First stakes test for Ozzmosis
Ozzmosis gets his first chance to vindicate the decision of breeding giants Newgate Farm to buy into his ownership when he makes his seasonal return in the Heritage Stakes at Rosehill.
The exciting colt captured the attention of the renowned stud after two promising wins during his initial campaign, laying the platform for bigger spring targets.
That starts in Saturday’s Listed Rosehill sprint, which brings together some proven juvenile formlines through stakes winners Barber, Namesake and Kristilli, along with a handful of emerging talents like Ozzmosis and Celestial Legend.
Trainer Bjorn Baker is the first to admit there are no ‘soft’ assignments at this time of year, but he cannot fault Ozzmosis’ build-up, including his impressive barrier trial win.
“He’s a horse that has always promised us a lot and his two wins were very good at the back end of last season,” Baker said.
“He’s got really good ability and he’s got a great attitude, he’s a very relaxed customer.
“It’s never easy and often first-up is the race you’re most anxious about, but I’m looking forward to getting him out there on Saturday.
“His work has been really good and hopefully he can run really well and put his hand up for some of the better three-year-old races over the carnival.”
While the timing of Ozzmosis’ campaign ruled out any thoughts of a shot at Saturday’s Golden Rose (1400m), Baker does harbour Group 1 ambitions for the colt.
The Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington is the race they are keen to target, provided Ozzmosis can continue to march through the grades.
He has also been mentioned in Everest discussions, although Baker says that race is not his focus.
“It’s not something I’m thinking about. I just hope he runs well on Saturday and we can look for a good spring,” he said.
The three-year-old is a $2.25 Boombet favourite for the Heritage Stakes (1100m), ahead of Royal Tribute ($3) who he defeated when they met in June and who has since resumed with a strong win at Hawkesbury in slick time.
There has also been early support for Celestial Legend, another colt coming off a late-season campaign who has been backed from $8.50 to $6.50.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...