Opportunities to buy into a proven, big-stage filly are uncommon, and the upcoming Magic Millions Digital Sale from 21–26 November has positioned itself at the centre of that rarity. Two ownership pieces in Within the Law – a 6.5% and a 5% share – will go under the unreserved hammer when bidding opens on Friday, giving prospective owners the chance to join a lightly raced three-year-old who has already earned close to $1.7 million. The Bjorn Baker-trained filly is spelling ahead of an autumn campaign designed around major Group races, where connections hope her next breakthrough arrives at the highest level. The stable has long admired her attitude and competitive edge. "She's done a remarkable job," Baker said, highlighting that her racing style has been moulded by resilience as much as talent. "She's got a real will to win and she's remarkably tough." Her record supports that view: a winner at 1000 and 1200 metres, twice a Group 1 runner-up at 1600 metres, and consistently strong whether clashing with elite two-year-olds or this season's standout three-year-olds. Baker remains adamant about the types of races she'll be targeted toward. "She has competed against the best… she's always run well. She's twice Group 1-placed so we are only going to be aiming at Group races (in the Autumn). I'd love to win a Group 1 with her." The digital market has become one of the most effective conduits for trading horses of this calibre, and Magic Millions Digital is leaning into that demand. Head of Digital Bryce Bevan emphasised the distinctiveness of the offering. "These shares offer a rare opportunity to buy into a genuine Group 1 filly who already has significant residual value," he said. He pointed to her unbroken run at elite level during spring as further evidence. "Within the Law had six starts during the Spring Carnival, three of those were at Group 1 level, the other three being at Group 2, highlighting the calibre of race filly we are dealing with." Buyers, he said, are stepping into an established ownership group with a track record of success. "Whoever purchases these unreserved shares will be buying the opportunity to be a part of a very exciting story with a great set of existing connections." The catalogue of 57 lots extends well beyond the headline filly and includes the well-bred Gioia River, a full-sister to Gr1 VRC Oaks placegetter After Summer. Bennett Racing will also disperse 17 shares across horses such as Extreme Diamond, Texas Tea, Broadbeach Miss and Lexy Rose. The supporting draft features yearlings, untried youngsters and three-year-olds from Celestial Thoroughbreds in Western Australia, alongside race-fit performers and broodmares offered either in foal or with foals at foot.
Distance Rise to Suit Durazzo in Newmarket
Friday, 21st November 2025
Resuming as the favourite last time out before charging home to finish a length second over 1000m, the Star Thoroughbreds raced Durazzo (Needs Further-Arenzano, by Not A Single Doubt) should appreciate the step up to the 1200m of Friday night's Listed Newmarket Handicap at Launceston. Incredibly consistent with eight wins and two seconds from 12 starts, the Barry Campbell trained 5yo has five wins from six starts at the track and two wins from three starts at the distance which should see him flying home when it matters. Stakes placed last season over 2100m at 3, the Jessie Bazan trained Silver Dagger (D'Argento-Inceptive, by Showcasing) is another who is consistent, having finished outside the top four just once in her 11 starts to date. With a solid first up record in the past, recording two wins and a second from three efforts, the 4yo mare comes into Friday's race off a narrow second in a recent trial. With the progeny of Bowness Stud's D'Argento getting better with maturity, it could be exciting time for this mare who has always shown above average ability. Having not won a race since success in this race last year, the Stuart Gandy trained Geegees Genmstone (Alpine Eagle-Gee Gees Top Notch, by Wordsmith) headed to the mainland, and after one start for trainer Mark Walker, was sent back to Tasmania and to his prior stable. With a solid up second record of two wins and a place from four starts, the gelding goes into the race in slightly different form than when successful second up last year, but there is no reason to think he can't make his presence felt.
Jigsaw Fits the Meteorite Puzzle
Friday, 21st November 2025
With $1m in prizemoney up for grabs in Saturday's The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne, the Cindy Alderson trained Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain-Demandz, by Lonhro) will be out for his third win in a row this time in as he looks a leading chance in the lucrative sprint. A winner first up this time over the 1200m at Cranbourne defeating Hedged (Capitalist-Acing Shamrock, by Fastnet Rock) and Klabel (Vadamos-Ardere, by Hidden Dragon), with both of them set to line up on Saturday, Jigsaw went to Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day and defeated Klabel in the Gr2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) by a length and a half where both started at 20/1 plus odds. Snowden Racing's Need Some Luck (Rubick-Lovely Jubly, by Lion Hunter) resumed during the Flemington spring carnival and toyed with his rivals down the straight to win the Listed Fisher Stakes by a length and a half, and while he jumps up three and a half kilos since that win, he has never finished outside the top two in all his four second up runs, and the manner in which he won at Flemington suggested he has more to offer. A winner of the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes two starts back before a narrow second in the Gr2 Linlithgow Stakes, the Leon and Troy Corstens, and Will Larkin trained Zou Sensation (Zoustar-Dame Claire, by Danehill Dancer) is in arguably career best form and should be watch closely here, especially after given an easy time in a Flemington jumpout last Friday.
Post Impressionist Lights Up Inglis Digital
Friday, 21st November 2025
Interest in the Warrnambool carnival has been stirred early after a competitive November (Late) Inglis Digital session delivered Post Impressionist to Victorian buyer Shane Morrissy for $225,000. The gelding was quickly earmarked for a fresh campaign under Warrnambool trainer Simon Ryan, with the Warrnambool Cup looming as his primary target in early May. The purchase continued a familiar pattern for Morrissy, who has frequently used the online platform to source proven stayers and trade horses suited to regional Cups. Post Impressionist arrived in the sale via Anthony Freedman Racing on behalf of owners Nick and Lloyd Williams and James Packer, bringing with him strong recent form. Morrissy said the appeal was obvious. "I've bought a few horses through Inglis Digital over the years, including some ex-Lloyd ones and had some luck so I was more than happy to go again…" The final bid was close to his ceiling. "$225,000 was about my limit, I must say. I was happy to get him at that price but I also didn't have too many clicks left in me to keep going." The gelding's recent formline, including a narrow 1.9-length defeat in the Herbert Power Stakes, offered further confidence. "Post Impressionist has been running in some pretty significant Spring Carnival races of late… we believe he's still got plenty left to give," Morrissy said. His new trainer is set to focus on an easier grade initially. "We'll bring him back a notch and target him at the Warrnambool Cup… hopefully we can have plenty of fun with him." Selling connections were equally comfortable with the outcome. Nick Williams described the price as fair for both parties. "We're definitely happy with $225,000 and I hope the buyer is happy to have secured him for that price. We've been a fan of Inglis Digital since the very first sale… it's a great platform and this is a great result." He added that the horse remains sound and capable. "Is he going to win a Melbourne Cup? No, he's not, but he's going to win a decent staying race for someone… he's as sound as they come and has a solid racing future ahead of him." Further competition in the session came from a strong broodmare offering, with Moonquake, a half-sister to Hartnell and in foal to Shinzo with a Maurice colt foal at foot, selling to Phoenix Investments for $220,000. Vendor Troy Schmidt was satisfied. "It was a strong package but I got what I wanted…" Godolphin also featured with a 12-horse draft grossing $505,000, headed by Tarpaulin, a Harry Angel four-year-old secured by Rosemary Lewis for $105,000. In total, the November (Late) Sale reached $2,496,900, bringing to 122 the number of Inglis Digital lots surpassing $100,000 this year.
Post Impressionist could head to the Warrnambool Carnival (pic: Steve Hart)
Zealously Right in Lucrative The Warra Hunt
Friday, 21st November 2025
With Saturday's $300,000 The Warra (1000m) down to a field of just eight off the back of two initial scratched runners, the Peter Snowden-trained Zealously (Harry Angel-Duenna, by Sepoy) looks capable of securing a deserved feature victory. Off the back of his last start third in the Gr2 Caulfield Sprint behind Rey Magnerio (Magnus), Zealously is unbeaten at the Kembla Grange track and has five top three efforts from six starts at the distance. With Tom Sherry in the saddle, the pair jump from the inside gate, and while Zealously does not have to lead, he will be in a prime position when the whips are cracking. Trained at the track and coming off a last start victory over 1000m at Randwick, the Mitch Beer and George Carpenter-trained Sunrise (NZ) (Charm Spirit-Daily At Dawn, by Dawn Approach) is and up and coming sprinter and with just 53kg on her back with the in form Zac Lloyd in the saddle, the mare is not without a chance. The equally in form Joe Pride stable will saddle up 5YO mare The Black Cloud (Shamus Award-Containment, by Krupt) who has an excellent first up record with two wins and two second placed efforts from just five starts and while she has only raced at black type level twice in her 14 start career, she looks well suited in the small field on Saturday.
Is Guineas Favourite King Of Light Unbeatable?
Friday, 21st November 2025
Unbeaten in his four starts to date highlighted by a last start win in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m), the Daniel Morton-trained King Of Light (Earthlight-Queen's Parade, by Dalghar) steps up to the unknown trip of 1600m in Saturday's $500,000 Gr2 Western Australian Guineas. Interestingly, King Of Light is the first Australian stakes winner for his sire who was a Gr1 winner at 1200m, and while King Of Light's half-brothers have won over 1700m and 1850m respectively, it will be interesting to see if the 1600m causes any issue. From barrier 4, jockey William Pike should be able to get a very economical run and be able to present the gelding when he needs to commence his run. Settling midfield last time out and really having to dig deep late to reel in the eventual runner up Heeza Phoenix (Grunt-Joadja, by Charge Forward) who kicked on the turn, the race appears as if it may be run in similar fashion with not only first and second from the Fairetha Stakes lining up here, but third and fourth who both charged home late. An interesting runner, who is jumping considerably in class is the Grant and Alana Williams-trained Ladies Pro (D'Argento-Il Professionale, by Pierro). One of just two fillies in the race, the Bowness Stud yearling sale graduate impressed on debut and arguably should have been unbeaten when going down narrowly at just her second start. Keep an eye on here from a future aspect as she looks above average.
Outside Gate Will Test Estadio Mestalla
Friday, 21st November 2025
Unfortunately drawn wide in barrier 19, but likely to come in a few with all the emergencies drawn inside him, the effort of the Joe Pride-trained Estadio Mestalla (Galileo Gold-Superior Charm, by Elusive Quality) last Saturday behind stablemate Coal Crusher (Turffontein) in the $1m The Hunter (1300m) suggests he is the one to beat. Last turning for home after jumping from barrier 16 and settling back in the field, Estadio Mestalla came home down the outside to be beaten two lengths in an effort that signalled flashing lights. A winner two starts back when carrying 63kg, the 7YO gelding gave the runner up Accredited (All Too Hard) three and a half kilos and, with that horse then finishing in the runner-up position last Saturday behind Coal Crusher, it suggests the form lines marry together quite well. Set to carry less weight than his last two runs, Estadio Mestalla is unbeaten at the track and his three wins and three second placed efforts from eight starts at the distance surely highlights him is one of the leading chances. One of just three runners under double figure odds in the large field, Ciaron Maher's Gringotts (Per Incanto-Miss Bluebell, by Savabeel) has been in career best form this year and off the back of his last start win in the $3m Big Dance, the 7YO gelding is looking to add a second victory in the $1m The Gong to his quality record. If successful, it will take his earnings past the $6m mark.
Sha Tin Buzzing Ahead of Sunday's Mega Clashes
Friday, 21st November 2025
Anticipation peaks at Sha Tin this Sunday as the BOCHK Race Day programme brings together many of the leading contenders bound for next month's LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. The three traditional stepping-stones – the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m), the BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) and the BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) – have again drawn the jurisdiction's heaviest hitters. With Romantic Warrior, Voyage Bubble, Ka Ying Rising and emerging sprinter My Wish all engaged, the afternoon sets the tone for what December may hold. The Cup provides the marquee clash, pitting 10-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior against Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble. James McDonald reunites with Romantic Warrior as the gelding resumes following an injury-enforced break, while Voyage Bubble returns for his second run of the campaign after finishing 12th first-up in the Sha Tin Trophy. Zac Purton, who partners Voyage Bubble again, was measured in his assessment. "The Sha Tin Trophy was a race that, at the weights, he was going to struggle to be competitive in. He was really just out there to start going through his preparation. I thought he ran well; he is a tough horse. It's not going to knock him around; he's handled it well and he feels good. I worked him this morning – he's in pretty good shape." Their previous encounter over this track and trip came in the 2024 Hong Kong Gold Cup, where Voyage Bubble pushed Romantic Warrior to a neck despite the latter's class edge. It remains their only meeting at the course and distance, though Voyage Bubble would later stamp the 2025 Derby as his own with a dominant display. With both horses rated 134 and boasting a combined 15 Group 1 victories and more than HK$300 million in stakes, their rematch serves as the clearest guide to December's Hong Kong Cup, a race Romantic Warrior has already won three consecutive years. Purton believes Voyage Bubble's versatility continues to widen his options. "The question mark was whether (Voyage Bubble) was going to run a mile and a half, and it's probably a career-best performance. Maybe a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half are what he's always wanted, so he's well placed and we'll see how he goes. He relaxes really well, so he helps himself." His rival, meanwhile, stands as the world's highest-earning racehorse with HK$214.70 million and matches Golden Sixty's record of 10 Group 1s. Sprinters take their turn in the BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint, where Derrick Leung teams up with Lucky Sweynesse after an uncharacteristic 11th in Japan's Sprinters Stakes. "He's trialled twice since coming back from Japan. Last time, we trialled him on the dirt, he trialled good, and he's more relaxed than before. We're all happy," Leung said. Ka Ying Rising and My Wish also feature in the sprint division, while the milers contesting the BOCHK Private Wealth Mile finalise their paths toward December's HK$30 million finale. With multiple divisions converging, BOCHK Race Day shapes as the definitive form guide leading into Hong Kong's biggest racing week of the year.
Voyage Bubble could upset Romantic Warrior (pic: hkjc.com)
Promising Sabaj to Tackle Cranbourne Cup
Friday, 21st November 2025
Having been nominated and accepted in both Saturday's $500,000 Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) and Sunday's $200,000 Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m), co-trainer Mick Price confirmed on Thursday that the talented Sabaj (Manhattan Rain-Bouzy, by Uncle Mo) would head to Saturday's race, despite drawing wide in barrier 15. A winner of his first three starts before second placed efforts at Listed and Group 2 level in South Australia for his original trainers Richard & Chantelle Jolly, the gelding was sent to the Victorian stable of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr to continue his career. Making his debut for the new stable with a sixth in the $1m Silver Eagle, Sabaj headed back to Flemington during Cup week and produced the goods to score over 1600m. Holding a nomination to the Gr1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot on December 6, if connections think that highly of him and he heads that way, then he'd want to be running a very good race, if not winning on Saturday in the Cranbourne Cup. Raised at Mill Park Stud in South Australia, Sabaj is one of two in the field from the famed nursey, with last start Listed John Letts Cup (1800m) winner Air Assault (Justify-Elegant Eagle, by Zabeel) looking to improve from his second placed finish in this race last year when beaten a quarter of a length by eventual Group 1 winner Globe (Charm Spirit), off the back of having won the 2004 Listed John Letts Cup.
Locals Can Hold Off Interstate Railway Runners
Friday, 21st November 2025
With just three eastern state raiders set to line up in Saturday's $1.5m Gr1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot, it looks as if the local contingent might have the form to keep the trophy at home this year. Having only stepped up to group level at his past two starts, the Grant and Alana Williams trained Watch Me Rock (Awesome Rock-What Choux Want, by Jimmy Choux) looked good last time out winning the Gr3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m). Only outside of the top three on two occasions from his 18 starts to date, the 5YO has eight wins and a third from ten starts at the track, and is unbeaten in his two starts at the track/distance, suggesting that if he can cope with the rise to Group 1 class, then the Ridgeport Holdings-consigned yearling is right in this race from barrier four with William Pike in the saddle. Interestingly, in the last ten years, the only eastern states-trained winners were Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) – see below – from the Annabel and Rob Archibald stable as well as Good Project (Shamardal) from the Chris Waller yard, and both stables have runners again this year. A slashing fourth in the $10m Golden Eagle last start, beaten two and a quarter lengths by Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun), the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Depth Of Character (Deep Field-Caricature, by Power) comes into the race with similar form lines to Port Lockroy who had finished sixth, beaten two lengths in the Golden Eagle – maybe he's one to keep under consideration.
Rogerson Improves After Terrible Fall
Friday, 21st November 2025
In good news for racing participants, apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson has been taken off life support, reports racingnews.co.nz. She has regained consciousness and is now breathing without assistance. “She’s certainly turned the corner and although she has a long way to go, it’s a big relief for all of us that she’s a whole lot better than she was to begin with,” trainer Graeme Rogerson, Bailey’s grandfather, said. “Her injuries include a fractured skull and brain bleed, a vertebrae fracture and facial injuries, but you’d have to say she’s a lucky girl, it could have been a whole lot worse.” Rogerson sustained the injuries in a fall on Sunday at Rotorua. “The medical people have been wonderful, all of them from the time it happened,” Rogerson said. “They couldn’t have done more for Bailey, the doctors, nurses and everyone else have been just marvellous. I can’t believe the racing community, the number of calls, messages, people from all around the world. Mark Todd, who Bailey worked for in England during COVID, has been in touch, even the bloke who rode the Kentucky Derby winner. All of Bailey’s mates from the girls’ (jockey) room have been lining up at the door to see her, but we have to be careful. Gary and Michelle (parents) have been at her bedside the whole time, and they have restricted her visitors to one at a time. It’s times like these you realise just how caring people are, and that’s something that Gary and Michelle would like to acknowledge and say thanks.” Rogerson has two runners on Saturday led by Group 1 winner Sharp ‘n’ Smart (Redwood-Queen Margaret, by Swiss Ace). “His last two starts have been good, but he is racing a bit more dour now,” Rogerson said. “We rode him handier last time and he stuck on well, his sectionals were very good. He’s probably looking for more than 2100m, but he’ll still run a race and it will set him nicely for the Waikato Cup (Gr3, 2400m).”
Moody and Coleman to Train Golden Caviar
Friday, 21st November 2025
Few broodmares leave a shadow long enough to keep the racing world leaning in after their final foal, yet the legacy of Black Caviar continues to generate fresh anticipation. News that her last live foal has been named Golden Caviar – and will be prepared by the familiar hands of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman — has added another chapter to a story that refuses to fade. The colt’s pedigree mirrors the scale of expectation surrounding him, being a son of The Autumn Sun and owned by the same connections who shared the mare’s extraordinary journey: Neil Werrett, Colin and Jannene Madden and Pam Hawkes. Black Caviar’s place in the modern imagination is anchored in the sheer improbability of an unbeaten record that stretched across 25 starts from 2009 to 2013. She collected 15 Group 1 wins, nearly eight million dollars, and a public affection rarely matched. Crowds called her Nelly, and the nickname summarised the intimacy that developed between a champion and a nation. Her performances at home were dominant, but her resolve under duress at Royal Ascot in 2012 –≠ where she captured the Diamond Jubilee Stakes despite not being at her peak – elevated her into global superstardom. Her retirement, announced shortly after a second T.J. Smith Stakes in April 2013, closed one of Australian racing’s most remarkable eras. Her broodmare career has unfolded with less fireworks, a pattern often seen in elite mares, but it has been steadily productive. Oscietra, her first foal by Exceed And Excel, showed talent in flashes and has already produced winners of her own. Prince Of Caviar, by Sebring, won at Bendigo before beginning a young stallion career at Riverbank Farm, where his early progeny include Attachments, Drone Attack and Miss Top Gun. Out Of Caviar, a Snitzel filly who never made the races, has delivered multiple foals, among them the consistent Iberian Lynx. Another Snitzel filly, Ready For Caviar, showed promise at Benalla before retiring early and now has an unraced daughter, Ready Forcocktails, in the Hawkes yard. Invincible Caviar, from a mating with I Am Invincible, provided some of the more exciting on-track moments among the offspring with four victories before her untimely death in 2023. The same cross produced I Am Caviar, a colt later gelded who managed two wins across 18 appearances. Persian Caviar, by Written Tycoon, continues the active branch of the family with a maiden win and city placing already on the board for Moody and Coleman. The closing of Black Caviar’s life in August last year, a day shy of her 18th birthday, brought a poignant full stop. The Snitzel colt she delivered shortly before her death survived only briefly, and with his passing, Golden Caviar becomes the final living link to one of Australia’s greatest racehorses.
Golden Caviar is the last living foal of legend Black Caviar (pic: Steve Hart)
