team's care. Hezashocka's first public hit-out since returning came in an 1100m trial at Te Aroha on Wednesday, a distance well short of his preferred trip. "He is a horse that wants to get over 2000m-plus," Clotworthy said, after a session run at a genuine tempo. The stable was also mindful of how much fitness he had carried home from Australia, with the gelding only just beginning to step up his workload in New Zealand. "We weren't quite sure how much residual fitness he was going to retain from his Australian campaign. He hasn't done too much work here so we will just build his work up and see where he gets to." For now, the plan is to build him steadily, keep him comfortable, and see how much he still wants the job. "We can't fault him, so we will press on a little bit further and see whether he has a desire to be a racehorse," Clotworthy said. If that appetite is there and anything like his best Australian form resurfaces, the return could add real depth to the local middle-distance picture. While the Byerley Park team will have no runners this weekend, attention shifts to Ellerslie the following Saturday for Espadas, a last-start winner set to step up in a Rating 75 1400m. The 5YO son of Ace High has tested patience, but his recent 1200m win by 1-1/2 lengths suggested the pieces may be falling into place, taking his record to two wins and a placing from six starts. "He likes Ellerslie, so we will try and stretch him out to 1400m on the 21st (of February)."
Hezashocka (rail) is back in New Zealand (pic: Mark Gatt)
Apollo Stakes Signals Sydney’s Autumn Liftoff
Friday, 13th February 2026
A stacked quartet of Group races will headline Apollo Stakes Day at Royal Randwick on Saturday, with depth across the card setting the tone for Sydney’s build-up to autumn and a meeting that brings together many of the sport’s most recognisable names. Unbeaten mare Autumn Glow returns in the $300,000 Group 2 Petaluma Apollo Stakes chasing a ninth straight victory, and she won’t have it her own way in a field packed with proven top-liners. Chris Waller and James McDonald combine on the rising star against a line-up that includes multiple Group 1 winners Ceolwulf (Joe Pride/Chad Schofield), Antino (Tony Gollan/Tommy Berry) and Stefi Magnetica (Bjorn Baker/Jason Collett), along with stablemates Aeliana (Zac Lloyd) and Lindermann (Nash Rawiller). The 10-horse field has earned close to $40 million in prizemoney between them. The program also features the $300,000 Group 2 TAB Light Fingers Stakes, a key fillies’ contest where boom 3YO Apocalyptic headlines for Michael Freedman with Berry to ride. She tops early markets ahead of Savvy Hallie, who is trained by Brad Widdup and partnered by Rawiller, with Karinska another in the mix for the Waller-McDonald combination. Sprint talent takes centre stage in the $300,000 Group 2 Asahi Super Dry Expressway Stakes, where three Waller runners in Joliestar, Angel Capital and Lady Shenandoah clash. Joliestar, with McDonald booked, has a strong first-up record, while Angel Capital (Lloyd) and Lady Shenandoah (Rawiller) round out the leading hopes in a race that has historically favoured runners near the top of betting. Saturday’s 10-race card also includes the $250,000 Group 3 Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes, a feature that shapes as a more open affair on early prices, with Weeping Woman among the market leaders for Pride. Across the day, the narrative is consistent: established stables, elite riders, and fields that look deeper than a typical mid-summer Randwick meeting. Australian Turf Club interim CEO Steve McMahon said Saturday’s meeting was packed with some of Australia’s very best. “Autumn is always right at the door on Apollo Stakes Day, and the depth in this Saturday’s features is amongst the strongest we have seen at this meeting in recent memory,” Mr McMahon said. “Sydney racing fans and Australian Turf Club Members can expect world-class racing at iconic Royal Randwick as we head towards the official start of the Autumn Racing Carnival.”
Ceolwulf (pictured) could upset Autumn Glow (pic: supplied)
JMac Whip Appeal Both a Victory and a Loss
Friday, 13th February 2026
A bid to overturn the severity of a whip penalty has delivered mixed fortunes for champion rider James McDonald, whose suspension was trimmed but whose financial punishment was significantly increased following a Racing NSW appeal hearing on Wednesday. After pleading guilty to excessive whip use at Royal Randwick last Saturday, McDonald was initially handed a 10-day suspension and fined $20,000 by stewards, reports racenet.com.au. The appeal panel, chaired by Lachlan Giles SC, reduced the ban to six days, clearing him to ride at Rosehill Gardens or Caulfield on February 21. However, the panel doubled the fine to $40,000. The near two-hour hearing centred on arguments from McDonald’s counsel Wayne Pasterfield, who contended that stewards had been inconsistent in their application of penalties. He pointed to another rider, Deanne Panya, who on the same day incurred a 20-strike breach with nine strikes before the final 100m at Kembla. Panya, who earned $133 for finishing fourth aboard Okami Star, was fined $300, with senior steward Steve Railton noting it was her first whip offence. Pasterfield said “stewards have been the victim of their own misfortune” through uneven penalties, but Railton rejected the claim, insisting the original sanction was “not manifestly excessive based on past offences in significant races”. He reminded the panel that “Every time we get a whip offence it opens public debate,” adding, “All the negative publicity does nothing for the image of racing. Strong penalties and deterrents are required.” Railton referenced Damian Lane’s suspension for his winning ride in the 2025 Australian Oaks aboard Treasurethe Moment and Chad Schofield’s penalty for last year’s Champions Mile victory on Ceolwulf as more appropriate benchmarks. Lane received a 14-day ban and a $10,000 fine, while Schofield was suspended for 11 meetings and fined $35,000, both in feature races with substantial prizemoney. McDonald gave evidence regarding his ride on the Snitzel colt Fireball in the Inglis Millennium, describing the youngster as “an unpredictable sort of horse” and saying he “almost dropped him in a trackwork gallop”. Railton was unmoved, telling the panel: “There’s a long-held industry expectation and general consensus that two-year-olds are not hit excessively. In all my time I can’t recall an offence of this nature in a two-year-old race.” With the amended penalty allowing his return, McDonald will choose between Caulfield’s three Group 1 features or Sydney’s Silver Slipper and Hobartville Stakes, with a decision yet to be finalised.
Brown Champing at the Bit for Jimmysstar Reunion
Friday, 13th February 2026
An autumn return is coming into focus for star sprinter Jimmysstar, with the Gr1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on March 21 flagged as an early target in a campaign being built with patience after a long, deliberate summer build-up. According to racing.com, the 6YO son of Per Incanto has a clear affinity for Caulfield, signing off his spring with a Gr1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) win at the venue. The Ciaron Maher-trained New Zealand-bred import has banked $6.6 million in prizemoney and returns as a proven triple Group 1 winner. Regular rider Ethan Brown says the stable has taken a measured approach since the gelding came back into work. “He’s flying. He had his first little run-up on Tuesday, and he has had a very long slow build-up,” Brown said. “They’re taking their time with him but he is as good as ever. He is just at a prime age now and he has proved himself over these last couple of preparations.” Brown added that maturity has become a major asset. “His whole demeanor has improved. He knows his job and he is very relaxed and he is unreal at the moment,” he said. The 26-year-old’s own profile has risen alongside the horse, and a short Hong Kong stint in late April is expected to fit around the campaign. For Brown, staying with a top-liner is the sort of partnership he watched growing up. “When I was growing up you would see these top-tier jockeys who follow these good horses through and to be in that position to follow one through is unreal,” he said, adding he recently saw The Ratings Bureau’s Dan O’Sullivan rate Jimmysstar as Australia’s best sprinter. “That is quite a proud moment, I guess, to be able to stick with a horse like him. He has put me on the map, he has been very good to me.” Further ahead, Brown is looking towards a spring rematch with champion Ka Ying Rising in the $20 million Gr1 The Everest (1200m). “He ran his heart out last year and would have made things interesting if he had drawn a gate,” Brown said. “I think he has come back as good as ever and hopefully he can show that this preparation and again next campaign for his Everest prep.”
