Horse Racing News
Smart colt to tackle 2026 Australia Stakes
The Australia Stakes will be run at a new venue this year, with the Group 2 sprint shifting to Pakenham due to the redevelopment of Moonee Valley. The 1200-metre feature has attracted a strong field, headlined by Stradbroke Handicap winner War Machine, who opened a short-priced favourite after acceptances. Ciaron Maher will...
Kid ready to roll in the Sistema Railway Stakes 2026
With confidence high following last season’s New Zealand success, Ben Hayes is hoping Arkansaw Kid can deliver again when he lines up in Saturday’s Railway Stakes at Ellerslie. The Group 1 sprint forms the opening leg of a trans-Tasman double for the five-year-old, similar to the path taken by Here To...
Jigsar ready to go in 2026 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie
Confidence is high in the Cindy Alderson camp as Jigsaw prepares to step onto the biggest stage of his career in the Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. The Cranbourne-based trainer has elected to send the seven-year-old gelding to New Zealand following a superb end to his Australian campaign. Jigsaw comes into the...
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...