Blog

  • Australian Horse Racing Daily Wrap: Slipper Field Set, Jimmysstar Odds-On & Australian Cup Contenders

    Group 1 Radar: Golden Slipper & William Reid Stakes

    Chayan the Clear Standout for the Golden Slipper

    All eyes are on Rosehill Gardens this Saturday for the 70th running of the $5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m). Following Tuesday’s crucial barrier draw, the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained filly Chayan has firmed as the outright favorite.

    Despite drawing wide in barrier 12, early betting has her at the top of the market (around $5.00). She brings impeccable form into the race, coming off a dominant victory in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes. Champion jockey Craig Williams is booked for the ride.

    Her main dangers appear to be the Bjorn Baker-trained pair:

    • Warwoven ($7.00): Guaranteed his spot with a tough win in the Pago Pago Stakes last weekend. Rachel King retains the ride, though he will have to overcome a difficult gate in barrier 18.
    • Paradoxium ($8.00): Drawn slightly better in barrier 14 with Jason Collett taking the reins.
    • Also looming large is Streisand, the tough Clinton McDonald-trained filly who claimed the Blue Diamond Stakes.

    Jimmysstar Boom Continues in the William Reid Stakes

    Looking ahead to Saturday at Caulfield, the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) is shaping up to be a thriller. The boom sprinter Jimmysstar, trained by Ciaron Maher, has opened as the heavy odds-on favorite (approximately $1.90) in early betting markets.

    Returning after a stellar spring campaign that included a third in The Everest and wins in the Russell Balding and C F Orr Stakes, he is the clear horse to beat. His main opposition includes the Yulong stallion prospect Angel Capital ($6.00) and Jigsaw ($8.00), who comes off a dominant 3.5-length front-running display in the Vobis Gold Sprint.

    Australian Cup Fallout & Future Targets

    Melbourne’s focus is quickly shifting toward the Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 28.

    • Birdman Soars into Calculations: Chris Waller’s progressive Irish-bred stayer, Birdman, has rocketed into Australian Cup favoritism following an imposing 1.75-length win in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield. Jockey Ben Melham, who won back-to-back Australian Cups on Cascadian (2023, 2024), was full of praise for the gelding, noting that the 2000m at Flemington will suit him perfectly.
    • Pride of Jenni on Track: Ciaron Maher’s superstar mare Pride Of Jenni is officially on track for her own Australian Cup tilt. She turned heads with a very strong Tuesday morning gallop at Caulfield and is set to clash with Birdman in what promises to be a race for the ages.

    These developments follow an incredible Super Saturday last weekend, which saw the Godolphin galloper Tom Kitten write himself into the history books by going back-to-back to win the All-Star Mile.

    Industry News: Remembering Makybe Diva & Coetzee Goes Solo

    Vale Makybe Diva (1999 – 2026)

    The Australian racing community is in mourning this week following the sudden passing of iconic champion Makybe Diva at the age of 27 following a short battle with colic. The legendary mare remains the only horse in history to win the Melbourne Cup three times (2003, 2004, 2005). Tributes continue to flow for the horse who famously “stopped a nation” three years running.

    Jarred Coetzee Launches Training Career

    In Queensland, highly respected horseman Jarred Coetzee has officially branched out to launch his own racing team. After serving as the second-in-charge at Robert Heathcote’s Eagle Farm barn (working with stars like Rothfire and Abounding), the 39-year-old has secured boxes at Lawrie Mayfield-Smith’s stables. He saddles up his first runner, the gelding Gas Brigade, in a 1666m Maiden at Ipswich this Friday.

    Midweek Racing Pointers: Wednesday, March 18

    For those looking at today’s midweek action, a unique angle presents itself in the Adelaide Hills:

    • Oakbank (SA): The iconic Oakbank Racecourse hosts a tight 5-race card today. When assessing the form on this undulating track, jockey Campbell Rawiller is an absolute standout. He currently boasts an elite 29.41% winning strike rate at Oakbank (5 wins from 17 rides). Punters should closely monitor any of his mounts today, as navigating the steady incline of the home straight requires specialized tactical precision.

  • The $5 Million Scramble: Shaping the 2026 Golden Slipper Field

    The countdown to Australia’s richest two-year-old race is almost over. On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Rosehill Gardens will host the 70th edition of the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper.

    With final acceptances locked in and a highly competitive 16-horse field taking shape, the makeup of this year’s Slipper has been nothing short of dramatic. From massive late entry fees to brilliant lead-up performances, here is a detailed breakdown of the likely field, the form lines, and the incredible storylines heading into this weekend.

    The $450,000 Late Entry Splash

    In a massive show of confidence from connections, three horses had the $150,000 late entry fee paid by Monday’s deadline, effectively reshaping the final field and bumping out several fringe contenders. Australian Turf Club officials noted it is incredibly rare to see three runners paid up this late, highlighting the sheer depth and evenness of the 2026 crop.

    The three late additions are:

    • Pembrey (Filly): Trained by Tony Gollan, this filly earned her spot the hard way, winning the Magic Night Stakes just last Saturday. She pulled up brilliantly, prompting connections to roll the dice. Hong Kong superstar Zac Purton is heavily rumored to be taking the ride.
    • Closer To Free (Colt): Danny O’Brien’s colt ran a phenomenal second in the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. That run served as the perfect Slipper trial, and he has thrived since.
    • Music Time (Gelding): The only gelding in the 16-horse field. Trainer Gratz Vella convinced the owners to pay the late fee after the horse emerged from a tough, gritty victory in the Black Opal Stakes in superb order.

    Note: The inclusion of these three means that hopefuls like Agrarian Girl, Medicinal, and By Choice have narrowly missed the final 16.

    The Field Composition

    As it stands, the 2026 Golden Slipper field will feature a fascinating mix of 10 colts, 5 fillies, and 1 gelding. Based on the final order of entry and acceptances, here is the likely 16-horse field taking their place at the barriers this Saturday: Here is the field and each horses current rating, plus their last 5 starts

    HorseSexTrainerJockey (Expected)Current RatingLast Start2nd Last3rd Last4th Last5th Last
    ParadoxiumColtBjorn BakerJason Collett32.6432.6420.0915.34
    ChayanFillyAnnabel & Rob ArchibaldCraig Williams38.4138.3838.4134.32
    WarwovenColtBjorn BakerRachel King38.5138.5129.1817.89
    StreisandFillyClinton McDonaldBen Melham38.9240.8636.9830.0517.2715.59
    Stretan RulerColtPhillip StokesChad Schofield38.5231.6138.5233.77
    Guest HouseColtMick Price & Michael Kent JnrZac Lloyd40.2240.2234.32
    PembreyFillyTony GollanZac Purton35.8735.8728.98
    Closer To FreeColtDanny O’BrienJamie Melham40.4540.4535.18
    Campione D’ItaliaColtChris WallerDamian Lane38.9138.9127.64
    Spicy MissFillyCiaron MaherCraig Newitt37.1537.1534.3316.73
    ZambalesColtAnthony & Sam FreedmanNash Rawiller38.0536.0140.0934.3432.72
    HidrixColtChris WallerKerrin McEvoy33.6128.6733.61
    ShikiFillyGai Waterhouse & Adrian BottRegan Bayliss33.0234.1229.2731.9315.9815.99
    Tornado ValleyColtCiaron MaherTBC30.8229.9931.6516.9815.73
    FireballColtChris WallerTBC37.7237.7233.49
    Music TimeGeldingGratz VellaPierre Boudvillain32.8022.9732.1232.80


    The Top Contenders & Lead-Up Winners

    If you are looking for the form horses, the traditional lead-up races have provided plenty of fireworks this autumn:

    Paradoxium (Colt – Trainer: Bjorn Baker)

    The current Golden Slipper favourite stamps his authority after a cruisy, dominant win in the Group 2 Todman Stakes. Ridden by Jason Collett, this Extreme Choice colt has an incredible backstory—he suffered a severe bout of travel sickness earlier in his campaign while in Queensland, which nearly derailed his season. His bounce-back victory in the Todman proved he has the elite speed and toughness required for a Slipper.

    Streisand (Filly – Trainer: Clinton McDonald)

    The girls have a massive chance this year thanks to Streisand. She proved race experience matters when she caused an upset in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes ($11) down at Caulfield, powerfully splitting the leaders under jockey Ben Melham to beat the boys.

    Stretan Ruler (Colt – Trainer: Phillip Stokes)

    The Silver Slipper winner proved he is right on track by running a strong second behind Paradoxium in the Todman Stakes. He has the tactical speed to put himself in the race and will be peaking on Saturday.

    Chayan (Filly – Trainer: Annabel & Rob Archibald)

    A classy filly who secured her Golden Slipper option by taking out the Group 2 Reisling Stakes. She brings excellent fillies’ form to the table.

    Campione D’Italia (Colt – Trainer: Chris Waller)

    You can never count out Sydney’s 15-time premiership-winning trainer. Chris Waller will send out Campione D’Italia, who comes into the race off the back of an upset victory in the Skyline Stakes.

    Spicy Miss (Filly – Trainer: Ciaron Maher)

    Firmed significantly in Slipper betting after taking out the Sweet Embrace Stakes.

    Shiki (Filly – Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)

    Representing Kurrinda Bloodstock, the early-season Gimcrack Stakes winner has had her path to the Slipper meticulously planned, and jockey Regan Bayliss is officially locked in for the ride.

    Track Conditions & Tactics

    The Rosehill Gardens track staff have been closely monitoring the weather, and Australian Turf Club’s General Manager of Racecourses, Michael Wood, has confirmed a crucial detail for punters: The inside rail will be moved out 2 metres for Slipper Day. Because the track raced so tightly and held up beautifully during the Coolmore Classic meeting last weekend, moving the rail out slightly ensures the two-year-olds will be racing on fresh, clean ground. With the rail out slightly and a highly competitive pace expected, barrier draws (announced Tuesday) will be absolutely vital.

    The Verdict

    The 2026 Golden Slipper is shaping up to be a classic “Boys vs. Girls” battle. The colts are headlined by the sheer speed of Todman winner Paradoxium and Blue Diamond runner-up Closer To Free, while the fillies boast absolute quality in Blue Diamond winner Streisand and the late-surging Magic Night winner Pembrey. Throw in the lone gelding, Music Time, and we have a race for the ages.

    Who is your pick for the $5 million prize?

  • Australian Horse Racing Wrap-Up: 14th of March 2026

    The mid-March autumn carnivals continue to deliver extraordinary racing across Victoria and New South Wales, with huge feature meetings taking place this past weekend (March 14). This wrap-up covers the major Group 1 action from Rosehill Gardens, the VOBIS Gold and Peter Young Stakes day at Caulfield, key results from around Australia, and a look back at the historic results from Flemington’s Super Saturday the week prior (March 7).

    📍 Rosehill Gardens: Coolmore Classic Day (March 14)

    Lazzura and J-Mac Steal the Show in the Coolmore

    At Rosehill, the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) saw Lazzura deliver an incredibly gutsy win, securing trainer Chris Waller his fourth consecutive victory in the prestigious fillies and mares feature (following Lady Shenandoah, Zougotcha, and Espiona).

    Carrying the top weight of 58kg—the most carried by a winning mare since the legendary Sunline lugged 60kg in 2002—Lazzura ($5.00) came from off the pace to hold off Arctic Glamour by a short neck, with Vivy Air third.

    The win was monumental for jockey James McDonald, marking his 128th Australian Group 1 victory and leaving him just one win shy of the all-time national record held by the retired Damien Oliver.

    What They Said:

    • Jockey James McDonald: “It’s a funny feeling because ‘Ollie’ (Damien Oliver) is so great, I don’t feel like I should be in that echelon just yet. I feel very privileged to be in the position where I’m getting there slowly. It wasn’t me, it was her just really biting down on the mouthguard and having a really decent crack. I thought she was all-out with one hundred metres to go, but that will to find the line, it’s something you can’t teach them, you can’t train in them.”
    • Trainer Chris Waller: “She’s been running around against some very good horses without a lot of luck going her way. We had her a bit underdone first-up and rode her a pair too close. Today, we didn’t panic from the draw. We went back, got cover three-wide. I thought, following that run last start, you’re going to fold up that last hundred, but she was strong.”

    Golden Slipper Lead-Ups (Group 3s)

    • Pago Pago Stakes: One-time Slipper favourite Warwoven ($2.70) secured his place in the Slipper field. Given a brilliant ride by Rachel King for trainer Bjorn Baker, he sat on the speed and proved too strong for Outspan and Central Europe.
    • Magic Night Stakes: Queensland trainer Tony Gollan successfully raided Sydney with Pembrey ($2.00). Ridden by James McDonald, she led all the way to secure her place in the Slipper field after a previous defeat in the Sweet Embrace.

    📍 Caulfield: Peter Young Stakes & VOBIS Raceday (March 14)

    Birdman Soars into Australian Cup Calculations

    In the Group 2 Sportsbet Peter Young Stakes (1800m), Birdman announced himself as a serious autumn contender. Ridden by Ben Melham for Chris Waller, the five-year-old gelding proved too strong for the Hayes stable duo of Apulia (2nd) and Bankers Choice (3rd). The dominant 1.8-length victory firmly places Birdman in the calculations for the upcoming Australian Cup at Flemington.

    Big Wigs Causes an Upset in the $1M Showdown

    The $1 million TBV VOBIS Platinum Showdown (1200m) provided a thrilling finish as the Phillip Stokes-trained Big Wigs ($3.70) stormed down the outside to nab the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained favourite, Miss Chanel ($3.10), right on the line.

    The victory was a masterclass from jockey Lachlan Neindorf, continuing an incredible purple patch of form that has thrust him into Victorian premiership calculations (more on this below).

    VOBIS Gold Sprint and Dash Highlights

    • VOBIS Gold Sprint: Jigsaw reminded everyone of his immense talent, winning the Sprint under Logan Bates for trainer Cindy Alderson. He comfortably defeated She’s Bulletproof and Ndola.
    • VOBIS Gold Dash: Nostra Bella took out the Dash for K. Tindale ahead of Toronado Queen.
    • Two Bays Farm Vobis Gold So Si Bon (1400m): Harry’s Yacht prevailed under Jamie Melham. Co-trainer Leon Corstens praised the horse’s maturity, noting he dropped the bit beautifully in the run despite a history of being difficult to manage, suggesting a Brisbane campaign could be next.

    📍 Around Australia: Ascot & Queensland Highlights (March 14)

    Ascot (WA): J.C. Roberts Stakes

    The Listed Schweppes J.C. Roberts Stakes (1800m) at Ascot went to the Sean & Jake Casey trained Aberdeen Flyer ($3.20). With Chris Parnham in the saddle, the three-year-old gelding edged out the Grant & Alana Williams trained Sentimental Legend (ridden by Willie Pike) by 0.6 lengths, with The Crimson Pirate back in third.

    Queensland: QTIS Jewel 3YO

    At the Gold Coast, the feature QTIS Jewel 3YO went to the Rob Heathcote-trained Fabulantes ($5.00). Given a spectacular ride from near-last by Daniel Moor, the gelding rounded up the field to secure a brilliant win over Call Da Vinci and Dragonne Rouge.

    📱 Social Media Highlights & News Chatter

    • Premiership Race Heating Up: Following his massive win on Big Wigs at Caulfield, jockey Lachlan Neindorf has become the talk of the Victorian racing scene. The win marked his 8th victory in the month of March alone and brought his season tally in Victoria to 70 wins, placing him in second and trailing current premiership leader Jamie Mott by just 6 wins. Neindorf admitted on Racing.com’s The Verdict that he is beginning to seriously entertain a run at the title.
    • @7horseracing (Channel 7 Racing): “G1 #128 FOR J-MAC 👑 He lifts Lazzura over the line to give Chris Waller his fourth straight Coolmore Classic! James is now one win away from Damien Oliver’s G1 record 😲 @mcacajamez @cwallerracing”
    • @RaceQLD: “FABULANTES gets it done from near last! The in-form galloper takes out the 3YO Jewel for Rob Heathcote and Daniel Moor, what a run! #QLDisRacing”

    🔮 Looking Ahead to Upcoming Big Races

    • George Ryder Stakes (March 21): All eyes will be on Rosehill next Saturday. James McDonald has the opportunity to equal Damien Oliver’s record of 129 Group 1 wins when he rides the unbeaten star filly Autumn Glow.
    • Golden Slipper (March 21): The final field is taking shape following Warwoven and Pembrey’s automatic qualifying wins.
    • Australian Cup (March 28): Chris Waller’s Birdman has rocketed into calculations for Flemington’s 2000m weight-for-age feature following his impressive Peter Young Stakes win.
    • Doncaster Mile (April 4): Current futures markets have Sheza Alibi as the heavily backed favourite ($2.30), followed by Autumn Glow. After his March 7 heroics, Tom Kitten’s odds have been slashed to $15.00 for the famous Randwick mile.

  • Australian Racing Highlights: Super Saturday & Randwick Guineas Day

    The autumn leaves are beginning to turn, but the heat is only rising on the turf. This weekend, the focus is split between the “Holy Grail” of sprinting at Flemington—the Newmarket Handicap—and the classic three-year-old battle in the Randwick Guineas. We’ve scoured the stables, tracked the social media whispers, and analyzed the morning track reports to bring you the definitive look at the weekend ahead.

    1. The Melbourne Report: Flemington “Super Saturday”

    Track Condition: Currently a Good (4). The rail is in the True position. Forecasters are predicting a mild, clear day, which should keep the surface in the “Good” range, favoring those who can skip across the top.

    The Feature: G1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m)

    The buzz at Flemington this morning is all about Tentyris. After a massive performance in the Lightning Stakes, the weight is the only question mark.

    • Key Player Insight: Trainer perspective suggests Tentyris has “thrived” since the Lightning. Despite the top weight, the stable believes the horse’s natural cruising speed will offset the handicap.
    • The Rivalry: Ka Ying Rising is the name on everyone’s lips on social media. The clash between these two is being billed as the “Sprint of the Season.”
    • Jockey Whisper: Kerrin McEvoy has been heard “whispering” about a sleeper in the field, suggesting the track might play slightly toward the outside fence later in the day.

    The All-Star Mile Prelude

    Tom Kitten (trained by Ciaron Maher) is looking lethal. After edging out champions by a nose in recent trials, Ben Melham is staying aboard. Maher has been vocal on socials about the horse’s “physical peak,” stating this is the best the horse has ever looked.

    2. The Sydney Report: Randwick Guineas Day

    Track Condition: Soft (5) with a slight chance of improvement to a Good (4) by Saturday afternoon. The rail is out 3m.

    G1 Randwick Guineas (1600m)

    A classic battle of the sexes and styles. Autumn Glow remains the undefeated queen of the turf, looking to add another trophy to the cabinet.

    • Trainer News: Chris Waller has praised the “unflappable temperament” of his pair heading into the All-Star Mile and the Guineas.
    • The Challenger: Autumn Boy and Sheza Alibi are the market movers. Reports from the track suggest Autumn Boy’s final gallop on Tuesday was “explosive,” recording splits that have analysts scrambling.

    G2 Challenge Stakes (1000m)

    Giga Kick is the redemption story of the weekend.

    • Social Media Buzz: Clayton Douglas has been sharing behind-the-scenes footage of Giga Kick’s recovery and prep. The “Everest” champ is second-up and drawn perfectly in gate two. Nash Rawiller is reportedly “pumped” to get back on.
    • Market Watch: Mazu is the veteran favorite. Joseph Pride mentioned in a recent interview that Mazu is “grand old campaigner” who is primed for this first-up run on a surface that has a bit of “give” in it.

    3. Key Players & Social Media Sentiment

    • James McDonald (J-Mac): His booking on Generosity in the Challenge Stakes has seen the odds slash overnight. Punters on Twitter are calling it the “Waller-McDonald Factor.”
    • The “Blinkers” Factor: Significant news out of Randwick is that Hidrix, the deposed Golden Slipper favorite, will have blinkers on for the first time in the Todman Stakes. This is a classic “all-or-nothing” move from the stable.
    • Ethan Brown: After his emotional Australian Guineas win last week with Observer, the jockey is the “man of the moment.” Watch for his rides at Flemington as he carries a massive wave of public support.

    4. Around the Grounds

    • Ascot (WA): The Ascot 1,000 Guineas is the highlight. The track is expected to be a typical “Fast” WA deck. Keep an eye on the Pike/Williams combination—they remain the gold standard in the West.
    • Morphettville (SA): All eyes are on the lead-up to the Adelaide Cup. Hurry Curry is the horse the locals are talking about; trainer Sarah Rutten has confirmed the horse is “spot on” for Monday’s big one.

    Champion Ratings Final Word: This is a weekend for the class horses. At Flemington, look for those with “straight track” experience in the Newmarket. At Randwick, trust the trainers who have targeted these specific Group 1s months in advance.

    Good luck, and good punting!