Darby Racing set to leave bigger footprint in Perth
Fresh from taking out Saturday’s Group 1 Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) with Overpass, Darby Racing director Scott Darby wants the syndicator to increase its presence in Perth.
Having already won the inaugural Quokka (1200m) earlier this year, Overpass completed the Ascot feature sprint double in Saturday’s $1.5 million event and won his first Group 1 in the process.
The five-year-old won the Quokka for the RAM Racing Syndicate slot earlier this year and is set to defend his title for the same slot holder next April.
Darby said he hoped Darby Racing may have more than one representative in next year’s Quokka, indicating he was keen to secure a start with recent feature race winner Insurrection.
“He’s a horse that Michael Freedman, his trainer, nominated for the Winterbottom,” Darby told TABradio.
“He probably thought it was just a little bit too soon, but he’s mentioned a number of times The Quokka could be a really nice race for him.
“He came out of winter form and we’re wondering if he will continue on that trajectory upwards.
“We’re going to nominate him for the Razor Sharp (Handicap) on Saturday and that will be his first attempt at 1200 metres.
“That will give us a good pointer going forward whether he’s strictly 1000 and 1100 or 1200 will be his go as well.”
As well as targeting the riches of The Quokka, Darby said he’s also looking forward to attending the Perth Magic Millions Sale in February and possibly racing horses in Perth.
“We had lunch with David (Houston) from Magic Millions on Friday and he floated the idea we may look to syndicate a couple over here,” he said.
“It looks like it’s all systems go to potentially come over here in February and looking at buying one or two and extend the arm of Darby Racing in WA.”
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...
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...
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...