Favourite’s pace to suit local Warriors
Trainer Glenn Stevenson is in the middle of one of his best seasons on the track in the past decade, and his pair of black-type performers in Turk Warrior and First Accused can add to it at Launceston on Wednesday.
Both horses will line up in the Listed Hellova Street Stakes (1600m) with each hoping to go one or two spots better than First Accused’s second placing and Turk Warrior’s third in the Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) at Hobart on February 11.
Three starts back, First Accused scored in the Listed Tasmania Stakes (1600m) in late December.
Craig Williams rides the Gavid Bedggood-trained favourite Keats ($2.50) with First Accussed at $3.50 and Turk Warrior at $6 with online bookmakers.
Though the Victorian visitor is the market elect, Stevenson is happy to see him make the trip and most of all make the pace.
“Turk Warrior has always been a run behind,” Stevenson said.
“He was a gallop behind in the (Tasmanian) Newmarket and then he got sick.
“There’s plenty of tempo so he and First Accused should be able to get a nice run in behind.”
That tempo is likely to be set by Keats.
“We won’t be going hard out and Turk Warrior has been bucking his brand off lately,” he added.
“First Accused was good the other day, too, and we had a few issues coming into his last run as well.
“I think the genuine tempo will suit him to get that mile right behind the speed.
“At Hobart you have to be right on them to get there but here he has some time.”
Stevenson’s record at the halfway mark of this season sees him having notched 37 winners – just four behind his 2021/22 tally of 41.
Most notably, according to Racing & Sports data his season return-on-investment sits at a positive 144% across 174 runners.
As for whether the market differential between Keats and his runners is justified, Stevenson’s angle favours his perspective.
“Twelve months ago I would have been worried as I thought he was going pretty good.
“I’m glad he’s here, to tell you the truth, and I think he’ll set a tempo that is exactly what I want.”
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...