Willaidow in milestone win for Conners family in 2026 JRA Plate
Willaidow delivered a landmark success for Marc and Mitchell Conners by becoming a rare dual winner of the JRA Plate at Rosehill.
The result added another chapter to the Conners family history, with Marc the son of four-time Golden Slipper winning trainer Clarry Conners and grandson of Clarry Conners Snr.
Although Mitchell Conners was at Newcastle supervising another runner, Marc said the win carried enormous meaning for their partnership.
“For a small stable like ours, it’s a lot of work. We have to put in a lot of hours,” Marc Conners said.
“These are the wins that are pretty special for us.”
Marc said Mitchell had earned his place alongside him in the training ranks.
“He has put the hard yards in. He has done a lot of work,” he said.
“He is driving home from Newcastle today, he got beaten up there, so this will cheer him up.
“It’s a proud moment for me to have him down beside me. He will remember that for a long time.”
Willaidow ($4.60) backed up his success from 12 months earlier when the race was known as the Southern Cross Stakes (1200m).
After being held up approaching the straight, James McDonald guided Willaidow into clear air where the gelding dug deep to defeat The Instructor ($6.50) by a short head, with Zarastro ($9.50) finishing third.
The seven-year-old has now banked more than $720,000 from nine wins and has been a cornerstone of the stable for several seasons.
“He is a $7000 horse and look what he’s done,” Conners said.
“He fractured his cannon bone after his third win, and he’s come back and done what he’s done. For a stable like us, they are dream horses. They’re the backbone. They pay the bills.”
Those assessing racing betting markets will note Willaidow’s consistency after his second JRA Plate success as carnival options are considered.
The post Willaidow in milestone win for Conners family first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
More Racing News
Small steps to start former HK galloper Nervous Witness
The Hayes brothers are keen to see Nervous Witness back at the races before committing to ambitious autumn targets. Previously trained in Hong Kong by David Hayes, Nervous Witness returned to Australia at the end of 2024 and has since joined the Lindsay Park operation. Following four jump-outs and trials, the gelding...
My Gladiola on 2026 Lightning Stakes path
All top-level sprint targets remain under consideration for My Gladiola as trainer John McArdle maps out her autumn program. The Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington is shaping as the likely first stop as the filly approaches race fitness. My Gladiola had a solid hit-out at Caulfield Heath on Thursday, edging...
Blue Diamond Stakes 2026 beckons for unbeaten Big Sky
Big Sky has stamped himself as a leading Blue Diamond contender after a dominant performance at Caulfield for the Mick Price and Michael Kent stable. The colt now sits atop markets for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes following his commanding win in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes. Stablemate Guest House is...
Chilly Girl races into Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 with Widden Stakes win
Chilly Girl showed her toughness and talent when leading all the way to claim the Widden Stakes at Rosehill, producing a performance full of grit. Despite being pressured early by favourite Miss Scandal, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained filly refused to yield and found plenty in the straight to hold...
Wrote To Arataki claims a second Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
Matthew Williams’ decision to reset Wrote To Arataki after a challenging spring was rewarded when the mare delivered a first-up Stakes success at Caulfield. The Warrnambool trainer celebrated as Wrote To Arataki secured her second Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m), adding another highlight to her consistent career. It was the mare’s...
Hidrix equal Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 favourite after a dominant debut
Chris Waller has unveiled another serious Golden Slipper contender after Hidrix produced a commanding debut performance at Rosehill. The colt stamped himself as a major player for the world’s richest two-year-old race as favourite Incognito failed to fire, finishing well down the order. Incognito’s jockey Tommy Berry reported the colt may have...
Magnaspin finds winning form at Caulfield races
Magnaspin’s long-awaited return to the winner’s stall came at Caulfield on Saturday after a well-executed front-running ride from Jamie Melham. The gelding, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, led from early and showed plenty of determination to claim the A Caulfield Kind Of Summer Handicap (2000m). Melham took control...
Big Sky out to cement 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes credentials
Trainer Robbie Griffiths believes Invincible Son is set to take another step forward when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. The colt finished third behind Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five on debut and now continues his path toward the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes. Griffiths...
Jolly pair to tackle delayed 2026 Durbridge Stakes
Trainer Richard Jolly says patience has paid off after his two runners avoided any setbacks following the postponement of last week’s Morphettville meeting. Klabel and Great Maximus will both contest the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) on Saturday after the race was delayed due to extreme heat conditions. Jolly admitted the extra week...
Fitter Samangu ready to pounce in 2026 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
After two runs back from a lengthy break, Grahame Begg believes Samangu is now ready to produce her best performance when she contests the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. The mare returned to racing in December after nine months off and initially struggled to find her rhythm. Begg expected...