Dry weather keeps Our Kobison in Sydney
Queensland’s spate of wet weather has prompted a change of plans for smart sprinter Our Kobison and Sydney racing is set to be the beneficiary.
Trainer Angela Davies had initially intended to run the gelding in the Magic Millions Falvelon (1200m) in Brisbane this weekend with a view to next month’s Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast.
But with Eagle Farm in the heavy range and meteorologists predicting Queensland’s damp summer to persist, Davies has scrapped her original plan and decided to keep Our Kobison in Sydney given his preference for firm ground.
First stop will be the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday ahead of a stakes race target on New Years’ Day.
“I had a discussion with the owners and said, ‘I think this weather is going to continue north so we’ll just stay here where we are’,” Davies said.
“He will go to the Canterbury Sprint, the Listed race on the first of January. That’s our goal.
“We missed the Razor Sharp (Handicap), he had a little bit of an elevated temperature, just enough that you don’t want to be running if they’re not right.
“We missed that one, which we really wanted to be in, but there was this race so we’ve done well to find another one just before the Canterbury Sprint.”
Our Kobison will carry 59kg after the two-kilo claim of in-form apprentice Molly Bourke, who last month celebrated her first stakes win aboard the Matthew Smith-trained Floating in the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) at Rosehill.
While the gelding can be headstrong, Davies is putting her faith in Bourke to help him settle.
“It’s still a little bit of a concern, but it is what it is. He needed the weight relief and she is riding really well,” she said.
“He will go forward so as long as he doesn’t overdo it.”
Our Kobison will be second-up at Randwick after beating all but Eagle Nest in the Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill last month on an unsuitable soft 7 track.
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...
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...
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...