Staying ambitions come under examination at Randwick in Saturday's $300,000 Gr2 Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m, where a broad mixture of imported horses, established local stayers and emerging prospects has produced one of the afternoon's most open markets. Soul Of Spain (see below) has been installed favourite for Chris Waller despite finishing sixth and eighth in his two runs this campaign, with James McDonald taking the ride from barrier five and the step to 2000m offering an opportunity for the six-year-old to find the improvement expected as his distances lengthen. Ciaron Maher saddles a powerful group headed by Eliyass, who carries 56.5kg under Adam Hyeronimus but will have to overcome barrier 14 after finishing fifth at his latest start. Maher also has Mr Monaco, Juja Kibo and Piggyback, giving the stable multiple pathways into a race likely to shape several spring staying programs. The Euphrates is particularly intriguing for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with Tim Clark aboard from barrier nine; his 55kg weight and natural ability to settle prominently could prove valuable if the race becomes tactical. Green Spaces carries topweight of 58kg for Bjorn Baker and Rachel King, while Waller also has Travolta and Valiant King alongside Soul Of Spain. Klondike has drawn perfectly in barrier one for John O'Shea and Tom Charlton, who also saddle Athabascan and emergency Starzintheireyes, the latter attracting strong early support despite needing a scratching to secure a start. Fawkner Park represents Declan Maher, while Boniface, Floating and several others deepen a field in which few runners can be dismissed solely on class. Betting markets had Soul Of Spain around $5, Starzintheireyes $5.50 if gaining a run, The Euphrates $6 and Eliyass $6.50, illustrating the lack of a dominant form line. Racing Australia officially lists the Kingston Town as Group 2 for Saturday's program, and its significance extends beyond the immediate prize money, with 2000m form at this point of spring invariably providing important clues for horses progressing towards the major staying contests.
Portinari Heads Thousand Guineas Prelude Field
Friday, 18th September 2026
The road towards the Thousand Guineas sharpens considerably at Caulfield on Saturday when a field of 14 three-year-old fillies contests the $300,000 Gr2 Manhari Thousand Guineas Prelude over 1400m, with Portinari narrowly heading betting in a race containing several lightly raced prospects capable of making substantial spring progress. Trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, Portinari has yet to win this preparation but caught the eye when third at her latest appearance and the rise to 1400m appears an important ingredient in her favour. Blake Shinn rides from barrier 13, however, ensuring she will need to negotiate a potentially awkward passage before staking her claim. Grahame Begg's Profligate has drawn far more kindly in barrier three and sits close behind her in betting after resuming with a fourth, while Jordan Childs retains the ride and should be able to place her wherever the tempo dictates. Ciaron Maher has a strong numerical hand headed by Icelady, who resumes from a recent second and has Ethan Brown aboard from gate seven, and Saintly Dancer, who has won two of her three starts and draws four for John Allen. Mystical Realm gives the stable another runner from the inside gate, having won on debut before finishing fourth at her second outing. Tolaga Bay is two from two for Mark Walker and therefore brings the unexposed profile that can make these early-season three-year-old races difficult to assess, with Michael Dee partnering her from barrier 11. Aethera has raced only twice and remains capable of significant improvement, while Double Dodger and Joely each arrive after winning their sole career start. Topweight Grinzinger Heart carries 58kg from the outside barrier after finishing down the track first-up, with Rebel Tuesday, Leopard Shark, Almost An Angel and Burning Heartz completing a diverse field. Markets on late Thursday had Portinari around $3.90, Profligate $4.40, Saintly Dancer $7 and Icelady $8 following acceptances. With established juvenile form meeting several rapidly improving fillies, Saturday should provide a much clearer picture of the hierarchy heading towards the Thousand Guineas itself.
Everest Aspirants Collide in The Shorts
Friday, 18th September 2026
The pursuit of positions in The Everest intensifies at Randwick on Saturday when nine high-class sprinters clash in the $1 million Gr2 Yarraman Park Shorts over 1100m, with Headwall narrowly favoured in a race carrying implications far beyond its own rich prize purse. Matthew Smith's sprinter returned in excellent order and has Zac Lloyd aboard from barrier five, with his explosive finishing speed making the 1100m assignment an ideal test against some of the country's established elite. Joliestar provides formidable opposition for Chris Waller and James McDonald despite drawing widest in barrier 11, her proven Group 1 ability ensuring she remains one of the race's central figures as connections consider the major sprint targets ahead. Waller also saddles Jokers Grin from barrier three under Adam Hyeronimus, adding another rapidly improving sprinter to a contest rich in contrasting profiles. Michael Freedman has both Ninja and Marhoona, with Ninja carrying the 57kg topweight under Tommy Berry from nine and Marhoona ideally drawn in two for Kerrin McEvoy. Veteran Mazu continues his campaign for Joseph Pride with Rachel King aboard from barrier one, a draw that should allow him to conserve ground throughout, while Spicy Martini represents Toby Edmonds and Taylor Marshall from barrier eight. Queensland interest comes through Grafterburners, who has Jason Collett aboard from gate six and carries 55kg, giving the emerging sprinter a significant opportunity to prove himself against older established speedsters. King's Secret, trained by Pride and ridden by Andrew Adkins, rounds out the nine from barrier four on the same 55kg weight. Headwall is a soft favourite after nominees were locked in, with the market recognising the depth provided by Joliestar and several others already proven at high level. The Shorts occupies a crucial position on the Everest trail because it asks genuine sprint horses to produce near-peak speed while still leaving several weeks for further improvement, and Saturday's result is likely to influence both slot-holder thinking and the shape of subsequent lead-ups. With no obvious leader of the division emerging uncontested, an emphatic performance here could significantly alter the spring sprint landscape.
Joker's Grin can give plenty of cheek (pic: Western Racepix)
Autumn Glow Commands Seven Stakes Spotlight
Friday, 18th September 2026
A small field has done nothing to diminish the quality of Saturday's $1 million Gr2 Seven Sunrise Stakes at Randwick, with reigning Horse of the Year Autumn Glow confronting six accomplished rivals over 1600m in what shapes as one of the afternoon's most anticipated contests. Chris Waller's mare returned to racing with another victory and now draws barrier one under James McDonald, continuing a career in which defeat has been exceptionally rare. Her presence appears to have discouraged numbers rather than quality, because the opposition includes multiple Group 1 winner Ceolwulf, Gringotts, Lindermann, Aeliana, Idle Flyer and Lady Shenandoah. Ceolwulf carries 59kg for Joseph Pride and Chad Schofield after finishing second at his most recent appearance, having improved from sixth first-up, while Gringotts also bears 59kg for Ciaron Maher and Nash Rawiller after resuming with a third. Lindermann is entered here as well as the Underwood and has Tommy Berry booked from barrier three should Waller elect to keep him in Sydney. Aeliana likewise holds an Underwood engagement but is drawn two in the Seven Stakes, while Lady Shenandoah is simultaneously accepted for the Sir Rupert Clarke at Caulfield, leaving final field composition dependent on Waller's race-day strategy. Idle Flyer, trained by Matthew Smith and ridden by Zac Lloyd, completes the seven and receives 2kg from the three males at the top of the weights. Autumn Glow's combination of barrier one, 57kg and established superiority explains why bookmakers have made her a commanding favourite, but a slowly run seven-horse mile could create a tactical contest in which positioning becomes critical. Nonethless, she has dominated betting after final acceptances, while Schofield acknowledged the scale of Ceolwulf's assignment but remained positive about his horse's progression this campaign. With several runners holding alternate engagements in Melbourne, the precise shape of the race remains fluid, yet any clash between Autumn Glow and Ceolwulf provides sufficient quality on its own. For Autumn Glow, Saturday offers another opportunity to reinforce her standing among Australia's premier weight-for-age horses as the Sydney spring's bigger prizes approach.
Tea Rose Shapes as Flight Stakes Guide
Friday, 18th September 2026
A cracking bunch of three-year-old fillies move another step closer to the Gr1 Flight Stakes when 11 runners meet over 1400m in Saturday's $300,000 Gr2 Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick, with Chilly Girl narrowly favoured in a field where several progressive types have yet to reveal their ceiling. Prepared by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, Chilly Girl has won two of her three career starts and finished second at her latest appearance, form that has earned her favouritism around $3.50. Tim Clark rides from barrier two, giving the filly every opportunity to enjoy an economical run before the pressure increases. Chris Waller's Striking Alibi occupies the second line around $3.80 after returning with a third, and James McDonald's booking from barrier five adds obvious interest as she progresses to 1400m. David Payne-trained Bangkok Hottie brings the strongest recent winning form among the market leaders after taking the Furious Stakes and should again enjoy options from barrier six under Kerrin McEvoy. John Sargent's Global Goal caught the eye when third first-up and has been supported around $7, with Dylan Gibbons aboard from seven; she shapes as one likely to appreciate both Saturday's extra distance and the longer journey of the Flight Stakes beyond it. Queen's Gamble arrives chasing a third consecutive victory for Matthew Smith and Tommy Berry, while Waller has considerable depth through Sequinned, Katoto and Sing Your Song in addition to Striking Alibi. Sequinned has won both starts this preparation, Sing Your Song comes off a victory after placing first-up, and each possesses the improving profile capable of upsetting the more exposed fillies. Krasina draws barrier one for Ashley Morgan, while Rachini and Sumac complete the field. Current prices place Chilly Girl, Striking Alibi and Bangkok Hottie at the head of betting, with Global Goal and Queen's Gamble immediately behind them. The Tea Rose traditionally rewards a blend of tactical speed and emerging stamina, and with the Flight Stakes over 1600m looming, Saturday should separate those simply thriving at 1400m from the fillies whose spring can continue towards the mile.
South African Interests Secure Fayette Park
Friday, 18th September 2026
A celebrated New Zealand thoroughbred nursery is entering an ambitious new era following the purchase of Fayette Park by South African interests associated with Hollywoodbets, creating a significant bridge between two racing and breeding jurisdictions with a long history of shared success. South African expatriate Craig Ramsay, who has lived in New Zealand with wife Tammy and their family since 2010, negotiated the acquisition on behalf of the principal of Hollywoodbets and will oversee the 132-hectare South Waikato operation as the wagering giant expands its international racing and breeding portfolio. Hollywoodbets already holds an influential position in South African racing, including naming rights to Greyville and Scottsville, and its growing interest in Australasian bloodstock has been evident through substantial investment at recent yearling sales. Ramsay explained to racingnews.co.nz that the philosophy behind Fayette Park is to breed horses in New Zealand with the capacity to race internationally, while retaining a strong emphasis on supplying quality stock for South Africa. An initial five Book 1 purchases at Karaka in 2025 cost $885,000, while the commitment expanded dramatically at this year’s NZB Centenary Sale, where close to $2.5 million was spent on 15 yearlings. Early indications have been encouraging: a filly by The Autumn Sun bought at Inglis Premier won on debut as a short-priced favourite, while Karaka purchase One Eye On Dubai, an Almanzor colt, has finished fourth and second in his opening two appearances. The breeding arm is also taking shape, with Ramsay recently securing 11-time winner Churchillian, whose record includes the Gr3 Anniversary Handicap, Gr3 Rotorua Stakes and Listed Tauranga Classic, as an early foundation mare. She will visit Paddington as part of a plan to build gradually towards approximately 20 broodmares. Fayette Park itself brings formidable history to the venture. Established by David and Masey Benjamin in the late 1980s on undulating, free-draining loam, it became home to Grosvenor, sire of 54 stakes winners including 16 at Group 1 level, as well as Group 1-producing stallions Stark South, Prized, Postponed and Don Eduardo. The farm was named New Zealand Breeder of the Year in 2004 before Gary and Linda Harding continued its success through horses including Group 1 winners Bounding and Bonham and Filly of the Year Fix. Ramsay, who previously operated Golden Acres in Natal and has experience as a breeder, trainer, owner and administrator, has already begun developing the property further, while daughter Alexis, a qualified equine veterinary nurse, will provide equine services. With its established history now coupled with substantial South African investment, Fayette Park is again positioned to become an important source of internationally competitive thoroughbreds.
Underwood Brings Quality Nine Together
Friday, 18th September 2026
A compact but high-class field of nine will assemble for Saturday’s $1 million Gr1 Underwood Stakes over 1800m at Caulfield, with Cosmic Crusader facing his most searching examination yet against a collection of established weight-for-age performers. The Andrea Leek-trained galloper has emerged as one of the spring’s more compelling stories after winning his opening two runs of the campaign before finishing third last time, and the market has installed him around $2.80 as he attempts to translate that progression into a first elite-level success. William Pike retains the ride from barrier three, an attractive draw that should allow him to conserve energy before the race begins in earnest. Chris Waller supplies four of the nine runners, headed by Lindermann, who has barrier one and Blake Shinn after producing a strong return to winning form this preparation. He sits on the second line around $3.50 and brings proven Group 1 credentials to a race in which tactical position could prove especially significant. Aeliana, the lone mare in the field, receives the 2kg sex allowance and is another major Waller weapon despite finishing down the track at her latest appearance; Damian Lane rides from barrier six and her best form leaves little doubt that 1800m is within range. Birdman continues his progression towards the longer spring assignments and could improve sharply from his first-up sixth, while Buckaroo, also from the Waller stable, is capable of producing considerably more than his latest fifth suggests. Kingswood arrives with winning form for Gavin Bedggood, Pinstriped has been racing consistently without breaking through, and Middle Earth adds an international staying dimension for Ciaron Maher. Attrition completes the field. Current betting reported by justhorseracing.com.au has Cosmic Crusader favourite ahead of Lindermann, with Birdman and Aeliana next, but a race containing several accomplished older horses gives the Western Australian visitor no inexpensive route to Group 1 honours. The Underwood has often served as a decisive spring measuring stick, and Saturday should establish whether Cosmic Crusader belongs among the season’s genuine weight-for-age forces or whether the established brigade can reassert itself.
Aeliana is the only mare in the field (pic: Steve Hart)
Hotazhell Secured For Dual-Hemisphere Stud Career
Friday, 18th September 2026
A rare international stallion partnership will give Australian breeders access to one of Europe’s most accomplished young performers, with Widden Stud securing a 50 per cent interest in dual Group 1 winner Hotazhell ahead of a stud career that will begin in France before extending to Australia. The son of champion sire Too Darn Hot, from a Danehill Dancer mare tracing to the family of champion racemare Alexander Goldrun, combines the precocity, speed and toughness associated with the Dubawi male line and will retire with a race record distinguished by elite juvenile form, resilience and success across several seasons. As a two-year-old he established himself among Europe’s leading colts, earning a Timeform rating of 121 and winning three Group races, headed by the Group 1 Futurity Stakes in which he defeated Delacroix. His progress continued at three when placed in the Irish Guineas, before returning to the highest level this season to capture the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes, one of Europe’s defining weight-for-age contests. Across his three Group 1 victories Hotazhell repeatedly demonstrated a sharp change of speed and notable determination, while his ability to campaign in four countries since emerging from the breeze-up sales as a juvenile underlined the constitution expected of a prospective stallion. His sire Too Darn Hot has already produced eight Group 1 winners and established an exceptional record in both hemispheres, particularly in Australia where he stands at $275,000 including GST, has sired 36 stakes winners and already has two Group 1-winning sons at stud. This season has further enhanced his Australian record through emerging Group winners American Eagle and Bangkok Hottie, while Hotazhell will become his first son to stand at stud in Europe. In announcing the acquisition, Widden Stud outlined the significance of securing a horse with both international performance and commercial appeal, with Antony Thompson saying: "He has an outstanding racing profile, having been a Group 1 winner at two in Great Britain before going on to win the Irish Champion Stakes last weekend, one of Europe's great weight-for-age races, and easily comparable in significance to Australia's Cox Plate. When you combine that level of performance with his pedigree and physical attributes, we feel he has all the qualities to become a significant stallion in Australia." Thompson also welcomed the partnership with Haras d'Etreham, describing the French operation as a generational family farm with values closely aligned to Widden and acknowledging Matt Houldsworth’s role in bringing the arrangement together. Hotazhell will make his final racecourse appearance on British Champions Day at Ascot before joining Haras d'Etreham, whose near-century of thoroughbred achievement includes the production of champions such as Maximova, Urban Sea, Septième Ciel, Anabaa Blue, King's Best, Baiser Volé, Almanzor and Uni, as well as launching the stallion career of Wootton Bassett before his record sale to Coolmore. Nicolas de Chambure described Hotazhell’s pedigree, race record and conformation as being of the highest standard and said the colt possessed presence, quality, size and scope, adding that the partnership with Widden developed naturally through a shared breeding vision. For Thompson, the rarity of acquiring half of a stallion with genuine international appeal creates an opportunity not only to bring elite European bloodlines into Australia, but also to offer a limited number of shares to local breeders as the foundations are laid for a stud career spanning France and Australia.
Coniston Takes Next Step Towards Guineas
Friday, 18th September 2026
An impressive maiden victory at Matamata has put highly regarded three-year-old Coniston firmly back on course for the Gr1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas 1600m at Riccarton, with trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott confident considerable improvement remains in the talented but inexperienced colt. Expectations had been substantial following three impressive trial victories, but the son of Wootton Bassett failed to reproduce that professionalism when making his debut at Te Rapa last month, racing greenly before finishing seventh as a well-supported favourite. Punters maintained their faith at his home track on Wednesday, sending Coniston out at $1.40, and this time he justified the confidence. Michael McNab positioned him ideally in the one-one behind Imperialstatecrown before moving three wide around the home turn, where Coniston quickly gathered his rivals and accelerated clear to defeat Vodka and Caviar by two lengths, with another 1¼ lengths to Concurrence in third. McNab, who has partnered the colt in his past four public appearances, told racingnews.co.nz that Coniston possesses “great ability” while stressing that his continued greenness leaves significant scope for improvement. Scott shared that assessment, delighted to see the colt translate the quality of his trackwork and trials into race-day performance while acknowledging that he remains raw and inclined to race keenly. The stable has deliberately maintained a substantial workload with Coniston, including twice-daily work and afternoon swimming, and believes his robust constitution will allow him to cope with the racing required over the next six weeks. The Gr1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas in November remains the destination, although O’Sullivan and Scott have yet to determine precisely which races will form his pathway to Riccarton. Further competitive experience is regarded as essential if he is to harness his ability at elite level, with Wednesday’s victory representing an important educational step as much as a result. Coniston is already rated a $12 equal-third favourite in futures betting for the Guineas behind Excite and System Of Play at $8. His pedigree provides further reason for optimism: bred by Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax and part-owned by their Blandford Lodge operation, he is out of stakes-winning mare Le Gai Soleil, herself a half-sister to Group 1 winner Danzdanzdance. Wootton Bassett supplies the paternal influence to a colt whose raw talent has never been questioned; the challenge between Matamata and Riccarton will be converting that ability into greater racing maturity as the standard rises.
Deep Rupert Clarke Test for Lady Shenandoah
Friday, 18th September 2026
One of the spring’s most open elite handicaps has drawn a capacity-quality cast for Saturday’s $1 million Gr1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield, where Lady Shenandoah (see below) will attempt to turn an ideal barrier into a major advantage against seasoned older opposition over 1400m. Chris Waller’s mare has drawn the inside alley under Craig Williams and carries 56kg, with bookmakers installing her as favourite after a fourth placing first-up suggested there was plenty to work with as her campaign develops. Her task is anything but straightforward, however, with the handicap compressing together horses of very different profiles. Tom Kitten heads the weights with 59kg and Mark Zahra from barrier 14, while last year’s winner Sepals resumes from gate five carrying 56.5kg for Cliff Brown. Evaporate comes off a victory and has Blake Shinn aboard, although barrier 17 creates an immediate tactical problem, while his Hayes stablemate War Machine faces an even wider starting point in 18 under Damian Lane. Ciaron Maher’s Warnie looks particularly interesting at 55kg from barrier three after producing a win at his latest start, giving Declan Bates options to secure an economical position before asking for a finishing effort. Angel Capital has drawn seven for Ben Melham and possesses the class to become involved if able to rebound from his most recent run, while Feroce carries 54.5kg from eight. Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr attack the race with Planet Red and Sabaj, weighted on 53.5kg and 53kg respectively, and their lighter imposts ensure both command respect if they can take the necessary step against older Group 1 opposition. Regal Award gets only 52.5kg from barrier four, Sun God the same weight from two, while Persian Spirit and Recon sit on the minimum 52kg. Lady Shenandoah holds favouritism in a market that quickly broadens, an accurate reflection of a race where barrier, tempo and luck in running may count almost as heavily as raw ability. With established Group 1 performers, emerging four-year-olds and lightweights converging, this has all the ingredients of the traditional Rupert Clarke puzzle.
