Spanish Mission set for Group 1 return
Imported galloper Spanish Mission is set to make his return from a tendon injury against Group 1 company at Flemington.
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained stayer is set to run first-up in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.
It will be Spanish Mission’s first start since finishing third to Mr Brightside in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last year.
Moody said Spanish Mission had spent the majority of the past year in and out work, firstly doing rehabilitation on the tendon injury and then in pre-training with Darren Weir.
Spanish Mission spent time with Lee Evison who is renowned at getting horses over their tendon problems before being sent to Weir to work on the deep sand at his pre-training property at Baringhup.
Moody said he was pleased with how Spanish Mission is progressing for his return after a jump-out at Pakenham last month and then a trial at Cranbourne last week.
Spanish Mission finished fourth to Without A Fight in the Cranbourne trial over 1190m, beaten a little over three lengths.
“He trialled OK, but the important thing is the leg looks good,” Moody said.
“And Saturday’s race will be a nice starting point for him.
“He spent time with Lee Evison and then at Darren Weir’s and he hasn’t really been out of work for a year, with his rehab work.
“He’s got plenty of miles under the belt, so we just want to see him come through the run well, but I’m expecting he’ll find it too short.”
Spanish Mission came to Australia for the 2021 Melbourne Cup, finishing third to Verry Elleegant under the care of Andrew Balding.
He was transferred into Moody’s care for the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield at his next start but finished fourth as a $1.40 favourite.
Returning for an autumn campaign last year, Spanish Mission finished third in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield before running third in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington ahead of a run on a wet track at Newcastle after which a halt was called on his preparation.
Spanish Mission had one run last spring before suffering the tendon injury.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...