Caulfield gallop takes edge off Tentyris ahead of Lightning Stakes 2026

A raceday gallop between events at Caulfield has helped sharpen Tentyris as he builds towards his first-up assignment in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington.

Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, the talented three-year-old colt is being prepared for a brief autumn stint that could open the door to an overseas venture, with Royal Ascot flagged as a potential target later in the season.

Saturday’s Lightning Stakes (1000m) is expected to kick off his campaign before connections turn their attention to the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 7.

Tentyris was last seen producing a top-class performance when capturing the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 1. However, plans quickly changed when he was withdrawn at the barriers ahead of the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) just seven days later.

During his Caulfield hit-out, the colt was not asked to clock slick sectionals, but Sam Freedman said the experience of being part of a busy raceday environment was the real objective.

"He's been on track for an hour-and-twenty, he had a play around, a sweat, he's been stimulated," Freedman said.

"It's been a big day for him and that will bring on his fitness as much as anything else, and he will go back to Flemington that little bit more relaxed I would imagine.

"We took him for a couple of race day gallops last preparation, and it seemed to work well enough and hopefully it will take the edge off him for next week."

Freedman added that discussions with Godolphin have locked in the colt’s immediate targets, with the focus firmly on the Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap.

"The first two runs are pencilled in and then it's up in the air," Freedman said.

"He's got to come back in the Lightning and run very well, and if he was to win the Lightning, we would have to see what weight he gets in the Newmarket.

"There have been conversations around overseas, but it's all form dependant, how the horse is going, what's best for him.

"There's been no chat about a premature retirement or anything like that.

"If the horse is in form there is every chance he will race on into his four-year-old year, so there's is the chance of travel then if he is going well."

Secure the best odds across leading Australian betting sites for Tentyris when he lines up in the Lightning Stakes.