No Kaos for Giadresco after trial
Trainer Peter Giadresco wore a far more contented smile following an improved trial performance from Kaptain Kaos at Lark Hill this morning (Monday).
Up against some handy rivals in his 950m heat, including Railway Stakes runner-up, Alsephina, Kaptain Kaos closed strongly for a second behind Influencing.
Kaptain Kaos settled fourth in the six-horse trial and responded under hard riding from comeback jockey, Alex Hearn, when turning the corner.
Giadresco was in a better mood than after Kaptain Kaos’ first trial at the same course a fortnight back when he finished 12 lengths last to speedy Acromantula.
The Demerit gelding will now progress to feature company in two weeks when he steps out for his first assignment under Giadresco’s direction at Belmont.
“I am feeling a lot better after that trial,” Giadresco said.
“I wanted to give him a good hit out and he showed he’s ready to roll.
“He’ll step out in the Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) and we’ll give him a few runs.
“Naturally we would like to have a go at the Railway.
“I just want to get him back to form, that’s what I want to do.
“They were a handy bunch of horses he was up against.
“It was a good sign and what I wanted to see.
“It was the fastest trial of the day, as it should be, because it had the best horses in there.
“He pulled up spot on and he’s ready to roll.
“He’ll keep on improving yet.”
Giadresco, who has reduced the number of horses he prepares from his halcyon days, takes on Kaptain Kaos after previous trainers, Trevor Roche, Michael Grantham and Lindsey Smith in Victoria.
Grantham got the best out of Kaptain Kaos, preparing all his eight victories including career highs in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and Listed Northam Cup (1600m).
Kaptain Kaos has not raced since finishing ninth to Ashy Boy in the Devonport Cup (1880m) for Smith in January.
Influencing stopped the clock at 56.74sec., the gelding’s opening hit out for Dan and Ben Pearce after a breakout campaign.
The son of Oratorio reeled off four straight wins from five starts at Pinjarra, Belmont and Ascot in February and March.
Alsephina, the talented Grant and Alana Williams-trained mare, settled last and remained in that position, beaten three lengths.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...