Inkaruna adds value in 2025 Thoroughbred Club Stakes win
Inkaruna delivered a breakthrough moment for connections at Caulfield, with Craig Williams producing a polished display to win the upgraded million-dollar Thoroughbred Club Stakes.
The Group 3 sprint, traditionally an October fixture, was elevated in prizemoney and repositioned to November, creating a fresh spring highlight for three-year-old fillies.
Under the guidance of trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, Inkaruna ($5) travelled smoothly throughout before pulling clear to beat Kujenga ($41) by 1½ lengths, with favourite My Gladiola ($1.90) unable to finish off and settling for third.
Williams said her professionalism gave him complete control from the outset.
“She stood well in the gates, got a nice start, was able to control where I wanted to,” Williams said.
“She was a little bit on the bridle and had a nice smooth run (and) the blinkers have worked really well.
“I had the right horse to win a million-dollar race here.”
The win followed her strong performance behind Point Barrow at Flemington, which signalled she was trending the right way.
Williams added that race tactics were clear heading into the event.
“The grey My Gladiola, the top weight was the horse we all had to beat – she’s a superstar but we had to just go out there and ride our own race,” he said.
“I spoke to Sam this morning at depth about what we want to do with her.
“The first part was get her out nice and clean.
“We got into a nice rhythm, had the right horse to follow into the race, and then she was a really good and strong late.”
My Gladiola’s jockey Jamie Mott later suggested the filly may be feeling the end of a long spring, noting she lacked her usual late strength.
If you’re considering a flutter on the Thoroughbred Club Stakes or similar races, you can review Australia’s top-rated betting services for better value and market comparisons.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...