Golden Slipper winner Marhoona likely to return in the 2025 Moir Stakes
Golden Slipper winner Marhoona has signalled she is ready for a big spring with an impressive trial victory at Hawkesbury on Monday.
The daughter of Snitzel, in the colours of Emirates Park, showed her trademark professionalism when she hugged the rail and powered through the line to defeat Headwall by half a length over 800m. Shangri La Spring, Jedibeel and Ostraka followed behind in a quality heat.
Trainer Michael Freedman was delighted with her return. “It was a nice trial, she looks to have come back in good order and she pulled up nice and clean after it,” he said. “I wanted her to finish it off without coasting to the line… it was good because wherever we go with her she’d probably go off just the one trial.”
Her potential first-up assignments include the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley, Sydney’s Concorde Stakes (1000m), or the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m). Freedman also praised stablemate Apocalyptic, who finished sixth in the same trial and continues to make strides after a promising juvenile season.
It was a morning brimming with star power, with Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker capturing his heat, and Melbourne Cup candidates Sir Delius and Vauban taking out their 1250m trials for the Waterhouse-Bott team.
Racing fans and punters can follow Marhoona’s path to her spring kick-off, with early markets already live at Australia’s leading betting sites.
More Racing News
Stakes races kick-off for talented Samangu
Promising mare Samangu returns to racing on Saturday, and trainer Grahame Begg is already eyeing Stakes company later in the summer. Samangu resumes in the Sportsbet More Places Handicap (1000m) at Caulfield Heath, her first start since her March victory at the same track. The mare has won five of seven and...
Trainer not happy with Magic Millions programming in QLD
While most trainers are heading north toward the Gold Coast, Liam Birchley is travelling in the opposite direction as he attempts to get Gold Czech into the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. The Sunshine Coast horseman will saddle the debutant in Saturday’s Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic at Caulfield Heath, believing it...
Kosciuszko placegetter ready to Star at Randwick
Trainer Brett Robb will continue guiding the career of Gallant Star after the gelding’s ownership group firmly declared their intentions to keep him at Dubbo rather than move him to a city stable. Robb said his suggestion to shift the horse was purely practical due to the challenges of travelling to...
Track experience vital for Oman in the 2025 Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic
Grahame Begg is banking on Oman’s repeated exposure to Caulfield’s Heath track to give her an advantage when she steps out in the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (1100m) this Saturday. The Capitalist filly has raced or trialled on the circuit three times: a debut fourth over 1000m, a third in...
Savvy Hallie on a path to the 2026 Magic Millions Sunlight
Promising filly Savvy Hallie will launch her campaign in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight before being aimed toward Sydney’s autumn features. Trainer Brad Widdup confirmed she had secured a slot in the January 10 sprint, with her preparation already well-advanced following a soft trial at Warwick Farm. One more trial is...
Guest House to chase the money in Magic Millions Victorian 2YO Classic 2025
After a polished trial win at Caulfield’s Heath track, Guest House is set to debut in Saturday’s Magic Millions Victorian 2YO Classic, with co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr buoyed by the colt’s progress. The Home Affairs son, a $270,000 Magic Millions buy, outclassed his rivals by 1-1/2 lengths in last week’s 850m...
Dream to start 2026 Magic Millions Guineas build up
Icarian Dream is on track to return to Queensland as the Ciaron Maher team maps out a path toward next month’s Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. The Blue Point filly, who contested the Magic Millions 2YO Classic earlier this year, is being considered for Saturday’s Listed Gold Edition Plate at Eagle Farm. Last...
Weeping Woman too good in the 2025 Razor Sharp Handicap
Joe Pride’s team fired on all cylinders on Saturday, with six runners producing two wins, three seconds and a third across three states, including a dominant stable quinella in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick. Weeping Woman ($2.60 fav) finished strongest to overhaul Coal Crusher ($6), only 35 minutes after...
Warnie flies late to win The Supernova 2025
With a composed ride inspired by Mark Zahra, jockey Thomas Stockdale steered Warnie to a breakthrough victory in the lucrative The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham. It was a signature moment for Stockdale, who delivered a tactically brilliant performance as the Ciaron Maher-trained runner stormed to victory in Southside Racing’s second slot...
Ingham triumph puts Yorkshire in 2026 Doncaster Mile mix
Tom Charlton may have been only five years old when John O’Shea secured the 2000 Villiers Stakes, but on Saturday the duo jointly celebrated Yorkshire’s commanding victory in the modern equivalent, The Ingham (1600m), at Randwick. The triumph delivered O’Shea a fourth win in the prestigious race and marked Charlton’s first...