Friday, 6th June 2025
All enquiries - Gary Knowles 0406 599 773

Success lives here

  • Mares Might Hold Upper Hand in Kingsford-Smith

    Friday, 6th June 2025
    Rescheduled from last Saturday's postponed meeting, the $1m Gr1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) already has four scratched runners, but those that are left create plenty of intrigue. With three mares lining up, all previous Group 1 winners, it could pay to follow them even though we need to go back to 2012 when the John O'Shea-trained mare Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock) won the race off the back of Champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) winning it the year before. Favouritism is currently being fought out between Everest hero Giga Kick (Scissor Kick-Rekindled Applause, by Royal Applause) who some say was disappointing when third last start in the Gr1 Goodwood Handicap, and the C J Waller trained dual Gr1 winner Joliestar (Zoustar-Jolie Bay, by Fastnet Rock). With James McDonald in the saddle, the 4YO mare will surely be hard to beat, and, although she is yet to race in Queensland, with races like the Gr1 Stradbroke and the Gr1 Tatts Tiara still yet to be run, the Cambridge Stud-owned mare could dominate during her carnival. A winner of two from three over Saturday's race distance, the Jason Warren-trained Benedetta (Hellbent-Whatalovelyday, by Domesday) was a length and a half off the winner last start in the Gr1 Doomben 10,000 and can atone here, while Gary Portelli-trained Kimochi (Brave Smash-Summer Fun, by I Am Invincible) has not won since success in the Gr1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) last November, but with a recent winning trial under her belt swhe's another that comes into calculations.

    Joliestar

    Joliestar is a strong hope on Saturday (pic: Mark Gatt)

  • Bubba's Bay A Chance at Odds

    Friday, 6th June 2025
    With five wins and a third from six starts over the Eagle Farm 1200m, the Kris Lees trained Bubba's Bay (Cable Bay-Lift All Boats, by Commands) does come into Saturday's Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) as a 20/1 chance, and with two wins and two third placed efforts from four second up runs, she appears a quality chance. Bubba's Bay was a graduate of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale when sold by Bowness Stud, who could have a top day if D'Argento's Statuario, (also a graduate of the farm) wins the Gr1 Queensland Derby where he is currently a leading chance. Coming off a strong last campaign which netted four wins including the Listed Nudgee Stakes over 1200m at Eagle Farm from six starts, Bubba's Bay takes on a higher calibre class of fillies and mares here. The 5YO deserves her chance, even though she has drawn barrier 21. Godolphin's Kin (Impending-Kinshachi, by Commands) was unlucky last start when trapped wide when finishing second to In Flight (Flying Artie) in the Listed Bright Shadow (1110m) and although she is yet to win at the track or the distance, her last start efforts suggest she is ready for the 1200m. Not seen since last year's Gr1 Tatt's Tiara, the C J Waller trained Vienna Princess (Snitzel-Graciousness, by Street Cry) is likely to target that race if all goes to plan, so one would think a forward showing here is expected, even off the back of more than 12 months away from the races.

  • Bowness Stud on Cusp of Group 1 Glory

    Friday, 6th June 2025
    Sold for just $18,000 from Bowness Stud's 2023 Inglis Gold Yearling Sale draft to Toward Reward Thoroughbreds, Bluegrass Bloodstock and Sparta Racing, 3YO gelding Statuario (D'Argento-Miss Entice, Dash for Cash) can give his Gr1 Rosehill Guineas-winning sire his first elite level winner by capturing Saturday's $1m Gr1 Queensland Derby (2400m). Second last start, beaten three-quarters of a length in the Gr1 South Australian Derby (2500m) by the filly Femminile (Dundeel-Femme Fireball, by Pierro), who he will once again meet here, Statuario went into that race off the back of a two and a quarter length win in the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) a month prior. With both the second and the third horse from that race having since won, the form behind Statuario is working out, and come Saturday this will be his final chance to secure a Gr1 victory this season. Interestingly, Femminile changed hands at the recent Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when purchased by Yulong for $1.5m, with connections surely hoping to recoup some of their purchase price on the weekend. With the first four from the South Australian Derby all headed to Saturday's race, it is a matter of lining up the form between that race and the Gr3 Rough Habit Plate won by C J Waller's Imperialist (Churchill-Dancing Hare, by Fastnet Rock), with nine runners coming through that race having accepted here.

    D'Argento

    D'Argento is the sire of Statuario (pic: Steve Hart)

  • Navy Pilot Chasing Maiden Stakes Victory

    Friday, 6th June 2025
    A narrow second last time out at Ipswich, Ciaron Maher's well-related Navy Pilot (I Am Invincible-Amuletum, by New Approach) could be the one to take the prize in Saturday's Listed Show A Heart Stakes. A full-brother to the former Maher trained Tiz Invincible who sold recently at the Inglis Chairman's Sale to Coolmore's Tom Magnier for $2.8m, Navy Pilot's last start effort was behind the Bevan Laming trained Call Da Vinci (Under The Louvre) with that winner then stepping out last Saturday to finish third in the Gr2 Sires' Produce Stakes, franking the form. Having finished just over three lengths off Vinrock (I Am Invincible) in the Gr1 Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick back in early April, Navy Pilot broke his maiden the following start at Eagle Farm before his Ipswich effort. From barrier one on Saturday, the Ryan Maloney-ridden colt will be a valuable commodity if he can step up to black type level and as he holds a nomination to next Saturday's Gr1 JJ Atkins Handicap, further riches could await. Champion trainer C J Waller has won the race twice in the past three years, interestingly last year with Imperialist (Churchill) a last start Gr3 winner who contests Saturday's Gr1 Queensland Derby, and this year Waller has accepted with two runners. Likely to start one of the favourites, Providence (Wootton Bassett-Southbank, by Fastnet Rock) comes into the race off the back of a debut third behind the unbeaten Agarwood (Wootton Bassett) and with James McDonald aboard here he will surely look a winning chance at some stage.

  • Semana To Appreciate Moreton Cup Weight Drop

    Friday, 6th June 2025
    Asked to carry just 54kg in Saturday's Gr2 Moreton Cup (1200m), the Ciaron Maher trained Semana (Winning Rupert-Festivity, by Nicconi) won't know herself. Sold at the recent Inglis Chairman's Sale for $1.55m to Yulong, the mare will be having her first start in the bottle green, white checked sleeves, white cap silks and with a solid first up record of three top three placed efforts from five starts, the Jason Collet-ridden mare should perform well. It's worth nothing that last year during the Brisbane winter carnival she finished second in the Gr1 Tatts Tiara behind Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) and could likely head to that race again this season. Second two starts back in the Gr1 Galaxy behind Private Harry (Harry Angel), the Matthew Dale trained Front Page (Magnus-Stacey Lee, by Bel Esprit) then headed to Perth where he finished four and a half lengths off the winner in the Quokka, and now we see the well-travelled gelding in Queensland. Having only had one start in Queensland previously and that was a fourth in the Gr2 Victory Stakes last year behind Antino (Redwood), the 8YO will have the services of Tim Clark from barrier 9. Allocated just 53kg in next Saturday's Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap, the in-form Punch Lane (So You Think-Cybercyn, by Staaraq) should be watched late here as a possible pointer to next week's 1400m assignment if he goes there.

  • Solid First Up Record the Key to Our Kobison

    Friday, 6th June 2025
    Never out of the top three, highlighted by two wins from five fist up runs, the Angela Davies-trained Our Kobison (Kobayashi-Orne River, by Fastnet Rock) has not been seen on race day since January when down the track at Listed level, but with the 5YO gelding set to commence his QLD campaign on Saturday in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1000m), the Hazelwood Stud-bred gelding appears a leading chance. Unfortunately drawn wide in barrier 15, jockey Ryan Maloney will have to be tactical in how he rides the gelding who normally likes to race forward, but with plenty of pace sure to be on here, he may have to settle back and work home late. Godolphin will saddle up a pair of runners with the last start Listed Ortensia Stakes third placed Pisanello (Ribchester-Medaille, by Medaglia D'oro) looking to be the leading contender. Jockey James McDonald will jump the gelding away from barrier ten and likely settle in a mid-field position. With two win from four starts at the distance, the James Cumming's trained Pisanello looks a great chance. A winner of four from six at the track/distance including this race last year where he carried just 53kg, the Tony and Maddysen Sears-trained Ready Steady (Better Than Ready-Our First Lady, by Denman) has been allocated 60kgs this year. With three wins from four starts since last year's victory, the gelding comes into the race off an impressive 800m Warwick barrier trial win.

  • Asfoora Has Travelled Like a Seasoned Pro

    Friday, 6th June 2025
    Victorian trainer Henry Dwyer wasn’t expecting miracles when Asfoora touched down in England, but the Ballarat trainer has been more than impressed with how his mare has bounced through the long-haul journey from Australia, reports racing.com. Preparing to defend her crown in the Gr1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, Asfoora has taken to her Newmarket surroundings like a seasoned traveller. “She has settled in better than we could have hoped, to be honest,” Dwyer said. “She just walked in the gate, she knew where she was.” While many horses can take days to recover from international travel, Asfoora appeared bright and content within 24 hours of arrival, despite enduring a 32-hour journey involving three flight stops. “She's very much at home there in her little yard,” Dwyer said. “It was weird, the trip didn’t really seem to take anything out of her… she was really bright the next day and ate up. She’s just obviously a very good traveller now.” The original plan was to have her arrive in peak fitness and allow a week of downtime before resuming work. But the sprinter was already under saddle by Tuesday. “She had a saddle on this morning,” Dwyer confirmed. “I get there on Thursday morning, so I might do a bit of work with her on Friday morning.” Unlike last year, when she triumphed at Royal Ascot against a quality field, Asfoora is the lone Aussie invader this time, with no obvious new sprinting star among the locals. “The pool of horses seems relatively similar to last year,” Dwyer said. The market has her alongside familiar rivals Believing and Regional, who were among the top-four finishers in 2024. “You’d think if she turns up in the same order as last year, she’s going to be incredibly hard to beat,” Dwyer said. “I’m not saying she will, but she seems to have travelled well and everything seems in order, so I don’t really know why she wouldn’t.” Sportsbet has listed Asfoora on the second line of betting at $7.50 for the King Charles III Stakes, scheduled for June 17. That price might move considerably south should she continue on her current trajectory.

    Asfoora

    An Ascot Gr1 repeat is on the cards for Asfoora (pic: magicmillions.com.au)

  • Outsiders Could Have Oaks Chances

    Friday, 6th June 2025
    With last start Gr2 The Roses winner Philia (All Too Hard-Meerlust, by Johannesburg) drawn out really wide here, and Gr1 Australasian Oaks winner Benagil (Manhattan Rain-Des Moines, by War) coming off a very disappointing effort in The Roses, this Saturday's $700,000 Gr1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) could be open to an outsider getting the chocolates. Won last year by 100/1 chance Socks Nation (Sioux Nation) who was coming off a fourth placed effort over 1800m at Randwick the start prior, this year the Richard Litt-trained Ella Hazel (Dundeel-Maid Of Heaven by Smart Missile) comes off a last start win over 1800m on the Kensington track. By a noted sire of stayers in Arrowfield Stud's Dundeel, the Galletta Constructions Co. Pty Ltd owned filly is out of the Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Maide Of Heaven, making here a three-quarter sister-in-blood to the dual Gr1-winning sire Castelvecchio (Dundeel). Another runner likely to start at double figure odds is the Kris Lees trained Japanese-bred filly Éclair Encore (Maurice-Skirt Fuwari, by Symboli Kris S). Impressive two starts back over 1800m, the filly had to come from back in the field last start when second over 2180m behind Gr1 Queensland Derby runner Existential Bob (Ocean Park). Originally in the Derby field when it was set to be run last Saturday, connections made the decision that the Oaks would suit better. With many considering Benagil as a leading contender, there is no reason to forget about the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Sweltering (Too Darn Hot-Daring, by Encosta de Lago) who finished second to her in the Gr1 Australasian Oaks.

  • Two Gr1 Runners a Tonic for Littlefield Jetlag

    Friday, 6th June 2025
    After days of uncertainty and a flurry of flights, Charlotte Littlefield finally had the green light to lock in her travel to Brisbane with The Muffin Man gaining a start in Saturday’s Gr1 Queensland Derby (2400m). The Pakenham-based trainer had been anxiously watching the scratchings, and with the withdrawals of Saint Emilion and Eclair Encore – who switches to the Gr1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) – her colt scraped into the field as the second emergency. “My frequent flyers are getting a workout at the moment,” Littlefield acknowledged to racenet.com.au. “I’m getting a little bit over flying, but you got to do these things.” Since returning from Europe last Monday week, she’s clocked up 10 flights in as many days, mostly shuttling between Melbourne and Brisbane. Now The Muffin Man, rated a $21 chance in the Derby, is set to take his place with a solid hit-out on Tuesday giving Littlefield plenty of confidence. “I’m happy with him, he had a really good solid hitout (Tuesday morning), that was very good work,” she said. “We had the tracker on and that confirmed everything is spot on … his recovery, stride length, whether he got enough out of it, he certainly ticked all the boxes.” Littlefield believes her colt is ready to peak but hopes Eagle Farm isn’t too testing. “We have a horse ready to go well and, to be honest, I think would be better on ground that is not bottomless,” she said. “We saw what they were coming in like after last Saturday, they were horrendously covered in mud and kickback, coming in like brown’s cows.” She’s wary of the month between runs but said, “This week you’ll see a fairer assessment … there is the question of a long time between runs (four weeks) but he’s a naturally fit, athletic horse with good aerobic. We [have] got to trust in the product and trust I’ve done enough work with him.” At Flemington, Littlefield also saddles Regal Vow in the VOBIS Gold Mile (1600m), hoping for some much-needed rain. “We have just been praying for rain with her, we just wanted a naturally softened track,” she said. “We’ve had obviously a very dry summer and autumn, even with the irrigation on tracks it just wasn’t getting them to a level she’s comfortable running on…”

  • $8,000 Filly Justifies Her Purchase by Multiples

    Friday, 6th June 2025
    A modest $,8000 purchase is now Queensland’s latest headline act, with the unassuming Spicy Martini booking a spot in the $1.8 million Stradbroke Handicap after a stirring win in Wednesday’s rescheduled Gr3 Fred Best Classic at Doomben. The bargain-basement buy, carrying a set of X-rays that spooked more cautious buyers, was acquired online by trainer Toby Edmonds, and has transformed from overlooked yearling to Group 1 hopeful, despite being a daughter of Justify. "We found her online, a Justify filly, which we generally weren't able to buy because they were too dear, but this one just came up," Edmonds explained. Spicy Martini’s Fred Best triumph not only earned her a golden ticket into the Stradbroke, but also sent her odds tumbling from $101 to $21. Set to carry just 49.5kg in the big one at Eagle Farm next Saturday, she now gives Edmonds and new training partner Stephen McLean a crack at Queensland’s premier race. Edmonds won the Stradbroke in 2020 with Tyzone, though that edition was run under the unusual cloud of COVID-era restrictions. This time, it’s a far more public fairytale, albeit one with quirks: “If you have a look at her, she walks like a duck,” Edmonds said. “She has quite a few issues and takes a lot of managing, but she is very quick… she is honest, she is in the Stradbroke now with 49.5 and I’m very keen to run her as long as she pulls up well.” Jockey Craig Williams, who piloted her in the Fred Best but can’t make the 49.5kg required for the Stradbroke, was full of praise for the filly and Racing Queensland. “It’s a great initiative by Racing Queensland to have this race exempt from ballot from the Stradbroke,” he said. “Everyone in this race today had the challenge of being there last Saturday but coming back today.” Williams added with a grin: “Toby asked if I could ride at 49.5 – I said I could have when I was 18 but I can’t now.” Spicy Martini firmed from $15 to $10 before the Fred Best and justified the support, while Bosustow, fcomning off a six-length Guineas win, disappointed in sixth. No post-race issues were found with him, but he eased from $9 to $21 in Stradbroke markets, leaving connections to weigh up whether to press on. Meanwhile, Lindsay Park’s unbeaten War Machine continued to firm as Stradbroke favourite following the Fred best Classic result.

Amarina Farm
Arrowfield Stud
Bell River Thoroughbreds
Berkeley Park Stud
Bhima Thoroughbreds
Blue Gum Farm
Bombora Downs
Bowness Stud
Clear Mountain Fairview
Coolmore Stud
Cressfield
Evergreen Stud
Goodwood Farm
Kia Ora
Kingstar Farm
Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Mill Park Stud
Murrulla Stud
Newgate Farm
Newhaven Park
North
Segenhoe Stud
Silverdale Farm
Sledmere Stud
Torryburn Stud
Tyreel Stud
Vinery Stud
Widden Stud
Willow Park Stud
Yarraman Park Stud

2023 BTR Stud Stallions

BTP STUD STALLIONS

Sire
A Lot Established
Acrobat Established
Al Maher Established
Alabama Express Established
All American Established
All Too Hard Established
Alpine Eagle Established
Alpine Edge 2nd Season
Anamoe 3rd Season
Anders Established
Artie Schiller Established
Awesome Rock Established
Barbados Established
Barbaric 1st crop 2YOs
Best Of Bordeaux Established
Better Than Ready Established
Bivouac Established
Brave Smash Established
Brazen Beau Established
Broadsiding Established
Bruckner 3rd Season
Bull Point Established
Bullbars Established
Cape Of Good Hope 3rd Season
Capitalist Established
Captivant 1st crop 2YOs
Castelvecchio Established
City Of Troy Established
Cliff's Edge Established
Cogburn 1st Season
Cool Aza Beel Established
Cylinder 2nd Season
D'argento Established
Danerich Established
Dash For Cash Established
De Gaulle Established
Delaware 1st crop 2YOs
Denman Established
Dirty Work Established
Dissident Established
Don Corleone 2nd Season
Doubtland Established
Dubious Established
Dundeel Established
Ellsberg 3rd Season
Encryption Established
Exceedance Established
Exosphere Established
Extreme Choice Established
Farnan Established
Flying Artie Established
Foxwedge Established
Frankel My Dear Established
Gingerbread Man Established
Gold Standard Established
Graff Established
Grunt Established
Hallowed Crown Established
Harry Angel Established
Hawaii Five Oh 2nd Season
Headwater Established
Hellbent Established
Hitotsu 3rd Season
Home Affairs Established
I Am Immortal Established
I Am Invincible Established
Ilovethiscity Established
Invader Established
Jacquinot 3rd Season
Ka Ying Master 3rd Season
Kermadec Established
King Colorado 2nd Season
King's Legacy Established
Lofty Strike 2nd Season
Lord Of The Sky Established
Love Conquers All Established
Manhattan Rain Established
Maschino Established
Master Of Design Established
Maurice Established
Merchant Navy Established
Mo'unga 2nd Season
Murtajill Established
My Admiration Established
Native Trail 2nd Season
Needs Further Established
Nicconi Established
Nostradamus Established
Officiating 2nd Season
Ole Kirk Established
Pariah Established
Paulele 3rd Season
Pierata Established
Pierro Established
Pinatubo 1st crop 2YOs
Playing God Established
Portland Sky 1st crop 2YOs
Power Established
Prague Established
Pride Of Dubai Established
Private Life Established
Puissance De Lune Established
Rebel Dane Established
Rich Enuff Established
Rommel Established
Rubick Established
Russian Camelot Established
Russian Revolution Established
Safeguard Established
Sandbar Established
Sessions Established
Shaft Established
Shalaa Established
Shamoline Warrior Established
Shamus Award Established
Shinzo Established
Shooting To Win Established
Sidestep Established
Sizzling Established
Skilled Established
Smart Missile Established
Snitzel Established
So Secret Established
So You Think Established
Soul Patch Established
Southport Tycoon 1st Season
Spirit Of Boom Established
Squamosa Established
St Mark's Basilica Established
Star Turn Established
Star Witness Established
Street Boss Established
Super One Established
Supido Established
Swear Established
Sweet Ride 2nd Season
Switzerland Established
The Autumn Sun Established
The Brothers War Established
Time To Reign Established
Too Darn Hot Established
Toorak Toff Established
Top Echelon Established
Toronado Established
Traffic Warden Established
Trapeze Artist Established
Turffontein Established
Unite And Conquer Established
Universal Ruler Established
Vancouver Established
Vandeek Established
Victor Ludorum 1st crop 2YOs
Von Costa De Hero Established
Wandjina Established
Winning Rupert Established
Wooded 1st crop 2YOs
Wootton Bassett Established
Worthy Cause Established
Written By Established
Written Tycoon Established
Xtravagant Established
Your Song Established
Zousain Established
Zoustar Established