Art Cadeau gets another chance to impress
Terry Robinson hasn’t given up on giving 2021 Kosciuszko winner Art Cadeau another shot at the $2 million feature, pending his performance in the Winter Stakes at Randwick.
The gelding has had a mixed preparation, making a solid return when finishing just over two lengths from Mnementh in the Town Plate at Wagga before consecutive unplaced runs at Randwick.
He had a particularly torrid passage in the Civic Stakes last start when he was caught wide before going forward to sit outside the leader, then was twice chequed in the straight and squeezed out of runs.
From a low draw in Saturday’s Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) and reunited with the last jockey to win on him in Kathy O’Hara, Robinson is keen to see if Art Cadeau can turn his form around.
“We forgave him that last run. He seems to have pulled up alright, so I think we’ll make a decision on him after Saturday,” Robinson said.
“He’s drawn a nice marble (barrier four), Kathy has ridden him before and won on him.
“Things just haven’t been panning out.”
If Art Cadeau can race his way into selection for The Kosciuszko (1200m), it will be his third consecutive appearance in the race after he captured it in 2021 then finished fifth to Front Page last year.
He was injured during last year’s renewal and Robinson says that setback has had them chasing their tails.
“I was really happy with him before the Kosciuszko last year and unfortunately he pulled up lame after that and we had a few issues,” he said.
“We had to give him a bit of time off to get over that and maybe he just hasn’t come up quite as sharp this time in.
“But we will be spelling him no matter what after this run on Saturday and then we’ll be working out what we do with him then.”
The Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) has attracted a full field of 14 plus three emergencies, led by the Civic Stakes trifecta of Ucalledit, King Of Hastings and Cisco Bay.
However, all three have drawn awkwardly in gates 13, 17 and 12 respectively with the early market support coming for the John O’Shea-trained Cotehele (barrier six), while Godolphin’s Brigantine (barrier nine) is also prominent.
More Racing News
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...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
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...
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...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...