Canterbury Stakes next for in-form Napoleonic
It's been a decade since a three-year-old triumphed in the Canterbury Stakes, but co-trainer Tom Charlton is confident Napoleonic has reached the ideal point in his prep to challenge that statistic.
Holler was the last of his vintage to overcome the older speedsters in 2016, and curiously, he was under the care of Charlton's fellow trainer John O'Shea.
Both secured the Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Flemington the spring before, and both approach this Group 1 dropping from 1400m, a pattern Charlton believes benefits Napoleonic on Saturday.
"That should leave him in good stead this weekend," Charlton said.
"He's got good form, he comes into this third-up and, we feel, ready to run the best race of his preparation, which should put him right among the chances."
March 7 has been highlighted on the schedule for Napoleonic for some time, but his second place in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) confirmed his race choice.
The Randwick Guineas (1600m) was also considered by O'Shea and Charlton, though they opted for the snappier distance.
"We always had this race day as a plan, and we were just going to work out whether it was Randwick Guineas or Canterbury Stakes," Charlton said.
"His last run was excellent, but we concluded the best option would be coming back to the 1300, rather than try to stretch him to a Randwick mile."
Notwithstanding the absence of three-year-old winners lately in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), Napoleonic will line up with Beiwacht and Nepotism from the same age group.
O'Shea and Charlton's strong contingent also features resuming stars Linebacker, the 2024 Randwick Guineas champion, and Yorkshire, winner of The Ingham.
They chase Doncaster Mile glory, Yorkshire overcoming a minor issue that scratched him from the Liverpool City Cup last weekend, while Linebacker has targeted this as his seasonal debut.
Scintillation, the juvenile, skips Randwick following a poor draw in the Reisling Stakes (1200m).
Instead, per Charlton, she heads to the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on the day.
"She's going to run in Melbourne. Just the draw was a bit tricky in Sydney on Saturday.
"She did a good job on debut. She's a nice, racy filly and hopefully we can get some black type.
Check the latest online bookmakers for racing betting markets on the Canterbury Stakes.
More Racing News
Generosity poised for Group 1 Moir Stakes
There was a period earlier this year when Chris Waller considered letting go of the classy sprinting mare Generosity. However, this Saturday, she is set to kick off another racing campaign for the renowned trainer.The six-year-old mare will make her seasonal reappearance in the lucrative $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes,...
Maher eyes 1000m kick-off for mare Tempted
While 1000-metre races are not uncharted territory for Tempted, the talented mare is set to contest this distance for the first time in a significant period this weekend.The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old is scheduled to make her return in the $1 million Group 2 Concorde Stakes at Randwick, which will mark...
Matthew Smith's sprinting duo faces strategic choices
Australia's premier short-course sprinters have numerous engagements this weekend, and Sydney conditioner Matthew Smith is eager to leverage this for his top two 1000-metre contenders.Headwall is set to attempt a repeat victory in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick. Smith, however, favours sending Way To The Stars to Melbourne for the...
Skybird seeks return to winning form in Moir Stakes
A significant amount of time and travel has passed since Skybird last graced the winner's circle.Her most recent victory was on a rain-affected Flemington track in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m), a race won by the Mitch Freedman-trained mare.Freedman is hopeful for similar conditions when Skybird competes at Sandown...
Chayan's return to racing in the Furious Stakes
Randwick is offering a considerable $2.6 million in prizemoney this Saturday, yet this figure falls short of the extraordinary sum Coolmore paid for Chayan at the Inglis Chairman's Sale in May.Despite a faltering performance in her most significant challenge, the Group 1 Golden Slipper seven weeks prior, the global breeding...
Guest House makes history at Rosehill Gardens
A remarkable feat was achieved at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday as the Golden Slipper champion, Guest House, not only broke a 35-year-old jinx but also shattered a track record that had stood for almost two decades.In a sensational return to the racetrack, Guest House, partnered by jockey Zac Lloyd, bravely...
Beiwacht outclasses field in Memsie Stakes victory
Chris Waller has made a flying start to the racing season, adding another Group 1 triumph to his impressive record.Having amassed a record 22 top-level wins in the 2025-26 season, Australia's leading trainer has now secured the first two Group 1 contests of the new racing season.Following Autumn Glow's win...
Plagiarism proves too strong in Rosehill's Up And Coming Stakes
Plagiarism demonstrated his class in the Group 3 $250,000 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, outclassing his rivals to break his maiden status.Co-trainer Adrian Bott indicated that the gelding operation post his two-year-old campaign was likely the catalyst for Plagiarism's improved performance."We have had him in...
Oliveanotherday's Caulfield triumph puts The Everest in focus
Oliveanotherday, hailing from Warrnambool, significantly boosted its chances for a start in The Everest with a commanding performance at Caulfield.Having previously won the Listed Wangoom Handicap during the Warrnambool May Carnival, Oliveanotherday made a successful return from a spell to win the Group 3 The Heath 1100 on Saturday.Under Harry...
Mr Miller's Epsom Handicap Ambitions Grow After Bankstown Sports Handicap Win
The Chris Waller-trained Mr Miller demonstrated his burgeoning talent with a decisive victory in the Bankstown Sports Handicap over 1500 metres.While the race was a benchmark 78, the performance of Mr Miller strongly suggests he is a stakes-level galloper in the making. Plans are now in motion to provide him...